River Road Loop:Â http://connect.garmin.com/activity/52324136
The roads remain but the scenery changes. Routes change, surfaces change, conditions change and we change.
Apple Orchard Loop
Garmin data:
Note: Garmin mapped version goes to a vaguely marked but rideable dirt road and an unopened interstate.  Good terrain but maybe hard to find. This is in the early section coming from Moorefield on Walnut Ridge Road heading west.  If you continue on Walnut to Patterson Creek Road the ride maps out similar and maybe more logically.
The Apple Orchard Loop comes off the back side of the barn and heads west crossing the next ridge beyond Moorefield and landing in a lightly traveled valley on Patterson Creek Road .
Heading north on the state road it’s a smooth riverside glide. Scenic stuff: old schools, barns and mills. There is usually a prevailing tail wind. This section follows the ridge that will be traversed back to the Apple Orchards and Twin Mountain Road . A bonus is that once up top and heading back or south the wind isn’t as big or noticeable. What forms a current in the lower valley seems to skip across the ridge top, especially since, in what is a unique feature, the mountain road is actually in a valley. It resembles a bowl on top of the mountain, thus ‘ Twin Mountain Road. ‘. Not something I’ve seen before.
Troublesome Valley Road
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.
RTR Cross Camp Recap
FACTORS
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.
GGG ‘CROSS! The Fun Has Begun
The Fun has begun. The song has been recorded. By popular demand we are offering a SUNDAY OPTION. Come and ride / race ‘cross on Sunday, August 29th. Visit http://www.bit.ly/gggcross and select the “Sunday Only” option when registering.
Guns, Grits, and Gravel — The Song from CycleLife USA on Vimeo.
We are putting Joe D to work:
f
Joe Watering
Guns, Grits and Gravel
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.
RAW CX
Raw Talent Ranch in conjunction with CycleLife USA is proud to announce the ‘2010 Guns, Grits and Gravel Cyclocross Workshop’ August 28th and 29th.  This is a fully supported two day extravaganza offering detailed instruction in a relaxed and expansive setting.
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.’
Lost River Classic 2010
The Dispanet climb starts mild. A sharp turn over a bridge to a holler where an elevated meadow looms ahead. The gentle pitch is short lived as it kicks up hard before you grasp the bite. Some how it is deceptively steep. But only for a moment.
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
Lost River Classic Race Course
LOST River Classic race course. Garmin profile.
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.
Same Streets
Same streets, different bike, different day.  I’m rolling up 13th between E and F at eight am handling parcel delivery in my role as a DC bike messenger. Less than 24 hours ago, as a member of the Cycle Life composite squad, I was hitting the same section hard. A small rise in the quick twisty race course. A part of the USA Crit Series.
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.
