TFS Pit Vipers smoke competition in second KCBS event

Fans of competitive BMX bike racing and barbecue converged on Peachtree City’s Big Pine Park for the first-ever Smokin’ Bike Fest on May 31-June 1. The Pit Vipers, a barbecue club representing Tallulah Falls School finished third overall in the competition.

According to club advisor/coach Tom Tilley, more than 3,000 attendees enjoyed bike racing, barbecue and music during the event as more than 40 of the state’s top pro and amateur KCBS (Kansas City Barbecue Society) and GBC (Georgia Barbecue Championship) teams assembled for the overnight event.

“Ultimately, senior Darren Fortner of Mt. Airy, junior Tyrus Tilley and seventh-grader Teryk Tilley, both of Tallulah Falls, were up to the task,” Tilley said. “The Vipers finished with an amazing third-place overall.”

Individual awards of sixth in People’s Choice Pork, sixth in Pork Ribs and fourth in Chicken contributed to the overall ranking, he added.

“We competed with the best pro and amateur teams in the state of Georgia in this event,” Tilley said. “The competition was strong; almost every team in the amateur division had previously won a KCBS/GBC Grand Championship. The Vipers have only been smoking for 13 months. I am so proud of these kids.”

Club members will attend barbecue school in late June with the next KCBS competition set for Aug. 2 on Lake Lanier.