Eric's Ride Log

I got out there yesterday for a fun solo ride, Laurel/Pilot from Yellow Gap. Erinna had competed in a 30 hour adventure race this weekend ( They got 2nd place!!!)so I was in a hurry to get on and off the trail.... I wanted to be home when she arrived. Anyway, I started around 12:30 and after very little fuss I was on Laurel. The abundance of rain, plus the freezes, has left the trails in thick and soupy shape. I immediately found the first evidence of the SORBA trailday, a new rock armor section before the first creek. Great work guys! New TTF's (technical trail feature) actually popped up quite a few times and they are all quality. I was surprised by only seeing a few groups out on such a beautiful day: 1 rider, 2 groups of hikers, and 1 bunch of hispanic galax poachers. I wish I knew Spanish well enough to say 'Hey! Dummy! Don't do that'. Anyway, I speed hiked the $2000 climb and moved right on to the Pilot Connector. I took a breather at the top of Pilot but didn't rest long. The descent was fast fast fast until spill #1 just before the big triple switchback. I think I need to send my fork in for repairs because shortly after the 1st spill my hands were hurting BAD and I went down again:



oooof! By the straight-aways at the bottom my hands were definately cooked. I decided to head down to the road rather than take the connector over to Slate. 1206 back to the 'roo, done in just under 2.5 hours. Sweet!