3/31 Back of the Dragon...
looks like this.
This is just part of the
forty orso miles of the now infamous
Dragons Tale. The top of North Mountain here looks
like about ten miles of scaly, spinney, gnarly ridgeline. On
the map I can count 13 spines, I don't know how accurate this
profile is, but I am betting there is one more. that is what
you have got to keep telling yourself when you're out there - there
is one more. Always seems like it keeps going. Ready to
beat you down into submission before that last finale sweet plunge,
off of the back.
I will be rambling along
the 29er Superfly, hoping those big wheels will get me over some of
this stuff...
The light bike will be
right at home on the trail, it always is. But there is a
little flatness in the form of 10 miles of road and gravel to get
you there. 32x17 will be the gear of choice, that'll keep me
moving along nicely enough. Then the big climb, maybe I could
use a little a little lighter gear to get up 1500' and across North
Mountain, say a couple few more teeth in the rear - I think I
can make that happen.
So technically it can be
argued that I am not running a single speed, but I am entered in an
open class so the argument is moot. I will have to stop to
hopefully make a quick adjustment to manually move and re-tension
the chain during the race. Andy will be nipping at my heels,
can't take too much time and let what happened the last time happen
again - melting down at around the five hour mark just to watch him
slip away...
3/24 It's Here
As much as I don't know
if I am ready to admit it but it is here. Racing season that
is. The past weekend I took place in the annual Gravel Rouser
Classic. Four days racing and riding that I partook of three
of those days. Some low key grass root riding at its best, but
still racing is racing and I pushed myself to hang on or out run
with the best of 'em. Re-learned some valuable lessons
in the short hour or so efforts of daily competition.
In-between those efforts
was some good times riding with the crew exploring the back roads
and taking in the camaraderie and scenery. Nice leisurely roll
of about twenty miles to the race venue at Lake Hope to start the
racing stage portion of Saturdays Gravel Rouser.
At the word go I was
lucky enough to catch the hole shot not unlike some formula speed
boat racer crossing the line at speed right when the the racing goes
"live". Spun like crazy and made it down to the cul-de-sac and
back up the prologue with everybody chasing my heels. I knew
the light singlespeed would hold its own on the grade back up, as
long as I could hold it together for a couple hundred yards.
When the singletrack
entrance appeared I was still in first and I pick that succulent
cherry for all it was worth and rolled with it. What could go
wrong running at this insane pace, pretty much keg-dehydrated from
the previous nights festivities? And the quick answer is leg
cramps. And that thought quickly became a self fulfilling
prophecy. I lost a couple three places with lots of eager
folks ready to pick me off when my next assailant comes in behind me
a little too hot in one of the switchbacks and wipes out everyone
that thought I would be their next prey (some 59 year old should act
his age). That small window was enough for me to gather my
recovery and hold on for a fourth place finish. Then
another 20 slummy crampy miles back to town.
photo: Brian
Matter
Sundays dirt stage took
place "in town" at nearby Strouds Run SP. A little trail
parading to get out to the start. That was where I got the
evil eye from Brian
Matter that proved to me that I was not going to get any
gratuitous hole shot on this day, and I took third wheel behind
another single speeder Derek Bisset. A "nice and easy pace"
(as Brian put it) put me right close to my redline, and we were up
and out of sight from the others in no time. Those two got
away from me and I spent 20 minutes hunting them down. Another
20 minutes running from Pete that kept creeping from behind.
And another 20 minutes that I just pedaled and breathed. Took
home a third place finish within sight of Derek and about a minute
off the "nice and easy" pace of Brian.
So that old feeling that
racing produces is here and I think I have done my homework needed
to get me ready for the race season that is now upon us. I am
hoping that it is a good one.
3/13 Doing Douthat
Tuscarora Overlook;
All the times I have been to Douthat State Park in Virginia I have
never seen this overlook. There is a another trail that runs
the ridge on up Middle Mountain so it was always about getting up
high. Nice to take in. Always like to take in the fresh
and new, it is what draws me to these places and this one is one
beautiful view on what was such a crispy clear day.
We (Dwayne, Andy, &
myslef) started up Stony with the creek crossings that was a good
way to baptize Andy's new frame. Took in all of Middle Ridge
Trail before back tracking half way back to Salt Stump for the
downhill. I was looking for a new trail back from Middle
Mountain into the park. I turn back too soon but the new trail
was not missed after getting the down hill run on Salt Stump.
Terribly awesome views
and sunny 60 degree day, 22 miles in around four hours, mostly
following the XC course of the
Middle Mountain Momma mountain bike race, with a few tack
on sidebars, for that soaking it all in feeling that goes along so
well with just riding.
More
photos from this fine day and last years
foray gone wrong,
here
3/8 March On!
Hard to believe
March is here and Spring is just around the corner. With
spring comes my re-introduction back to the race scene with the
four day Gravel Rouser in Athens, Ohio. Real nice chill
race scene there to ease back into that familiar race feeling.
Then in April the real mountains of Virginia that will put the
single speed to the test of the back of the Dragon before the
West Virginia series opens up in Parkersburg. Of Course I
will be at all the strategic
WVMBA races
defending my 2010 Series championship Masters title in the
regular cross country mountain bike races as well as duking it
out in the XX races. Three months laid out here with,
doesn't look too intimidating.
March 17 Gravel
Rouser
4 days of
frolicking in and around Athens Ohio
http://www.athensbicycle.com/calendar-of-events/105-2010-gravel-rouser
April 3 Dragon's
Tale
Backcountry
ruggedness - camping venue
http://www.mtntouring.com/mountain/htm/dragons-tale/dragons-tale-10-course-description.htm
April 10 Challenge
at Mountwood
Well organized race
on bike specific trails put on by the folks at RVMBA
http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/?eid=2011/04/13221.html
April 17 Big Bear
All weather track at
a classic WV venue
http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/?eid=2011/04/13200.html
May 8th SDS?
2 days of survival
tactics
http://stokesville-douthat-stokesville.blogspot.com/
May 1 Middle
Mountain Momma
Classic playground.
If you can imagine a perfect east-coast MTB trail - it would be
like these.
http://www.mountainbikevirginia.com/mmhighlights.htm
May 29th - June 4th
Trans-Sylvania Epic
Finally getting up
to State College, PA. In Style.
http://www.tsepic.com/
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
go on back
>>
Barboursville
FAT
Tire Brethren
Beech
Fork Association of
Trails
bFAT
is an
informal group of riders who appreciate the land and ride for a healthy
well being.
Beech Fork
is mostly a single track trail that follows around the lake leading into
a combination of creek bed, hill climb, and fast downhill back to the lake.
Barboursville's Park
has some nice runs from the top with numerous scenic overlooks from the
sheer cliffs and steep drops. The flat single track that follows the river
and comes out behind the lake - is where the real fun can begin or end. Click on
the link at top of page - above left to see a map! The
Kanawha Trace and Adahi Trails
are 32 mile and 17
mile multi user trails crossing over private land. Check with the
Tri-State Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America for trail information and
registration.
bFAT
email groupo<----click
here Become a part of an e-group forum that will let all
subscribers communicate (free!). Send an e-mail with the word "join"
in the subject or body and you'll get hooked up with other riders, to do
fun group rides, get trail info and conditions, technical advice, etc.
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more info
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