Schalk gets new challenger at Fool's Gold

Trek / VW's Jeff Schalk has won four of the four National Ultra Endurance (NUE) series events he's contested this year, and he's well on his way to the overall title. Only one other rider, Josh Tostado (Bach Builders), has won an NUE round this year, but that may be about to change. Schalk's team-mate Jeremiah Bishop, the current marathon and short track national champion, will race the next NUE round, the Fool's Gold 100, in Dahlonega, Georgia, on August 16.

"It will be my first opportunity to rock the Stars and Stripes jersey at an epic long-distance mountain bike race, and it's a great reason to explore the legendary trails of north Georgia," said Bishop.

Newly re-crowned 24 hour solo US National Champion Chris Eatough (Trek / VW), Tinker Juarez (Monavie Cannondale), Harlan Price (Independent Fabrication) and local Thomas Turner will all be on hand to ensure the men's race is a tough one.

"It's going to be an awesome competition; the most competitive endurance race in the southeast. I look forward to it, and I'm really excited to see all the trails," he said. "A race like this is a really cool way to see a region's best trails. One hundred miles really highlights an area. Without even having to use a map, you get a great tour of the best riding in the region."

In the women's race, Cheryl Sornson will be racing for another NUE win. There is no word yet on whether last year's winners Trish Stevenson (Independent Fabrication) and Sam Koerber (Gary Fisher) will attend.

The Fool's Gold Festival will include a 50 mile race option as well as a festival with organized rides, games, bands, and on-site food and lodging from August 15-17.