We all walked the entire trail except for maybe 100 yards. Out to the road and up the road to Cove Creek was next.... which we walked the entire length of to the camps. So we took a break there to talk about our options. That route had taken 45 minutes already.
We then decided to walk up the connector (we knew we would be walking at least) to see if the gravel road to Daniel was clear at all. It was not....
photo cred Bill F.:
photo cred: Bill F.
so we tried to ride as much as we could down to the bridge. Riding in 6" deep snow is far more difficult than I had imagined. Despite the conditions, morale was high the entire time out there.
We then took the pavement back to the vehicles. 2ish hours out, 4ish miles covered.
What to do what to do what to do? How 'bout head back to Asheville and ride around and around in circles at Richmond Hill? Perfect. We were on the highway (sans Eli, we ate him.) and at the next trailhead in a little over 30 minutes.
We salvaged the riding day by..... going around and around and around in circles at Richmond Hill! Over 5 miles worth in the end.
Rich was even able to get a little 'product testing' in:
The riding at Richmond Hill was fun, fast, slick, steep,
photo cred Bill F.:
and exactly what I needed for the day: A good warm-up, a few good descents and tech moves, conversation with great people, and enough exercise to make me feel like I did a little something today. Thanks for coming out everybody!
