Mid Week Getaway

Yesterday was sort of a non ride ride day- riding the rail trail can be as much like mountain biking as flogging the bishop is like baby makin'. So today I vowed, to get some dirt in. Wasn't sure the con-dish of the local park single track, so with little to do on the mag front right now (waiting for some shiznit to come in), and my desire to do yard work at about a negative six, I loaded the xB with the Dos Niner and headed up the mountain on an exploratory mission of sorts.

Went down one road that I thought I wanted to take. Turned out not to be the road, but I was treated to this classic sign. The next logical step is to have "THIS MEANS YOU!!" written below it. I felt uneasy just STANDING in front of the gate.


I headed over to Auckerman. I wanted to climb to a road called Skyview (which was to be on my left), drop down to pavement and the take that over to Felgar Road and make my way to Laurel Mountain. Felgar will be integral, to planning out a hundie now that the Turnpike Bridge is out of commission.

I took what I thought was Skyview, and stared to lose all the just gained elevation (which I expected). But then up ahead it looked like the road became a private drive with some homes. Hmmmm., not one to investigate hidden mountain retreats without a backup, I decided to chuck it, and head back up the mountain to parts more familiar.

According to the satellite map, and in theory, it looks like I could have kept going, but like I said, I'm not one to investigate too much on the mountain when it comes to private property. Mountain folk fall into two categories- 1. Friendly as all git out and non caring. 2. VERY protective of their property and have no care about sending a couple buck shots your way. I fear #2. So I retreated at speedy 3 mph.

Now THIS guy had a bad winter.

It was chilly here in the Oak. It was of course cooler up at the base of the mountain, and it was freaking COLD by the time I climbed up Auckerman and got to the top of the mountain. I mean it was spitting snow flakes cold. I shit you not! I was standing there on Tunnel, taking a wiz and felt something hit my face and heard something hitting the leaves. Thought it was rain, or spring flowers or pollen floating around. Turns out it was sort of was rain, except it was frozen. Only lasted a few seconds, and was just spitting here and there, but nonetheless, it was freaking snow. NOTTTTTTT what I expected. In my light ass jacket, and knee warmers. Headlights onnnnnnn.

Hit some nice trail on Mountain View, but eventually it was soon slow goin' due to a lot of downed trees and a ton of derailleur hungry sticks of every shape and size. Also had some fun on Mountain Streams Trail which wasn't as muddy and ruined from horses as it was all of last year.

Truth be told the ride really didn't go how I wanted. I never made it to Felgar and I was freaking wet and cold. I rode about 17 miles, did a lot of climbing, and had fun but it took over 2 freaking hours of ride time to do just 17 miles. Granted some of those 3.5 mph climbs were stuck turd slow, so that would play a part. I guess I should just look on the bright side, and realize that a Wednesday ride in the mountains is pretty much a gift. And the chance to ride some dirt is ALWAYS a good thing. Many of the trails/roads I ride up there are not exactly single track, BUT they are steeper and often more challenging than anything in my neck of the woods.

Now to do some work....

Later.