Today was a Pisgah ride lead by Todd & attended by several other riders. The Pisgah single tracks are rooty w/ step ups & roll overs. 83 degrees and 60% humidity & some climbing. Rode thru rhododendron tunnels. Today the lead rider cleared a rattlesnake along trail. The second rider stopped as did the rest of us and we checked out the snake. Big guy, about 4’long & just smaller than my clenched fist. Paul & Emily are moving to Puget Sound shortly, their own road trip.
My Turner DW Spot is just super on these trails… but my engine peters out on uphills. I came off a water bar going downhill and got a little sideways. I stuck the landing w/ the bike laid over and turned. Impressed Shrimper who was right behind me. Not my intention, just happened. Compliments to bike & build up.
Parked @ computer place here @ cedar Mtn sucking off his wireless internet as do various others upon occasion.
So catch up.
Yesterday I awoke in my van parked on a side street near Bruce’s. Today there is a street festival on the other side of his house’s intersection. Local neighborhood. Local crafts & women in their summer dresses. I visited a chiro booth staffed by owner Robin. I learned that she is a competitive cyclist and works on extremities using that spring tool. She sold me; we have an appointment on Monday. The other booth person was Kyley who is a mtn bike racer. She raced against Grace who beat her. Kyley was miffed that an older woman just rode away from her.
I saw this mound of whipped cream & melted chocolate on some kind of a baked thing. I learned it is Funnel Cake. I was given a sample. Pure fat. Later I saw the booth selling them to see the size. They covered a regular size paper plate. Huge.
Earlier Bruce & rode out bikes downtown to another market. Bruce lives almost downtown in old residential section. Great old houses. He and several other guys were crashing in a $600,000 old house that just sold and they are booted out. Gorilla riding on my squishy bike, no helmet and just my street shoes pedaling thru stop signs. Asheville is sprawling hilly. After the market tour we did an urban ride up a treed hillside enjoying a paved uphill w/ no traffic. A spectacle of expensive house, enough to notice that many are for sale. We checked out Grove Park Inn partway up on hillside, very posh. We are walking around in our sweaty street clothes, completely out of place.
Sat night I needed to get back to Todd & Heather’s for the night and to plan for today’s ride. I have been parking in the Faith memorial chapel in the one spot that is level. The parking spots are denoted by railroad ties held by rebar that sticks above the tie. Last night I stepped out of my van and ran my left shin down one. Long gouge first aided w/ neosporin & 2 large patches.
Friday night in Asheville I scored a used pair of Time ATAC composite pedals @ a bike shop. Better than the aluminum ones sent to Dad’s. I installed them after patching my wound. Very positive sound when clicking in but requiresw a pretty good foot twist to release. Little bit of practice for Sunday ride. I rode them today w/ great satisfaction. Alas, I think I can part w/ CrankBrothers pedals.
Spent evening w/ Todd & Heather. Invited to dinner tonight, need to leave soon.
Today after our ride I crashed the Hub bike shop. I didn’t want a beer. As I was gathering up myself for my exit I noticed a guy w/ young child & wife walk towards my van unsure if he knew me but thinks he does. I invited him over and he told me he saw my picture in the BikeMag article. He said he is hoping to do an adventrue someday. In the store another rider approached me and asked if I was the guy in the article. Yes. They are from FL where I rode several of their trails.
Off to dinner. Someday maybe I will recount my Friday in Asheville. Hung w/ Bruce, owner of Pisgah Works, seller of my wool jersey. From Cleveland, OH area.