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Swank 65 - North Carolina
Posted by: Matt Williams
|December 16, 2011 2:51 AM
Swank 65 - North Carolina
Written by Matt Williams
Sam Koerber and Karen Masson Close The Season with Wins at Swank 65
Despite the fact that cross season is in full swing in North Carolina—okay everywhere— this time year, 200 participants pulled out their mountain bikes one more time for the Swank 65k last weekend. Starting and finishing in the heart of Pisgah National Forest, Swank is heavy on singletrack and fun. And with good reason—it includes such classic singletrack descents as Butter Gap, Farlow Gap, and Daniel Ridge, as well as a great atmosphere. But while the overall vibe at the Swank in low-key, jovial, and heavy on camaraderie, when the gun went off it was all business at the front. On the first climb out of Cove Creek a lead group of four riders formed at the front of the race containing Sam Koerber (Trek 29er Crew), Jacob McGahey (ABRC), Garth Prosser (Cannondale), and Matt Williams (MTBRaceNews.com). Prosser put in a number of accelerations to try to thin the group, but everything stayed together into the first descent down Daniel Ridge. Koerber, McGahey, and Williams rode away on the downhill, and on the second climb to Butter Gap Koerber turned the screws and slowly rode McGahey and then Williams off his wheel. That was the last anyone would see of Koerber as he cruised to his fifth consecutive victory. By Aid Station 2 Williams had cracked, leaving Prosser and McGahey to battle it out for the top three. McGahey out-descended Prosser on the famed Farlow Gap descent and was able to hold his advantage to the line. The women’s race was a local’s affair, as Karen Masson taking the lead early and didn’t look back. Behind her Brevard resident Julia Tellman (Sycamore Cycles) rode well to take second, with Kym Schifino cruising in for third. Post-race riders were treated New Belgium beer, burgers off the grill, and a warm campfire at the Cove Creek campground. Open Men
Open Women
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