by KENDALL FREEMAN

The roads will be clogged June 24th as bicyclists peddle for a cause.

The 8th annual “Blood, Sweat and Gears” race begins and ends in Valle Crucis and the money benefits the Watauga Red Cross's Jeremy Fisher fund.

The fund is named for an Appalachian State University student who was killed in a fire one month after graduation. It is used to assist in helping those in Watauga County who have been victims of fire or flood.

The race started in 1999 after a group of men approached Watauga Red Cross worker Sonny Sweet, now director of the event, and wanted to hold a cycle race. After putting ideas into motion, the Jeremy Fisher fund and “Blood, Sweat and Gears” were born.

Though race’s first year had only 117 riders, the race has grown at approximately 40 percent per year. Last year there were there were 1187 riders.

Partial credit for the popularity growth is given to Lance Armstrong, who said the area was the best for training in the United States. The race has also been given a national award for the most challenging ride in America.

Last years’ race included riders from 28 states and 7 different countries and is held as one of the three largest rides in the Southeast.

The race is 102 miles, making contact with Valle Crucis, Blowing Rock, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Todd, and finally Snake Mountain.

Snake Mountain is the signature event for the race, as a 4000-foot climb could be a major part of what gives the race its name.

"If you can make it up Snake Mountain, you've pretty much got it made," said Sweet.

Sweet said they hope to increase the race size in the future but would make changes to race route as needed.

"I can only have 750 riders on the Parkway at once because of regulations, so if we expanded the race too much we'd have to change the route a little bit," he said. 

Sweet is hoping the budget will be covered by the event’s sponsors, which include Mast General Store and Coca-Cola. That way all the money raised from entrance fees will go directly to the Jeremy Fisher fund.

Volunteers also play a big part in cutting the cost to the event. A minimum of 165 volunteers help run the event and many are repeat volunteers.

"They enjoy the race and being a part of the race as much as the riders do.,” Sweet said. “It's nice to get new people involved but it's nice to see some of the same faces every year too!"

The race is always looking for more volunteers to increase the quality of the ride for everyone. If you would like to volunteer contact Sonny Sweet at the Watauga County Red Cross or go to www.bloodsweatandgears.org.

If you would like to participate in the race, you can pick up your participant packet Friday, June 23 at the Watauga County Library between 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

You can also pick one up the morning of the race at the Valle Crucis Elementary School from 6 a.m. until 7 a.m.

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