BT Epic - Through the Eyes of the Promoter

We just finished the 2009 BTEPIC and it was a huge success. I would like to thank all of the racers/ riders and volunteers for all of the positive attitude that I seen over the whole weekend.

I witnessed Jason Ozenberger who was in the money hunt stop for an injured Eric Pyrtle, who crashed at Brazil Creek in the lead. Jason stayed with Eric until myself and Rocky Hudson our medical staff could get on site. Jason also did not leave until Eric was in the car on the way to hospital. Jason was rewarded a life time free entry to the BTEPIC. He did not ask for anything but I believe his actions are what we would like to see from every mountain biker out there. Jason finished with a time of 6:38:41. This is remarkable with the amount of time he stopped.

I also seen from the very fast pro to the entry level racer battle the elements and the challenge of the course with a smile on there face. I personally enjoyed watching the top guys battle all day long it was very fun and everyone should take a chance to watch these guys ride. I have to say this was the most fun and rewarding race I have had the fortune to promote.

I started the BTEPIC in 2008 with a friend of mine Tony Schardt. I had been to Ouchita and Syllamo and really enjoyed both events. I took what I learned from those and other races i have promoted or raced in to combine to what you see now. Even some adventure racing such as the drop bags. Even the location at Bass River Resorts, was brought to my attention when doing the Berryman adventure race. Tony and myself spent a lot of time riding and plotting the course for the BTEPIC. The goal was to offer as much single track as possible but with road breaks to help out the body. The 3 mile road climb at the start was set to separate the group before entering single track.

In 2008 we started out to clear the trail for the race 2 months before event it was rough, nearly 79 trees laid in our path. After sawing,pruning, and weed eating for 2 months we had it clear. In 2009 it was much easier. 2008 I only had 4 dedicated volunteers that helped the whole time with 3 more joining up for event. In 2009 i had 17 show up for work day and 25 for the race. I cant brag enough about how big of a role volunteers play in a race.

2009 showed to be just as big of a challenge since we got 2 inches of rain Thursday before the race. i got out of bed Friday morning to see the flooding. I contacted Stephan bass owner of bass river resorts. He said he hoped it would go down but would not promise anything. so i waited and went to bed Friday night around midnight I then got up Saturday morning at 4am to check on all of the water crossing, it did not look good, so i went back to Stephan at bass and we came up with the truck and trailer hauling idea. Stephan had 2 tall trailers one for his truck and one for mine. While most tour people were sleeping Stephan took me down to the river crossing and gave me a crash course in how to cross a bridge you could not see and that had water rushing across. His not was see that dead elm tree straight ahead that is the center of the bridge, keep you truck centered on that and go slow if you go off we can pull you out with a tractor. The way back was a little harder i was told to keep that same tree in my rear view mirror that sounded crazy.

So i went to the start line and explained to all of the tour people how we would be crossing the river leaving out the scary parts. The tour started and all the riders were waiting at the shore line of what looked like the ocean. People started to pile on the truck and trailers it was a sight. Stephan went first then i went. As my truck entered people on the trailer commented how deep it was but they were dry. I pulled up to the bridge that i could not see and started across. This was a little scary because i had a load of rider this time. When i got across to the other side safely i was relieved that it went so smooth. at the end of the ride i again showed up at the river and shuttled people back across but by this time i could see the bridge it was easy.

After the morning start most tour riders did not realize that i still had to build a bridge across hwy 8 since the water had been to high. when i and volunteers reached the site it was still to deep and wide for my bridge so after walking across the water(which was cold) to find the best spot we constructed the bridge but it was to short my dad and John Bradley went back to Stephan for Pallets to get people across dry. We had 3 rider that had to get a little wet but after that it was dry. i want you to think about how far back that crossing is from hwy 8 on a bike not so bad but carrying sections of a bridge forever again thank volunteers.

Again going to bed late Saturday night i again got up early Sunday to check on river crossing it looked a lot better but still deep. so again i go to Stephan he is ready to trailer people again for second day in his own personal truck but i have a problem how do you get all the racers across at same time without causing unfair time delays. we could only haul 25 at a time so i asked Stephan if i could borrow his trailer we parked it in the middle and put out ramps and pallets to get riders across dry this worked perfect. I watched the line get long for the crossing but not one person bitched or complained, thank you.

Also in 2009 Ryan joined to help out with promotion and work this proved to be huge. One person cant do it all. I have received a lot of thanks and praise but without the dedicated group that helped this year it would not have happened. Next year has already began in planning and i already have more volunteers dedicated to 2010. The race has also picked up some more sponsors so i promise you the BTEPIC will be a race that will continue to grow and hopefully encourage people to help the sport grow.

I have been asked why I spend so much time and effort into a race. I have been mountain biking since 1993 and have had some unbelievable experiences that have for every changing my life. I realized that without promoters and volunteers there would be no races. So by doing the BTEPIC is my way of giving back to a sport that I love so much. The only regret is that as this race grows and becomes a popular race I can never race in it, but the reward I got this year from all that happened and all the things i seen gave me the same satisfaction as if i were in the race and won.

Thanks to all that attended and i hope to see you next year although i would not wait long to sign up because i see this race filling up quickly.