downlow.

Last night I met Mike R. at North Mills River Campground and we were on our bikes well after dark, starting at about 8:30. We were both well prepared and were on the bikes moments after we arrived. The tempo up 1206 was super high for a warm-up but I had zero concerns about it, I was actually pushing the pace and felt great.
We took a breather at the top and I commented that I wish we had taken a look at the time before starting because that may have been one of my faster ascents of 1206. Anyway, Mike took the lead for Laurel Mountain and kept the pace pegged at full-speed-ahead. I was able to hold on until after our next break, at the meeting log. After that Mike was able to just pull away and leave me in the dust. It was all I could do to not let his light slip further and further away into the distance. Oh, it may be a good time to mention the nearly full moon and relatively warm temps. It was a trip being able to see Mike's light moving through the underbrush from around the corner while also being able to see the contours of the hill because of the moonlight. The tall trees cast long straight line shadows through the woods, too. The temps were in the low 50's, perfect for the hammering that we were doing. I caught up with Mike and after an encouraging 'just one more gap' we were setting up for the descent to Big Creek. What a blast that descent was. I wish I had lowered my saddle as Mike had because soon I was laying on my face. I couldn't get far enough back/center of gravity low enough and my front wheel washed out. Before I could even get my arms out I saw the bright flash and was wondering if my nose was broken and using my tongue as a sensor, started checking for all my teeth. Well, all my parts were intact and I restarted the descent with a bit more caution. We took a nice long breather at the bottom of Little Pisgah Ridge

and then hammered, then picked across the creek, then hammered, then kept the feet dry,


then hammered, then step stoned, then hammered all the way to the reservoir. Just before the reservoir I went down again, this time it was more of a stumble than a crash but I was tangled in the bike and four feet below the trail in an instant. Despite the second crash I was still feeling good enough to race Mike back to the Trace Ridge parkinglot. He won that race but it felt like my fastest ascent of that road to date. Mike held the lead for Lower Trace and was able to outright outrun me in the steep chundery stuff at the bottom. To finish the ride we got our feet wet in North Mills River, took Fisherman's back to the vehicles, and were finished in just over three hours. Thanks for coming out Mike! That was a ton 'o fun!

16.3 miles, 2450' climbing, 3 hours out.

WoooWeee!!

Fast moving on the road bike tonight. I just walked in from one of the faster night rides I've been on yet. From West Asheville->BioWheels->Shanna's house->Hillside->Merrimon->Beaverdam->Webb Cove->Town Mountain->College->Hillard->Clingman->back to Westville.

I felt better tonight than on the last few rides. The climb up Webb Cove went by quickly with the few landmarks I know (the 'Whip that mule boy! Whip that Mule! steep pitch, Brook and Ellie's mailbox, the end of the pavement, the split rail fence, the switchbacks, and finally, when the powerline passes overhead, you're there) clicking by. When I got to the parkway I decided to head down town mountain and as if I had a premonition when talking to Shanna, I blew one of the turns and was on the edge and almost ended up in the ditch. The descent flew by as I hung my head low and pushed hard. The city lights gleamed and grew larger as I dropped into town. I took the corner before the interstate full-speed-ahead and caught every green light all the way to Clingman. I texted Erinna on Webb Cove that if I made it home by 9pm I might go see a show tonight. Well, I got in at 8:15. F-L-Y-I-N-G. I feel great. That was awesome. Night road riding in Asheville is awesome.

OK, it's the next morning now. Know what else is awesome? The Hackensaw Boys! I wish I had taken more than a few seconds of video last night:

Hackensaw Boys! from pisgahproductions on Vimeo.

The two hour ride, backwards, at night.

clingman->hilliard->eagle->town mountain->blue ridge parkway->vanderbilt->meadow->amboy->state

Ox Creek Road at night!

What a hoot! I got out last night starting at 7:30 for just under three hours of road riding. I wasn't moving fast but I sure had fun. My route: from West Asheville->Clingman->(quick stop at city/county plaza for a few photos):

Town Mountain->


Blue Ridge Parkway->


Ox Creek->


Reams Creek->Merrimon->Broadway>Riverside->back to West Asheville.

First c-c-c-cold ride of the season

This morning I met up with Scott from Indy for a fun ride through Pisgah. The ICS shuttle was parked on FS477 and the route for the day was not to be the same for the both of us. Scott had unlimited time, I had to be back at the Jeep in 4 or 5 hours. It's great to ride with people that are as laid-back as he is. The ride plan was an unknown as we departed other than Scott wanted to climb Pilot. My route for the day ended up being 477->Buckhorn Gap->Clawhammer->Buckhorn Gap->S.Mills->476->Horsecamp connector (then Scott went onward to a much bigger day and I finished up with) 1206->276->477->Bennett Gap.

from the PMBAR start/finish->477 to the Horse Stables->Clawhammer->Black Mountain.

Sunrise on the Singlespeed

I got out for a quick little ride this A.M. on the singlespeed. Wode wasn't quite able to make it so it was a solo sprint. The Green Machine is feeling fast as hell right now but it needs some love: front wheel bearings, fork overhaul, and rear brake bleed.