Background information:

This was the first annual Grizzly Bike Race. The Grizzly is a Metric Century ride of approximately 65 miles with 7000 feet of climbing. The route includes a climb over Beech Mountain where Lance Armstrong trained for his come back into cycling after his fight with cancer. The Grizzly route was designed to be equally challenging as the Bear Hill Climb. The Bear is a five mile run from Linville to the top of Grandfather Mountain at the Swinging Bridge. The Bear Hill Climb takes place on Thursday evening of the Games. Equally challenging is the Grandfather Mountain Marathon that takes place on Saturday of the Games. The Mountain Marathon starts in Boone at 7:00 am and ends on MacRae Meadows. The Grizzly Bike Race field included some of the premier cyclists in the Southeast.