Sunday, January 21, 2007

Solo Trace Ridge Ride

I just got in from a quick lap around the classic Trace Ridge loop. The plan to ride was finalized probably 10 minutes before I had to take Erinna to work and, since she couldn't come along, it was the first solo ride for me in a long time. The weather was menacing, low 30's and threats of rain, but I went ahead anyway. When I got to the parkway (the way I go to Trace) it was closed. I had to backtrack and drive up the gravel road through Bent Creek. I parked at Spencer Gap Trail and was on my bike within 5 minutes of getting there. The initial climb felt great, I made it to the super steep climb through the field rather quickly. I took it easy up through the rooty section then got on and hammered hammered hammered all the way to Trace Ridge. I didn't take a break there, I just continued climbing to the top. I spun out and had to dismount once during that climb but otherwise did well. Once I finished that climb I again put the hammer down and spun the one gear I've got as fast as I could. The steep stuff was next and when I dropped into the little intersection/field place it felt as fast as ever before. My chest was on the saddle and I was right on the edge of control... Time to bring it back a notch... I cruised into the second climb, crested, and started to descend again. Rather than regaining breakneck speeds I decided it would be best to stop and take a photo...

Mount Pisgah from Trace Ridge:

Once I got rolling again I kept my speed in check. My hands were starting to hurt anyway. I had a lot of fun, overshot the big lefty turn like usual, and even hopped a few of the waterbars into the parking lot. Aaaahhhhh Trace Ridge...

Super fast. Super fun.

The rain was coming down as soon as I got into the parking lot so I decided I had had enough, time to ride the road on up to the Jeep. That is usually not very eventful but today... My rear tire went flat as I was passing the first gate. Crap. well, I only had a couple hundred yards left in the loop, so I just walked it on out. There's something about walking up a road in the middle of the forest in not-freezing rain with a non-operational bike that made me just laugh. Thank God I didn't have far to go. The humor would have lasted only so long.

Oh, by the way, WINTER HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!

Posted by Eric Wever / Pisgah Productions at 20:05:30 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |
Comments
1 - eric -

what do you use to plot your maps? What GPS and software?

thanks (Comment this)

Written by: Arleigh at 2007/01/24 - 03:54:10
2 - Arleigh, I use the National Geographic State series topo software. Don't get the whole US series, the scale is too big. With the State series you don't need a GPS. I just use the 'route tool' and draw with the mouse over the route I took. After you draw in the route there is a 'build profile' feature... which is where I get the profiles. (Comment this)

Written by: Eric at 2007/01/24 - 19:10:43
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