CoEfficient of friction on ice = Zero

Chilly night. PT eliminated all pain from my knee for sleeping. I eagerly await the true test of treatment with a ride later today.

Drove into Pisgah Forest which is where i have been hanging. Stopped @ Backcountry Outdoors to check on exercise ball shipment. Not in yet.

Drove to bldg supply business to fill propane tank. They were only able to force 1 gallon in which seems way too low. Called propane supply place N of town where I filled last 2 times to learn if a driver was there to fill my tank. Struck out.

Mid morning drive to DuPont ride @ Corn Mill Shoals TH. Saw a few cars w/ bike racks at other TH on my way, nobody where I parked.

Cold & clear. previous free running h2o was now solid. Mud was frozen earth. Climbed Burnt Mtn & dropped down back side. In shade ice had formed over the bare rock. I kept to the ice free gravel or leaves. I managed to ride mostly and push a bit over the ice to summit of Cedar Rock. On N face aspects the rock was sheeted in ice. I failed to read the angle and length of ice on a rock piece. Slight downward angle. Both wheels abruptly left vertical slamming me to the rock on my left side. Sore hip, forearm, & shoulder. The PT work success will sort itself out or I just undid it.

Again attempted to find the way under Bridal Veil Falls to X the river. Too many No trespasing signs and lack of courage to poach turned me back. Maybe tomorrow’s ride will guide me across.

I rode to the river crossing. Check pictures out. Maybe mid thigh deep and ice on rocks:

river crossing
river crossing

This awaits a misplaced step:

downstream
downstream

Ice crystals:

ice crystals lined the trail
ice crystals lined the trail

View from on top cedar rock looking NE:

getting above the trees.
getting above the trees.

Knee pain during riding is almost all gone. Kim performed Craniosacral therapy; find the tight spots and release the pent up energy. A few more sessions and maybe even the knee pain I have had since age 11 might be cured. Look out Telemarking next winter.

Seemed to have hooked up with a ride @Paris Mtn in Greenville, SC on Friday thur MTBR.com forums. moving on. Have leads for a bunch of SE rides staying in the mountains. Just sort them out & drive to them.

Riding DuPont tomorrow w/ a group with somebody from SORBA.

Did wash & took shower.

Picked up exercise ball & pumped it up. Will keep it away from heated heater grate which did in its predecessor. Displaces a bit of inside room.

Les, finally finished Blue Highways. Thank you. What a thoughtful inspiring book.

Off to woods for cold night