WooHoo! Fast Fast Fast!
Well, I just got in from a fast fast fast ride at Bent Creek. In 55 minutes I did 479-> Lower Sidehill->Campground Connector->Pine Tree->Explorer Loop->479. I'm finally learning my way around that place! I stated out going far too fast for a warm-up. I passed a rider that wanted to talk while riding up 479. I talked with him for a minute and decided I wanted to go at a faster pace and switched into a bigger gear with a 'see ya later'. I pushed pretty good for a little ways, got a bit out of breath and looked behind me after about five minutes and he was still there! Well, a hundred feet back but, closer than I expected! I really put some effort in then. I clicked down, stood up, and hammmmmmmmmered up the hill. After the steep spot I waited for 10 seconds for him to come around the corner (about a hundred yards down the hill) but he did not. I continued on lower sidehill for the first time since it's been Woodied. He did a great job rerouting the trail and making it sustainable in the long run. I was having fun at this point and took out the camera and messed around with the video feature. The first couple vids I shot while riding one handed, the others I took by putting the camera in my camelbak sternum strap. I'll post them here..............................
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp82n_BDu10 Here I find a new log crossing for the first time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6paMjqh1myQ Here a suicidal squirrel almost jumps into my front wheel (just before I drop the camera at 32 seconds into the video, watch close!) No, I didn't wreck. It just looks that way...
Here's a video preview from the camera for those with no time to upload:
Anyway, the redone Lower Sidehill is a blast. Super fast and lots of fun. The roots and rocks and all that made it a technical trail before will come back soon enough. After the bottom theres a turn here and a turn there, a little gravel and a little trail and then the campground connector. Smooth sailing through all that, Left onto Pinetree, Right onto Explorer Loop and who do I run into? The BioWheels group! Hey guys! I continued on to the end of Explorer Loop and thunder and lightning started to crack in the not so distance. Down the gravel side road and back to 479, Then I really hammered, again, to beat the rain. I made it back to the Jeep in less than an hour! Hell Yeah! I figured 1:15, at least, for that nice after-work-ride route.
