A Sunday Ride

I have looked so forward to being out of school, and I'm totally thrilled that it's warming up now.  Sunday, I woke up excited about the potential to go ride my bike for as long as I wanted without any other commitments to rush home for.  I left my house around noon and headed towards the Lick Run Greenway entrance near Target.  I rode the LRG downtown through Washington Park and up 2nd St.  Moseyed over to 1st St to Walnut Ave where I stopped to text my friend, Paula to see if she wanted to meet on Mill Mountain.  She had just finished lunch and was up for the idea, so I set off to meet her at the intersection of two trails.  In order to get there, I needed to climb up Fishburn Parkway to the Star Trail, ride it (SHHHHH!) over to Woodthrush's trailhead then take Woodthrush up the mountain.  I had to walk my bike around the front of a car to get to the Star Trail as the two parking spaces were occupied.  Got on the bike and of course around the first turn there were walkers.  OOPS, sorry; but this part of the trail needs to be multi-use as there is no good way to get to Woodthrush from Fishburn.  I'll make up my own rules this time.  HAHA!  I was kind of dreading Woodthrush as it can be a bit of a chore to climb.  However, Sunday I surprised myself and rode up in good shape.  I had to walk maybe a 8-10ft section, but I bet if I had geared down and stood up I could have done it. 

The other odd thing about the trail Sunday was all of the "streams" on it.  I crossed water in two places where I have never seen water.  That's ok because that's a good sign!  We've had enough rain lately.  I got to the intersection where I sat down for a few minutes to wait on Paula who was climbing up from Virginia Pine.  As it turned out, she had had a bit of a mechanical issue; so I ended up riding down to meet her and go back to her nearby house.  I'm jealous that they live right there now!  After visiting with Warren and Greta a bit, Paula and I headed out on a path that goes along the gas line and we wound up in the Hoity Toity Wellington subdivision. 

Slowly ascended Yellow Mountain Road to the base of Ridgeline Trail cut across a rogue trail to Fishburn Parkway and climbed it all the way to the Discovery Center then took the sidewalk up to the Star.  Pee break, then back down to ride some more singletrack - Ridgeline, Riser, Big Sunny took us back to the subdivision where we jumped across Yellow Mtn Road to Fern Park.  Climbed up what we call Fern Park Trail to it's intersection with the Chestnut Ridge Loop (the trail I run on and that is off limits to bikers - SAD!) 

Decided to climb up the road again and take Monument Trail back down.  Great fun descending Monument.  Have to be very careful as it will buck you right off and the down hill side sucks for landings!  Made it safely down and decided to go ride the Roanoke River Greenway back towards Bennington.  Of course the Greenway was busy and we had to share the way.  I was annoyed to see signs cautioning riders to "Maintain Safe Speed" - where are the signs that say "Control your random kid" or "Control your dog leash" or "Turn your damn iPod down?"  ANYWAY, I bid farewell to my friend at the AEP substation.  She would make her way home one way or another (not sure what she picked).  I wound up taking the Roanoke River Greenway back to 13th St then followed the Bike Route signs to pick up Tinker Creek Greenway into Vinton.  Wound my way through some streets towards home. 

I absolutely enjoyed my 28.75 miles and was gone from home on my bike for about 4 hours.  Just what I needed.  Now I'm looking forward to going and riding again this Sunday.  I think I may just do the Mill Mountain thing again.  =)  Once things dry up more, I'll go back to the Cove.  I definitely plan to head back to Montvale and Bedford to ride some.  Hopefully can catch up with friends and ride Peaksview Park this spring.  Sundays will become my ride day again.  I owe it to myself after working 40+ hours a week and doing schoolwork! 

I want to enjoy each opportunity on the bike for sure!