A new Sunday tradition???

Today was the first significant bike ride I've taken on a Sunday in several months.  I decided that when they started calling for a rainy weekend that I was going to go outside and enjoy it regardless.  I've had enough of snow, rain and mud to last a lifetime.  I also really wanted to go to the Cove since I hadn't been out there since January 1st.  I figured with the heavy rain we got Friday night things were going to be a bit messy, so I decided to take Ritchey for a spin today.

For a route, I decided to do an abbreviated version of something I've wanted to try for a while now.  That is to ride to the Cove from home, ride a route through the Cove and return home.  Today, since I've not ridden that much and in order to cut out some road miles, I asked my dad to drive me to the end of Timberview Road and drop me off.  He happily obliged.  Thanks Dad!  I knew the only choice in getting to the fireroad on Brushy Mountain was going to be to climb up The Trough.  I started towards the trailhead at a moderate pace and began the ascent feeling pretty decent.  I was able to successfully negotiate the switchbacks at the bottom and climb for a good bit before my lack of conditioning caught up with me.  I stopped for a breather and a photo op.  I continued on and had to stop again where the trail splits.  Managed to slowly continue to the climb before stopping a couple more times.  I spun out on some loose stuff near the top and ended up walking the last 50 feet or so because I couldn't get started again.

The Trough is in excellent shape right now.  It appears as though it sheds water rather easily.  The same would hold true for the Brushy Mtn fireroad.  There were a few places where the bike bogged down in some wetter terrain but for the most part, I was able to ride without too much trouble.  There are a few trees down on the fireroad which can be easily ridden around and there are several piles of snow still on the sides.  I debated options as I rode.  There are so many ways to add to this ride.  I can't wait to repeat it again in the upcoming weeks.  I passed a guy running with his dog and soon passed a lady who was hiking.  I was just as happy as a clam with little worry in the world today.

It seemed like forever between H-d-H/The Gauntlet intersection and Hemlock Tunnel.  I almost wondered if someone had taken the sign.  I do remember seeing it eventually as I began the downhill.  I zoomed by it thinking it was Jacob's Drop, but quickly realized I was approaching Jacob.  After this I quickly descended the 1000ft climb.  I had to be very careful where I went as the road got a little slicker the farther you went down and there is a significant number of branches and debris littering the road.  The descent was also very cold!!!!  I needed another layer!  Once at the bottom, I stopped to check the time.  It had been just over an hour since I started my ride.  I didn't think I had done so bad since I hadn't been out in forever!  

Now the flatter part of the trip towards home began. Again, there are many options for this ride; but today I had decided to stay away from Songbird, Comet & Enchanted Forest as they were likely to be muddy and messy.  I don't want to contribute to trail damage.  As I rode, I did decide to cross over Little Bell and Schoolhouse in order to omit some of the dreadfull fireroad which was a lot messier down here.  There were stretches where it was dry, but more so there were a lot of puddles and standing water.  Little Bell was not bad at all.  There are enough pine needles on the trail bed here to protect it and speaking of pine. The trail is beautiful right now with bright green, little pine trees showing off their spring color.  I probably should have stopped for a picture.

I arrived at Schoolhouse and decided to stay on the trails.  As for water on this trail.  It was both where you would expect it.  There is a significant amount of water in the big crossing.  I stopped to take a quick video as I debated how I was going to manage to get across the now over ankle deep crossing.  

I backtracked a bit then attempted to ride across.  I got most of the way across before my front tire rolled off a bigger rock and stopped me in my tracks.  I had to put my feet down resulting in wet socks.  Blech!  Fortunately the shoes did pretty well in preventing too much water from getting inside, and the choice to wear wool socks was a good one.  My feet didn't get too cold. After the foot soaking, there wasn't any more significant water to cross.  However, the area just before the picnic table where the bridge is is flooded.  I've never seen this much water under the little bridge.  It was surprising enough to me that I decided to walk it.

From the picnic table to the fireroad, Schoolhouse is a mess.  There is alot of standing water, mud puddles and slippery trail.  I tried to carefully ride so as not to cause trail damage.  There are also a couple of trees across the trail that you have to dismount for.  Once I got back to the fireroad, I head towards the boatdock.  This part of the fireroad can work you over pretty hard.  It's got a couple of significant hills.  I did ride the entire way back without stopping.  I passed more people as I neared the boatdock.  I went from having clean shoes (the creek crossing rinsed them) to having mud splattered shoes.  My legs became encrusted with splattered mud as I went along.  I wondered if the people I passed on the way out thought I was crazy.

I arrived at the end of the fireroad and quickly took a left up the road.  I had forgotten to put my Cove pass in my Camelback and didn't feel like listening to the WVWA guards if I ventured into the parking lot.  Climbing Reservoir Road is a bit of a challenge, but I think I did pretty good.  Once I crested the hill, I was able to roll on.  At one point, I looked down and I was going 28mph.  No wonder I felt cold.  It didn't take as long as I thought to get home from Reservoir Road.  I took some neighborhood streets so I could avoid Rt 11 traffic.

I got home without any troubles and flopped down on the back porch for a breather.  I had ridden 19.26 miles in 2:21.  I didn't think that was all that bad!  I'll take it.  I had an absolute blast today.  I can't wait to repeat this ride.  I might do it the exact same way or I might start adding some trails to it when it starts to dry up some more.  Just think I will be able to take Punkin out to the Cove eventually.  I just don't want to gunk it all up right now, plus I'm not ready to climb The Trough with 29" wheels yet.  =)