the Wilderness

Today we drove past the campgrounds and people tubing down the river on Wally Road to the Mohican Wilderness area trailhead.  It was unbelievably hot in the sun as we geared up for a ride.

Pointed towards the climb.

 

It was the first time this year we've ridden the Wilderness course.  The opening mile of the ride is uphill, supposedly the longest mountain bike climb in Ohio.  After the climb it's curvy singletrack with a couple rocky sections.  The loop is not too long, maybe 7 miles?  At the end of the day, in my opinion, it's not different enough from riding at the state park to make it worth the extra drive.  Once or twice a year is all the more often I can see visiting the Wilderness Course.

Riding Daniel to Sleep

We packed up the guys (Daniel, Ryan, and I) and headed down to the Fredericksburg for a ride on the trail.  Having a new sister must be taking its toll on Daniel, because he fell asleep just south of Holmesville.  We continued past Millersburg and turned around at some point when he woke up and asked "Are we at the playground yet?"  Of course we had blown by the playground taking advantage that he was still asleep.

Sleeping in the trailer.

 Always a highlight, the vending machine.

 Taking a break with Ryan at the playground.

Receding Snow

Wow, I guess it's been a while since I updated the ol' blog.  Probably because there have not been many outdoor rides with pictures to share.

Since the new year I've been riding the rollers and trainer in the basement about four days per week.  To pass the time I bought the season one box set of Alias.  Agent Bristow kept me reasonably entertained while doing intervals below ground.

Prior to the record big snow of February, I had been able to get out for several rides including a couple commutes to work.  Now the snow is beginning to recede as we are treated to some warmer temperatures.  Ryan and I headed out for a couple hour ride on clean roads today.

Heading west, towards the Overton Valley.

The third week of April Ryan and I are heading to Boone, NC for about a week of riding and camping.  We missed doing a spring cycling trip last year, so this one is highly anticipated.  Instead of renting a cargo van for the trip we are going to pack up my truck.  With my new truck cap, new to me anyhow, I have a plan that will allow us to transport the bikes inside the bed of the truck in addition to all our camping and cycling gear.

I've been scouring the Road Cycling in the Blueridge High Country guidebook for routes in the Boone area.  Looks like there are many climbs to be had in the Boone area.  If the weather is good, we should have a great week of riding.