Wed March 15
Wednesday March 15th, 7pm start
Rode with: Wode
Route: From Bent Creek Gap -> down 479-> Lower Sidehill-> Up 479 ->BRP -> Trace Ridge ->Spencer Gap-> 5000 -> Bent Creek Gap
Started cold with the descent into Bent Creek. Cardiac changed that pretty quickly. Careful descent down Lower Sidehill, my glasses were screwing with my vision a little. We turned off the lights for the ascent back to the parkway and man am I glad we did. We caught the best Moon Rise I can remember. Moonlight flooded the valley and actually cast shadows of trees and us on the road. The climb went by very quickly. Stopped for some food at the parkway and then made our way to Trace. The moon was so bright at that point that I could see the red in my jersey and at the overlooks I could pick out features on the mountains. Quick descent down Trace to Spencer Gap. First descent of Spencer for me and Wode both. There was more pedaling than I had imagined at the top but down towards the field the trail really gets rippin'. Left at the gate, back up 5000. Again, the moon was so bright that we turned off our lights. I didn't put much effort into climbing the road fast, I was too busy being awed by my surroundings. Towards the top I did put it into high gear and pushed a bit, but then it was done.
Great ride. 2 hours. 13.5 miles 4217' of climbing. Spring is almost here!
