Garmin data

The valley routes imply a reprieve from the sometimes relentless WV hill poundings.  These are generally north south in direction while any east or west bound excursions confront ridges lined up like waves, starting from Skyline drive before quieting in Ohio to rolling terrain and ultimately the central planes.

There is the valley foot hill which is a fork off the low line going to a ledge but not up and over. A parallel that drops back to the bottom further along.   And then there is pure valley.  The river meanders beside, giving way to smooth measured farmlands as the ridges beckon to the left and right but don’t impose their force.

For the rider this can be galvanizing; like being shepherded down a shoot or a runway.  Smooth state roads with little traffic connecting small one horse towns.

The main obstacles here, beside one’s own legs, are distance and wind.  To make it a true valley ride you must travel a long way before finally going up and over the land mass that until passage had been a piece of scenery.  One simple change of direction and the effort and view, as well as the mission, shifts sharply.

Wind usually travels up the valleys walled off by the ridges so if it is windy you are sure to have a sustained resistance, and hopefully an ally too.

Troublesome Valley road is a long way from the barn.  Not even on my radar.  I heard about it and saw that it was in reach of a big roll out.  It mapped out and seemed do able so the next step was to ride.

Talking about some of these routes with non riding local folks presents a paradox.   To me it seems easier by bike.  Ninety miles by bike, five and a half hours.  By car it could be close to three with all the turning.  Not really that much of a difference.  The bike is expansive and invigorating.  Senses fully activated while the car is confining and static.  Locked in position.  Obviously the car is easier but I do rides into the unknown out here that I have no interest in car exploring.

This junket worked out pretty good.  Solo and peaceful but without any draft benefit.   Full work mode.  Coming off the backside of the barn it is seven miles to the valley and then a firm thirty heading south before turning west on  route 33 and hitting the first plateau (and first store) at Troublesome Valley Road right at the 40 mile mark.  I didn’t sense any trouble on this stretch but it is only my first time through.  I was looking for clues.  Something ominous lurking maybe.  Open to the power of suggestion yet pedaling clear.

The road steps up sensibly into some ridge top up and downs and finally back to the valley on the other side.  Flats rollers, some more flats, and more rollers.  Towns click off.  Petersburg .  Moorefield.   Climatically the tall ridge with the towers and a little dip where the road goes looms large, front and center.  The back side of the barn climb.  It was there the whole time.

Even for a ‘valley’ ride this thing totals over 7000 feet of climbing.  A big long day in the saddle.  Another shade of the land.  A slice of the country and a day at work.

When you schedule an event in advance there are variables.  When you do anything there are variables.  In the case of the Guns, Grits and Gravel Cyclocross Workshop, beside the logistical planning that comes with the turf there is the fact that the professionals lined up to instruct are what the whole thing hinges on.

Both our experts not only had races to do leading up to GGG, they had major stage races.

For Joe Dombrowski of Trek Livestrong, it was the Tour of Utah, a five stage event one week prior, while Jeremiah Bishop of Cannondale was defending his title in the high altitude Breck Epic in Colorado, a six stage mountain bike endurance test that finished the day before our cross camp.

Their healthy return was a definite variable given the wide set of physical obstacles in high stakes pro racing.   In Jeremiah’s case simple travel dynamics were a factor.

That they both came back triumphant was a big added bonus to their presence and expertise.  Jeremiah defended his title convincingly taking four stage wins along the way and Joe handled domestique duties for his star U 23 squad (they scored two stage wins) and still managed to secure 27th overall in an international field.

NOVICE

This weekend I was a novice.  Despite having raced competitively for 17 years cyclocross is just  a word to me.  There is respect and  curiosity for sure but you really can’t fully know something from the outside.  Part of my reluctance is genuine since I have substantial hardware in my left leg and limited running capability.  At best I hobble and am cautious about overloading my repaired leg.  And finally, frankly, I have stayed away not wanting to be the old dog trying to learn new tricks.  Starting from scratch and being humbled yet more in a humbling sport.  I toyed with dodging the potential embarrassments by offering to wear the camp administrator’s hats and waving a clip board from the sidelines but when a Specialized cross demo bike arrived especially for me courtesy of Travis Coleman at Cycle Life USA, my excuses were pointless.  I would be in it and, in deep on the mud, sand, hills, fields and streams of Lost River WV.

THE COURSE

Joe D. laid out the basic bones of the course before going to Utah.  The week before GGG I worked the grounds some more before he came in Friday (along with ever ready cross fanatic and racer John Cutler) to tie all the sections together and finish taping and staking.
I approximated but quickly saw how far off I was.  An area that didn’t look like much to me became a series of S turns, 180s, and circles and this is in between the sand pit and the hill run up with barriers.

That doesn’t account for the Tarzan pit (a  muddy slog next to the stream with a steady water flow from the underground spring) and the rain forest (a section of woods and brush with old  road tracks underneath the growth), which emerged from the canopy straight into the steep downhill S curves.

There was also a long field section after the run up before returning to the technical areas. The entire distance was seven tenths of a mile with approximately five minute lap times.

With only hard hilly technical crit courses to compare with, this thing to me seemed like a beast.   Several up hills.  Lots of obstacles and limited recovery chances, although what I would be learning is that in cross recovery is a very finite increment and that your ability to operate smooth and to flesh out technique efficiently as well as run the anaerobic red line closely are all components of recovery and the chance for a good ride.

THE PROGRAM

We had a full deluxe Guest House breakfast both days.   Plenty of room to stretch out and keep eating while Joe and Jeremiah broke it all down.  Equipment, nutrition, race strategy, preparation – tales from the road, inside the course and beyond – Qs and As, all very informal and informative.

The course was right there.  A small little descent and onto the grounds of Deer Springs Trout Farm for the action.

Trips from station to station.  Working fundamentals and fine points both.  We adjusted the course to make repetitive runs over one section and find the rhythm in the sequence.  Reviewing the footage after dinner Saturday night gave us a clearer version of what had been accomplished (or not yet accomplished).

There was a lunch break and we rolled ‘off campus’ to the Lost River General Store where Joe told us about the fanatic Belgian fans and the Joe D playing cards.

Saturday was a full one because somewhere in the middle of the food, riding, re-riding and video analysis was the ‘Bulls and Barrels’ Rodeo, which initially we were going to ride to but wisely opted to lose the chamis and go cowboy style with some brave souls being sheparded by Joe in ‘Keith’, a trusty ‘86 Ford F 150 with a broken rear gate and a faded RTR magnet.

Kids chasing greased pigs.  Kids trying to ride aggressive sheep. Horse barrel moves and the big finale bull riding.  Full action.

Sunday we did a short, but steep and scenic shake-out-yesterdays-lactic-acid group ride on paved and gravel roads.  At the top of the plateau on Big Ridge Road Jeremiah ran us through some start line drills as well as demonstrating  cutting edge pre race stretch maneuveurs, just because camp renegade Chris Soda asked.

Back at the GGG course later after lunch and some live original banjo work from gracious land host Walter Weeks, we got down with some three and four man short track heats and finally a mock scrimmage using the full course full gas as a finale.

CONCLUSION

These guys know their craft.  I already knew that but by being a participant I had the full scope of detail.  This is stuff you need to practice and work on and the faster you can do it smooth the faster you can go.  That is assuming there is fitness of course.

It was great watching the group grow and interact with the course, each other and their abilities and I am grateful to them for being part of this inaugural event.  I hope they learned as much as me and also, watch out for Jackson Burns.  He is ten years old and was giving nothing up on anyone there not to mention making the steep bumpy S turn down hill look like butter.

I know I got worked.   Lots of efforts.  Lot of resistance.  I’m not sure I will be pinning on a number for grass and mud work yet but I am definitely closer than I was three days ago.

Additional pics here courtesy of Matt Hughes.

Guns, Grits, and Gravel — The Song from CycleLife USA on Vimeo.

We are putting Joe D to work:

f

Joe Watering

Escape from Caddy Shack. Hedgehog on backup vocals. John C always wears his helmet while playing guitar:

Practicing with Hedgehog

Making our mark:

Barriers

That’s a lot of tape:

The Technical Section

He left that kit in the mud pit. He’s got a lot more where that came from:

Pro Joe

The course rocks!

Yellow Tape

Darren to the rescue:

Darren to the rescue




2 wheeled ministers of fun (or pain)-   First-   Let me send out a big THANK YOU to all of you who have helped spread the word about this inaugural event going down in Lost River, WV the weekend of August 28th and 29th.   The response has been awesome.  CX is really burning like wild fire and in many ways bridging the gap between the MTB and roadie worlds. It seems to have taken hold- Not just an off season alternative- But as a real focused discipline for this new breed of racer.

We still have 6 or 7 spots open…a couple folks have wanted to ‘reserve’ a spot, as they are still building their CX rigs, unfortunately the only way to ‘reserve’ a spot is to sign up on line and lay down the dollars. Just remember- we are understanding people. We are not here to stick anyone who may have an emergency…but we gotta pay bills too.

Register Online and Learn More

So, if you, a friend (an enemy) or a fellow CX/Roadie/MTB rider are interested and still sitting on the fence, don’t get caught out.

The last few details are being buttoned up. The course just got a good soaking.  And a hit squad is fired up to give it some ride time this week – it’s gotta get rutted up to be a proper CX course!   Course designer and resident CX crusher, ‘Big’ Joe Dombrowski is out tuning up at the Tour of Utah, and laying down the thunder for Trek-Livestrong all while feeling the effects of the dramatic change in altitude…   Jeremiah ‘The’ Bishop is doing his thang and getting it dialed for the Brek Epic MTB stage race (Aug 22 – 28) … and coming straight off of a top 5 finish in the fastest ever Leadville 100. TOTAL ANIMAL…you’re doing the math right (?)…he gets off of a plane and goes straight to the camp.   And to think these guys are gonna hang out in the woods, ride around in circles holding our hands and sharing their secrets…What a killer sport!   GO RIDE!

Last weekend after an extensive field recon analysis session with young expert and instructor Joe Dombrowski we were fortunate to secure a 25 acre multi terrain area that includes high meadow, low meadow, a very green virtual rain forest section, a pond, a stream and a route the overseer as well as musician made famous in the Rapha video likes to call the ‘Tarzan Trail.’

Our activities included a short training ride prior to the more mentally if not physically taxing quest for the perfect field.   Once our objective was met I figured we would pedal back the 11 miles (4 dirt) satisfied with the day and commence to plotting course directions and features but Joe wanted to start actual construction.  I thought he was kidding….  We still had to pedal back to change clothes and then return in a vehicle with the tools and the stuff.  The first blade of grass was pierced at 5:30 and we cut, whacked, shoveled and raked until dark.   Joe D. is not just the course designer.  He is a laborer and tractor operator.

We at RTR are excited about what we hope will be the first of more themed camps to come.  The deep green rugged WV hills and the pure rhythmic majesty of the bike seem to exist well here in an evolving harmony.

Click for full X details.

The road hits a plateau alongside a farmhouse whose porch borders the pavement.  After another rise and a red barn hugging the gutter there is a second plateau before the now steadily graded climb tops out near a small old graveyard with a rickety squared off fence and a sweeping view of the valley that was just left behind

All this happens in less than a mile.  During the Lost River Classic there was a tidy looking lemonade stand on the second plateau.  The local paper had encouraged spectators and offered the suggestion of youthful entrepreneurship.

The girls had it all set up.  Signs.  Colors.  An umbrella.  Maybe they got some help from Grandpa.  Not knowing what a race is, they must have expected some touring cyclists to pause and enjoy cold beverage but instead they got serious looking folk with pain face pushing forward on a quest through thresholds that only they can know and/or understand.  Not the stuff of whimsical lemonade stands.

I passed by too.  I guess maybe I could have stopped since I did my entire race solo.  Not off the front and not off the back.  No glory but no shame I suppose.  In the center.  The last man to separate from the lead 15 and out in front of the remaining chasers.

Toward the end I pulled back two who had succumbed to the heat to finish 13th.  Maybe I could have brought back some more as the conditions on a tough road race tend to shuffle and sort out in confusing ways.  I was feeling better later.  Perhaps a last man standing scenario (for top 10 that is).  It is hard to say and harder to know since officials were making executive decisions, shortening laps and pulling riders without any warning or reason beyond what I guess they deemed safety issues.

A week later none of this matters.  Things are business as usual in Mathias.  I had intended to some how support the lemonade operation so Audrey and I stopped by to give the girls some t-shirts.  The views on Dispanet are just as bright and the pitches are just as steep.   Even in the car.  One of the sisters is home.  She is surprised and excited with the t’s and I try to explain the race a little and also explain why maybe business wasn’t as lucrative as it could have been.  She listens.  It’s hard to tell what resonates.  How it could make sense that a bunch of adults would punish themselves by choice in a hundred degree heat.  Of course there are as many reasons as there are people but I just didn’t want her to be discouraged and I promised more biz next year.  She said ‘I don’t care I just want to make some money.’

Well that is simple enough to understand.

So it was established that next years stand should be at the Jenkins Chapel Finish line.  That is where the main action was anyway.  That is where Keck Baker, who was second in 09, got his redemption and topped his teammate Chuck Hutchinson and last years winner Nick Bax, in another brave performance.   And where Ainhoa Perez-Diez rode in victorious ahead of Amanda Watson and Heidi Goldberg in the woman’s elite contest.

That is where a bunch of other finish line dramas and triumphs played out. Through the woods to the meadow on the mountain.

Edition two was even better than edition one and maybe with local cooperation and more cyclist volunteer horsepower this thing can expand into an omnium.   I’m thinking Friday night uphill TT to the barn and flat crit or circuit race Sunday but so far that is mostly just in my head.  It remains to be seen.

Still the enthusiasm and willingness of folks to take a challenge is inspiring. The weekend was a blast and the NCVC operation deserves big thanks.   More specifically Scott Mabry for taking the promoters helm from 09’s captain and main initiator/instigator David Kirpatrick.   To Jason Trust for coordinating the huge and precise road guarding force.  To Micheal Laker and family for running a seamless registration table.  To club President Myron Lehtman for crossing, double crossing and triple crossing all the t’s.  To Lost River/DC denizen and newly minted cat 5 Scott Schwartz for jumping in the deep end. And lastly and mostly to my partner on the ground and in RTR Audrey Taucher for not only getting dragged into this mess but handling logistical, diplomatic and operational matters across the board and what she likes to think of as ‘behind the scenes’ but which are truly crucial and without which the LRC couldn’t really happen.

On the sponsors end a big shout out to Tammy, Bob and David at the Guest House. They ramped up their hospitality and this year besides the tasty Sat night buffet and party we had, a cooked personally by Mr Dillard himself, Sunday morning pancake breakfast before setting out on a big group ride. (ps. re ride, I promise more cohesion next time)

I think with a few more versions (and maybe some raw cross stuff – details to come) they will become cycling wise by osmosis.

We should also mention the Lost River General Store who were gracious enough to provide lunches for all the officials, as well as the citizens of Mathias and the Moorefield Examiner, who had some great pics and coverage (see pages 3 and 9).

Of course without the racers there is no race.  I’ve been racing for 17 years and yeah I would rather watch a tour stage or an NRC Crit over for instance a cat 4 slug fest, yet I am always impressed by the heart and intensity of competitors across all categories.  The grace and finesse may be acquired, come later or perhaps not come at all, but without starting the process that possibility is not even dreamed of.  It is a unique sport.  Some, or most of us may be weekend warriors, but the sacrifices and efforts to hit those marks are wide and involved.  It is a big sweep to make it happen and I’m glad to all of you raising the flag.

Race day photos courtesy of Natures Essence Photography.

The next race on  the MABRA calendar is the Lost River Classic on Saturday July 24th.   This will be the second edition and weekend festivities are stacking up for pain, fun, some pleasure, diversion, views, vistas and really whatever you want to make it.   We are fortunate to again have the Guest House providing lodging as well as a cyclist buffet dinner Saturday night, and breakfast and staging for the Sunday, eleven AM group ride.   The Inn at Lost River, which is part of the Lost River General Store is offering some deluxe rooms in their idyllic and relaxing B and B for a generous $80 a night to LRC participants.

On line registration closes on Wednesday the 21st.  ‘Most’ of the fields look great and we are ahead of last year.  The 3/4 and  5 men’s fields are filled.  The men’s 1/2/3  is low but I have heard from enough folks who are pledging attendance.  If it is anything close to Coppis, which by the way, was brutally hard and for my money tougher then the NRC Capitol Criterium the week prior  (MABRA racing is no joke)  the dueling will be on.

The big mystery and question mark is the women’s 1/2/3 event.  This year, prompted by popular or at least vocal appeal we are offering two separate women’s fields rather then  a single women’s open. The 3/4 is part of the MABRA women’s race series and it is shaping up nice but the 1/2/3 competitors are playing possum.  So far ZERO are competing for the $425!  I know that they must be holding out.  Hanging back planning strategy and moves.  Something.  Prove me right.   Or prove me wrong….  I’m just hoping it is a matter of last minute directionals.   If the numbers are too low it is simply logistically and economical not feasible to offer the separate fields.   It would be good if this were not the case.

I rode the course today and it hasn’t gotten any easier than last year.  It is a serious beast.  Obviously there is nowhere to hide.  Everything is on display.   A full and complete challenge.   I’ve been racing more and maybe better then last season so am looking to improve at LRC, but it is a thin and delicate line on the sharp ascents, between your max and your limit.   If you’re lucky you can shoot that gap and find a clear breathe pattern.  Maybe your muscles cooperate and a rhythm is forged……  You have a good ride.

See you in the hills.

It’s quiet now.  No crowds and no evidence of the impressively done event.  Just folks getting back into Monday work mode and me wondering if I could have pushed it just a little more yesterday.

The bike I’m on is a dated Cannondale Cad 6.   Retired racer relegated (and reborn) to courier rig.  An old war horse and what I was on the last time I saw regular NRC action circa 2001 era.  Now, that is rare to never.

This rise in the course was where it was possible to move up, especially near the end as heat took a toll and the attrition level kicked in.  I made some progress, recaptured forgotten sensations and was able to reach the front of the field in the closing laps but in the end I didn’t move up enough and fell one out of the money in 26th.

It was interesting seeing the streets I have been riding since ‘91 carved into a bona fide big league race course.  Some folks had suggested prior that I would have an advantage knowing these lanes so well, which I went along with, even though I knew that would have absolutely no impact.

Once the route is set, beyond the local cheering section, which is huge, it could be a crit course in any city.

Angles and efforts.   Sixty laps.  Seven turns.  Figuring it all out and getting in the rollercoaster rhythm.   That is the feeling that returned.  Following wheel.  Strung out.  Gauging out put and running the red line.

The first time I noticed laps there were 59 to go.  It is hard from the start and I knew that I would have to get over the hump and hope to adjust back to NRC speed or risk getting blown out.  I tried not to look until it was lower forties.  Just rolling.  With forty I set twenty as a goal.  To at least not be embarrassed.

With 20 I felt maybe better but at least not any worse.  I can count down twenty.  20 more sessions.   140 more corners.   The mental drills are kind of funny and I’m guessing pretty varied across the varied board of racer types.

With the heat and the speed it is hard to know when and if you will get popped.  Things that seem fine can change quickly.  Operating at the limit and slightly out of practice means the engine might be touchy.

Luckily I felt more solid toward the end than the beginning so it was a decent day. Adrenalin and exhaustion mixed oddly and comfortably by the close.

The production Mark Sommers and the DC Sports Authority put on was large.   The crowds, which were mostly made of up of fellow racers and family, were good but it would be nice if more sports fans in general came to a FREE event with world class athletes on display.  Maybe the races need to have steep ticket prices and ‘fans’ will start showing up!

The festivities will follow a similar path as last year’s event.  The Guest House will again be hosting the cyclists buffet party on Saturday night.  Along with high quality fare and fine beverages the lounge’s flat screens will be tuned to the penultimate stage of the Tour, a 52 kilometer Bordeaux time trial, which, if Contador gets rattled on the stage three cobbles, could turn out to be decisive.

The Guest House will also be offering room discounts for race participants.   Mention the bike race when inquiring. There are other lodging options on the event website.

On Sunday there will be an informal group ride, which depending on your motivations and fitness, can be the second half of a big mileage mountain weekend OR a meandering trek through the Lost River Valley with stops at the General Store or the Art Co-op.

Maps will be available with options of  75, 50 and 30 miles.  The Sunday ride will be 11 am and is set to start at the Guest House, which will also be offering breakfast.

For me the race falls into the redemption category, as last year after missing feeds total cramp lock down forced me to the sidelines early.  With a thousand feet of climbing for every ten mile lap and technical descents offering no respite the LRC is an obvious physical and mental challenge.  On top of that I have to reckon with the fact that it is my diabolical course design, so in essence I am inflicting pain on myself.  Perhaps redemption is too soft a word, but that is another story.

I thank all of you who supported the race last year and look forward to seeing some new faces this year.

After six years in Lost River I should have experienced it by now but hadn’t quite stretched far enough.  The volume of DC car back and forth means when in WV most travel is by bike.  Dolly Sods is just on the perimeter of a big ride.  I have studied the map and come close, brushing up against the edges in Smoke Hole and Cabins.

Until recently I thought only one road went over and going over would mean landing close to Davis 65 miles away.  Some kind of cruel out and back and not a loop.  There is a psychological advantage to a loop.  This is my preference but I was resigned to retracing steps if that is what it took to see what I wanted to see.

Coming back from the brutal and phenomenal Tour of Tucker County Saturday I drove the approach over Dolly Sods from the Canaan Valley side.  The pass is beautiful but for my money not much fun in a car, yet all along I’m thinking how much better by bike…..

Funny how that works.

With winding, twisty, steep and poorly surfaced roads you are relegated to slow travel anyway.  In the car no breeze no flow, just bumps and maneuvers.  May as well be pedaling and in the damn thing, in this case that being the mountain itself.

The ascent took a long time and toward the top the road split.  It was unmarked.   One road went down and the other continued flat and straight out across the ridge.  At this point I wanted to get off the dirt and off the mountain, and a National Forest pull off area gave some clues.  The road down is the way, but the other road carries the ridge north and drops on the same side further up.  All of the sudden I saw my loop.

As soon as I got home I checked the county maps and confirmed the math.  It had never jumped out at me.  The small thin lines hid their depth.  Also seeing the road I didn’t go on, while being a lure, more importantly was now a sure thing.  Passable albeit unpaved and bumpy.  The ride would be hard but was definitely doable.

I chose a good weather day to roll it out.  Start early with plenty of time and no big agenda.  It was warm, closer to hot which I like, with a chance of late day thunderstorms. From the barn ridge top the sky was clear.  The degrees were so up at 10 am that I didn’t bring additional gear.  Worst case scenario is I get a little wet.  A warm summer rain…..

I drop off the backside of the barn into Moorefield heading west on Kessel Road to the sprawling Fairfax Gravel Pit climb.  As I descend toward Patterson Creek Road I can see the long and growing string of windmills a couple of ridges further in Mt. Storm.  I can also see the dark clouds.  Closer then I expected.  Still, I’m thinking my odds are decent.

Passing through Mayesville I follow a valley road that parallels the looming ridge to my right.  After several miles a turn off says FR 75, Dolly Sods Scenic Area five miles.  The road is paved for a few sweet foothill strokes before asserting its dirtness.

While the climb is graded reasonably it offers no plateaus.  A continuous up hill to reach the top.  The surface is below average.  Rideable but not fluid. I keep moving while tacking and angling for the better line.

The entire way up is in the woods.  Deep green with bordering rain run off.  Quiet and tranquil. There are no overlooks and it takes a long time.  I can see through the trees enough to know I’m heading straight into the storm clouds.

When I top out the payoff is big.  From out of the woods onto a rocky wind burnished flat.  The forest road is a long straight shot.  No curves at all.  Some slight gentle up and down.  It is visible as far as the eye can see.

I also get the first rain drops.  No more dodging it.   The wind picks up and the air cools.  I’m at 4000 feet.  It occurs to me that this won’t be a wispy agreeable June storm.

I’m in for the count.  Not many options but to ride.  There are no welcome stations or park shelters.  Just pure unbridled wilderness and the occasional car with jersey plates and passengers wondering what I am doing, and I imagine, why.

This would be when I have those same questions.  The idea was to catch this long section of dirt in favorable conditions with minimal urgency.  Instead I am picking up the tempo in an effort to raise my dropping body temperature, as the rocks and bumps move toward me at video game frequency.

I’m lucky to have one brief break in the converging systems and the sun breaks through.  I stop in what feels like a spot light of warmth.  The dark clouds surround.  If I continue I am right back in them, but they are coming from behind too. With a slight rejuvenation I am back up but the next fronts are hitting harder.

The total Dolly Sods section is 17 miles of dirt.   Five up, seven across and five back down.  It is very symmetrical. Check the route.

I’m more then halfway through it but know if the rain continues the descent is going to be a bitch.  There will be no more warming and even in moderate temperatures cold and wind can kick the body’s mechanisms.

As I start descending the rain picks up.  It is hard to see and read an already hard to read surface.  I’m picking my way down.  Not very smooth.  I want to just get it over with but the faster I go the colder I get.  I’m already shivering but try to stay relaxed and keep some circulation going.   This is tough when you’re not pedaling.  When you’re just steering.  My pinky finger tips are the first to numb up.  Five miles right now is an eternity.  I’ve gone only about two.  At one point I go under a tree for less of a deluge but realize it isn’t helping and is only prolonging the ordeal.

Calm and centered (or some approximation of) I proceed.  Just trying to move forward and keep it upright.  One by one my fingers are getting weaker and breaking is getting tougher.  Numbness and tingling.  A mile and a half to go.

It is just a basic bike ride and I’m not really in the wilderness.  Towns are nearby.  On the other hand I haven’t seen any cars or people for a long time.  Outcomes are percentages and averages and are generally constant and predictable, yet the ingredients can change in a flash and turn the data upside down.  This doesn’t usually happen but it easily can.

By the time I get to where the dirt joins pavement my fingers are totally numb and I am shivering.  It is a relief to leave the dirt but the down hill continues.  I am pinning my hope on getting to the valley so I can finally start pedaling.  I think I can knock out this last part of the descent but I can’t.  If I go faster then fifteen the bike starts to shimmy as my cold body vibrates.  I ease down until I’m there.  A flat surface heading home…..

Thirty five miles up the road.

Though my hands are tingling I can turn my legs.  They don’t hurt.  They just don’t feel right.  I pedal gradually with the idea of a regrouping stop, but as I ride I don’t feel any worse.  The legs start to loosen.  At first they were reluctant.   Now they are spinning.  Enough so maybe if I make some efforts my hands will return.  The blood starts flowing.

I maintain momentum and sit up with my hands off the bars to stretch my spine and open up the internal moving parts.  It is all starting to come back.  Relatively speaking.  I am in survival mode and will be able to make it back.  Forget about race fitness or anything near that.

Going from Cabins to Petersburg I actually get into a decent tempo.  The first and only stop I take is there.  Sixty five miles in with twenty and the backside of the barn climb to go.  It is still raining but now a soft drizzle.  The valley temps are ok and the road water rains splash is warm from early day heat.

With some fuel and fluids I bust out the rollers into Moorefield, zig zag through town, and get on to South Fork for the four mile straight before the big finish.

Though humbled and pedaling conservatively I rally for the back side climb.  Steady.  Motivated that I’m near the finish and that there is a finish at all.  A new loop.   A complete circuit.  Maybe some things happen along the way but there is a beginning middle and end.  Complete.  Uneventful  (85.34 miles – 9,340 feet – 6.23 hours).   In the books and on the register. The sun is creeping back in on Mountains Meadows.   So who’s up for the Dolly Sods ride?

Banner photo courtesy of Darren McNeil photography