America's Best To Take On The Trans-Sylvania Epic

AMERICA'S BEST TO TAKE ON THE TRANS-SYLVANIA EPIC,
AMERICA'S LONGEST MOUNTAIN BIKE STAGE RACE

STATE COLLEGE - The Trans-Sylvania Epic, the longest mountain bike stage race experience in the USA offering seven days in the mountain bike paradise that is the Alleghenies region of Pennsylvania, is attracting the most competitive field of endurance racers to yet assemble for an MTB stage race in North America.

Mountain bike luminaries such as Cannondale Factory Racing's Jeremiah Bishop and WTB's Mark Weir alongside PAValleys.com's National 24 Hour Solo Series Champions Bradon Draugulis ('09) and Rob Lichtenwalner ('07/'08); perennial NUE series contenders Christian Tanguy and Harlan Price from Team CF as well as endurance race stalwart Evan Plews and top US Ruta finisher Alex Grant (Cannondale) are some of the stars who will be battling it out daily with a slate of regional stars and local legends for the right to wear the Pactimo TSE Leader's Jersey. The women's entrants are just as powerful with multiple time World 24 Champ, Rebecca Rusch (Specialized), women's 2009 Iron Cross Champion Selene Yeager and her Team CF mates Nikki Thiemann and Kristin Gavin, PAValleys.com's Carolyn Popovich and Karen Potter (MTBRaceNews.com) amongst those ripping each other apart daily in pursuit of their own Pactimo leader's jersey at the TSE.

TSE director Mike Kuhn noted, "The quality of the racers taking part in our first year is fantastic; there hasn't been a field like this assembled for a mountain bike race in the region in a long time." He added, "It's not just elite racers. We have people coming because they see Trans-Sylvania as a perfect mountain bike vacation or as an incredible challenge. We can't wait to show mountain bike enthusiasts and racers from across North America just how good the riding is in Pennsylvania as this event unfolds."

"This is a great opportunity to meet and interact with some of the nation's best racers," added director Ray Adams. "If you love mountain biking you'll have a whole week to ride incredible trails and compare notes with some of the finest riders around the bonfire each evening. You're not going to find this anywhere else. It's especially true this first year as we set the stage for what will become at least eastern North America's don't miss mountain bike experience. Yes, seven days of great trail riding in a row is not easy, but it is absolutely possible for a lot of riders. What's more, the sense of accomplishment from riding seven back to back days is beyond words. Everyone should - and can - experience that."

When asked why he is choosing TSE over the multitude of of stage races out there; CFRs Bishop replied, "It's about riding killer technical single track. Some places have good scenery and some good trails but nothing is like the raw rocks roots and deep forest of the east coast single track in PA. Riding in the state college area is world class and with solid promotion back round the race is sure to be well run and a lot of fun." He continued, "TSE is going to be demanding, in fact its probably the longest stage race in North America; but that is going to make for an incredible experience. If the other trails are like what I have ridden, its going to rock!"

Specialized's three time Women's World 24 Hour Solo Champ Rebecca Rusch commented on TSE, "I love mountain bike stage races because the offer the opportunity to really see the riding an area has to offer. For me 7 days in a row of hard racing is a perfect training block and sort of my own PA boot camp. I have not ridden out East much and from what I hear, this place offers some of the best single track in the world. The TSE jumped out at me because of the reputation of the race directors, the chance to ride out East and the time of year of the event." Her husband Greg Martin (Club Ride Apparel), owner of two 24 Hr Solo Singlespeed World Titles added, " I'm really looking forward to spending a full week riding some of the beautiful trails that PA has to offer. Having grown up in Virginia and now living out west, I really miss the technical trails that the east coast is famous for. This is going to be a super fun race!"

WTB's legendary Mark Weir offered up a slightly different motivation for attending, "Last time I was in PA I got schooled by a bunch of round face tough guys. This race looks like a great way to find some redemption." Weir seems to have his eye on one competitor in particular adding, "Harlan you and your 29”s of wheel better look out. Had about enough of you buddy."

Based out of the expansive Seven Mountain Scout Camp near State College, PA, the Trans-Sylvania Epic offers 7 days of spectacular trails in some of the most remote riding in Pennsylvania through the spectacular Allegheny mountains. Through the course of the 7 days the participants will explore over 250 miles of mountain bike heaven and just scratch the surface of the trails and paths in this part of PA. The event will challenge riders physically and mentally but reward them with an experience they'll never forget. Running May 30-June 5, 2010, more information about Trans-Sylvania at www.TransSylvaniaEpic.com.