Road Ride - crisscrossing Overton

This morning Ryan and I set out on a somewhat unplanned ride towards Overton.  We road up 539 from 302 and dropped down to Overton Road via McAfee.  The next left took us up the Smithville Western climb to the west and then we were on 539 again, riding north.  Down Cedar Valley and then up Rice Hill.  Pleasant Home back into the Valley and then the Armstrong Climb east. 

 Heading back into the valley.

We went over to Friendsville and then took Jentes back to the Valley.  This time we climbed Cedar Valley and then took some pulls south on the fresh pavement of 539.  Smyser was the last little climb on the way home.  It was a good ride with some good climbs and nice weather. 

Daniel's first ride with the guys

This morning I was trying to think of something for Daniel and I to do while KT went out to lunch with girls.  "Hey bud, you wanna go for a bike ride in your bike trailer?"  Daniel's answer was full of excitement "Yeah!"

We went to the basement and setup the bike trailer.  We bought the trailer as part of the deal when I sold my Wahoo mountain bike and had not used it yet.  Daniel was excited to set it up in the basement and was ready to go.  I called Ryan and was glad to hear he would join us for the ride after KT and Helena were back from their lunch.

Loaded up and ready to go, thumbs up!

For several hours Daniel kept asking if we were ready to go for a bike ride.  Ryan and I continued telling him we had to wait for Mommy and "Hena" to get home before we could leave.  Several times he thought they were home when they were not and he would yell "Mommy is home, let's go for a bike ride!"

Eventually KT and Helena arrived back home and Rylen was handed off.  I told Daniel he had to pack up his stuff so we could go.  He disappeared for a few minutes and showed up with backpack, filled with toys, and said "I'm ready, let's go!"

Rolling south on the rails to trails.

We drove to the rails to trails in Fredericksburg and the excited little boy fell asleep on the way there.  Ryan and I set up the trailer and had it all ready to go when I woke him up.  He wiped the sleep away and was excited to climb into the trailer and get going.

We rode south to Millersburg with only one stop along the way to break out a PB&J for Daniel.  During this stop he told us "it's a beautiful day out!"  We agreed.  Daniel rode well in the trailer but was eager to get out at the playground in Millersburg.  After a bathroom break and a cold drink from a vending machine, Daniel hoped back into the trailer for the ride north.

The guys.

It's a gentle grade for the ride back and I felt the presence of the trailer more so than on the ride out.  The trailer worked great and Daniel enjoyed it.  There were a couple complaints of his back hurting, but the kid certainly isn't used to sitting still.  Maybe we'll throw in a foam pad for him the next time.

The return trip.

Back at the car we loaded everything up and drove Ryan to his house.  As we were leaving Ryan said "good ride Daniel, see you later!"  Daniel promptly replied, "good ride, see ya later!"  He was excited to get home and tell mommy about his first ride with the guys.

The end.

Muddy Knob

Friday is a good day of the week, and knowing all day long my bike and gear were in truck and I was meeting Ryan for a ride at the Knob after work made it even better.  There were a handful of vehicles there when I pulled.  I guess we were not the only ones glad to get out after another week of wet weather.  We hoped the last couple days of no rain had been enough to dry the course.

We talked to the Soupcan guys before rolling out.  The first portion of the course was in good shape, a few puddles but nothing too wet.  Later in the ride we encountered some really wet sections with lots of standing water.

 Ryan coming up the access rode at the end of our ride.

After finishing a lap we decided to head out for another half lap.  I enjoyed riding the Cradle for the first time but didn't fair so well on the switchbacks.  Once again we squished our way through the wet sections and bailed at the top of the Furnace to get back to our vehicles.

It was a great way to spend a Friday evening!  And I'll be spending tomorrow morning washing this filthy bike.

Dried on mud.

Mohican with Patrick and Ryan

Friday night Patrick, a friend from work, sent me a text proposing an early Saturday morning MTB ride.  It had rained Thursday, it rained Friday, and the forecast predicted rain Saturday.  But, the chance of rain was only 10% from 7am to noon for Saturday.  I called Ryan and signed him up for the ride; meet at my house at 7am, head to Mohican.

We were hoping for a dry night to give the course a chance to drain the water of the past couple days, but I woke up several times during the night to the sound of rain.  All three of us were standing in my driveway Saturday morning ready to ride, and questioning the course conditions.  We made it this far, no sense in bailing out now.  The truck carried three bikes and three riders south.

In the first mile of trail the excellent drainage of Mohican was evident and we had no worries about blazing the course, save the last mile which has been puddle ridden all spring.

Around mile 8, before heading through the Discovey Forest.

Riding with Patrick was fun and all three of us enjoyed taking turns leading the way.  The weather ended up perfect, never a rain drop.  We made several stop along the way to drink, eat, and chat.  It was a good time.

 A short stop under the covered bridge.

I was happy to ride the course pretty clean and was feeling connected with the trail the whole way.  Ryan cranked the singlespeed up Mount Doom and rode really strong all the way to the finish.  Patrick said it was his longest ride of the year and he did a good job pacing himself as needed.  I enjoyed riding behind Patrick to watch his lines and methods.  He's been riding a mountain bike for a long time.

 Patrick's eBay find.

It was kind of nice to ride the last mile through the campground road and let the legs cool down.  We talked with some guys in the parking lot and headed home.  After visiting with Rylen for a couple hours, Ryan and Rylen headed home just as a down pour started.  The weather worked well for us today.  It was one to remember.

 Post ride in the parking lot.

Playing with the Camera at Mohican

30 sec self timer, 10 shot burst, and I didn't run over the camera!

Sunny Skies... for a couple days

Wow, there has been a long stretch of rainy days of late.  I guess it didn't bother me too much as I was under the weather myself with a mild cold for the past week.

Typical scene this April.

 Finally the weather broke yesterday and I was able to mow the yard with plans of riding today.  Nothing serious for today, just an easy spin to make sure my cold was in remission.  It was nice to see blue skies and everyone else out mowing.

Now this is more like it.

Unfortunately the forecast is back to rain and scattered storms for the near future.  Oh well, it makes the nice days better appreciated.