Beech Mountain Series Finale Recap

It's only Sept and it’s pretty freggin cold considering how early in the Fall season we are... Compounded with the amount of fog the mountain has had this season, I am willing to wager that there’s an epic white stuff season in store for the winter for Beech Mountain Resort. But before we get there, Beech Mountain closed out its three race Gravity Series this past weekend. Since passing that seasonal point from Summer to Fall, the precip has pretty much dried up, the joke that was heard many times over Saturday morning was, "I've never raced Beech in the dry." In the recent years of going to NC high country, I don't know if I can honestly recall a completely dry race weekend at Beech.

How was the field stacked for the finale? The first question, would the current KING of the Mountain, Geritt Beytagh, be 100% to keep his streak alive after a recent nasty crash at Windrock? He had to bow out of the season closer at Snowshoe, just two weeks ago. Also, Team BGB-MK contender Max Morgan has been stepping up his game and been able to show the boys in the NE how we do it in the SE with a number of top spots in GES and POC ESC. Twas not to be this weekend, with a family event and his new residence 1000s of miles away, it wouldn't be in the cards for Max. Anyone up for the challenge to beat the king one last time?........ Wait? What?........ One last time? (yeah right, we've heard that before).


The Friday Night Fix - Some made the trip to Beech Mtn Resort early and were able to get some riding in on Fun-Day-Friday. Jimmy Leslie does some late night maintenance under the moon light, I mean CFL light, at the "House of GROM." On a personal note, THANKS to the entire GROM crew (and parents) for their hospitality yet again! Kenn Vest, Diane Leslie, Trent Rogers, and Scott Kane!


Aren't Saturday Mornings are Supposed to be for Sleeping In? - Sunsets are easy and seem to be a dime a dozen..... after eight or so hours on the course, you take a shower then stuff your tummy to replenish those burnt carbs and finally end the eve by venturing outside to see the big ball of gas dip below the horizon. Sunrises on the other hand are a bit more difficult..... you want me to roll out of bed when? And have my sh&T together to be up on the top of the mountain for a 7:21 a.m. sunrise with a full day on the track? After a several yawns, some cold digits, followed by a LONG day, I'd day it was totally worth it.


You are at 5,500 ft, so a cloud here and there can be expected. Ethan Burns was out early for the Saturday 0900 practice session. It was a chilly ride up the lift, but the sun would come out and burn off that chill for a dry weekend..... that's what I said, DRY weekend. Ethan would take the bronze in Juniors.


Shane O'Shura was looking pinned all weekend doing the "Brook Mac" (aka always on), but it wasn't quite enough. He finished 3rd in Cat 1 30-39 behind Will Murray and class winner Chuck Pitts. Don't count this guys out..... yeah they might be watching the hour glass in terms years burn down, but there's still plenty of juice left in the gasser across the entire field.


Josh Rogers was in tow all weekend with fellow teammate Jimmy Leslie (GROM Racing). Jimmy had some stiff competition in Pro Men, but the lead and follow thing worked for Josh in Juniors. He took the top spot on the day and wrapped up the season with a first in class for the three race series.


The Sea of SEI - One thing is for sure, if there's race in the SE region, you will see a sea of SEI Racing jerseys all over the course. Matt Griffin and his teammates always support the local racing scene, whether it's DH, Super D or Enduro. Support your locals and they'll support you!


LOSSST-INNNN-TAAAAAPPPPPPPE - The upper part of the race course is a maze of tape, its enough to keep your speed in check and force riders to dust off their tech skills. Dwayne Maynard's techy skills seemed to be on par, resulting in a 2nd in Men's Cat 1 18-29 on race day.


Where Do You Think You are Going? - After a few minutes of watching line choices, Andy Devault's neck brace got into fight with the course tape and the tape won. Neck brace's and course tape never seem to get along and no matter how much Andy fought it, it just wouldn't let him go.


The Star Pupil - A race report just isn't complete without an Eric Vest photo, and you can rack up another solid finish, 6th in Pro Men (technically he's still a Junior). We need to silk screen this slogan on the back of Eric's jersey, "Go Big or Go Home!"


Like a Jedi Knight - MP Spierer is a regular at East Coast races with his Canfield Jedi. He had to settle for lucky number 13th in the stacked field of the up and comer's, Men Cat 1 18-29.




Sunday's weather was supposed to be better than Saturday's.... more sun and the mercury would climb a few degrees higher. As soon as the lift opened for race day practice, the sun showed it's face. Steve Kaufman (One Ghost Industries) was up on the mountain early. In Men Masters 40+ 18 in class he took the 9th spot.


Metal Dude's Still Got It - Chuck might not be running Pro Men anymore, but he's still competitive. 2.15 secs over his closest competitor in Men Cat 1 30-39 meant he'd stand on the top of the podium at the end of the day.


Did Butch Just Start a Trend? A simple "Hi!" does work. What works might you ask? Well, on Butch Greene's number plate, he wrote "HI JAY!" and he's getting a pic in the race report. As said many times boys and girls, "Color is both your and my friend, if you see me, throw me some style, and just say Hi!" He ended up not having the run he was hoping for, something about a crash just 2 seconds out of the gate. Must have been a doozy, as he didn't finish the run and ended up just rolling down the open slope and access roads. Hope things are OK Bizutch!


Not in My House - The Snowshoe Series Champion, Kyle Grau, made the trip five hours south to Western North Carolina's High Country. But the locals wouldn't let him sit atop the podium on their home turf, not this weekend. Kyle finished in 4th in Pro Men.


The Khare family pretty much eats, sleeps, and breathes bicycles. Mom and Dad are active in the local Greenville SC chapter of SORBA and involved with all things trails/events in the region. Bergen, their young protege, has been working on those DH skills and in just in the past few years we've seen this young GROM exceed beyond expectations. Give him a few years and he'll be a force to be reckoned with. He finished 5th in the 10-17 Juniors class.


Something a Bit Different. Will Rouse, Lees McRae Racing and 8th in Men Cat 2 18-29, gets my favorite shot of the weekend. Something a bit different, as he flys off the step down into the G-out just before the infamous "Hip." Thanks to Guy Miller for the rider warning, greatly appreciated Kind Sir!


David Dreher launches the first feature in the lower machined section of the course, good enough for the 5th sport in Men Cat 2 18-29.


Beech is pretty much the playground for the Lees McRae Collegiate Team. Come the end of October and USAC Collegiate National Championships, they'll all have something to prove and we fully expect to see the podium covered in Gold and Green. BUT, I am sure the Blue Raiders of the Lindsey Wilson crew (whom always seem to be the favs) aren't gonna give up without a fight. Matt Clements (Lees McRae Racing) took 4th in Men Cat 1 18-29.


It's always good to see the fruits of your labors (and he wears COLOR!). Hunter Budd is one of many who's put in countless hours, sweat, and I am sure some blood into the mountain and the success of the park. He ended the season with a 10th place in Men Cat 1 18-29 on the day.


Scrub-A-Dub-Dub. Ben Calhoun look'n pinned scrubbing some speed in the flow course. What's it gonna take to get Big Ben to start wearing some color? Ben, I am convinced color is worth at least two spots.... you could have improved from that 8th in Pro Men with little to no extra physical effort.


The Countdown.... 3...... Once again Jimmy Leslie headed south from the great state of Penn to compete with his GROM Racing teammates. He's been all over the podium lately and took third in Pro Men. With some more seat time at Beech (he's doesn't come this way much), I'd put money on he'd be the one to de-throne the KING.


The Countdown.... 2...... The Quintessential Racer, B-dwag. Uhhhhhh, just a seven tenths off, so so close (not to mention that Jimmy was just 0.14 back from Brandon). Why the quintassential racer? Brandon Blakely not only works in the industry as a Cane Creek Cycling Components Engineer, he races..... AND puts up the results to back it up. Also, a heck of a guy and always willing to help with tuning, lines, etc, etc. What more could you ask for?


The Countdown.... And 1...... With conditions different from the normal, would we see the results change as well? A bit torn, on one hand we wanted to see Geritt Beytagh's streak continue and the other we wanted to witness the crown being passed. Well...... that streak would continue. The rumor is, with this win Geritt's gone out with a bang and selling his Trek Session, of which is not to be replaced. The trend is, successful racers can't resist the urge. Our money is on he'll come out of retirement, AGAIN. Congrats Bro on the win on the day and the series!!!!


1st Geritt Beytagh (Royal Racing, Urge, Trek Bicycles): 02:09.95
2nd Brandon Blakely (Team Billy Goat Bikes, Mountain Khakis, Devinci): 02:10.66
3rd Jimmy Leslie (GROM Racing): 02:10.80
4th Kyle Grau (Core Optix/Santa Cruz Bikes): 02:13.83
5th Dan Ennis (Brevard College): 02:16.74

Full Results via USA Cycling

We know we can speak for all those in the Carolina's and in the region, THANKS TO ALL THE BEECH CREW AND THOSE INVOLVED for giving the riders some place to play in the Southeast. The first complete year as a bonafide bike park has been a total success!!! Raise your fav beverage to many many more..... See you next season!!!

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the North Face
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One Industries
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