I have been staying in places in VA that lack internet coverage hence some of whatever.
Rain closed the warrior Creek trail so I drove on. But that has been covered.
Friday I drove over to Roanoke stopping at The Right Gear shop, a top 100 bike shop per Bike, as is Bike and Bean, and The Hub in Brevard. They actually had a Turner Burner size large in their demo fleet which I did not even look at. Today’s ride will be Carvin’s Cove. The shop and I hashed out the 20 questions on what I ride and what the terrain offers. I drove out to TH. There is a kiosk and a partial bike work stand w/ selected tools cable locked to a stand as was a sturdy floor pump. My route was out Hotel, climb Buck, traverse an old resource extraction road to drop down the Gauntlet, pick up an old double track over to the bottom of The Chute to climb back up to go down Buck. Monster vert for short miles: 10.83 miles climbing 1959′. Sure enjoy riding my bike.
From there I headed over to Sherando Rec area. Twisty windy local roads. I misunderstood the driving instructions which allowed me to see stuff both coming and going. Once back on track I rolled into the rec entrance station just b4 closing. A FS official greeted me w/ the XG full sign. I was upset as I drove this way expecting a camp spot. To his credit he allowed me to sleep in a TH parking lot.
I found this Sherando ride on MTBProject. The route started straight up from the TH requiring push uphill- a – bike. The top was Torry Ridge which was a lot of rock gardens, most of which I rode, others I let discretion save injury. All by myself way out there. I decided I didn’t want to contend w/ expected rock gardens and a bail route was available which turned out to be a much friendlier trail to ride in either direction. It dumped me out @ Torry Ridge furnace that made iron ore b4 & after the Civil War. It was destroyed during the war then repaired afterwards and worked for several years more. Old furnaces are something to behold. The Edge counted 5.12 miles climbing 1336′,
Next stop is to be Harrisonburg further up the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah NP. I drove the Parkway into the Park, I flashed my senior get in for free card. The first XG I came to, Loft, had open camp spots. It turns out I stayed here 2 years ago on that trip. I scored a mid afternoon shower, $1 for 5 mins b4 a waiting line developed. The AT runs thru the park. I saw quite a few backpackers drying out gear in the sun. I learned that the day b4 it rained for 10 hours. I spent a peaceful night, cool 61 degrees.
On Sat’s ride I did something to my left knee that resulted in much pain in the joint. I tried different stretches to no avail. Then this morning I did situps from the exercise ball and hurt my back.
Today I finished the drive to Harrisonburg, home of Shenandoah Mountain Bike CO, owned by Tim. The shop was closed because it’s Sunday. I drove around back and saw that the back door was open. I walked in, Kyle, a shop wrench was working on his bike and welcomed me in. He remembered me. I sat on a step and talked while he worked. He gave me ride beta and also an inside contact to an ortho PA to look @ my knee. I hope to be seen this week which will keep me here.
The replacement Terraduro shoes are coming apart same way as the original. My opinion is these shoes are junk. Back to the PI Lopes shoes may they last.
Rolling my IT band on a foam roller is providing some relief.
America is such a big wonderful diverse space. Go travel it. Go on the road to see what isn’t local to you. This SE is spectacular in its own country roads mountainous way. John Denver, John Prine songs.