in case you weren't sure

about the elite nature of this event...just read this on mtbr from the race directors. yeah, i got goose bumps.

2009 Wilderness 101 Race Brief

Thank you for registering for the Wilderness 101 on Saturday Aug, 1st - this SATURDAY! It is the 5th stop of 8 on the NUE MTB Series ScheduleWe are excited to be back on the traditional course (2005-2007) for 2009. The community of Coburn has graciously opened up their community park for us to camp in Friday and Saturday night. Camping will be first come first serve so please squeeze in tight (tent camping with your car / No RV's this year) -- No OPEN FIRES!!--THE RULE of the event- We can not allow spectators to follow racers from Aid Station to Aid Station. The Department of Forestry has put the kabosh on unneeded vehicular traffic on the roads. They are in the process of reviewing the event for a 5 year permit and they will use the volume of this event as a basis for future restrictions. We need to keep things tight!!! Regardless, there is no room for a huge amount of cars at the Aid Stations. Aid Station #3 is off limits to anyone but registered volunteers. Volunteering is not just sitting in your chair until your special person comes by. Volunteering is assisting all riders through the full shift of the Aid Stations operation.Other important info - If you drop out please notify the timing staff at the finish line AND the aid station manager with the racer check off list, please watch them mark your name off the list. No Gel packets on the course. Please empty your packets into a Hammer Gel Flask - we really appreciate this!

East Coasters Cheryl Sornson, Betsy Shogren, Karen Potter, Denelle Grant and Johanna Kraus will be joined by West coast talent Erica Tieszen and Pua Suwecki. I can't wait to see how that shakes down!Gerry the Pflugger is looking untouchable this year on the singlespeed! Who will take the battle for 2nd? Roger Masse has been representing, Chris McGill will be moping about the course with Gunnar Shogren. Will Gunnar need the cane again or will he need to upgrade to the walker after 101 miles this year? Ferrari and Alcorn have been showing some game, but will they choke on their home course? Who will make more noise, Tomi back from the Breck Epic or Ramponi away from home for the weekend?Jeff Schalk, returning 2008 Wilderness 101 champion, says he is ready to roll along with Josh Tostado, Chris Eatough, Michael Simonson, Christian Tanguy, Chris Beck and Jacob Loverich. Will Schalk, Tostado, and Simonson bring some high altitude fitness from their last battle in Breckenridge to the plate? Beck and Eatough had a pretty good show down at Michaux, who will prevail in part two of their PA campaign? Will Tanguy throw a sneak attack in, and be the first across the line this year? Is Andy Applegate, Lichtenwalner, Ray Adams, Andy Gorski, Whittingham, Lawrence or Fawley going to surprise and nail the top 5? Regardless, it's going to be exciting to see how things play out!!!Will Chris Wurster make the Masters podium with heat like David Kelnberger and John Williams racing? Will Jim Matthews have game on his home course after weedeating Longberger Trail?The battle for the top local spot will be highly contested this year. Jacob Loverich ruled the roost in 2008 and looks pretty solid for 09, but…will Strauber's big road miles pay off or will his 3 101 trailwork missions beat him down? Is Joe Gore gonna make big coin on side bets between he and Raymo on the singles? Is Chipper gonna saddle up? Can Ferrari mentally recover from taking 2nd at the 6hrs of power? It appears that the locals from State College have more inter-squad rivalries then Astana did in this years Tour de France. Which local will brag their way into 2010?

Racer check in is on Friday Aug 3rd from 4-11 pm at Coburn Park. If you cannot make it during that time please contact us in advance. The race will start at 7:00 am Saturday morning. Food and refreshments immediately following your finish.Cathy DeSanto and Jim Malta have been busting a move coordinating everything behind the scenes. If you end up having a good time, please thank them!!!! And... If you have a problem or don't have a good time, let me know, not them!!!!!We are limited to a coffee output of 200 cups on Saturday am - we will have just over 300 racers. IF you are serious about your pre-race coffee you should make your own - do the math!!Saturday July 31st5:15 am -- Coburn Park awakes6:45 am -- Racer Meeting begins7:00 am -- Controlled / Paced Start9:00 am - Cannot proceed past Aid Station #112:00 pm -- Cannot proceed past Station #21:30 pm -- 1st finisher expected3:00 pm -- Cannot proceed past Station #35:00 pm -- Cannot proceed past Station #46:30 PM -- Cannot proceed past Station #5 without lights7:30 PM -- Cannot proceed past Station #5--- this equates to an estimated 15 hr finish time cut off ------ these times may be adjusted based on weather conditions --------- GOTTA SAY IT AGAIN ------Racers can only be supported by other racers or support personal at aid stations. There is no support allowed from non- racers or friends and family jumping from aid station to aid station. This rule is in place tolimit potential traffic overload on the Forest system roads. If you would like to support someone you can support everyone!!!Sign up to Volunteer at Friday evenings check in times (4-11pm).***we will have race sponsor - Hammer Gels' "HEED" electrolyte drink mix***and some other sports drinks will be available tooDistances between aid stations -#1 is 19 miles in - water and HEED only#2 is 40 miles in - fully stocked + Hammer Gel#3 is 60 miles in - fully stocked + cold coke#4 is 74 miles in - fully stocked + Hammer Gel#5 is 89 miles in - fully stocked + you are sooooooooooo close!- finish is 12 miles from #5 ending the race at 101 miles!Fully stocked means....... water, HEED, other sports drink, pbandj sandwiches, many granola/fig type bars, trail mix, pringles, assorted sweets, fruit and some surprises. You are allowed 2 drop bags which we will supply for you in your racer packet we will also transport them for you to the designated Aid Station. The Aid Station drop off point will be a marked off area behind the pavilion...hint - station #2 bags will go to station #4 (strategize....)What if you leave your drop bag behind after the race?? You can fill out a priority mail label at the finish line and drop that off with $5 per bag and we will mail it back to you -- if you don't do that... thanks for the donation!!!!If you need any bicycle related stuff on your way through State College make a pit stop at Freeze Thaw or The Bicycle Shop. If you're looking for some good food and beer on Friday night before the event and swing by Elk Creek Café and Aleworks for some tasty dinner. They are 2 miles from the race site in Coburn. They also have a special menu prepared for Friday evening and a good band for Saturday night. Plus you can get a sample of the tasty brew that will be waiting for you at the finish line. It will be some great motivation during the event!!!

The Wilderness 101 is Sponsored by:Freeze Thaw Cycles - State CollegeThe Bicycle Shop - State CollegeRothrock Outfitters - Raystown LakeElk Creek Café + AleworksShenandoah Mountain TouringGary Fisher BikesHammer Gel Energy ProductsIndependent FabricationsQuality Bicycle ProductsEndura Cycling ClothingSalsaKenda TiresPro Gold Chain LubricationVelocityPrinceton TecTrek BicyclesBontragerSugoiLakeContinental TiresBe sure to check out the event coverage on www.Cyclingnews.com after the event.The Shenandoah Mountain 100 is filling up fast - Register NOW!Price increase Sunday Aug 2nd - its going from $155 to $175 - ouch, but still a bargain compared to Leadville at $250.Thanks for racing with us!Chris and SMT