Slept well knowing again that I would ride from camp, except I started counting rigs going by about 6:00AM getting into hunting position. During ride yesterday I did not see 1 deer. Lot of empty tags about.
After washing mud off bike yesterday I spun the cranks backwards and noticed a less than effortless spin. Damn, fried another bottom bracket. I convinced myself that it spun freely enough for a ride with the promise at ride’s end I would seek professional help.
Several cars were parked @ horse stable where ride starts. Didn’t catch up to them. I am now just a rabbit for other riders, I don’t reel in riders ahead of me.
Passed father / son deer hunters dressed in full camo with a fire going right on the road track. Learned that it is rifle season for deer. I suspected such. Oh well, I have a right to be outside also. I never heard a shot during the ride.
Rode up same as yesterday and joined the Black Mtn trail and turned South instead. Old hiking trail: log h2o bars & steep fall line climbs and decents. A bit of serious hike a bike sections: hiking itself was interesting but toting along a bike was even more exciting. Several vista outlooks, rough mountains albeit short. Rhody thickets with trail cut thru them. Finally crested last of Black Mtn massive & headed down. Some switchbacks and traverse trail but mostly hard squeeze on hydraulic brake levers. I ride Formula K24 brakes with an 8″ rotor front and a 6″ on back. With 1 finger I have good modulation but not enough power to lock up wheels. 2 fingers has modulation but the ability to lock up wheels which I need sometimes. Front brake announces my presences w/ squeal.
Solitary ride again.
Cold today. Gloves are essentially long fingered summer gloves, not very warm. Wear PI booties that ride up over my toes, these are not made for hike a bike but keep my feet from freezing. Temp is below freezing each night which is unusual here or maybe at this time of year.
Back into town. Tried Sycamore bikes for bottom bracket, no dice . Went across street to The Hub to do business. No Shimano but a Race Face that has not treated me well in past, but a spinning crank is more important than me being pissed @ Race Face. Got a discount on BB as it was installed & deinstalled from a bike but never ridden on. Pretty gold color clashed with Sangria color of Turner. But hey, the crank spins freely.
Groceries at IGLES a big well stocked chain store. Shower @ laundromat again. Parked in town for inyernet access. time to head to woods for dinner.
Riding here again tomorrow on a suggested route.
Off again.
Check Ride data page for ride graphic.
Zags won again, ranked number 5.