If today's ride was any more chill, someone would have taken a nap. We stopped and regrouped, ate, took a breather here and there, stopped and looked at the views, made jokes, talked, and oh yeah, as a group of skilled tech riders, railed every nasty root and rock infested descent we could get our tires on. Big moves were made, big smiles and laughs were abundant. What a great way to spend a Saturday in January. Mike B.and Wes M. arrived at my house around 8:30 and we met up with Mike R. and Eric C. at the PMBAR start/finish at a bit past 9AM. The idea for the day was simply to BE in the woods for as many hours as we could stand it, and that's exactly what we did.
The route: Black->Club->477->276->475B->225->Daniel->475->Davidson->276 back to the cars
The first trail of the day was Black Mountain.
Here is the only photo I took today. (The rest are by Mike B.) Mike R hoofin' it in the steeps. As always, the picture doesn't do the terrain justice.
Black starts out as doubletrack that climbs at a reasonable rate. Perfect for a warm-up for a day in Pisgah. soon you realize Black is no kiddie trail.... it gets steeper, and narrowerer, and steeper again. Soon the trail gives way to rocks and waterbars that knock even the best riders off their line. THEN, the trail does it again, gets steeper and more tech once again and after a few miles of being rather warm, the top appears. There are numerous super technical moves, once on the ridge, to be had. I was on FIRE and went for almos every one. Mike B went ahead in the top huge switchbacks with me on his back wheel. He stumbled a little taking the high line and I made the most ballsy pass I've attempted in a loooong time by taking the even steeper inside line. I got a chorus of whoops and hollers for that one. Then I almost cleared the 'Freestyle move', a 180* turn threading the front wheel through small fins of solid rock... I got it with one quick dab, and after Mike's prompting even lined up for the skateboard drop.... but chickened out. I still haven't hit that on the hardtail. Next was the climb over Clawhammer Mountain. After a bit of walking I was out front again for the downhill. I put my foot down twice but otherwise c-l-e-a-n-e-d the tight switchbacks heading into Buckhorn Gap. On to the climb past the shelter... we didn't regroup until after the notch log drop. Mike B. was aware enough to realize the photo potential and got a couple good shots. I saw him ready and got 'camera courage' and bunnyhopped at the top of the drop. I *flew* through the air, landed a little harsh but with a big smile.
Here's Wes at that drop:
The short but annoying climb before Club had us all off our bikes and the descent into Club was one to remember. Mike B. and Wes went ahead and as the rest of us were talking about how great it was to be where we were and how absolutely beautiful the weather was...
we heard a yell from down the trail that made us smile. It was one of those uncontrollable vocal bursts of joy that only mountainbiking can produce. Everything was fine. I took off, made a bit of a sideways jump from here-to-there and found Mike B off the trail... was everything fine? and his front tire completely off the rim. The stans had blown and he was left with a tire that should have had a tube in it.... without. Lucky for him kept it under control and came to a stop unharmed...but not before his front rim was filled with mud. Needless to say, we were going to be there for a little while. We decided it was a perfect time for some lunch.
Thanks for the photos Mike!
more later... I hope.
The route: Black->Club->477->276->475B->225->Daniel->475->Davidson->276 back to the cars
The first trail of the day was Black Mountain.
Here is the only photo I took today. (The rest are by Mike B.) Mike R hoofin' it in the steeps. As always, the picture doesn't do the terrain justice.
Black starts out as doubletrack that climbs at a reasonable rate. Perfect for a warm-up for a day in Pisgah. soon you realize Black is no kiddie trail.... it gets steeper, and narrowerer, and steeper again. Soon the trail gives way to rocks and waterbars that knock even the best riders off their line. THEN, the trail does it again, gets steeper and more tech once again and after a few miles of being rather warm, the top appears. There are numerous super technical moves, once on the ridge, to be had. I was on FIRE and went for almos every one. Mike B went ahead in the top huge switchbacks with me on his back wheel. He stumbled a little taking the high line and I made the most ballsy pass I've attempted in a loooong time by taking the even steeper inside line. I got a chorus of whoops and hollers for that one. Then I almost cleared the 'Freestyle move', a 180* turn threading the front wheel through small fins of solid rock... I got it with one quick dab, and after Mike's prompting even lined up for the skateboard drop.... but chickened out. I still haven't hit that on the hardtail. Next was the climb over Clawhammer Mountain. After a bit of walking I was out front again for the downhill. I put my foot down twice but otherwise c-l-e-a-n-e-d the tight switchbacks heading into Buckhorn Gap. On to the climb past the shelter... we didn't regroup until after the notch log drop. Mike B. was aware enough to realize the photo potential and got a couple good shots. I saw him ready and got 'camera courage' and bunnyhopped at the top of the drop. I *flew* through the air, landed a little harsh but with a big smile.
Here's Wes at that drop:
The short but annoying climb before Club had us all off our bikes and the descent into Club was one to remember. Mike B. and Wes went ahead and as the rest of us were talking about how great it was to be where we were and how absolutely beautiful the weather was...
we heard a yell from down the trail that made us smile. It was one of those uncontrollable vocal bursts of joy that only mountainbiking can produce. Everything was fine. I took off, made a bit of a sideways jump from here-to-there and found Mike B off the trail... was everything fine? and his front tire completely off the rim. The stans had blown and he was left with a tire that should have had a tube in it.... without. Lucky for him kept it under control and came to a stop unharmed...but not before his front rim was filled with mud. Needless to say, we were going to be there for a little while. We decided it was a perfect time for some lunch.
Thanks for the photos Mike!
more later... I hope.
Big ride this Saturday!! Frozen pack + snow = goooood riding.
(Comment this)