We had a successful weekend hosting the IMBA Trail Care Crew at Hastie Natural Area. Kelley and Collins Bishop put on a fine ppoint presentation and then demo'ed proper benching techniques. At the end of the work day, they took small groups and worked on what to look for on trail layout.
Although I had been through the school before, I did learn a couple of tricks. I laid out a fair amount of the trail walking the woods by myself. A simple trick like hanging my flagging tape at eye level to get an accurate inclinometer reading was something I never thought of.
We ended up with around 20 people. Bob Richards from TDEC gave us copies of "Trail Solutions" and "Managing Mountain Biking". Each participant received a free copy. Kelly and Collins said they had never seen free books at any of their workshops before...Thanks Bob.
On Sunday we rode the Dirty South Ride. It consisted of a stroll through Forks of the River WMA and over to Hastie to ride the new stuff and back thru BHann's trails and back thru the WMA again. I learned that my "beginner" trail wasn't as "beginner" as I thought and my "advanced trail" wasn't as advanced as I thought. Oh well, I guess we learn as we go.
Kelly and Collins took pictures and I have been promised copies soon. I'll post when I receive them.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Does it bother you if I talk while you ride?
I raced the Monkey Grinder at Montgomery Bell State Park today. My title question came from the race. I got a 4th position start into the single track. I found myself riding 3rd places' (Daniel's) wheel. Me being me, I starting talking to him...Great track...good crop of poison ivy...did you race here last year?...Soon Daniel was pushing a little too hard and went down in one of the many corners.
I went past and hopped to 2nds' wheel (Eric's). Do you know the guy in front?...what gear you running on that?...Then he slides out in a corner.
I go on by and the race leader is way out of site. I kept up a good pace thinking I might be able to catch up to him once we hit some hills. Pretty soon I spotted him up ahead. The hills section was looming and I started closing the gap. Soon I was up on his wheel...I didn't think I would catch you the way you took off...These whoops are fun...That was a cool banked turn...We went thru a g-out and at the bottom his (Mark Vickers) hand slipped off his bar at the bottom. His front wheel went dead right and he centered a 4 or 5" tree. He hit it like a cartoon. One hand and a leg on one side of the tree and the other hand and leg on the other side. That tree swayed about 8" (we are clydesdales after all) and he hung there. I thought he was hurt bad. I stopped and asked how he was and all he said was keep going. So I did. I wasn't sure he would be able to finish.
I had now talked all of my leading competition into crashing all over the race loop. I cruised in to win by about 3 minutes over 2nd. Mark was able to finish 2nd after he escaped the tree. I'm sure he will be a little sore though.
I felt pretty good all day until the very end of the race. This was my first XC win in several years. Felt good! The Salsa now has a win and a 2nd in XC and a win in a TT. Not a bad record on the new bike.
The picture is of me and Mark after they handed out prize $$.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Greenways and new wheel skill
Monday night Wally, George, Ron and I did the Big Boy Rumble greenway ride.
We started at the BiLo and rode to the new Alcoa Hwy bridge. I stopped and took a couple of shots on the bridge. I saw PeterPanic but didn't get to talk. Not sure where he went on the other side.
We rode out to Forks of the River, took a quick break and then back, barely beating the dark (Wally said "No, you won't need lights."
Here's Ron hiding behind Wally.
I learned a new skill this week. I built my first wheel.
I'm happy to report that it was not as hard as I thought it would be. I think it turned out really nice. The proof will be in the riding though and I havn't put it on a bike yet. I bought a scratch and dent Salsa Delgado rim from Harpers and used an XT hub I took off a 26" wheel.
Finally, I have been piddling out at Hastie and lack only about 100 yards having another loop open. The new section will need some benching but should be rideable by the first of the week.
It needs to be ridden. BHann has offered to lead Dirty South rides on Thursdays(?). Those rides will include Hastie, Forks of the River WMA, BHann's property and other "interesting" connector bits.
We started at the BiLo and rode to the new Alcoa Hwy bridge. I stopped and took a couple of shots on the bridge. I saw PeterPanic but didn't get to talk. Not sure where he went on the other side.
We rode out to Forks of the River, took a quick break and then back, barely beating the dark (Wally said "No, you won't need lights."
Here's Ron hiding behind Wally.
I learned a new skill this week. I built my first wheel.
I'm happy to report that it was not as hard as I thought it would be. I think it turned out really nice. The proof will be in the riding though and I havn't put it on a bike yet. I bought a scratch and dent Salsa Delgado rim from Harpers and used an XT hub I took off a 26" wheel.
Finally, I have been piddling out at Hastie and lack only about 100 yards having another loop open. The new section will need some benching but should be rideable by the first of the week.
It needs to be ridden. BHann has offered to lead Dirty South rides on Thursdays(?). Those rides will include Hastie, Forks of the River WMA, BHann's property and other "interesting" connector bits.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Too much driving not enough riding
Over 3000 miles driving in the last two weeks...That's too much. The driving along with a work/golf trip have wrecked my back.
Last week I spent Wed thru Sat night in Destin, Fla. We played golf every day. I used to play a lot of golf and was fairly competitive but anymore, I hurt too much after playing. I took my road bike and got in about an hour of riding in a 30 mph wind with some nice folks who lived down there.
http://www.eccyclists.com/
I got home around midnight Sat night. I really wanted to get out to Hastie Sun morning and managed to get 300 or 400 yards of trail done. It looks good. Afterwards, I rode Hastie for about an hour. I did the easy loop up and back two or three times and then rode the new part. Right now I think there is about 3/4 of a mile of the new part. There are still a few trees down that have to be crossed but most of it rides great. After Hastie, I went over to Forks of te River and tried to get lost for a couple of hours. There is some great riding at FOR. It's too bad it is "closed" half the year. I never did get lost. I did recognize some trails from following BHann's wheel thru there on some of his rides.
I didn't get to ride anymore until I got back in town Wed for the weinnie ride. I must have been rested or something because I felt great the whole ride. Climbing Rainbow almost seemed easy...whats up with that? Musta been good and rested!
Today I posted my Prophet for sale.
I'm going all in on the 29er. I really like the Prophet but it is a bit small for me at 19". I plan to take the funds and go 1 X 9 on my El Mariachi.
I'm going to ad a fork and buy a wheel set and then run my Redline Monocog 29 as a SS.
I'm going to try to get some miles in this week. I have my youngest daughter's high school graduation Friday night. A work party Saturday night at a customer's house and a race at Montgomery Bell on Sunday. In the TBRA points standing, I am leading the clydesdale class after 3 races. So, I guess I will try to go to all the TBRA races.
Tune in next week for some exciting graduation pictures and maybe some race stuff.
Last week I spent Wed thru Sat night in Destin, Fla. We played golf every day. I used to play a lot of golf and was fairly competitive but anymore, I hurt too much after playing. I took my road bike and got in about an hour of riding in a 30 mph wind with some nice folks who lived down there.
http://www.eccyclists.com/
I got home around midnight Sat night. I really wanted to get out to Hastie Sun morning and managed to get 300 or 400 yards of trail done. It looks good. Afterwards, I rode Hastie for about an hour. I did the easy loop up and back two or three times and then rode the new part. Right now I think there is about 3/4 of a mile of the new part. There are still a few trees down that have to be crossed but most of it rides great. After Hastie, I went over to Forks of te River and tried to get lost for a couple of hours. There is some great riding at FOR. It's too bad it is "closed" half the year. I never did get lost. I did recognize some trails from following BHann's wheel thru there on some of his rides.
I didn't get to ride anymore until I got back in town Wed for the weinnie ride. I must have been rested or something because I felt great the whole ride. Climbing Rainbow almost seemed easy...whats up with that? Musta been good and rested!
Today I posted my Prophet for sale.
I'm going all in on the 29er. I really like the Prophet but it is a bit small for me at 19". I plan to take the funds and go 1 X 9 on my El Mariachi.
I'm going to ad a fork and buy a wheel set and then run my Redline Monocog 29 as a SS.
I'm going to try to get some miles in this week. I have my youngest daughter's high school graduation Friday night. A work party Saturday night at a customer's house and a race at Montgomery Bell on Sunday. In the TBRA points standing, I am leading the clydesdale class after 3 races. So, I guess I will try to go to all the TBRA races.
Tune in next week for some exciting graduation pictures and maybe some race stuff.
Monday, April 21, 2008
White Lightning
Kevin Trent and I just got back from the White Lightning race at Land Between the Lakes near Benton, KY. I have been trying to do all the TBRA races this year with the hope of getting one of those cool circle and stars state champions jersey in the clydesdale class. Don't ask me why TBRA has a race in KY other than the Wood and Wave guys are big supporters of the series.
We had a great time despite the drive, 656 miles from Kevin's driveway to the race and back. Sat. was rainy and cold. Fortunately there was only a 2.3 mile time trial. If you are familiar with the Canal loop trail, we we counterclockwise from Scenic Dr(?) out to the "B" connector and back up the old road to Scenic. My time of 11:55 was good enough to win by only 3 seconds. The picture on the podium looks funny because the generator died that was blowing air into the Redbull balloon. I had to bend over standing on the step.
Sunday turned out beautiful. It was cool in the morning and warmed up to about 70* when we finished. I rode my new Salsa set up as a SS. I finished building it literally and hour before the TT on Sat. It did great and I was pleased with the ride.
I had some trouble with mud flying in my eyes Saturday so I made a mud flap.
I got an OK start in 3rd and soon passed the two guys in front. Another guy came with me and he passed me about a third of the way into the first lap. He soon disappeared. I thought that if I just rode my race I could catch him. I rode mostly alone except for straggling sport rides I passed. Eventually I got into the beginners and passing all those peaple seemed to energize me. I starting attacking the hills. That is the only way I could get up them on my SS. At the top of the last big hill on the first half of the course I spotted the leader about 30 or so seconds ahead of me. I tried to steadily decrease the gap and was making progress until we came to a switchback and he spotted me and then he put down the hammer. If I had gears I might have made a run on this fast part of the trail but I don't think I would have been as fast on the hills. Oh well. I finished 30 or 45 seconds behind him and was glad to have someone to race against. Check out the podium shot. I'm not sure this guy makes 200 lbs. He might have been cherry picking.
We had a great time despite the drive, 656 miles from Kevin's driveway to the race and back. Sat. was rainy and cold. Fortunately there was only a 2.3 mile time trial. If you are familiar with the Canal loop trail, we we counterclockwise from Scenic Dr(?) out to the "B" connector and back up the old road to Scenic. My time of 11:55 was good enough to win by only 3 seconds. The picture on the podium looks funny because the generator died that was blowing air into the Redbull balloon. I had to bend over standing on the step.
Sunday turned out beautiful. It was cool in the morning and warmed up to about 70* when we finished. I rode my new Salsa set up as a SS. I finished building it literally and hour before the TT on Sat. It did great and I was pleased with the ride.
I had some trouble with mud flying in my eyes Saturday so I made a mud flap.
I got an OK start in 3rd and soon passed the two guys in front. Another guy came with me and he passed me about a third of the way into the first lap. He soon disappeared. I thought that if I just rode my race I could catch him. I rode mostly alone except for straggling sport rides I passed. Eventually I got into the beginners and passing all those peaple seemed to energize me. I starting attacking the hills. That is the only way I could get up them on my SS. At the top of the last big hill on the first half of the course I spotted the leader about 30 or so seconds ahead of me. I tried to steadily decrease the gap and was making progress until we came to a switchback and he spotted me and then he put down the hammer. If I had gears I might have made a run on this fast part of the trail but I don't think I would have been as fast on the hills. Oh well. I finished 30 or 45 seconds behind him and was glad to have someone to race against. Check out the podium shot. I'm not sure this guy makes 200 lbs. He might have been cherry picking.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Windrock and Not Windrock
Saturday Keith Williams and I decided to go ride the new/old Cumberland Trail section of Coal Creek/Windrock. I knew Bhann and Jeff were just up there so I called Bhann and found out there was only about 1 1/2 miles cleared so far. So, we went on to Windrock and got in a push...er.. ride.
We rode out trail #1. It was a little muddy but not too bad. Mostly rideable with a fair amount of 4 wheeler traffic.
This fool went up this slope which had to be about 45 or 50*. He couldn't even walk down it.
So far so good. We hit trail #2 and turned up the mountain. #2 was in good shape as far as mud is concerned. It was a jeep road grind but still kind of cool. After a while we turned right onto #16. Big mistake! 16 is tough when it is dry. Saturday it was not dry.
I'm not sure how long we were on #16 but it seemed like a couple of hours. I sure was glad to see the gravel of G1 at the top. We rode along G1 to where the paved road comes up the mountain. After looking at the map, we decided to go a little way down the pavement and turn right onto #21 with the plan of ending up on #22 which is a nice downhill. Somehow we made a wrong turn and ended up on Little Rattletrap (I think). It goes about a 1/2 mile down to the bottom of Rattletrap and then climbs straight up the mountain in some 5' deep ruts and rocks the size of wheelbarrows. We finally came out on the gravel (G1) again and this time we rode down the pavement. I surprised Keith with a sorta cold Dale's Pale Ale at the top. Yes, I hauled it up in my camelback!
The views from the top are pretty spectacular.
Downhill Doug and about 20 others were doing shuttle runs. Maybe one day I will try that. For now, I think I'll keep my wheels on the ground.
We rode out trail #1. It was a little muddy but not too bad. Mostly rideable with a fair amount of 4 wheeler traffic.
This fool went up this slope which had to be about 45 or 50*. He couldn't even walk down it.
So far so good. We hit trail #2 and turned up the mountain. #2 was in good shape as far as mud is concerned. It was a jeep road grind but still kind of cool. After a while we turned right onto #16. Big mistake! 16 is tough when it is dry. Saturday it was not dry.
I'm not sure how long we were on #16 but it seemed like a couple of hours. I sure was glad to see the gravel of G1 at the top. We rode along G1 to where the paved road comes up the mountain. After looking at the map, we decided to go a little way down the pavement and turn right onto #21 with the plan of ending up on #22 which is a nice downhill. Somehow we made a wrong turn and ended up on Little Rattletrap (I think). It goes about a 1/2 mile down to the bottom of Rattletrap and then climbs straight up the mountain in some 5' deep ruts and rocks the size of wheelbarrows. We finally came out on the gravel (G1) again and this time we rode down the pavement. I surprised Keith with a sorta cold Dale's Pale Ale at the top. Yes, I hauled it up in my camelback!
The views from the top are pretty spectacular.
Downhill Doug and about 20 others were doing shuttle runs. Maybe one day I will try that. For now, I think I'll keep my wheels on the ground.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
I get around
Another busy week.
Ginger and I spent the weekend in Atlanta. We did a little sight seeing and a little shopping and a lot of hanging out. I found a good deal on a nice room at the Crown Plaza. It was nice to get away and have some one on one time. We hit Ikea on Sat. and several bike shops on Sunday. We took the long way home up I575 to Elijay and back thru Copperhill and Ocoee. We stopped to picnic next to the river and then came back up 411.
Most of you know that I put in a lot of miles in my job. Monday I drove from Fountain City to Andersonville to White Pine to Mount Juliet. About 300 miles. Monday evening I took off to ride at Hamilton Creek in Nashville. This place makes Pinhoti look like a paved trail. It was very technical but also a lot of fun. I think I rode everything that was there but I was without a computer so I don't have a good idea of the milage.
Tuesday was more of the same. Mount Juliet to LaFayette, TN to Hodginville, KY to Murray, KY. with a stop at Land Between the Lakes to ride the Canal Loop. About 375 miles. If you have never ridden the Canal Loop, it is worth a trip. It is an 11 mile loop and you can connect to the North South trail to get another 25 or so. There is a TBRA race at Canal Loop April 19th and 20th. Time trial Sat. and XC on Sun. Western Ky received a lot of rain last week. The trail was in great shape except for the parts that were under about 3' of water. While I was bushwhacking around the lake overflow I caught my shorts on a bush and ripped the whole ass out of a $100 pair of shorts.
Wednesday went from Murray to Benton, KY to back home. As soon as I got home I turned around and went to Haw Ridge for the weinnie ride. We had a good ride with Brian N and Matt setting a pretty good pace up and down the ridge. It was the first time I've ridden Roller Coaster on my SS. I think we had 9 or 10 29ers with no 26" wheels and only one deraillier equipped bike in the bunch. Riders included PeterPanic, Keith W, Stumpy, Beau, MudGobbler and None (sorry if I left anyone out). Good group and a good ride. My legs were ready for some rest after 3 hard days on the trail.
Thursday was only home to Andersonville to home to Tazewell where I played some customer golf. 79 thank you very much in only my 2nd round of the year.
I think I'm ready to rest now!
Ginger and I spent the weekend in Atlanta. We did a little sight seeing and a little shopping and a lot of hanging out. I found a good deal on a nice room at the Crown Plaza. It was nice to get away and have some one on one time. We hit Ikea on Sat. and several bike shops on Sunday. We took the long way home up I575 to Elijay and back thru Copperhill and Ocoee. We stopped to picnic next to the river and then came back up 411.
Most of you know that I put in a lot of miles in my job. Monday I drove from Fountain City to Andersonville to White Pine to Mount Juliet. About 300 miles. Monday evening I took off to ride at Hamilton Creek in Nashville. This place makes Pinhoti look like a paved trail. It was very technical but also a lot of fun. I think I rode everything that was there but I was without a computer so I don't have a good idea of the milage.
Tuesday was more of the same. Mount Juliet to LaFayette, TN to Hodginville, KY to Murray, KY. with a stop at Land Between the Lakes to ride the Canal Loop. About 375 miles. If you have never ridden the Canal Loop, it is worth a trip. It is an 11 mile loop and you can connect to the North South trail to get another 25 or so. There is a TBRA race at Canal Loop April 19th and 20th. Time trial Sat. and XC on Sun. Western Ky received a lot of rain last week. The trail was in great shape except for the parts that were under about 3' of water. While I was bushwhacking around the lake overflow I caught my shorts on a bush and ripped the whole ass out of a $100 pair of shorts.
Wednesday went from Murray to Benton, KY to back home. As soon as I got home I turned around and went to Haw Ridge for the weinnie ride. We had a good ride with Brian N and Matt setting a pretty good pace up and down the ridge. It was the first time I've ridden Roller Coaster on my SS. I think we had 9 or 10 29ers with no 26" wheels and only one deraillier equipped bike in the bunch. Riders included PeterPanic, Keith W, Stumpy, Beau, MudGobbler and None (sorry if I left anyone out). Good group and a good ride. My legs were ready for some rest after 3 hard days on the trail.
Thursday was only home to Andersonville to home to Tazewell where I played some customer golf. 79 thank you very much in only my 2nd round of the year.
I think I'm ready to rest now!
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