Carey Lowery and TNGA!

http://careylowery.blogspot.com/2011/07/tnga-and-trips-for-kids-wnc.html

7-4

I rolled out at 11am,  again after it was nice and hot.  I decided to fight the traffic and head up to Craggy Gardens for a solid climbing work out.  I started out too fast, but then reeled myself in and warmed up properly.  Didn't want to "pull a hammy".  

 It turned out that the traffic was not too bad, and I was able to get lost in thought and the sights.  It is so cool to be able to ride out of my driveway and be a couple of thousand feet off of the valley floor in less than an hour.  As I climbed the air cooled and then it felt like someone turned on the air conditioner.  I soaked it in, anticipating the heat back down in the valley. 

 As I rounded the last bend at the gap, after filling my bottle with fresh mountain spring water, I was greeted with some dark clouds rolling in.  I was looking forward to racing the storm home. 

fresh piped water

I paused at the Visitor Center for a few minutes before heading back down.  On the downhill I felt relaxed and euphoric.  I was at ease, spinning the cranks, living in the moment.  When I got back down, it was warm but due to storms rolling in, the air had cooled off somewhat, so I didn't get blasted by the furnace that I had expected.

It was a good day.

 With the Pisgah MTB Stage Race roughly 3 months away, I figured it was time to get more consistent with training. 
I set out a little late Sunday morning, the temps were already up, and the humidity high.  I was in for an easy paced ride, since the day before I had ridden a fairly good clip with Kevin Hessler.

 I stopped at this church to refill my water bottle, and had to spread the love....

End of the ride treat:  fresh mountain red raspberries,  bonus recovery points in the form of antioxidents!

Have a great day!