That was painful.

I just got in from a little ass kicker of a ride. Starting at 7:30PM Clingman->Hilliard->Biltmore->College->Town Mountain->Blue Ridge Parkway->Elk Mountain->Beaverdam->Merrimon->WTWeaver->Riverside->Craven->Waynesville
There are just a few things I want to note about this ride. I had zero motivation going into it after a day of Zoe care, I saw a very cheerful Michael M. as I started the ride, downtown was packed,
The first plateau on Town Mountain was where I finally warmed up,
The rising moon on the parkway was incredible,

Buzzard Rock was packed,


and the Elk Mountain descent was crazy fun. I chased a car through the switchbacks and slowly reeled him in. He knew I was on his tail and kept going faster and faster, taking more and more risks. His tires were squealing around the corners and he would punch it in the straights. I latched on as he blew right through the stop sign and I held his draft all the way to Beaverdam. When the car came to a stop at the bottom I rolled up and it was a teenage girl behind the wheel. Her boyfriend in the passenger seat and they both had on the biggest shit-eating grins. 'You were hauling ass!' she said. 'Thanks for the draft' I told them. 'I hope I wasn't holding you up' ' No, we must have been going what? 40?' The boyfriend replied, no, closer to 50.' Awesome.

View 2011-08-13 19:25 in a larger map

Hanging out at the V and Dime.

Last night I got out for one hell of a good ride. Erinna dropped me off at Rt215 at the Blue Ridge Parkway then I rode home via 215->Indian Creek->Shoal Creek->475->Davidson River->475->475B->276->1206->5000->479->Campground Connector->Bent Creek Rd->191->Greenway->State->Hanover. 55 miles (the vast majority being gravel) 6450' climbing, 7910' descending!!!! starting at 8PM.








View 2011-08-07 19:52 in a larger map

Riding with a gnome on my back

I got out EARLY this morning for an interesting ride, to say the least. The Pisgah picture game is going strong and there's an added feature now, a 3+ pound 12" tall garden gnome. Well, of course, I had to go get that gnome. I started early with Clawhammer first.

View 2011-08-06 06:17 in a larger map

It was just first light when I left. If I had started 15 minutes earlier I would have needed a light. The right turn for Maxwell came soooo much quicker than expected that I just hammered around the corner and headed to Pressley Gap. On the way up I noticed a few things: The woods are completely silent at first light. The bloodsucking flies come out about 20 minutes after first light. Flying insects of all sorts were out and about buzzing along. I kept the tempo high and blew right past the chimney, I didn't even see it, even though I was looking to stop there for my first break of the day. I was at Pressley, again, before I thought I was due, so I turned onto Black without a break.
The climb up Black will surely either have made me stronger or taken years off my life, I'm not sure which. The deer/horse flies were unbearable. I got bit on my arms, head, face, ankle, and calf within minutes. Welts that pulsed with dull sting all over. I was not going to be discouraged though, that gnome was fucking MINE!!!! and I ran every time I was off the bike during the hikes and hammering like mad every time I was on. I also found that if I was running with my bike in one hand and violently swinging my helmet with the other hand I could fend them off. I must have been quite the sight. When I found the gnome hidden a few yards down Turkey Pen trail I snapped a few photos,
got bit by more horseflies, strapped the thing to my back, and was out of there. Immediately I started to feel a bit of a bonk coming on so I slowed the pace a little and relaxed during the descent. If I can't come to a stop and rest because of the flies, I gotta catch my breath somewhere.... I took it easy on the tech switchbacks, didn't stop at the overlooks (there was nothing to see but thick fog anyway) and was headed to the shelter quicker than I could have imagined. My planned route was to head to Avery Creek but that wasn't going to happen. Even though I felt a little hungry and I was starting to itch from the bites my legs felt strong. I was standing and hammering to the shelter. What happened then? As I was passing the shelter two spokes broke in my rear wheel
and whenever I put pressure down the tire would rub the frame. Oh, and I didn't have a spoke wrench. So the gnome's new home was now going to be behind the shelter. It was an easy decision. I took a few photos for the game,
stashed the gnome,
ate, and otherwise took a long breather before coasting back down Black to the gap, then down Clawhammer all the way back to the Jeep. Funny enough, just as I got there I ran into BrouSSard. Guess what he was up to. Yup, out to get that gnome! I told him where it was now and we parted ways. Thanks for coming up with the game Maida! Thanks for adding that heavy as hell gnome The Hub!

Somber mood. Excellent ride.

Erinna, Sophiedog, and I just got in from an excellent ride. The somber part is hard to talk about, a buddy died from injuries sustained in Pisgah yesterday but there we were riding in Pisgah, enjoying this beautiful day that was upon us. I think he would have asked us to do just that.

Farlow @ Night.

Mike R. and I got out last night for, to the best of my recollection, a first for me: Farlow Gap at night. To make it even better we took the long way up (5003/140A). We met at Mr. Pete's at 6:30pm but were not on the bikes until minutes before 9:00. Why? Well as we were just about ready to hit the trail from Daniel Ridge parking lot I came to the sinking realization that my front wheel was in my Jeep.... at Mr. Pete's. Dammit. Well fortunately for me Mike does not seem to have buttons that can be pushed. No matter what the situation may hold Mike does not get flustered. Cool.... So when we got back to the Jeep and I said 'F*ck it, I say we head back out there' I was hardly surprised when he said 'Hell yeah, that'll make a better story anyway'

So at 8:55 we were on the bikes and headed to Gloucester Gap. Mike led out for the climb and I was having a good warm-up. I just about held his wheel all the way to the gap. We were there in great time, too. We took a quick breather but were headed up 5003 after just a couple minutes of a break. There's a thread going on mtbr right now that I wanted to participate in so our first destination was the intersection of 5003/140A. Points are awarded for the number of bikes, helmets, people, fun/odd photo features, and difficulty (remote location, night ride, etc.). The last folks left the game to be picked up there so off we went.
5003 also went by very quickly. I had taken the lead at some point and was feeling good. Mike wasn't rubbing my rear wheel either so the pace was set. With lights blazing, cutting through the cool humid air, it was like I was dancing with my bike. Every moment with full attention to detail but confident, cautious, and strong. I could stand and hammer, sit and spin, whatever the terrain demanded. Of course, when you're feeling like that it only takes a flash until you're at the next turn. We took the photos for the game and ate and talked and generally took our time getting out of there before heading up the much more tech, much more steep section that followed, 140A. Oh, I almost forgot, I saw a BOBCAT on 5003. It ran about 50 feet ahead of me for what seemed like 10 seconds.
140A can destroy momentum and exuberance. I knew that going into it. I immediately switched to granny gear and started to climb. Well, that only lasted for a few moments before I was back in the middle with Mike in chase. We attacked every steep climb and honestly, almost cleaned the entire way to Farlow. We were both on fire and unwilling to submiss. What a great feeling to be able to stay on the bike on a trail that has had me off the bike and whimpering in the past. I started to lose Mike somewhere around Kissee Creek but knowing Farlow was just ahead I hung my head low and continued to hammer. When Mike arrived at the gap 2 minutes after me it was time for a longish break.
Ahead was the reason to climb the 9 miles to that point: Farlow Gap. Farlow is easily the most technical bike legal descent in Pisgah. The rock garden at the top is the stuff of legends and along the way there are sections so steep and ever changing that no one could say I can clean Farlow every time. This time Mike and I got through the rock garden with one dab each, flew through the mica covered camp, and absolutely cleaned the super steep rooty section before the waterfall.
Following Mike was a trip. He is so fast and smooth it was like he could do no wrong. That changed once we were in the less steep/tech stuff. First we had a perfect 10 point dismount off the log bridge but next was the switchback steps of dooooom. He didn't realize exactly where we were, I did. He went full speed ahead around the turn and into the steps and I was following. Maybe he knew something I didn't I thought. Well.... no. The tone in his voice went from 'Oh Shit' to 'I'M GOING TO DIE' in an instant and he catapulted off the side. Since he did not get hurt all I can really say was it was a spectacular sight.

more later (I hope)



View 2011-07-26 20:55 in a larger map

HAMMER TIL YA PUKE!

Then hammer some more!!!

Last night I got out on a fast paced (for me) ride. BRP->276->1206->5000 in 3:01, starting at 8PM.
When I left I told Erinna that my plan was to take it easy and to be at Mt. Pisgah for some sunset photos. Well, I got onto the parkway and took a few photos at every overlook along the way. A perfect way to warm up in my opinion.

Well, the photo project wrapped up as I approached rt151 because I had climbed directly into the clouds, there were no more views to be had. I was feeling pretty good at that point also so I changed the intent of the ride and picked up the pace.

Now would be a good time to mention that I was about as dehydrated as one could be while still functioning, see, last week I had a bout of food poisoning and a sinus infection... well, let's just say I hadn't fully recovered.

Every single mile clicked by with incredible slowness and every time I saw a mile marker I'm sure I let out an audible 'uuuugh' as ONLY one more mile had passed. I had told Erinna that if I wasn't feeling it I would turn around at Mt. Pisgah and just do an out and back. Well, I was feeling good enough that I thought, maybe I'll turn around at 276. My stomach was churning and my heart rate felt like it was at a steady 200 but my legs felt fine.

My head was still in the game so without the slightest pause I hammered through the stop sign and started the descent into Pisgah proper. With lights now full on I didn't take a moment of rest and the droid says I got going 43.5mph along the way. The turn onto 1206 was next and again without a break at a usual stop I hammered onto the gravel. I knew it was 5 miles of relatively flat gravel road to the next intersection and the plan was to stop there. With my head down, eyes forward, legs spinning FAST, heart rate still WAY too high, and a little drool hanging from my lips I had the sudden urge to well, stop, and without a moment of hesitation I had the remains of a BLT sandwich on my foot. That's right, hammer til ya puke! I could hear Phil Ligget commentating: 'Poor Chap, Looks like he's having a rough go of it now, doesn't he?' and with a laugh and a drink of water I resumed the hammer. I was at my furthest point from the car, I had to just keep going. I was concerned. I was mad. I was having a great time.
I kept the pace as high as I could and the landmarks clicked by with ease. Pilot Rock, Slate Rock, Pilot Cove, Bradley Creek, and even the climb to Yellow Gap. I took my only rest of the evening there then after less than 5 minutes I was on my way to NMRC. Along the way every camp was full and the smell of campfires permeated the woods. It had become a beautiful night with temps in the mid 60's, high humidity, and a huge rising moon.


I turned onto 5000 and my final climb was upon me. At the top of the pavement I got a big cheer from some campers. I was again reminded of 'Le Tour'. Fist pumping fans at the top of the climb yelling encouragements. I don't know if they were cyclists or not but they sure did know how to cheer one on. I was rejuvenated with a big smile by the ridiculousness of it all. The climb to Trace parking took longer than expected but the rest of the climb went by in a flash. The first gate, Spencer, the third gate..... and back to the car. I quickly took out the droid for the first time to stop the timer and was happy with what I saw: 3:01 total time out which is right in line with my best time for this ride. Other stats: 32.5 miles, 4068' elevation gain, 43.5mph max speed, 11.9mph average moving speed. Not bad.


View 2011-07-16 19:50 in a larger map

Trace Ridge before 7AM

I got out for what turned into a fast paced ride this morning starting at 6:45. I started at Bent Creek Gap->Blue Ridge Parkway->Trace Ridge->5000 back to Bent Creek Gap. Total time out was 1:07 but the amazing part is the 49 minute moving time. I stopped and took a bunch of photos at the overlook, walked down to the Trace Ridge sign, ran up to the top of the decent, stopped for a breather after the run, took it relatively easy on the descent (Trace is in BAD shape right now), and HAMMERED up 5000.
A couple of other notes: 1. I bottomed out my P.O.S. fork on one of the new water runoff ruts and nearly went over the bars. 2. 'Normal' handlebars make my hands go numb. 3. Singlespeeding up 5000 is faster than riding gears. 4. I sure am glad I got out early today because now, at 9:15 am, it is already HOT.