Finally, a patrol ride. =)

Well two months since my last bike patrol, I finally found my way back to Mill Mountain. I feel terrible for my lack of activity recently, but I've been so busy with work, call, the holidays, family stuff and going to the gym. When the weather has been nice enough to ride, I've had something else planned; and when I've had time to ride, the weather has been crappy. I have a new bike light that has yet to be used and I am anxiously awaiting new shoes to keep my toes toasty. I hope that 2009 will allow me more time to ride.

I headed out this morning despite the rain last night. I parked at Riversedge then headed up Mill Mtn via Walnut Ave and Sylvan. I took my time and was quickly forced into Granny gear due to my lack of riding time. Monument Trail is covered in leaves. Wet, soggy leaves. I didn't do so bad on riding it, but did stop on a few occassions to rest. No need to rush or risk injury. I couldn't ride any faster if I wanted too. Glad it's December and not time for racing! I slipped on a tree root near the top of the trail and nearly crashed, but luckily did not. Enjoyed the downhill part (carefully) then headed to the Star by way of Ridgeline Trail. Again, slowly ascended the trail. Rode the right hand switchback easily. Once I got to the end of the singletrack, the grassy area sucked. There was more mud to suck you in.

Stopped at the overlook to take a few pictures then took a nature break before heading back down. Went down the old road where I passed two ladies out walking with a dog. It was a curly-haired retriever. Pretty cool looking dog, very friendly - I'd never seen this breed before. I headed out Big Sunny where I stopped to take the following picture - one of these days I'd like to catch one of the helicopters inbound from this spot. It was funny today because I could see my car in the distance.


After getting rolling again, I felt really good on the bike. Took Big Sunny to Riser. Riser to Ridgeline. As I descended Ridgeline, I knew I had a problem with my fork. It kept "topping" out - metal on metal - bang, bang, bang. UGH - I forgot to check the fork since it's been so friggin cold. I stopped a few times along Ridgeline to move stuff off of the trail. My back wheel slid out and was nearly beside me one time. It was cool to catch the bike and stay upright again. Once I got to the road at the end of Ridgeline, I flipped the bike over to adjust the rebound rate to turtle and then locked the shock out for the rest of my ride. Locking it out was good and bad. It kept it from banging its guts together, but I think it messed the lock out up again as it doesn't work at all now.

Anyway - rode down Woodthrush and took the new Virginia Pine as far as it goes. Ran across evidence of paintballers then found them a short while later. They were having fun. As I got to the "end" I turned around and headed back up. If I had had a paintball gun I could have wiped out the last guy as I could see him creeping around the trees. Virginia Pine is a nice trail with some nice features along it's way. I need to figure out where it comes out as I had no clue. I turned around and went back the way I came. Once back on Woodthrush I tried to keep my weight back and off of the fork to prevent causing further damage. I crossed both of the bridges safely. The second is new to me and is very nice. Not nearly as dangerous at the first.

Finished my ride by taking the Roanoke River Greenway back to the parking lot. It was cold and windy along side the river. It had been strange on the mountain as on Monument I barely noticed the wind. As I crossed the road onto Ridgeline the first time the wind was vicious. At the Star it wasn't too bad, but the old road, Big Sunny and Riser it was windy. Woodthrush not so much. Weird.

Once I got home, I tried fixing the shock outside. I added air to + and - ends. It created a rigid fork?!?!? I ended up putting the bike away until I could shower then bring it inside. I re-aired the shock completely per the recommendations for my weight. It seems to have it's bounce back, but now as I said above the lockout doesn't work at all again. SIGH - this is the second time the lockout has quit working. Oh well, at least I got to ride and at least Ritchey is bouncy again for now.