I am a life style rider: I ride what I can and walk what I need. Some of the stuff here in the Pisgah and even DuPont necessitate decision making for body safety. Bennett Gap is case in point. I wrote about hiking up the trail and saying that it was an old logging road. The lower part that I walked might have been. However, I rode the big loop later on Tues. I rode from the group camp spot on Avery Creek pedaling up the creek on a bike to the horse stable then the grunt began climbing a gated logging road. Grind grind then grind some more. I used the 42T in places. At Buckhorn Gap I turned left away from the Black Mtn trail. Right away an eroded stair step greeted me. I had trepidation that i might not be able to hoist my bike up the steps. I made it happen. These trails are old legacy hiking trails going over lots of root masses and rocks. Going thru Rhody and laurel tunnels. No view sheds, just tree trunks. I had ridden this trail years ago and forgot what I would soon encounter. Nasty. Some was difficult to down climb using my bike as a hiking aid.
Garmin edge recorded 11.39 miles riding time of 1:46 and climbing 2921′ The wheel recorded 13.8 miles taking 2:30. big discrepancy and has been typical of Garmin under reporting. That’s just data, I am a product of the demand. Beautiful very warm day.
I camped on Avery Creek as I was already there, XM but no internet. However, Raceface did reach me in response to my pissed off call to them about missing hardware parts for the warranty replacement dropper post. He said they were able to locate my entire post package that I sent to the repair shop and they gathered up the parts and are shipping them to Phat Tire in Bentonville.
Yesterday I returned to DuPont down at Corn Mill Shoals to ride more single track. My ride took me over and back across Little River. The first year I crossed in bare feet and slipped into the water. Friend Tom advised wearing wool socks as the wool would grip the slime. I have since heeded his advice, today the same.
Sharing:
I rode up Cedar Rock then descended Big Rock.
At the top
A section of the downhill reminded me of the Moon rock at Davis, WVA.
I drove back to Brevard. I scored secret handshake sleep spot and a shower.
I use MTBP for ride data. I read this guy’s name on several reviews, Logan Watts. Familiar ring. I rooted around in the gray matter to reacquaint myself. Logan is Pedaling Nowhere and we met in Sedona. He wrote an article about me. I hope to visit w/ he and wife Virginia. Fun people.
Today I am sitting in the parking lot of the remaining laundromat here in town. Where I used to go is out of business. He had a pay for shower. I hung 6 baggie liners on my clothes line inside my van.
Temps are still hot enough for shorts and sandals.
Gotta take out dry clothes.
Making today a rest day.
I googled Sprinter repair and selected a shop and made an appointment fro yesterday. The guy checked out my van. There is a fuel leak that required a $500 valve replacement. HE said that the leaking valve causes the black death. I prepaid the part and made an appointment for Fri to install. He said the turbo is going out and I will soon need to replace it. He said drive it until it fails as was his advice for the transmission. The engine in drive lacks the pep to pull the hills butt he trans will downshift giving power.
really enjoying reading your blog!