The Black Bear Rampage 40 miler was held on September 13th in the mountains of the Cherokee Forest just outside of Great Smokey Mountain National Park. The area is called TANASI and is a popular southeastern mountain biking meca, the course is almost all really nice single track--a great place to go ride next time you're down this way. 
Parking, maps, a gift shop and restaurant are located at the Whitewater Center where the Olympic whitewater events were held in the 1990's. Be ready for climbs, roots, rocks and bears. I didn't see any bears, but the usual warning is to not ride alone, so, this was my first time on these really nice trails.
I put these foam loops on my bar ends to help with the long distance fatigue. They are foam grips cut into smaller pieces. They help me on the longer miles.
The Kenda Small Block 8 tires have been great on the trails down here in the southeast.The event was run smooth and each participant got an Oakley backpack, pair of Black Bear Rampage socks, and a waterbottle. That's a first for all the events that I have been in this year--great goodies just for entering, and after the event there was food. I highly recommend this one!
