Last night Heather and I made arrangements for a 9:00AM departure to DuPont, she, a local, to show me around. And that she did. There are trails on the south side of Corn Mill Shoals rd, some that Todd had made. Machine cut trails that are aging nicely as the roots that were below blade depth are surfacing making for excitement on the tread. We rode several more pieces of bare rock. I need to figure these trails out for future ride. Local knows the best. 11.89 miles for 1642′ climb. Forecast called for scattered showers. Skies looked that way. None fell on nus. However, as we drove back to town less than a mile from the TH rain had fallen as was shown by wet pavement. We were right on the edge of it.

My back is almost pain free and is centered in my left hip area. I have another PT appointment on Fri to fix.

So many trail miles to ride and so little time. I see myself staying here into next week.

Rain is almost the norm.

13 days after popping back muscles I tested the recovery on an hour ride @ DuPont, not on the easy trails either. OK, I pulled my punches. Burnt Mtn trail is a tech challenge and climb when it leaves Corm Mill Shoals rd. I pushed up the nasty uphill and that was all of my walking. Great to be riding again. How I feel tomorrow will determine future riding. 8 Miles and 985′ climb. Seat dropper used on the downhill from Cedar Mtn, life is good w/ smooth suspension and no squeaks on the uphills. I do have a crack in a Chris King rear hub part that should be replaced.

Fri. I have another PT appointment.

This  not riding frees up a chunk of time each day. I managed to while away the hours till bed time. The Hub bike shop is the Pisgah Pub from the past. It’s a private club: you fill out some paper work and get a membership card that is your entrance pass. I have been hitting the craft beer taps in the late afternoon.

Hasn’t rained yet today.

Seeing lightning bugs but not hearing Whipper wills.

The bushings and journal bearings have been replaced which eliminated the pesky pedal induced squeak. All is good again.

Umpteenth day of rest for recovery of “pulled” back. Every day i have less pain and increased pain free range of motion. I take the muscle relaxer pills but abstain from the pain pills. It is important to let muscles heal b4 beating on them again.

So, I am on an injury induced vaca hanging around Brevard and Asheville, between 2 groups of friends: Todd and heather in Brevard and Bruce and Pisgah Works in Asheville. I spent the last 2 days in Asheville w/ Bruce goofing around drinking lots of beers and socializing. We have toured downtown Asheville hitting several of Bruce’s haunts. Lots of craft beers to taste. Staying up late and sleeping in while parked on the residential street he lives on.

Today i am at the Sprinter dealer in Hendersonville to have the parking brake adapter installed so that the driver seat can swivel over the engaged parking brake which will take the load off the transmission.

I have another PT appointment next Thurs that I will stay in Brevard area to be treated. My hope is my back will be healed so i can ride some Pisgah b4 I move on, although my dad’s place is about 11 hour drive. I could stay here right up to day b4 class reunion and then sprint to the door. I would miss other places along the way but if my back is not good to go it makes little sense to visit and have to turn down rides.

Wed Youngblood took me to the cleaners to install the new bushings on my 5 Spot. Turner did help me w/ the parts price.