Another uneventful patrol ride.

So today, I got off work at 3:30. I had already decided to go for a patrol ride since a few more hours can't hurt. I ended up having a nice ride by the time it was all said and done. I really didn't feel balanced when I started off going down the top part of Ridgeline aka ZooPoo. I don't know what it is - the shadows, the trees - I can't put my finger on it, but I just don't feel safe going through that section right now. I casually rode down to the 4 way and decided to go the rest of the way down Ridgeline. A large rock just about de-biked me, but I held on. This trail is really rutted and rough at the bottom. It's the Park Service's property, I really don't think anyone cares to maintain it.

Next up was Woodthrush. I didn't ride down it nearly as fast as I usually do - just didn't feel like going fast I guess. Again, I casually rode down and as I approached the Eagle Scout bridge crossed it slowly. Continued on down to the water tower. I climbed the steep part of Woodthrush fairly well. At the water tower, I decided to go across The Star Trail to JPFish. The Star Trail at the bottom seriously needs to be a multi-use trail. It's stupid to have to walk on it, but because I was wearing my Patrol jersey, I decided to do the right thing and walk. I descended JPFish and headed up Sylvan to take Monument. I climbed for a long time before another rock knocked my front wheel askew and nearly sent me into a tree. I had to clip out and stop to regain my balance. I had climbed all the way past the Star Trail and almost to the sweeping left turn that's just before the weird, big rocks. I think I could have made it all the way up today. After I got going again, I did just that - I rode the rest of Monument, Riser, the Car Trail and most of the way up the old road before I had to stop. I can't remember why I stopped now, but it was probably a leaf bugging me in my wheel.

It was a beautiful day to ride. I really enjoyed the opportunity to be out and about. The trails are very nice on Mill Mountain, and they seem to shed the rain water quickly. It was a beautiful clear day, so you could see for miles. Awesome! Figures that I didn't have my camera with me today. DUH! Alrighty, Chicky ride tomorrow night at the Explore Park, gym on Wednesday, some sort of light ride on Thursday then rest for the Poor Mountain Hill Climb. Wheeeee!!!

Later ya'll. =)