Right now Sat AM after Wait Wait show siting in my van at the Hub parking lot with light drizzle wetting the windshield, however the forecast wants sunny afternoon. Yesterday was a sunny day. Hope for more of the same later today for a ride.

So from where have I been?

Doing my thumbnails while creating this.

Monday I drove away from the street side sleep spot in VA heading south thru TN. My attention to navigation was as poor as usual as my recollection of the map was head south on a controlled access highway to join an interstate. I started on the wrong interstate. After awhile the names of the distant cities on the road signs did not match where I intended to be. Pulled off and went to google maps to seek redirection. Sent me down a US highway twisting and winding thru hilly remote countryside, way more enjoyable than the preferred route would have been. twisty windy up and down and no espresso service.

My destination was Unicoi, TN to do a short up and down ride on Pinnacle peak. Finally arrived at TH. familiar location as  2 years ago I was in the area on the other side of the valley way back up in the forest for a sleep spot. That night I ran out of propane and resupply memory came back. I didn’t ride that time. This time I had propane and time of day for this 4.9 mile uphill pedal to the tower then zoom back down with gravity as my friend. I did use the 46T leg saver. Hardwood forest cover. At the top a tower has been erected which extends above tree top for vista.

58 mins to climb 1456′ in that 4.9 miles with smiling 24 mins to mostly coast down.

Rode in another state.

Next was letting google take over from the start and paying attention to Brevard, NC. All controlled access highway. Letting google direct me around Asheville eliminated stress of understanding the confusing highways. It was after dark by the time i made Brevard. Ate unhealthy dinner at an Irish pub then drove back to the Hub bike shop to sleep in their large gravel parking lot. I thought the lot size was overkill. However, by mid morning it was almost full. Amazing how many riders journey here.

Lots of rain falls here. I read on a weather web site that 77′ of rain has fallen here this year. I wanted an introduction ride here so I chose lower Black Mtn loop just out of town. geared up and headed up the trail dealing with just several small mud puddles. The trail was dry. Climbed up Thrift Cove traversing over to intersect with lower Black that was rehabbed several years ago by among others Shrimper. Trail used the old logging road but was reconfigured with curves and features. It’s a screamer as a rider overtaking me at warp speed.

Wet, drainages make hospitable  environment for rhodie thickets. Trail is well ridden in.

Short ride.

At the bottom I hung around. A car with 2 riders arrived which created a conversation moment. Guys from FL who are bike park riders, not this serious backwoods riding. They were planning on big Black Mtn loop with rain forecast. Simply put they had not paid dues to have learned anything. They took off and I headed back into town. later a real gulley washer fell and all I could think about was those 2 guys up in the thick of it w/o protective clothing. What kind of story would they tell should I run into them?

That night I chose to sleep at a FS XG right out of town. Scored the last open spot. Senior pass slashes fees by 50%, low enough to justify booking 2 nights. More rain during the night.

On Wed forecast called for clearing in the PM, encouragement to ride Du Pont State forest. Used MTB project to followed a loop ride. Out there mostly by myself. Mix of old legacy “trails” and new purpose built sustainable trails.

Wet. At every creek crossing rocks had been placed for dry feet crossing except the creeks ran fuller, my shoes did get wet. Fortunately this crossing was stepping stones.

F

Finale was purpose built Ridgeline descent. Put a smile on my face.

Drove back to The Hub, home of Pisgah tavern. Place gets packed. Arrived just before closing time of 6PM.

Okay, enough for now, nail polish is dried and the ride time is getting near as the forecast is for a sunny afternoon.

 

Friday I drove down to Job and Still Hollow distillery makers of some fine moonshine. Legal operation. Driving WVA roads is more challenging than SE Ohio and PA. Country Roads take me home. Google navigated me right to the distillery.

Site chosen for spring flowing over limestone

Quite a story about sustainable converting heritage locally grown corn converted to sipping, spent grain fed to local cows whose eliminations are put back onto the corn fields. Wood was locally felled and sawed and used for building.

Next was ride with Susan from her house.

Said it would be mellow to ride out to a peak for views. She wore knee protection. Hmm. Started on social trail that is almost non existent wending its way over moss covered ground over rocks and roots. I rode what she rode, she was kind to my level of expertise.

I left Davis heading to Virginia on new divided highway. Noticed a ridge line which was heavily packed by wind turbines. The blads make a whooshing sound.

My plan was to drive up to Shenandoah NP and camp. I made the park entrance gaining free admittance using my senior pass. I learned that all of the campgrounds are full. Plan B. Drove ridge road for 30 miles to Luary exit then down into said town seeking a sleep spot. Chain motel parking lots struck out. Park and ride was private, airport gate was secured, headed towards hospital looking for DR office parking lot. Spied a side street with an empty building on one side and small houses on the other. Spot was sloped sideways but some of the bubble was in the smallest circle. Nervous sleep at best. dashed from there without fixing breakfast heading to Harrisonburg, VA, home of Shenandoah Bicycle Company and owner Tim. This was the first shop where I broke into hanging at a shop and being part of the mountain biking community. This is where I met Sue. Short visit

I drove out to Narrowback ride out near Stokesville. A mountain biker bought land there and made a mountain bike hang out. Torturous lane in and out to the filled XG. Plan B spot. Drove out to rd that leads to Narrowback TH. Drove more than a mile in only to be stopped by a locked gate. I planned on camping off that rd. Shit. Wheels are starting to wobble. Decided to drive down to Douthat SP but instead of turning left to leave I turned right heading for a FS XG leading past the closed road. Right around the corner was the TH parking lot I remembered but forgot where it was. Score. Pulled in.

I saw small patches of blue sky as I pedaled 3.5 miles of gravel rd to Dog Graves and the start of the climb up onto the narrowback. Rock here is different than PA’s as it seems drier and free of moss. Smaller chunks many which are loose.

A hump at 17.7 miles climbing 1932′

Forecast called for rain. I put the cover over the bike before bed. In the morning a rig pulled in with 2 bikers who geared up and pedaled away. rain started shortly after they left. I was getting ready to leave when they returned looking like drenched , well, riders.

I drove out to pick up rt 42, a scenic road, to Clifton Forge and Douthat SP. Back country drive, hilly with bottom land, appears what can be tilled is so, steeper is still covered w’ hardwood forests. Overcast, o colors.

Arrived at Douthat SP. Paid $5 entry fee. Drove to parking lot where the MTB Project IMBA Epic ride started from. I fused the info till I found the trail. I carried my rain coat and wore my windshirt.

 

Steep hike a bike climb to top of mtn. Once on top the trail ran the ridge line before dropping down to valley floor. Tread is obstructed by fallen leaves which hide gotchas. Drop down was enjoyable. Trail crosses Little Creek at the bottom on a suspension bridge. Shit: Steep ladder going up to get on the bridge and prolly the same on the other side.

I managed to push my bike up the steep ladder then bounced across. At the far side a couple arrived, the guy stood at the bottom of the ladder. I asked and he agreed to help me lower my bike. Crux solved. Pedaled back to van. I bailed on completing the entire epic riding just 9.21 miles but climbing 2047′ needing 1 hr 29 mins of effort. Hard ride from the steep climbs.

Park wants $31 per night with no internet service. I stayed at a place past the park in the USFS but decided not to check it out because of possible probable soft ground and again no internet. I drove out of the park landing at a spot almost on an interstate ramp, I had stayed here previously. Has 3 bar service to write this. One semi was backed in leaving room. Later a second rig backed in reducing the free space. I can juke to get out. If another truck backs in I will be parked in.

Tomorrow is continuing to Brevard. Weather forecast again is for wet.

Temp is down into 50s during the day and low 40s at night. Sweet furnace keeps me snug.

Just saying that riding here in the Appalachians is very challenging. You riders from the west that don’t visit here lack the experience of these rides to say nothing of the scenery.

Tues and wed I rode in the laurel highlands in PA, roots, rock gardens and water.

 

Moved down to Davis, WVA. More rain and only wi-fi. Sitting in a coffee shop connected to wi fi. Raining. Challenging back highway drive to here.

2 nights ago I scored a legal camp spot in Forbes state forest in the highlands. Just hot and humid, not sleeping well

About 4 AM I was awakened by a champing chewing sound on my van right near my head. WTF? slid out of bed, put on my sandals,  grabbed my headlamp and hiking pole. Threw open the door and screaming I faced the sound source

Nothing at eye level. Looked down and saw 2 maybe 3 porcupines. Looked at me w/ black beady eyes and didn”t shuffle away. Each remained just out of reach of my swinging pole. Chased the smaller one into the woods and the larger into a big. Banished. Back in bed, shortly more chomping. Repeated the get out process less the screaming. It was the larger animal. Drove her away again, this time my effort was productive. Back in bed I started worrying about what got chewed. Brake line? Radiator hoses? Only daylight will reveal the damage. After bfast I drove a short distance to Wolf Rocks the for another go at rock gardens. Did my ride.

I unrolled my ensolite pad to lay on while l looked under the van. I couldn’t find the damage. Engine started and the brakes stopped me. Several long steep descents awaited me. I always use my brakes sparingly. Down one descent the check brake light came on like I experienced in SD in the wet. I stopped in Somerset and googled brake repair. I called a shop. Guy said how quickly could I be there. I had turned off the engine before calling, I hung up then started the engine, the light did’t turn on. I still drove to the shop for advice. Brakes stopped, again I looked for damage, none seen. I continued my drive to Davis, WVA. Drove into rain.

In Davis i checked into a state campground for a base. Chatted w/ attendant who gave me a senior discount. I asked to borrow a ladder to get to the van roof to apply more leak fix tape on the passenger side which had more broken body join. I applied tape to 2 joints, started on the 3rd but rain stopped me. Last night and into today rain pounded the roof which seems to be keeping the rain out but still need to tape that 3rd joint for comfort.

Checked forecast for Brevard which shows flooding. Darn, just totally wet. I will still go there for DR appointment

This visit in the midwest and east is not riding.

Colors are non existent here. Just bleak, leaves are mostly down, stick season.

On Thurs I drove around the park stopping at an overlook of Blackwater river canyon.

Will prolly be heading west to dry after short Brevard visit.

Today is laundry day at a repurposed bank drive in.

Stopped at XG during an interlude between drizles and used the ladder to tape the last seam.

Stopped for a beer at Stumptown brew pub then 6 buildings and acroiss the street to Hellbenders restaurant home of big burritos. I missed the ride at 5 group that left in the rain. Local vibe is you ride in the wet or stay inside. Several of the group arrived in dry clothes at Hellbenders. Chagga Todd who gave me a piece of his namessake years ago. Sue Haywood was in the group. She invited me for a ride on Fri. I just tripped all over myself being asked to ride w/ her. In her prime she was in the tops of women mtn bike racers. Spirited conversation. A guy showed up passing around a mason jar of apple moonshine only 4 hours old. Finished the evening again at Stumptown.