FSU Weekend

Another weekend in Tallahassee, this time to celebrate Rachel's 21st birthday (last week), and cheer on the Noles on their victory over Georgia Tech.

Outerbike Bentonville, AR October '22

Such a great time at Outerbike this year! Great group of Navy bros: JP, Johnny Mac, Tommy Kid, and Pletch. The LAMPS bros descend onto Arkansas for a weekend of fun trail riding and brotherhood.

MTB and River House wrap up

October 2, 2022 Back home after 9 days, and 2200 miles on the road. Hit MTB destinations in Ellijay, GA, Brevard, NC Roanoke/Salem VA and culminated in Hague, VA for a great weekend with some very special Navy bros.

Carvin Cove MTB trail video

Day 4 on the trails: Blue Ridge MTB excursion!

September 29, 2022 I was getting constant updates from Rebecca about the storm, and its effects on our home. We were lucky in Brevard County as it appears that only minimal damage was sustained, and most of it it just windblown branch clean up. My first stop was in the LBS: local bike shop called “Just the Right Gear”. When I told him I was from Florida, he exclaimed, ‘so you’re ready to climb?” I said I didn’t mind climbing, but I totally underestimated what that meant. In order to do the trail I had read/youtubed about, it required a climb up a trail called The Trough. Wow, it was over a mile ascent over loose shale and I will admit that I did a fair amount of hike-a-bike. It took 30 minutes to get to the top of that trail, and then there was still some climbing to do up a fire road to the Gauntlet. Another admission: this was a very compelling case for an e-bike mountain bike. My first admission of this! It’s coming, eventually. I felt the effects from 4 days on the trail today, took it at about 75% effort. Well, Gauntlet was pretty fun, but it begs the question, “was the juice worth the squeeze?” I am not so sure, since it seemed pretty treacherous on that screaming downhill with the loose shale and root filled trail surface. Back on the road to Mac’s in Hague Va. 4.5 hours to arrive in time for the beautiful sunset, maybe the last sky seen that’s not overcast due to Ian hitting the East Coast now.

Last day in Dupont: Big Rock Trail

September 28, 2022 How glorious it is to be in a hotel room tonight, albeit the LaQuinta, and surprisingly there is no Denny’s next door. Oh, the horror. I am in Salem, VA. The morning consisted of my usual coffee in the “lounge” at the Dupont Bike Retreat as I prepared for my day, eager to ride another day at Dupont Forest. Today, I mostly rode the Big Rock/Cedar Rock Trail system with the Cascade Loop as well. I met up with a couple of riders from Greenville, and followed them down, specifically Big Rock which I mistakenly tried to climb. Bad idea. It was very technical downhill, and that’s what I love, I guess I rode about 7 miles, making it one of my shorter days, however, a lot of climbing. The texts and phone calls have been flying as the hurricane Ian changed course from up the West Coast to go right over the Florida peninsula above Orlando, and the I 4 corridor. That makes Cocoa Beach on the bad side for winds and rain on the outer bands. Its slow moving, so hopefully it blows itself out somewhat, however, Rebecca is prepped with the generator at the ready. She did go out to the Hunker Down, and was not overly concerned, other than possible power loss. Did a fairly long drive this afternoon from Brevard to Salem Virginia. Lots of terrain, especially between Asheville and Johnson City. I didn’t realize I had to take a road West, as I was on 26 W however it seemed like I was mostly going Northeast. The glorious part is taking a long hot shower, and doing a load of laundry in the hotel, after 3 nights of camping out in a tent. I will be riding the Carver’s Cove area tomorrow.

Brevard and the Dupont Bike Retreat

September 27, 2022 Up just before sunrise, which I observed from the porch area at the Dupont Bike Retreat lodge. The sun was just rising over the mountain view as I enjoyed my first cup of coffee. My plan for the day was to ride the Lake Imaging access area of Dupont Forest. First stop was the visitor center for a little map orientation. At the access area, I had a dejavu feeling since I had rode this area before with Mac and Tom. In fact, one of the trails I passed on my ride was called Jim Branch, and that was the very trail that I popped my bicep tendon on during that previous trip. The riding was magnificent, as well as the weather. In the morning, it was handily in the 40s, but it warmed up nicely to the high 60s under clear blue skies. I did speak with Rebecca as I gained cell service from the top of Hickory Mountain during the middle part of my ride, and she said there was no reason to come home for hurricane prep. Notable trails were: Hilltop, Hickory Mountain, and Ridgeline. Those 2 latter trails were so fun that I did them twice. Ridgeline was just recently renovated, or whatever the term for MTB trails is called, and WOW. That is the definition of: fast, flowy, and fun. Perhaps the best short distance of downhill trail that I’ve ever done. After about 17 miles, and being mid afternoon, I ventured into the town of Brevard. I found the visitor center, and they gave me guidance on a coffee shop which was right next door to go use the wifi. It was marginal at best, since I was unable to upload my go pro videos. Also, just across the street I ate at Love Eat Thai, and what a wonderful green curry dish they served. Interestingly, their wifi worked better than the coffee shop. On the way back to Dupont Bike Retreat, I observed a white squirrel. One of the town residents later said that is kinda’ what Brevard is known for, Great day of riding, and Ridgeline was so energizing, almost like a snowboard run!