March 2009

Monday, March 30, 2009

This route is no joke…..

Title quote from Dennis D.
Dennis D, Sophiedog, and I got out yesterday for an excellent ride: starting at the Fish Hatchery->Cat->Butter->Long Branch->475->140A->5003->Farlow Gap->Daniel Ridge->Davidson River trail->475

21.2 miles with 4120′ climbing….. Dennis’ longest mountain bike ride to date.

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Sunday, March 22, 2009

Wrapping up the seasonal-trail season

Wow! What a perfect weekend of riding. Long Branch->Butter with Wode yesterday and Mike B., Kassi D., Maximum Capacity the dog, and I went on an excellent ride today. From the horse stables->
477->Avery->Buckhorn->Clawhammer->Black->Buckwheat->Bennett.

Here’s Mike at the first breather, checking out the base of a 150′ Hemlock growing out of a huge rock:

and climbing out of a creek…. that he fell 3+ feet into….. off the bridge to the left…. in spectacular fashion….

We had a great time today. The ride was super-chill since Mike was heading on, after Kassi and I finished, for another 3 or 4 hours of riding. Once we got to Clawhammer we checked out a field where I was told here is an old settlers graveyard. We didn’t find it….

Here’s a shot of Mr. and Mrs. B. heading back to the bikes:

Again today the weather was beautiful. Warmer than yesterday by 10*, bright blue skies, a slight breeze…. spring has sprung….

thanks for the photos Kassi!!!
Oh, but the gnats were out in FULL-FORCE. It was the first ride of the year that we had to employ the ‘pisgah salute’, one hand over your head whenever stopped. The gnats go to the highest point… to your hand and out of your face.

I should have shot made an image of the salute.

Anyway, I felt great all day. The singlespeed wasn’t as intimidating as yesterday.

The climbs were fast and, as is expected when riding with Mike B., the descents were right on the edge of not safe and downright dangerous.

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Saturday, March 21, 2009

I just got in from a great ride with Wode. We met up at Mr. Pete’s at 1:30 and were on the bikes sometime after 2pm at the Fish Hatchery. Our route for the day: Cat->Butter->Long Branch->475->471->471D->Butter->Cat back to the Jeep.
The weather was beautiful, on this, the first day of Spring. Temps in the high 50’s, bright blue sunny skies, with next to zero humidity or wind.
This was my first ride on the Single Speed in months and months. I started out rather intimidated by the fact that I hadn’t been SS’n in months but the first climb went by quickly and I was amazed by the speed I was carrying up the hill.

Here’s a shot of Wode right after he endo’d into a creek crossing 68 seconds into the ride:

and the bikes at rest at Butter/Long Branch:

We passed a huge camp in Piklesimer Fields and continued straight up Long Branch, past the gravel, and up to 475. Next was the climb to Gloucester Gap and up Cathy’s Creek Road. I really let loose on the gravel descent to 471D, trying my best to not use my brakes at all. Left turn then up to Butter Gap. That climb gets the heartrate back up quickly but shouldn’t have hurt as bad as it did. We stopped for an extended breather at the Gap then took off like bats outa hell down butter. I had a great run of the first drop. Wode actually asked if I had a rocket strapped under my ass! There were a ton of folks out on Butter enjoying the beautiful day.

Yeah! Spring is here! There were soooo many signs of such. A little plantlife springing from the fall leaves:

We passed multiple groups of hikers and a few bikes on our way down Butter. Next was the right to close the loop and the descent to the parking lot. I had a great time launching everything I could find (while keeping an eye out for pedestrians) and tried to coax Wode into riding the rock drop at the end, but he wasn’t feeling it. We helped a boyscout troop leader with his map (the scounts came tromping down from exactly where he had hoped to see them coming from) and then we were back at the Jeep in a little over two hours. Thanks for coming up from the Upstate Wode!

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Sunday, March 8, 2009

Oh SNAP!

I just got in from a memorable ride for sure. Ian B., Mike B., Wes M., and Cory W. rallied at my house at 9:30AM new time and we met up with Matt F. and ? at Mr. Pete’s at 10. The plan for the day was to start at Black Mountain trailhead->276->475->Davidson River->475->??? gravel->Long Branch->475->5003->140A->Farlow->Daniel->225->475B->276->477->Club->Black all the way back to the car. Well, things got a little turned around before all that transpired. The five miles of pavement went by quickly to start. We were at the gravel headed to Long Branch when we took our first break and I realized his was the perfect group to be out with. The mood was light, no-one was unhappy with taking a nice long breather this early in. We turned on LB and took anouther breather at 475. Up upupupupup 5003 was next and Matt, Cory, and I took the last few spots in line and were greatly enjoying the day. I have to admit I was suffering a little but I wasn’t the last in line so I felt OK about my performance. Right onto 140A and the real climbing began. The group checked up a few times and we took a breather about every 45 minutes. Then, as I was crossing a tributary type creek, I wheely dropped into the bottom and my bike made a sound like my fork bottomed out…. I immediately knew it wasn’t good…. it was the broken spirit of the Smoke bike being released:

After about 20 minutes of walking I reached the waiting crew and after a few rounds of ‘aw man, that sucks’ I had splinted the break with a pump, a bunch of zip ties, and about a yard of duct tape.

We then made plans. They went that way, I went the other way. if they got there first they’d come get me. If I got there first I’d put a stick under the wiper and continue to the bike transport vehicle. When I got to the bike transport vehicle the human transport vehicle got there at the same exact moment. Couldn’t have aasked for a better end to the problem.

Oh, I’ve realized when the break happened. It wasn’t today. Yesterday when Erinna and I were riding I was flying down Butter/Cat. I hopped a couple of the water bar gaps with great success…. and I cased the last one H A R D. the bike/fork made the same noise I heard today during the creek crossing. A bottom out/cry for mercy/frame breaking noise…. I’m sooooooo thankful I didn’y get hurt……

Posted by Eric Wever / Pisgah Productions at 21:59:04 | Permalink | Comments (3)

Erinna, Sophiedog, and I got in a little while ago from a super-fun ride. It was Erinna’s first time on the mountain bike in months! She’s been playing the role of ultra-committed-student so it was a treat to see her away from the books on this beautiful day. The sun was bright, the skies were clear blue, and the temps were hovering in the 70’s. Spring is on it’s way! The route for the day: From the Fish Hatchery->Davidson River->Cove Creek->Yellow Blaze Connector->225-> (R)Daniel Ridge->475->???Gravel->Long Branch->Butter->back to the Fish Hatchery.

Erinna rockin’ with the big wheels:

Sophiedog:

Erinna after dipping her feet in the ccccccold early March creek water:

and some forest textures:

Posted by Eric Wever / Pisgah Productions at 00:33:51 | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 2009

Sunday, February 22, 2009

PMBAR training day 1.

29.2 miles 5960′ climbing

Posted by Eric Wever / Pisgah Productions at 23:22:33 | Permalink | Comments (6)

Breakin’ the cobwebs

Wode and I got out yesterday for an excellent ride. Clawhammer->Black->Buckwheat->Bennett.
We met at Mr. Pete’s at 10am and were on the bikes around 10:30/11:00. The climb up Clawhammer was very tough, I had a hard time warming up and knocking the cobwebs out of my legs. I must have ridden up that road 100 times now and the landmark just kept clicking by, despite the feeling of a lack of power. We made it to the top together and without a break moved on to the shelter.
Wode on the way up Clawhammer:

Oh, on the way up a group of old guys were headed down the mountain. It was a great motivator, seeing guys in their 50’s and 60’s rocking on a Saturday morning. Yes, that will be me someday. Anyway, another group was leaving the shelter right as we arrived. Wode and I rested for a good 10 minutes or so before climbing the rest of the way towards Club Gap. The Smoke bike is really feeling great these days and I flew down the descents. Even though Wode took a good digger heading to Club the decision was made to do Buckwheat->Bennett and I’m glad we did.
Wode and a BIG tree down on Buckwheat:

I kocked out both the Q-bert rock and, for the first time since I broke my helmet, the thread the needle. The trails were in great shape and the day had turned beautiful, 50*, no wind, crystal clear blue skies.

Well, the trail gave way to the freeze/thaw cycle and was a soup-pit at the very bottom of Bennett, but otherwise was in great shape. We caught up with the group of girls that had been at the shelter right as we hit 477 and we were back at the Jeep moments later. Great ride Wode! Thanks for making the trip up from the upstate!
One more photo of…. well….I don’t know what sort of plantlife this is…but it’s cool looking:

Posted by Eric Wever / Pisgah Productions at 10:40:46 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Four Rides in Five Days!

I got out again today! This time with Dennis D. at Laurel Mountain. We started at Yellow Gap at about 10:30 under bright blue skies and temps in the upper 30’s/low40’s. It was Dennis’ first time on Laurel and actually, his longest ride to date. The lower part of Laurel, before Good Enough Gap, was thick with mud from freeze/thaw and the technical sections were wet. I went for a few of the tech moves though and Dennis was never far behind. After the meeting log the ground was frozen and we were even greeted by a fresh half inch of snow a bit further up.

Even with the first tracks in new snow we kept the pace comfortably high and made our way to Pilot with hardly a break. Upper Pilot was also snow covered but by the time we hit the quadswitchback the ground was surprisingly dry. Dennis was doing great, trying every switchback and technical move on the way down. He even went back and tried a steep step down a second time and came out of it with success and a big smile. We stopped at the overlooks and I got Dennis to shoot a vid of me running the humvee section.
Is it the 5″ travel fork or has someone sanitized the rockgarden on Pilot????? It was too easy today.

I got a flat after humvee and the route was taking a little longer than expected. I could tell Dennis was a little tired, and frankly, after yesterdays DuPont ride so was I. Rather than just taking no-name to Pilot Cove I gave Dennis the option. Like a trooper he chose the extended singletrack route rather than bail to the road. Along the way he had a bit of a cramp that an emergen-c took care of. Turn onto Pilot Cove, descend to 1206, descend to Bradley Creek….. then the final grunt back to the Jeep…. The final climb to Yellow Gap is never easy. Sometimes it’s faster than others, but it’s never easy. After that mile or so…. we were done. Great job Dennis! Thanks for coming out!

Posted by Eric Wever / Pisgah Productions at 00:18:58 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Monday, February 16, 2009

Otto’s DuPont Loop

Mike B and I made plans last night to ride today at DuPont. The noon rally time arrived with Ian B. at my house as well. Ian drove (he has the best racks) and as soon as we got to the trailhead Otto was there just getting ready to head out. I thought to myself ‘Aw hell…. Last night I didn’t sign up for a fast guy ride’ but, I need to get into shape and there’s no better way to do that than ride with folks faster than you. The route for the day:
from guion parking->hickory mtn rd.->ridgeline->jim branch->issac heath->buck shoals rd->staton rd->pinetree->rock quarry rd.->micajah->wilke->corn mills shoals rd->upper burnt mtn->burnt mtn->big rock->cedar rock->little river->corn mill shoals->laurel ridge->mine mountain->reasonover->julia rd->conservation rd.->buck shoals back to the parking lot.

24.2 miles, 3420′ climbing.

Posted by Eric Wever / Pisgah Productions at 00:22:55 | Permalink | Comments (4)

Saturday, February 14, 2009

From the parking lot at work….

Green Dot, Blue Square, Black Diamond, Farm, Arbor Trace. Just over 15 miles.

Posted by Eric Wever / Pisgah Productions at 00:08:25 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Friday, February 13, 2009

Biltmore!

I hit the Biltmore trails today, my first ride in a couple of weeks. I’ve got a ton of excuses as to why I haven’t been out but it really boils down to the fact that my back has been jacked since the Icycle downhill and I’ve had a good case of the lazies. Oh, Erinna and I hosted a race this past weekend, too. That usually means a weekend off the bike. Anyway, after a few invites for evening/night rides and a call back into work I decided to just hit the trails that are right at the back of the parking lot that I drive to almost every day. There’s only about an hours worth of trails out there total but, while I was riding, I kept thinking ‘This is as good as any city park I’ve been to’ and ‘I’ve got no excuse for being out of shape.’ and ‘I’m a dummy for not using this resource.’. Anyway, I’m going to try to hit it again tomorrow, GPS in tow. I’ve got no good excuse not to!

*edit* The Biltmore Estate is private property. You need a ticket/pass to get in. Guests/Passholders/Employees/Contractors need to contact the Outdoor Center regarding access to the trails. Seriously.

Posted by Eric Wever / Pisgah Productions at 00:29:59 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Icycle 2009

12 runs or so down the Turkey Chute…

Crap. I just lost my write up of this event.

Thanks Brad for the invite, J for the ‘yougottabethereman’ phone call, and Mike R. for the ride and the awesome photo above.
I had a great weekend of riding and hanging out with friends. I rode to the top of the downhill course 3 or 4 times, sketched up the hill on Bill G.’s truck once,: (photo from mtbr)

and rode the boxtruck up the hill at least 6 or 7 times after that. Here are a few photos from the truck ride up to the start of the downhill.
Michael M. was there. Can you spot his bike?

The other (safe) end of the truck:

annnnnnnd….. Jody:

Ok, the lost write up talked about a big party, mud-breakdancing, rental cabins, mullets, night riding, and the like. But….all I’ve got in terms of photos of the party is this. Man, it was a funking party! Whooo!!! Broussard nomnomnom’n on some spagettio’s. Don’t ask why he’s naked.

Posted by Eric Wever / Pisgah Productions at 20:39:59 | Permalink | Comments (2)