Not frozen anymore

I have hit the rollers twice in one week which was enough to make me look forward to the plans I had made at the beginning of the week with the Masta of Spin, to hit up the fire roads at PSP on Friday. That was until the MAN handed out a Mandatory Training Memo which was to take place on Friday, forcing me to go by myself.

Swift Creek still partially frozen near the boat ramp

Once I started my ride I was hoping the half inch of snow we received over night would help keep the ground frozen. Instead, despite the 32 degree temps with a wind chill of 22 degree the snow turned the fire roads into a goo topped frozen yogurt. It was nearly impossible to keep any momentum going unless I kept the throttle open. Even then I didn't go anywhere fast. The creek is still very high as the totals of the water table remain at the highest levels since before I was born. I had planned on fording the creek near the damn but the cold cold water had seemed to have no trouble keeping its momentum as it rushed down and away from the damn.

It is deeper than you think and very COLD!

I ended up getting in an estimated exact 24.6 miles in a few minutes short of 2 hours. It was great to be riding outside again but I know I have a lot of work to do to get my fitness back close to a shadow of what it once was.

Cross Dressing

So I haven't really been cross dressing but I have been riding cross, A LOT! It's all I can think about recently. My new favorite 20-30 mile loop from the house has me riding over to Pocahontas State Park and hitting up some fireroads then some singletrack and then back to the house. I can tell from the way my body hurts after these rides I am not in the shape I once was or could be in. The other tell tell factor are my averages on the singletrack. Granted I am on a cross bike and not the BUSS but I think I can get the times closer to each other with some more time on the saddle. The question of the day is, Do I put gears back on it for training purposes or do I train with the SS gear setup at 48x16 and put the gears back on for cross season?

After possibly the worst night of sleep last night I decided to take the BUSS over to PSP for a very short and quick spin before work this afternoon. Was a bit disappointed when I pulled into the Qualla lot and found this ...

Hoping the sign in the lot had just not been taken down from the other day, I took the fireroads over to the trailhead were I was delighted to find they were indeed open! There is a new reroute at the beginning of the blue trail but the BUSS took it in stride. No problems with pushing the taller gear and I actually felt a bit more fluid on the climbs. No more spinning out when out of the saddle and climbing!

Looking forward to my 3 day weekend that starts tomorrow. Jenn is running a 5k on Saturday so I will be cheering her on there and then she will return the favor on Sunday at Camp Hilbert. Now if I can only decide on what class to run: SS or Enduro?

I Heart.....

Riding past this every time I want to get to one of my favorite trails

Riding with old friends

And riding the BUSS, naturally.

Had a great ride on Saturday out at PSP. Started the ride off by heading over to the Lakeviews. Ran into Lisa, Richard, Scott, and Clark while over there. Trying not to be late for dinner I said my hellos and then got back up to pace. After riding the other side of the park I was happy with the 20 something miles I had and was about to head out. Got out to the car and low and behold who's car is sitting next to mine? My ole buddy Chris! After debating whether or not I would have to time to get in a few more miles with him I gave him a call then meet him for a little overtime. Glad to see your wrist has finally healed and you are back on the bike, bud!

The BUSS now has about 50 miles roughly on it this weekend and is running strong. No signs that it looks chain hungry which is good news for me because in case you have not been around me in the last couple of days and possibly haven't heard me say it, I HEART SS-ing!

New Bike Day @ PSP

Saturday morning brought cloudy skies and warm temperatures. The cloudy skies soon went away but the warm temperatures stayed! I was excited to get the new Turner Burner out on the trails and see firsthand what this full suspension craze was all about. Met Scott on his new 29'er SS-er and Kenny at 10 for a nice loop. Both Lakeview Trails are now open and boy are they nice!

Kenny caught a flat in one of the creek crossings.

Scott took time to ponder what was wrong with his new ride.

I stuck around for awhile and got in an extra loop before meeting John, Steve, Michelle for a ride at 4. After a quick pass of the Green, we were joined by the masterminds behind the Lakeview trails, Joel and Eric. Another lap of the blue then red then green again had us riding until almost sunset.

Couldn't imagine a better way to spend a day off from work at the beginning of Spring. Stay tuned for impressions of the Turner. Just want to get a few more rides in before reporting anything in detail but the first impressions are L-O-V-E the bike. Tires have to go! Three words - MAXXIS HIGH ROLLER.

Work on a Tuesday?

Knowing that I had Tuesday off from work, I decided to get more "dirty" miles in before the Hilbert Enduro this coming Sunday. Met up with Scott at the Qualla lot for some PSP fun!

We were then met up with by Winky. That's one crazy cat! Swam two miles before meeting up with us for another 15 or so miles on the bike.


Before I knew it Travis, Taylor and Richard were coming around the bend as well. Group was starting to grow! I have to admit I have been missing the company of group rides as of late. Too many solo road rides will do that I suppose.

Somehow while on the blue we spilt up into 2 groups. I think Richard and Winky decided to hit Lil West Va. Scott called it a day and then Julian joined the group. Travis, Julian, and I went and played on the red for a bit. Then headed over to Lakeview where my day would soon be ended.

Got over to Lakeview and with the first creek crossing came a loud thud. For one reason or another ended up stopping at the top of the following climb. That's when Travis pointed and asked "Yo dude you normally roll like that?!"

Turned down the offer of a new tube from the other guys. Knowing full well I had yet to repack the tools needed to pull the back wheel off and get it tensioned again. I started the well deserved walk out. A 3-4 mile trek in mtb shoes will do wonders for those who forget to pack their tools.

Riverside to PSP

Made it out for a ride on Tuesday. Decided to take an easy spin through the city and come back via the Riverside. All went well for the first 25 miles. Then the tightness in my right knee came back which is what I was trying to avoid by taking it "easy". Made a short stop at the Hugenout Flatlands and got off the bike. Magically when I got back onto the bike the tightness was gone. Decided not to cut the ride short and heading up Old Gun and back to the casa.


Took the BUSS over to the shop yesterday. My man Dave changed the oil in the fork. Have to give up to that fork. 6 years old and just getting its first oil change. Only reason I even had it down was because it had developed a squeak. Squeak is now gone!

And here is something you don't see to much anymore.

Headed over to PSP today for a quick spin. Enjoyed every minute of it. I might start to spend more time playing in the dirt and possibly less on the road. Hard decision though as I have fallen for both! Its like picking between two hot ladies. Seriously how does one choose?!