Fall continues to put the color in the forests. Just magnificent beauty.

I drove down to Ohiopyle. The forecast called for rain after like 1PM which would have been tight to finish a ride. Rain started during bfast and kept at it. I still drove down to Ohiopyle on the banks of the Yough. I found the laundromat which was not the one I saw on line which must have shown on a YP search and I didn’t notice that it wasn’t the town wash tub. Top loading washers but I had the machines to myself. I did a walking tour of the town letting rain moisten my wool sweater. Not even a coffee shop.

Folded and put away dry clothes and the riding wet clothes hung on my indoor clothes line I climbed back out of the valley heading east and south to Maryland and Deep Creek SP. Rain all day. At the SP I paid $30 for an electric site that I didn’t need and the state does not give senior discount. The weather forecast called for clearing skies late afternoon. And the forecast was accurate as the clouds parted ceasing rainfall.

Friday morn the skies were blue. I rode from campsite using gps tracks for a loop ride.

The tread is over sandstone which drains well, little evidence of rain, here it was just rooty and rocky, not slimy. Some pieces were machine built. Short ride. I made it back to camp before checkout which allowed me a shower. Hot water and a heated shower room.

I was planning on driving to VA thru Maryland until I looked at the road map to learn Davis, WVA was just a short drive away. Such a pretty sunny day driving back road state highway to Davis. This would be my 3rd visit here. I checked in at Blackwater Bike to learn that it was now owned by a different guy, Rod, who is much nicer than the former owner. During the conversation i learned  about the Funduro sponsored by DirtRag mag back up near Morgantown, WVA. A weekend hanging with a bunch of mtn bikers. I changed my plans to leave on Sat for the Funduro.

At Davis I drove back to check on camp spots I remembered, they were all occupied. Back up plan was Blackwater SP outside of town. $18 senior discount for a non electric site. When I checked in I learned there were 27 open sites to choose from. I picked 63 and hung my registration card on the post and drove away. Benefit of paying for a site was I knew that I would have a place to camp for the night. Camp fee was peace of mind.

I drove back to town just sighing from the fall beauty.

Alternative energy powered by wind abound

I drove back to town.

A new brew pub opened, Stumptown, there logo is a sawn tree stump. Place was full of mostly visitors. I enjoyed their beer. I walked a half a block to Hellbender burrito restaurant. It was WVA cooking. Hellbender is a giant salamander, the wifi password is OtterSnot which is a nickname. Back again to beer pub for a night cap then drove back to XG which is now completely filled.

Sat AM I drove back into MD to go north then west back into WVA on county roads to Big Bear resort, 5000 acres of private land that one of the owners has built many miles of hand built and or leave blower made trails. The trails here were rooty, rocky, and slimy, nasty shit

The itinerary listed an intermediate group ride at 1 that I joined. I wanted to rub elbows with unknown riders and benefit from a local guide. Way too many riders and rider ability difference. I was there to enjoy which I did. I rode behind several groms who really put a  charge on. Several hundred people were in attendance. Thanks DirtRag for sponsoring a non competitive event.

Sue Haywood offered her teaching skills, I participated in the men’s log clinic to the log height that I was comfortable with as I have such a fear of hurting my shoulder. Credit to Sue that when a woman tried to join she xnayed her.

A band played for hours. 3 beer taps were set up that ran dry. I noticed that most people stayed at their campsites with their group instead of mingling like I do. I met the property owner and chatted about his place.

2 riders from previous location rides found me and I remembered them. One was from a Davis ride and the other from the Michaux. Chris whom I remet in Sedona this winter attended.

Sunday I set out to ride the race course marked by yellow blazes and also a gps track. Nasty sections for a single track race.

In time i lost the race course giving in to just riding. I arrived at a TH that was at the bottom of the property unsure of where I was and how to get back to the venue. I spied a rider at the TH who provided navigation assistance. He offered a map but I declined saying I had MTBP. I could have used the map for a more direct route.

Back at the venue I took and outdoor shower and washed mud off my bike. Mark, the owner, drove up and we chatted more about his trails and users. He said that cross country race events are drawing fewer and fewer racers every year. 2976′ elevation.

I broke free and drove back to Davis. Lots and lots of big ups and downs. The van’s transmission is having issues that concern me, I just say sweet things to reward its performance. I stopped for a late afternoon beer and visited w/ a local who was on the same Sat ride I was on. He said that in the early days he rode in the Davis trails on his dirt bike that are now closed to motorized travel.

For camping I drove out of the valley then back on a FS rd and found a wide spot to park. Towards sundown many rigs drove out of the forest by me.

Yesterday my plan was to drive to Harrisonburg. While eating a piece of toast at bfast I sensed something hard that didn’t belong. I spit out the soggy mess and discovered a piece of tooth. SHIT. I waited for the root pain to hit…… but nothing happened. I kept the piece of tooth. Now I have a more immediate issue. More hilly and twisty driving out of WVA then the climb up to the state line with VA then dropped down into the Shenandoah Valley. More spectacular scenery.

I made Shenandoah Bicycle Company, Tim’s shop. We chatted. I asked him about a dentist. Later one of his guys suggested one where one of the previous staff people worked. I called and scored an afternoon appointment. I showed the piece of tooth that was actually a crown which broke free. Unfortunately it could not be just recemented on. We kicked around alternatives. The long term fix is a post and new crown. Or just put a patch over the exposed root and have it attended to in Sedona where time would not be an issue. The front staff worked magic and freed up an 8AM appointment today. i asked if i could sleep in their lot, yes it was granted. No dental insurance, bill came to $1629 to save a tooth.

The parking lot has a slant to it such that I was not able to level the van out, I slept with my head uphill. Very warm night followed the 82 degree day. What’s with summer high temps on October 17?

I woke early this AM to have bfast and clean up before my appointment. About 7 rigs began pulling into the lot. Office has 11 staff. The tooth had a root canal so it was dead, still Novocaine was injected into my gums. The dentist is just out of school. He drilled a hole in the root and cemented a post that will hold the to be made in house crown. Going to be out of here this afternoon with a new tooth.

Driving Ohio roads many trump yard signs were planted. PA, MD, WVA, and VA lack the proliferation, maybe that says something about the people. This trump thing is scary and has the makings of continuing after his election loss. How to put the country back together remains to be figured out. He will not go away nor will his base.

So, plan this after is to drive to Stokesville out in the country for the night hen ride out there then head to Brevard, NC where I must use the restroom of the sex on my birth certificate. I have 22 days to get to Bentonville.

I speak highly of these Appalachian mtn trails. They are a handful to ride.

My KS LEV post was fixed using some lube to free up the mechanism. My Replacement Raceface Turbine arrive at SBC yesterday. My blood test strips didn’t make it as the rep chose to expedite delivery by UPS to the USPS which doesn’t work. They have a hard time understanding General Delivery to the city, state and zip code which is all that is required.

I’m still int he dentist parking lot waiting for the finished crown call.

Tuesday fog lay on the lake surface.

At first light the lake was obscured.

Drive today was into PA and Raccoon State Park. I found the TH. Chilly. I waited for more sun, finally I put on a long underwear top for warmth. I swung over the top tube and pedaled across the highway to the start of a trail. I read the part that said the name of the trail. Upon return I read the entire sign. I pedaled uphill on a slightly used trail which made a road crossing up the way. Another sign, this time I read the entire thing: Hikers only, all other users not permitted. WTF? TrailForks showed this as a ride. I jumped on the road which headed downhill for a monster coast. I dreaded pedaling back up the grade. I followed signs to the park office. I walked in and asked what’s up. I learned that just a few miles are open to bikes and are shared by horses. Enough. Cursed is the follower. I gave up on the ride.  I pedaled the mostly flat road back to the van. I loaded the bike back on and changed my clothes. My bike clothes weren’t sweated wet to be used the next ride.

I chose a route south of Pittsburgh to avoid the traffic and to find country rides. Next was Forbes SF above Uniontown, PA. I drove into said town and searched for a grocery store. As I was leaving the store w/ my goodies a store manager approached me and asked about my van. we chatted in the store as he shared some ride tales. I sat in the parking lot researching a ride and a place to stay. Camping permit is required to camp on state forest land. I called an office number at 4:30. It never stopped ringing. I went on line and filled out a permit for a camp spot near Quebec run for my next ride. Big road climb out of town then more climbing up on Skyline ridge. The road stayed on the ridge up and down. I followed directions to a permitted first come first camped spot. I fixed dinner and cleaned up. Mariners season is complete which eliminates a distraction. Closed door but no heater.

Sunrise is like 7:31 but I am under tree cover and below the east skyline. Makes for staying in bed longer. French toast for breakfast. I need to get coffee tomorrow.

I drove some more ridge line to the empty Tebolt TH. I’m at about 2,700′, the highest since Spearfish, SD like 3 weeks ago. Just saying. I found the ride on MTBP Clockwise Quebec which is to be a good introduction to this area’s riding. Ride data is 11.3 miles and 1667′ climbing. I could chose to link cross trails to add more miles. Option. Appalachian Mountain riding: narrow trail corridor hemmed in by rhodies and laurel with occasional rock gardens to get over.

Fallen leaves covered past bike tracks, I sought the corridor. I was stymied by several nasty rock gardens as were several scramble hills. So pretty under the canopy.

That’s pretty much what I saw. Many streams. Would have liked to backpack thru here.

On a short straight section I noticed an animal running away from me. It was a bobcat. Phil it was smaller that what I remember crossing the road in front of us.

I record my ride data using a garmin edge 25, a wheel computer, and backcountry navigator on my smart phone. The garmin recorded 7.86, the wheel was 11.9, and BCN was 11.4. Deep tree cover affects the garmin even though it appears that the entire ride was recorded meaning no straight lines for dropped signal. Chunky riding. Didn’t see another person.

Several big commercial windmills were located on the ridge, one withing earshot of the TH. The vanes make a sound as the wind pushes them around. Amazing speed for a light breeze.

I now have abdominal pain to go along with the loose stool, so bad today that I sought med help back down in Utown. Urgent care DR said Xrays indicated partial bowel obstruction and needed to be cleaned out. Laxative. I’ll give it a go.

I needed propane while in town. I googled propane and selected the yp lead. I called the listed stations. Several were non working numbers, several said they did not. I tried Uhaul which sometimes pumps propane. The woman said no. I asked for suggestion, she said Tractor Supply. Nuts, they are in the same parking lot I’m in while outside Anytime after a shower. Score.

Plan now was to drive to Ohiopyle on the Youghiogheny river for tomorrow’s ride. Twisty up and down narrow roads into Ohiopyle state park. I drove to the XG and picked a site. You register at the closed office picking an open site without seeing it. No camp map. I picked 9. I found the spot by wandering. Not level. I moved to number 8 and used leveling blocks to correct the slope. Water fountain nearby. Turned off and my tank is running dry.

My van is really struggling on the climbs. 5th gear lacks punch. I push the pedal down far enough and the trans drops to 4 and strains. The trans jump between 1st and second is getting harsher and the rattle persists. I should be showing the van some medical attention at some settle down place.

Forecast for tomorrow calls for showers. I will drive up then down to Ohiopyle to a favorably reviewed laundromat. If rain is not a factor I will ride here.

I need to be in Bentonville, AR on 11/10. Time is moving along a day at a time. I am abandoning my State College visit which is further east and north. My next big stop will be Harrisonburg, VA.

My Raceface dropper arrived at Gonzo’s shop I learned when I called. Tad will ship it when he makes a UPS drop off spot. I called Shenandoah Bike in Harrisonburg to ask permission to send stuff to. Greased. My HR chest transmitter failed. I ordered a new one to be shipped to SBC.

I like to drive the back state highways. Here in PA the roads are prolly min width w/ no shoulders. The houses are built right to the road. Houses were not located to distance themselves from the  unexpected traffic.

Sunday night was another town night behind the brewery.

Monday Rebecca’s gang from Du Pere drove up to Marquette for a ride. Paul joined us for the first ride then left for work. We rode 3 separate loops from the parking lot. Colors have appeared up here. Marquette is an IMBA ride center. Some trails have extensive berming. There are several serious downhill trails that were best left unseen. Changed clothes we all sat at 1 big table, all 11 of us, at a Mexican restaurant. We dallied till almost dark then headed to Du Pere in the dark. Windy, van rolls. I visited w/ Dave and Rebecca till eyelids drooped. I spent the night in their driveway. Rebecca signed the poster. We visited some more in the morning before I left. They have 2 dogs that I have met several times since 2010. Dave said their behavior with me indicated that they remembered me. An example of recognition.

Tuesday was a big drive day heading to Brown County and Phil’s place. I found Walnut Point SP for the night near Oakland, IL. Paid campground.

Wed I finished the drive to Norman, IN and Phil’s place. I found a laundromat on the way and did my wash on Wed instead of Thurs as I would need clean riding clothes after riding 6 days in a row.

Thurs Phil loaded us up in his Honda element and we zipped the back roads to Brown County State Park. On the way we saw what Phil said was a bobcat. Perhaps, I made no identification.

Brown Cty trails are growing. Phil is the local. We met his friend Sally who runs a bike skills training. We met in Sedona this spring and maybe a previous year.

Phil took us on a newly made trail, Bobcat. Phil said that an ideal post title would be ” 2 Bobcats and no cougar”. The terrain has nice vertical relief and ravines that the designers have used well. Challenging w/ some walking spots. I was thrown by the sharp turns in and out of a wash, short length makes for front wheel stick on the far side. I learned that I need to bunny hop stuff taller than my bottom bracket.

We visited Gonzo’s shop outside the park. I know Gonzo from Sedona. My replacement treking poles were there but no RaceFace dropper post. Post should have been there.

Back at Phil’s he asked for me to fix my burritos for dinner which I did.

Corn is being picked. Corn fields surround Phil’s.

Thurs I drove east to Versailles SP for a ride. I used MTBProject for navigation successfully.

Clean water

13.57 miles climbing 837′ Twisty and windy thru the open deciduous forest. Acorns rain down, scampering squirrels gathered what they could stuff in their pouch leaving way more than they could consume or store.

Out of the hills to finish the drive to sister Lynn’s place at Celina, OH on Grand Lake. I visited 2 days. On Sat we went for a tourist drive. The Miami Erie canal ran nearby, Grand was a feeder. Amazing amount of work that was short lived as the railroad arrived. We visited the Bicycle Museum that as per a museum had many bikes on exhibit, none really of the modern mtn bikes, actually hardly a mtn bike. However, the first “bicycle” was on display.

On the way to Lynn’s I spotted a historical sign for Annie Oakley’s grave. Gotta go visit it.

She performed in Buffalo Bill’s wild west show. He is buried near Denver, CO. I visited his grave while biding my time for darkness to sleep in a closed restaurant parking lot. Before wake up I was rousted by a sheriff telling me to move on. It was my first roust.

 

I left Sunday morning heading east to Mohican. I drive back roads at slower speeds reaching Mohican later than I wanted to to be able to ride the big loop. I dropped off my bike and geared up. At the start of every ride I work the controls checking performance. Shit, the Lev wouldn’t go down. WTF? I removed it and installed the Reverb then went for the short loop ride. I camped in the electric hook up part of the XG, packed in w/ the land yachts. Hot shower. Cost $30. I installed new rear brake pads which caused the brake lever to engage the brake w/ a very short pull, too touchy. I put back on the old chain. Between the 2 chains I have 2092 miles on the same cluster.

Chilly night.

This morning was 41 degrees w/ a high of 61. I drug my feet waiting for sun warmth. I drove out to the bike TH which was shaded by trees. I waited until I was full sun on before venturing forth. Great trail, typical of the midwest rides so far with more vert .

Roots are the take away for this trail. 24 miles climbing 2312′ in 3 hrs. I started out strong but withered as the miles piled up. 2 racers just blew by me. I was young like them once.

I poached a shower at the XG.

My ride took longer than I planned. I wanted to make PA south of Pburg. Took far. I drove Lincoln highway, hwy US rt 30 for scenery.

I stopped at Guilford XG before dinner.

Tomorrow is Raccoon SP in PA. This time Trailforks is the gps source.

Ohio lacks the neighborhood bars and is starting to pick up churches.

Sunday eve I listened to the town hall. Driving in Ohio I notice way yard ornaments displaying trump’s name w/ very few Clinton name. Some yards have just down ballot republican names.

Appalachian mountains are just down the road. Trailforks shows way more PA rides than MTBP