The Trans-Sylvania Epic Impresses Stradalli Cycle Riders And Fans

Any mountain bike race is tough, especially when it is a stage race. Throw in the fact that the Trans-Sylvania Epic takes place in Central Pennsylvania and you have a challenge in front of you. It’s a challenge that was accepted by the Stradalli Cycle mountain bikers as for the first time the team headed up to PA to take part in the TSEpic. Thanks to the advice and guidance of Cesar Grajales, a veteran of the race, the Stradall Cycle riders were well prepared. However, it’s easy to devalue what a cyclist would say regarding the difficulty of a race, but for non riders who are there as spectators or working the Epic, even they have been humbled by what they see.

Professional photographer Christian McGeachy of Penn State weighed in with his thoughts. “Obviously spending time in Central PA you see a lot of cyclists including mountain bikers. I was excited to work the event because we hear how great the Trans-Sylvania Epic is and how big it has been getting in the last few years. It’s a great event that raises money for very worthy causes. You get to see these amazing areas and sites in the woods, some beautiful destinations any photographer would love to shoot. But to actually see a real race take place is remarkable and the speed these guys are going is something you can’t appreciate unless you are here in person.”

McGeachy was able to get some great footage of Stradalli Cycle mountain bikers Cesar Grajales and Bob McCarty and was impressed with how challenging these trails are. “I don’t know how they do it. The speed they are going at and one mistake they face serious injury. Some of these trails wouldn’t be safe to walk they are so steep and full of debris and these racers come through here on their mountain bikes and aren’t even fazed when something is in their way. Add to that the fact that it is extremely hot and humid here and they do this every day for a week?  When they try to explain that something is easy they say it’s like riding a bike. Well there is nothing easy about what the guys from Stradalli Cycle are doing. It’s truly inspiring. I’ve never been to a mountain bike race and I am so happy to have experienced this. These guys get up and keep going after falls or crashes that most of us would need a week to recover from and then they not only finish the race but race the next day.”