Chicky Ride - Mon 08/23/2010

So Monday night Paula and I met for the weekly Chicky ride.  Our numbers have dwindled.  Alas, the Chicky ride has traditionally been me and Paula for a couple years now.  We decided to change up things.  I chose the trails (albeit a fateful move).  We would go up Buck to the Fireroad then go down Gauntlet and back up Trough.  A L O T of climbing. Well, plans are made to be changed, and since I have an understanding friend, plans changed.  

As we rode out the road seeking the trailhead for Buck, we enjoyed chatting a bit.  As soon as we started up Buck, we both go knocked out of the pedals at the same time.  None the less we were off and going.  I was doing pretty well at climbing.  I impressed myself for a bit.  Punkin' was rolling up and over roots and rocks like it was happy. I was too, for a while.  I didn't drop to granny gear or stop for a while.  Some stuff just weirds me out still.  It might have something to do with the 6-8 feet drop off to the right if you mess up, but it likely has more to do with my lack of conditioning.  Anyway, after a bit of successful, happy climbing I was forced into granny then eventually walking.  Oh well, some stuff at the top of Buck is just too difficult for me.  A couple of gnarly switchbacks and a crazy section where you're riding in a sheer, short rock crevice.  I finally made it to the top where Paula was patiently waiting (well riding in a circle.)

As we started out Brushy Mountain Fireroad, I quickly remembered that this direction is all climbing.  DAMN.  I was struggling to keep a decent pace, Paula who is exceptional and I swear must be one giant lung got away for a bit.  She pulled up for a bit and waited, but soon her pace exceeded mine and she was gone again.  That's ok because I don't want to be waited on most of the time, and I know she will wait at the planned trailheads.  She's a good friend!  So as expected I found her at Gauntlet.  As much as I wanted to ride down it, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to manage getting back up Trough.  After some debate about routes, we decided to change plans and head down the fireroad to Jacob's Drop.

More fireroad kicked my ass some more and it seemed incredibly long for some reason.  I kept thinking I had missed the trailhead.  It began to sprinkle some rain - I giggled thinking it wasn't supposed to rain until Tuesday, so I was so slow that it was now tomorrow.  HA.  A short break was followed by the descent of Jake which is a nice in places and downright evil in places.  I was timid at best.  I got to the wrong side of the rock garden, clipped out and relocated to the other side.  I let the bike roll a bit forgetting about the 2nd section of rocks which by the time I realized was too late so I bounced on through.  Upon arriving on the moon, which I call the intersection of Jake and that fireroad, I could literally smell my brakes.  They were hot to touch, in fact I could tap my finger on them momentarily then touch Paula's arm and she could still feel the heat.  HA HA.

After this we headed over to Tuck and descended it as well.  This is the best downhill at Carvins Cove.  I was in the wrong gear at the "gulley" so I couldn't quite get back to the top.  None the less the downhill was as awesome as usual.  After Tuck, we meandered through part of EF followed by Little Bell and Schoolhouse.  Time was running out on us and we were both getting hungry so we decided to just take the fireroad back to Bennett Springs Rd.

It was an awesome and enjoyable ride.  I can't wait until next week.  I hope to ride my mountain bike at least 3 days!  I'm on break from school until the 7th so fun time exists!  In fact, I'm in Tennessee now and have no set plans here other than driving and taking some pictures!  Maybe a few short walks in the woods.  We'll see.  Not planning anything for certain!

Bye for now!

Since last we met...

Hello blog friends!  I haven't forgotten you!!!  Just finished up my 2nd term of the MHA program.  So far so good.  Despite a very heavy work load in the first half of the term, the class fizzled towards the end.  I'm glad to have this one in the rearview.  Financial Dimensions of Healthcare Leadership definitely was a stuggle at times.  I reckon I learned more than I think.  We'll see how it goes!  

Anyway, I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you the miles have come and gone for me on the bike.  More road miles than mountain though.  Let's see I did the Artie Levin 1/2 Century ride (ended up with like 55 miles for the day).  It was fun and I got to enjoy the company of one of my best friends Tim.  The Artie this year started at Waldron Park and went out Rt 11 to Stony Battery Road then back to 11 then Nace and Lithia Roads to Buchanan and back.  The scenery was as always gorgeous.  This is just a serene route to ride.  I have yet to tackle the Cement Loop and have had it planned twice now.  The first time I got rained out, and today I was too sleepy to get up early to ride.  

I am looking forward to the Chicky Ride tomorrow.  Since school is done for now, I can go ride as long as my body will let me.  We've definitely had some adventures on our rides.  It's always fun - snakes, chasing the boys, deer, near crashes, etc.  

I'll update you again soon.  Can't think of how to make this post exciting.  Hope that fall will soon come and bring cooler temperatures!  School revs back up on Sept 7th.  =)  

Later!

Fog? Rain? No problem.

Hello my loyal blog readers!  It's been a month!  I figured I'd better let you know I'm still kicking!  The 2nd term of school is almost over, but I decided a while back to get back on the bike more regularly.  Sundays have been my road ride day while Monday is the Chicky ride at Carvins Cove.  Each has offered up some adventures for sure!  The road rides have been the hottest rides ever and the coolest.  Last week it was absolutely sweltering by the end of my ride and this week I was cold when I left home!  Last week the sun was baking; this week the rain/fog/drizzle dominated the landscape.  I had forgotten what it was like to be chilly on the bike!  I'm glad I chose to wear my fluorescent yellow wind vest.  I selected it primarily for visability's sake, but ended up being grateful for the extra layer of warmth.  The fog was weird today.  I rode up Mill Mountain right in the middle of it.  I got drizzled on a few times.  Totally enjoyed being out on the bike today and not roasting for once!  I had planned to ride the Cement Loop which is a route through Botetourt Co by way of Rt 779.  You end up in Catawba.  Since it rained all night, I was afraid to try this one alone today.  Instead, I elected to take a route that my friend Tim had shown me once before.  The key today would be finding the path from the BRP to Dawnwood Road, which as it turned out is worn enough that you can see it without much problem.  

Today's ride took me up Mill Mountain, south on the Parkway to the path.  From there, you take Dawnwood Road to Poages Valley Road.  After crossing over Rt 221 and continuing on Poages Valley Road, you take South Roselawn to Roselawn which takes you to Brambleton Ave.  This ride seems to have a lot of climbing which is fine.  It also has some beautiful scenery.  Even with the dreary day, I was able to see nature at it's best.  Today was odd too because I kept seeing cops everywhere.  There were two Roanoke Co cops going out Poage Valley Road which I thought was odd.  Then I saw multiple Roanoke City cops on Brandon Ave, like 3 in a row.  And the oddest was when I was riding back up the Lick Run Greenway, a Roanoke City Sergeant was walking back up the greenway.  He startled me, I wasn't expecting a cop to be walking on the greenway.  He could tell that I was surprised and apologized as he walked past.  No problem dude, at least I know you guys are out and about!  I also got to see a whole RFD response to a call.  Medic-7 passed me on Brambleton. I heard Eng 7 on another road then RS-1 came flying by on Brambleton near Shenandoah Life.  I then ran across Eng 1 and Ladder 1 (well 901) on Franklin Road. Be safe guys and thanks for all that you do!  


Tomorrow is the Chicky ride again.  Let's hope we break the snake jinx.  I've been two weeks in a row and both weeks we've encountered a snake.  The first week was Timber Rattlesnake who was making sure we knew he was there.  HISSSS, RATTTTLLLLLEEEE.  This was the night I learned that my max heart rate is probably 178 bpm.  It's amazing how fast you can take off and ride up hill when you see a rattlesnake.  Last week, my pal Rachel found what turned out the be a Garter(?) snake.  I missed it as I was passing her when she had seen it.  She took a picture with her phone though.  One of the guys in the parking lot informed us of the identity of this harmless snake.  None the less, I hope that we don't see any tomorrow!


Ok, well I know this isn't a very exciting blog post, but just wanted to give ya'll an update.  Hope everyone is well.  I'm behind on reading your blogs because I have spent hours on Healthcare Finance.  See ya soon!  Take care!!!