Cackalacky Cup
Cackalacky 2009
Cackalacky 2009 started 2 weekends before the
actual event. A group of us met Dave up at the DuPont State
Forest to pre-ride the Cackalacky ride. None of us had ridden
the northern portion of DSF so we decided to give it a shot.
We met at the Guion Farm parking area and
immediately found the
"kids area" which featured some low wooden obstacles. Dave
then took us on a 4 hour ride that included a trip to Bridal Veil
falls. On the return trip, we discussed it and everyone
decided that the southern part of DSF was voted in as the official
2009 route.
With the economy struggling this year, we concentrated on the local racers and didn't try to bring in too many out-of-state folks. We really enjoy their company but it just wasn't happening this year. Most everybody continued on the BBQ tradition on Friday night with a trip to Lancaster's BBQ in Mooresville.
The weather forecast was a little iffy for
Saturday so we definitely had some concerns. While
setting up, we did get a 5 minute rain shower but the big rains held
off. There were right at 75 racers with a nice wide range of
participants from 8 year olds to NASCAR great Ricky Rudd testing
themselves on the course. This year marked our first vintage
class competition with our own Rick Johnston
taking 2nd place (his
time would have also placed 2nd in the 12 and under category as
well, sorry Rick). Lunch was provided by Statesville's Lowry
Drugs and was consumed while the awards were passed out. Once
again, we would like to thank Fox Racing Shox, Hawley's, Quality
Bike Parts, First Flight Bikes, Lowry Drugs, Bontrager, Tifosi and
Mountain Goat Cycles for sponsoring this years event.
Everything was packed up by 2:30 and at 3:00 the trail was closed
due to rain! Couldn't have worked out better.
This years event was also a fundraiser for Bob
Karriker and his family. Bob has been a tireless trail builder
for over a decade and hs been the lead mechanized builder in the
Charlotte region. He has attended 9 IMBA camps along with
several trail building seminars. Last year, he lost his job
with a pool building company and had been getting by on a few small
trail building projects along with a few odd jobs. On days
that he couldn't find work, he could be found building trails as a
volunteer. While working on the beginners level trail at the
US National Whitewater Center, Bob ran the Ditch Witch skid steerer
up his leg breaking a leg bone and shattering his ankle.
Because of the injury,
he was denied unemployment while racking up
some good sized medical bills. We talked to the Tarheel
Trailblazers to try and find a way to help Bob out to show our
appreciation for his volunteerism over the years. It was
decided that we could use the Cackalacky Cup as a fundraiser since
the Itusi Trail would not exist without Bob's efforts. Neal
Boyd, of Charlotte Sports Cycling, graciously agreed to donate
profits from the race and Paul Lowry, of Lowry Drug, donated lunch
to help keep the event expenses to a minimum. We also took
donations prior to the event and "passed the hat" at the event and
will be presenting the Karriker family with a check when we get a
total.
Sunday dawned cool and bright which made for
perfect
riding weather. We had 11 people start off at the Corn
Mill Shoals parking area for a nice 17 mile ride. Everyone had
a great ride and Sean crashed twice so nobody else had to, thanks
Sean! After the traditional stop at Taco Bell, we took the
scenic route back to Statesville which concluded a great weekend.
Cackalacky 2009 was definitely a lower-key affair than in the past which also reduced the wear and tear on us. We've already discussed ways to improve in 2010 so we'll see which direction next years event takes.
The 2009 Itusi Time Trial results are available HERE
Click on the picture above to check out pictures of the 2009 Cackalacky Cup.
"I think a lot of people harbor some guilt, even if it’s not on the surface, for living unsustainable lifestyles; bikes give people the opportunity to make a part of their life more sustainable." Charlie Cunningham