Day 3 Roanoke to Asheville, 2013

 I have noticed that day 2 of my rides is typically the hardest.  Mentally and physically, I'm not sure why.  Nutrition, hydration and RPE seem to be the same,  but by the end of the day, I am usually ready to throw in the towel.  Add in the day long freezing temps and, well,  I called the wife and made plans to ride 45 miles to the interstate in TN to bail early. 

Day 3 dawned, and as I looked at myself in the mirror, I confirmed that I was making the right decision.  I ate breakfast, drank some more crappy hotel coffee, and got dressed and loaded.   But, I couldn't do it.  I couldn't throw in the towel just yet.  I called the wife back and set a cut off time with her so that we could touch base in a couple of hours and reassess.   By the time that cut off rolled around, I was still cold, and not having a great time,   but I decided to go for it and attempt to make it to Asheville.

3 hours later I arrived at Christa's in Pineola.  This awesome little deli on 181 and the Parkway is a must.  The pulled pork was tempting but I went for a bacon, egg and cheese with tomato on a homemade yeast roll.   The ladies tempted me with coconut cake, but I don't ride well when stuffed, so I passed.  

I mailed a post card to the kid and headed out.  Instead of attempting the parkway, I took 181 to 183 to 221 all the way to Marion.  As I dropped down into the valley, I was greeted by warmer temps and sunshine.  My body started to warm and my spirits lifted.  Only 50 miles to go.  Once into the valley, I stopped and shed my layers down to knee warmers, arm warmers and short sleeve jersey.  I swapped the insulated gloves for some lightweight gloves and took of the toe warmers and toe covers.   Then I cruised.  It was not all easy the rest of the way, and I was definitely beat, but I knew that I had stood up to the challenge and succeeded.  

I wanted to get home and had only 15 miles to go, but I knew that I needed a boost.  I stopped at a gas station for a coke and that gave me the kick I needed to make it the rest of the way. 

It was my first long ride on the Siren John Henry and I am pleased with the piece of art that I get to ride.  The steel frame provided a smooth and stable ride,  and I will soon need to go for a Wobblenaught fit to perfect the comfort level!   I swapped the fat tires out for a set of 700c x  35 semi slicks and they worked well.  The night before leaving, I considered taking the Foundry road bike but did not want to risk the slick tires on snowy/icy conditions.  That turned out to be a good choice.

Leaving the camping gear behind was a good choice too.  It was great to be able to eat well and rest well, not having to deal with trying to stay warm for 12 hrs of darkness.  

I look forward to the next trip, but will be spending my time until then, cherishing the here and now, loving my family and growing with them.

Day 2 Roanoke to Asheville, 2013

 Day 2 dawned and I was on the road again.  I pedaled about 2 miles to the Mountain View Restaurant in at Fancy Gap and the parkway, and ordered a bacon and cheese sandwich on toast, with a piece of pecan pie to go.  I had eaten at the hotel and was getting ready for lunch several hours later.  I omitted the egg, for fear that it would go bad.  It was probably cold enough not to worry about it, but, I passed anyway.

 I headed south on the parkway.  I rode on a closed section for about a mile and it was clear of snow and ice.  I ended up riding almost entirely on the parkway today.  It was a welcome change from yesterday, not having to battle a bunch of traffic.  I was cold.  I was layered well, but with the temps below 30 still, especially down in the valleys near the creeks, there was simply no way to stay warm.  Most of the climbs are east facing and most of the gaps and decents were south west facing.  Climbing in the warm sun, unzipping the jacket,  cresting the climb, zipping up,  descending and shivering became the routing for the day.

 I spent a lot of time trying to figure out exactly why I was doing what I was doing.  Pedaling for hours, uncomfortable etc.  Some people say that they do it because it makes them feel alive.  That's not it for me.  The experience really made me wish I was dead.......   But I was out there, and as mentioned before, it was better than sitting on the couch all day.   In addition this was another aspect to a challenge that I had not yet taken on.  I have done 2-3 hour rides in the snow and freezing temps, but not all day,  multiple days.    I suppose that I wanted to find out if I could handle it.  And I am pleased to say that I did.  Will I do it again?   Possibly, but I don't plan on doing the ride if I do not have access to the parkway. 

 I arrived at Doughton Park at 11 am and sat down for lunch.  Tasty and cold, but I didn't care, because it was tasty.  And it was tasty....

Tasty

The view for lunch.

The rest of the day was spent grinding uphill and bombing downhill.  Up until Doughton Park the hills are mostly bearable with lots of relative flats,  south of Doughton though and things start to get long and steep.

I finally ground my way to Deep Gap and took 421 south into Boone,  with a headwind on a 4 lane hwy,  not the most pleasant way to end the day.  Rolling in to the hotel, I'm not sure what I looked like, but I had some difficulty getting complete thoughts out, and the clerk must have wondered about me.

After a shower and some rest, I walked across the street for 2 tacos, an enchilada, rice, beans and chips with some Ben and Jerry's for dessert.

Lights out at 8:15 pm,  I slept hard until 6am.

Day 1 Roanoke to Asheville, 2013

After nixing my plans to take a trip on The Palmetto Trail, I spent the next couple of days hanging out with my wife and kid.  I was definitely disappointed that I was not going to be riding this difficult but scenic route through South Carolina, but as the hours went by, I was increasingly thankful for the quality time.  It was then I realized that for me,  bikepacking is a privileged, not an entitlement.  Somewhere along the line, I picked up an entitlement mentality and that was quickly reeled in.

After some deep thought and discussion with the wife, we decided that it would be feasible to drive with them up to Roanoke and then ride back home.  I was excited to get out on the bike for an overnight trip, it had been late summer since my last trip and I was jonesing.  

 I found a cool online map that shows current Blue Ridge Parkway closures.  Day one I planned to ride to Fancy Gap, which turned out to be 70 miles.  The temp at the start was just below freezing with 15-20 mph winds and highs maybe up to the 40s.   I layered up.  If you have kept up with me since Snake Creek Gap, you know that I am tired of riding in the cold temps.  But, considering the alternative, being cooped up in a house for 3 days.......I took this as an opportunity to challenge myself.

Grover, the ultimate traveling companion.

My Love

 Since the parkway was closed and snowed under, I opted to take Hwy 221 south.  A mostly 2 lane road with mostly rural traffic, cattle farms and houses.  Not as scenic as the parkway, with lots of rolling grunt climbs and some longer climbs.   Picture taking was difficult with the big gloves on.  I managed to take some pictures on day one, less by day 3.  

Bent Mountain, Hwy 221 S.

 I was happy  to be on the bike, semi warm, and quickly deciding that I was not cut out to be a cold weather explorer.  I have had plenty of cold weather adventures, hiking and camping in the snow,  long rides in the snow, and can honestly say that it is not my forte.  I read an article recently that reported some recent research confirming that exercise in the cold is harder on the body than in milder temps.  I can confirm that research. 

Most of the scenery looked like this.

 I made it 30 miles to the town of Floyd, VA and stopped at Subway for lunch.  It was a welcome break, but I got a little chilled while eating.  After a 6inch Italian BMT, I was a distorted kind of happy to get back out on the bike generating some warmth again.  

Floyd, VA

Another 40 miles and I found myself at the destination of Fancy Gap.  I decided before I left to leave the camping gear at home and spend the money for hotels.  I didn't want to battle the cold all night too, so I traveled lighter, and slept really well. 

 Dinner consisted of a mediocre BBQ pulled pork sandwich, and undercooked fries, followed by a pint of Breyers Chocolate ice cream.  Lights out by 9pm and up at 6am after a good nights sleep!

Gotta Listen To The Voice

Here I sit,  about 1 hr from my planned departure time.  Everything worked out for me to take a ride on The Palmetto Trail again.  The weather is  looking decent.   I have  a window of time, ( although  a little less than last year).  I have a ride to Charleston, with another ride to the trail head.  I'm even all packed up and excited about getting out. 

And then, last night I pulled the plug.  The inner voice is telling me not to go,  and no matter how much I argue with it, the answer is still no.   That voice is difficult to argue with because it does not give me anything concrete to argue with.  It simply says no, quietly and subtly.  I allow my mind to wander to different aspects of the trip: weather, financial cost, possible danger, etc eliminating every tangible reason that I should not go.  I then go back to square one and repeat the process until I am convinced that there is nothing left except for that still, small voice..... still saying no, don't go.

I have learned to listen to that voice, and less than 12 hrs before loading up, I pulled the plug on the trip.  I'm not sure where that leaves me other than feeling somewhat sad, but very peaceful about the decision. 

So,  here I sit, watching the snow fall outside, steaming hot cup of coffee in hand, listening to fire crackling, and waiting for the family to wake up.  I feel like a kid on Christmas day, knowing that today will be special.  Maybe not out of the ordinary, but definitely special!

So Cold.. but trying not to complain

I keep waiting for a warmer day.  I put off riding, even on the rollers, knowing it will be here soon.  The trees are budding and the daffodils are blooming but now frozen,  and spring is here but the temperatures disagree.

I convinced myself that I needed to ride so I layered up and rode out to Liberty Bikes for the Thursday road ride.  No one showed.  Kevin and I were left to ride alone and we chose an alternate route.  A shorter route, and a route with less wind.  We were out for about 1.5 hrs, and that was just enough.

I am tired of the cold, but definitely trying not to complain.  My mind and body ache for sunshine like we had this past weekend. My skin yearns for some solar warmth.  It might be time to migrate to some warm temps for a while..........

Coming home to black bean and rice soup was great!

If you have not heard about this year's I-9 wheelset raffle to benefit Trips For Kids WNC,  it is on.  100 tickets,  $20 each : Click here

Just Another Weekend

Saturday I drove out to the studios of Appalachain Bicycle Institute.  At one point in my life I looked into the Appalachian Bible Institute,   be assured that the former is preferable.   I had signed up for the wheel building class and that is what I learned. 

Jenny sat us down at a table piled high with nipples, spokes, hubs and rim, and put us to work.  I got the entire first wheel laced up and things didn't look right,  with some of the spokes sticking out farther than others.   We located the mistake, about 1/4 way into the build so I had to take it apart.

Then I was discouraged and the self doubt crept in.   I had an internal argument and stuck with it.  Just like anything we do, we occasionally hit a wall and have to back up and take a break.  I ended up getting the rest of the build, then moving to the rear wheel without a hitch.  I came away with some great pointers on truing as well.

Jenny fed us a wholesome lunch and gave us the time and instruction we needed to be competent wheel builders.  I can't wait to get back into The Bicycle Thrift Shop and work on some of those wheels.

I got home on Saturday in time for a ride so found Matt Dinsmore and road up Elk Mountain together.  A chill easy pace with good conversation.

Sunday ,  I pedaled over to Biltmore Square Mall to watch the roadies beat up on each other.  Jay Middleton is in the pink Hoffenchard kit.   He broke away with another dude,  who it appeared didn't want to work together, so they got caught.   I don't know why.

I headed home, took the family for a hike, and then went about getting ready for this week.  It was a great chill weekend and good to spend time with my family.  I love them!

If you have not heard: I-9 Wheelset Raffle to Benefit Trips For Kids WNC.  
Only 100 tickets at $20 each,  very good chances.

Fencing

 It was cold and as stated previously, I'm not riding in the cold anymore.  I blew off the first Thursday Night Liberty Road ride and stayed home instead.  But the time wasn't wasted, and there will be plenty more Thursdays. 

Instead of riding, I stayed home with the family,  harvested some bamboo from Eagledove Greenhouse, who just moved in down the road from us,  and built a fence around the garden.   It was a fun project with some way for everyone to help out. 

It was really cool, being outside, working together on something that will benefit everybody.   This fence encloses our garden and will provide some shade on the long hot afternoons,  a place for beans to climb, and keep soccer balls and kids from trampling the plants.

After finishing and cleaning up, I spent the rest of the evening looking at maps.  Waiting for the window of time and watching the weather.....

Slow Walk

I took a walk through the woods.  The sun was warm but the wind was whipping and cold.   I have lots going on and the slow pace of walking was a welcome change to spinning and grinding gears. 

The rear differential on my truck is worn out, and needs to be replaced to a tune of $1200.  Ouch.  For about the first time in my life, for some reason, I'm not stressing about where the money will come from. ( I'm not writing this to put the spot light on me, or brag but rather to point out that motives might change perspective).  Possibly the reason is that although the truck is mine, I use it to help the kids in our community.  Hauling bikes and supplies so that I can provide an  experience that they would not otherwise have.  Every single detail from the start of this program until now has worked out, whether I worry about it or not.  I believe that this community was ready for this sort of program and the support I have received in starting and running the program is proof of that.

Like so any other youth organization, they start with a small dream and reach a large number of kids,  not because of one person, but because of a whole community of people, each pitching in, in their own way.

I'll be without the truck for a couple of days,  and I'll take the time to, instead of stressing, to look around and be thankful for what I have,  what I have been given to take care of,  the people around me. 

This is a great community, filled with great people, and I look forward to continuing to work with you all.

Have a great day.

Smooth

 After getting home from the Snake Creek Gap TT, I was totally burned out on riding in the cold.  I can force myself to do something only for so long, and then something has to give.  I gave.  I maintained some fitness and rode the rollers a couple of times, but basically did nothing on the bike, or even remotely related to a workout for the rest of the week.  Rest is good, for the body and mind.  Considering I had just worked through my first 3 month training cycle, I'm ok with it.

Saturday,  after the kid's soccer game though, I saddled up the race bike a took to the woods.  The temps were nearing 60 and I wore knee warmers with arm warmers.  The arm warmers only lasted til I got warmed up.  I ripped around Bent Creek not worrying so much about heart rate, but more focused on fun rate.  I'm sure I went into fun rate zone 5b several times!

 Then Sunday rolled around and I had a little over an hour to ride.  I couldn't figure out which steed to take out, and then it dawned on me that it was time to take the new Siren : John Henry out.  I got this bike several weeks ago and didn't ride it, due to the fact that I was focusing on my time at Snake Creek.  I drove to the trailhead and pedaled, made a few adjustments and spun up the first climb into some single track.  Love at first drop.   This bike is smooth and stable.  Steel framed and perfect for what I bought it for: bikepacking.   I have most of the bags on the bike and it wasn't totally loaded down, so I bombed the downhills faster than I normally would with a full load.  Smooth, stable and smile inducing. 

It was one of those days that when the ride ended, I was craving more.  I'll get more, I'll just have to wait for it!

Planning

Ever feel like life is going by too fast?  The world is spinning and my feet are glued to it, and there does  not seem to be a way to stop it?

Playing soccer with the kid yesterday and watching him run after the ball was a way different feeling than doing the exact same thing 4 yrs ago.  Things in my life have become more complicated,  he has the full capability to think and make decisions for himself and I have the obligation to let him do that more on a daily basis.  In 8 yrs, he will be driving a car (if we still have that right),  I hope to do what I can to insure that he is prepared.

And so I look for my pause button.  It doesn't really pause everything, it just gives me a time out,  a place to regroup.  

I'm sitting here trying to plan my next adventure.  I can almost smell the moist spring dirt crunching under my sleeping pad.  The morning chill burning off at the mercy of the rising sun.  The feel of sweat running down my body as I spin the pedals then climb off the bike to push it up the steep grunt climb. 

I have 4 options and a 4 day window in the near future: Trans North GA, Palmetto Trail, Allegheny Mtns Loop and Pisgah Traverse.

The first two options present logistical barriers with shuttling, and the latter two could simply turn really cold.  I'll have to wait until closer to the time to figure out which one.   It always seems to work out and become very apparent which direction I should go.  Sometime not till the last minute.

Ripley's Aquarium

 Saturday after the Snake we headed towards Gatlinburg, got a hotel for the night and then headed to the Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg on Sunday.   The kid was pretty amazed as we drove through Pigeon Forge,  seeing all of the attractions and tourist gimmicks that encourage a person to spend money.  Poor little kid,  having to go hiking and riding and all that outdoorsy stuff, never seeing such a spectacle until he is nine yrs old...... 

The aquarium was a great time and I recommend it to anybody,  kids or not.  I was fully entertained and the animals held my attention for a full 3.5 hrs.  That says a lot.  It was relaxing to wander around,  naming the fish that I used to swim with and eat back in the days that I lived on an island.

Several areas where one is able to touch horseshoe crabs and stingrays/manta rays was pretty cool.   The shark tank has a long tunnel under it, complete with conveyer belt that you stand on and watch the fish as you float gently through.   Although, the kid was  just as excited about the conveyer belt as he was about the sharks.

Fun times were had by all and we hope to return one day.

The Snake # 3

 The 3rd installment of the Snake Creek Gap TT rolled around and I had not gotten much riding in within the past two weeks.  The month had started well and I had continued to stick to a training plan, then the weather got cold and rainy, and my enthusiasm was waterlogged.

Then I decided that I would simply ride and enjoy it,  finish so I could get the belt buckle.  How bad did I want the buckle?  Bad enough to follow through even though the forecast was for cold and rain/snow.

Saturday morning, there was snow on the van, the pavement was wet and the sun was peeking over the horizon.  As we pulled into the parking lot, I had already selected what I wanted to wear and I was looking forward to having long ride on the bike.  I promised to myself that I would not be riding in temps below 40 degrees for a very long time after this.

I lined up, and headed out.   Taking it easy and using the road before the creek to warm up my legs.   I hit the creek crossing, barely noticing the dozen people stopping to remove socks and shoes.  I rolled through the creek and up the road.   Either way you get wet feet.

I was sticking to my  plan and not paying attention to the time.  This really is a beautiful piece of country, and someday, I am going to really take my time.   But now, as I road, I fell into "race mode" and started riding my limit.  Knowing that when I finished, if I could have gone faster, I would regret that I didn't.  So, after about 10 minutes on the bike,  this ride to finish, became a race against myself.

I rode, ate, checked in with myself.  Pushed hard up some climbs,  maintained a steady pace, recovered and repeated.  According to RPE I had no idea of my past month of training had achieved anything.  I would simply have to wait to find out. 

At the half way point, the wife and kid met me and I restocked and lubed.   I didn't stay long, only long enough to do what I needed.   After my first couple of races/rides,  I realized how much time adds up by stopping to refuel, take a layer off etc.  Seconds turn into minutes very quickly.

My goal going into this was to see if I could at least beat 4 hrs.  My record was 4 yrs ago on a single speed.  It was a dry warm day in January.   Conditions today were different.   The first creek crossing was bottom bracket deep and there was lots of wet and some trail after that.

Overnight, the storm that rolled through had brought snow along the ridges.  Trees were plastered with snow and I took a few glimpses of the ridges and valleys.  The mountains in GA hold a special place in my heart, as they are the mountains that fostered my adventure spirit.    College in NE GA meant that the mountains were a place of respite for a person not quite cut out for college.

About 4 miles from the finish, I was simply maintaining pace.  I attempted to speed up, but I got winded and slowed, so I went back to maintaining.  Instead of focusing on the cold and how tired I was, I reminded myself that I was riding my bike, and how much I love to ride my bike (when its warm).  And that when I finished, I would get a cool belt buckle.   I reminded myself one of the reasons I ride: to inspire my kid,  with hopes that one day, he will follow his dreams and reach for his goals.  I thought about the wife who has been with me through all of the training, races and DNF's.  Who for some reason thinks I'm great.   I thought about The Snake,  the volunteers and all of the people involved.  It was a good day to be out on the bike.

And then I crested the ridge at the water towers,  headed down the gravel and the pavement grade for the last time.   They handed me the belt buckle, I ate some cobble and was glad.

It took me a while after the results were posted to realize what I had accomplished.  I finished #3 in 4:08,   17 minutes faster than #2.  Huge improvement and considering all of the factors involved, I am uber pleased with that result.  I had about 7 minutes overall of stoppage time. That figures out to 12 seconds per mile over 34 miles.   Not much, and looking back,  not much I could do to change that.   I'll take it.

What's next?

Wrain Storm

A good old winter rain storm is raging outside,  the wind is gusting to about 30mph, supposed to get stronger as the day goes on. 

It is days like today that I decided not to take racing as seriously.  I'll probably ride the rollers a little later, but maybe not, and if not,  I'll only lament the fact that I didn't get to exercise today.  I won't lament that fact that I lost a little bit of fitness.  

Interestingly,  even though I decided not to "race",  I attempted to stick to a more structured training schedule than I have in the past.  I succeeded about 80% of the time.  But when days like today roll around,  I lack the motivation to go that extra mile.  And I'm ok with that. 

At the same time,  I realized I don't like that much structure.   I started riding my bike because it is fun.  It is a release.  I added in the racing/training option to see what I could do.  I came, I saw.  It is time to go back to having fun. 

Long Winter

Good gravy, it feels like this winter has dragged on for a very long time.   Being in 65 degree temps at the SE Bike Expo yesterday didn't help coming home to cold and overcast.   And its not that it has been that cold, just cold combined with lots of rain,  making it almost impossible to ride outside on a daily basis.

I'm not sure why this winter is dragging for me.  I do miss long rides in the warm sun.  I miss the fresh air blowing through the windows.  I have a new bike packing bike that is waiting for a ride.  First though, I am committed to getting through the Snake Creek Gap Series.... going for the belt buckle.

I love this race and love the course.  The local Sorba club does an excellent job of putting it on and I recommend it.  But I'm falling more in love with going my own pace,  sleeping under a tarp and packing up at the break of dawn.   At the same time,  I'm not keen on doing so during the winter because laying in my sleeping bag for 12 hrs of darkness, and 30 degree weather is simply not my idea of fun.

Someone mentioned that I should pick up an additional hobby.  Maybe I should, but everything that I find interesting, would only raise my cost of living....

So, I sit and wait,  for warmer weather and longer days.  This could happen anytime now,  3-6 weeks and I'll be saddling up for a long one.

Can't wait!

TNGA planning....continued

Planning, possibly the next best thing to actually executing said plan.   I have been eyeballing the Trans North Georgia Route for way too long now, and that doesn't look like it will change anytime soon.

I'm hesitant for a couple of reasons, the biggest being logistics.   I don't feel inclined to ask my wife and kid to drive the 5 hours to Rome Ga to pick me up when I finish.  I don't have the funds to pay Mulberry Gap to run the shuttle for me, part of which includes them driving my vehicle for the shuttle.  I'm sure they are nice people, but in general,  I don't let people drive my vehicle.

I looked at renting a Uhaul truck as an option-  $300 plus gas is more than I have right now,  but possibly an option in the future.   There are no car rental companies that rent from West Ga to Asheville.

Greyhound would let me ride for around $70 for a 16 hour trip...  I'm not good with strangers in tight spaces though,  I'm not considering that an option until I get desperate.

As we were driving through the Ocoee River Gorge last weekend, heading down to The Snake Creek Gap TT,  I caught a glimpse of the Cohutta and Big Frog Mountain Ranges.  The wheels started turning, and I realized that there must be a way to ride part of the TNGA route, and then ride north to the Ocoee Whitewater center.  2.5 hrs instead of 4.5-5 hours. 

So, I took the maps off the shelf, unfolded them and started searching.  After some google mapping, I pulled up the route for the Cohutta 100  and found my answer.  The routes intersect at aid station #3 and #6 of the Cohutta,  and share the same route to Jack's River Fields. 

And there is was,  an alternate route plan that will simplify logistics.  Just need to figure out what the mileage is from the eastern terminus to Jack's River Fields....

....and wait for the right time!

Looking for something new...  new to me, for a big bikepacking loop.  There is a serious lack of gravel in WNC.  I'm sure some local knowledge would be helpful,  there are probably options, but I'm struggling to find much.  

This winter has been tough,  since I missed my thanksgiving ride to Roanoke, I have been itching to get out in the woods for a trip,  but don't want to lay in my sleeping bag for 12 hrs of darkness.  Spring is on its way...  until then I'll keep dreaming,  and looking at my bike!

Courtesy

Upper 40's and sunshine made for a good ride.  As hard as I tried to prevent it, my mind kept drifting to the negativity in my life.  I found out that I had been taken advantage of.  I had helped someone get what they "needed".  "Baby on the way" etc.   Then I saw it for sale.  I guess they just wanted to make a buck.  Which is fine,  don't we all?  Need to pay the bills.  I don't mind that.  Don't play on my kindness and then flip it around to benefit yourself.

Then, as I was riding the gravel road, there was a dude walking 3 dogs off leash.  That's fine too,  but the freaking dog is in my lane and not moving.  I had to stop and unclip so I wouldn't run over the dog.  The dude acted like that was normal, saying" How ya doin'?"

I started wondering what is up with people?   Simple gestures to let people around you know that you care.  A simple apology for an inconvenience.  Am I entitled?  Can I not expect common courtesy?

I wonder how many times I get in the way and am oblivious.  If it happens, I do what I can to make it right. 

Common courtesy.  We are not in this world alone, we are not entitled.  We have to share,  we have to move over to pass,  we really need to start using our turn signals.  We need to take the time to stop for 30 seconds to let someone back out of their driveway.  What happened to the days of helping the old lady across the street?

And so went my ride.  Awesome weather, fun route, overpowered by this crap.

Today, I am looking for the good in people.  I'm attempting to get past the crap and focus on the good.

Bring it on!

CPR

I get to go to CPR  re-cert today.  I'm going to ask if the on line re-cert courses are legit.  I've taken this course so many times that for once I can ace a test without studying.  I tried that a lot in college but it didn't work.  Actually, I studied, but the things that were interesting to me, we typically not on the test.   The library was a good place to meet people. 

Highs in the low 50's today and I'm gonna be stuck inside, with no chance to ride,  in fact, it does not look like I will get a ride in at all today,  that's life. 

I got the bikepacking bike built up and ready to roll.  I was planning on a quick trip this weekend but then started thinking I should take the family camping.  Yeah, that would be more fun for everybody,  guess we'll wait til the last minute and see what the weather does!

One month to go til the next Snake.  I'm looking forward to improving.  I think I know what I need to do to shave a little more time off, and I plan on working hard to get there.  I would really like to reach my PR of 3:58.  That happened on the single speed at the first race I did out there.   That's how my PR's look,  ORAMM's PR is also on a single speed, the first year I attempted it: 7:30,  without structured training.   Maybe I overthink things these days.   I'll see how the snake goes then re-assess.

Snake Creek Gap TT #2

 With the temps in the upper 20's and the sun barley peeking over the top of the ridge, we lined up for the start of the 2nd installment of The Snake Creek Gap TT.  If the temps warmed up, I would be overdressed, but it the clouds rolled in and the precip came as was forecast,  I would be fine.

Right away after the start, I knew that the lobster gloves were a poor choice.  They were doing their job and keeping my hands war, but it was difficult to brake and control the bike with only 2 fingers and a thumb on the bars.  

I reminded myself to control my pace and headed down the gravel road warming up.  As I came to the big creek crossing, I slowed, stood up and pedaled through.  My feet dipped slightly under and seconds later, the water seeped through.  Not soaked but wet.  I was glad that I chose to wear my woolie boolies! 

In some ways, that is the worst part of the ride,  the wondering how wet its going to be for the rest of the ride.  Once the feet get wet, knowing how cold they are going to be, I can stop thinking about it and focus on the rest of the ride.  

Onward and upward,  about an hour into it, the sleet started to fall,  weather.com was spot on this time.  I was feeling good,  watching my pace and eating.   The worst I felt was the second hour.  Quite possibly because I had trouble eating much more breakfast.  But as I continued eating and drinking, I was able to bring my body up to speed.  I was feeling good, not great, not powerful, but steady. 

I made it to the halfway point and met my support crew.  Rhonda replaced my water bottles and the kid watched from the back of the mini van.  It was snowing and cold.  I decided to keep the thermal jacket but change my socks.  At the last minute, I added the toe warmer the wife and kid had given me for Christmas.  While it was not like sitting by a toasty fire, they definitely helped keep my toes from going numb! 

 Starting the second section I was optimistic.  Hot and humid shuts me down,  cold and rain is miserable,  but snowy and cold?  I dig it.  It is so peaceful and quite in these conditions, the trail tends to harden and except for the icy glaze on the rocks, it makes for a fun ride. 

With about 8 miles to go, I came upon an old man, backpacking,  strolling along and enjoying the woods.  As I passed, he greeted" May the Lord bless you".  Cool.

On through the rock gardens, walking some riding others, always moving forward. 

 And then after hours, I came to the towers, attempted to spring the last 300 yds, backed off the pace, and hit the gravel road down to the pavement.  When I hit the pavement, I asked the volunteers if it was icy,  they said "not too bad".  Unsure if that meant there was ice or not, I use a lot of caution on the wet blacktop.  Down to the finish, to be greeted by my crew and some hot peach cobbler. 

 Good day, good ride, one more and I get a belt buckle!!

Around the toes are covered in ice,  the toe covers are dry where the toe warmers are.

John Henry

 Dreams do come true.  Since I got bit by the bikepacking bug, I have been riding an aluminum frame.  While lighter than steel,  aluminum is very stiff, and that stiffness had me thinking about a steel frame.  I had considered a Niner but could not get away from the quality of a hand built Siren. 

After a long time of waiting, not knowing if I would ever have the funds for this frame,  it worked out, and within a couple of weeks, I was building it up.   The build went fairly easily,  I only had to make two trips,  one to Liberty to have a blue Cane Creek 110 headset installed, thanks Gabe,  and one to a friend a little closer to borrow a crown race puller.  The Frame arrived at 3pm and I had it built up by 8pm.  All of the parts transferred nicely, and I replaced the old chainring bolts with some Loaded blue one.   This bike will slowly be highlighted in blue.  (blue I-9's?)

 I built it up and rode it around outside.  It feels fits and it feels good.  I brought it back in, took some pictures and stared at it for a while,  then I sat on it,  looked at it, etc.   I had trouble deciding on color.  It took me about a week to decide, so I went for a ride one day to mull it over.  Then it hit me.  Clear coat.  Brendan Collier is the builder, and does a fine job.  "Performance Art" is his motto, and I figured "Why cover that up?".  I want to showcase the frame, and I also want something to look at in the hotel room, in the middle of a long ride when I'm feeling beat up.  I'm riding a piece of art over hill and dale.  So cool.

And then she started to look a little naked so I dressed her up proper.  And she looks good!  All dressed up and nowhere to go....well lots of places to go, just have to wait for the right time!!

Thanks Brendan and Mary at The Hub Cyclery for helping me get this rolling, and thanks to Liberty Bikes for helping me build it up.   (And thanks in advance to Salsa for the blue seat post collar and skewers..... ?)  Why not, its ok to dream.   After all, dreams do come true!

And lastly, thanks Rhonda for helping me fuel my wanderlust!