Ride plan today was to meet Bruce from Pisgah works @ Black mtn the near RS. Bit of a shower last night.
Drove to RS to seek out Pamela who last year was expressing her desire to ride her road bike across the US. I wanted to find out her status and offer encouragement. We spoke briefly then I needed to leave to meet Bruce @ TH.
Found Bruce & friend (spaced out her name). Bruce has a trail route for the Pisgah Badass ride and he wanted to ride it today w/ us 2. We started by riding then pushing and riding & pushing up Black Mtn. real energy sucker. Trail is really beaten by h2o runoff, some trees snapped from ice storm last winter. Way hard way to start, something like 1 hr 30 mins to ride 5.3 miles to Buckhorn gap, climbed 1900′. Bruce and friend ride fully rigid bikes. Last night I installed new grips by spraying hair spray inside the grip which when dry locks the grips on the bar. Today the spray had not dried so my grips were loose and could not be used. I removed them and rode on bare bars til BuckHorn. Bruce forced them on dry and they stuck. Bike rides way better w/ grips. We decided that the ride course is better served by riders in better shape than us. Still, it was a bruising day of 13.87 miles in 2:49 hrs, climbed 3669′. Rooty w/ a few rocks mixed in. Rain destroyed trails which are mostly old hiking trails that are not sustainable. Liking my almost 6″ of squish and not the body hammering from the rigid bike.
This Am as I was putting on my wet bike shoes I discovered that a piece of the lugged sole was peeling off. New shoes falling apart. Fortunately I have another pair of Specialized shoes to ride in. Back in Brevard i stopped @ Sycamore. a Specialized dealer, to seek warranty replacement. Shoes here later this week. Also i set aside a pair of Specialized Purgatory 2.2 tires for install as I need to decrease my rolling resistance.
Bought some cold smoked salmon to add to my brown rice & pea glop. Much more moist than hot smoked.
Outside computer store @ Cedar mtn for internet access.
Tomorrow I get to watch Todd do some trail building and then drive to Panthertown west of here to ride w/ Shrimper.
My left quad has a serious mucscle issue. years earlier I tore a rectus muscle and i am hoping this is not a problem as it hurts to pedal, walk, or sit still. I will call a PT who worked on me last time for help if I make time in my schedule.
I plan on leaving Brevard / Ashville area on Monday. I need to be in Ohio before June 19.
I have access to pictures from BikeMag article, contact me and I will steer you to right place.
Bruce took lots of pictures today w/ my camera, will look @ them later.
Gotta go visit w/ Todd & Heather.
A guy from Squirt chain lube tracked me down electronically and will send me product to evaluate.
Big Ed from old Spokane days found me on Facebook.