Mellow Mondays

With the return of the longer/warmer day comes the return of the Famed Mellow Monday ride at Powhite Park. The idea behind the ride is everyone is welcome: fast or slow, expert or beginner. The pace is as slow as the slowest person all the while stopping to chat, play on TTF's or work on a skill in which we think we could use help on.

Showed up for the ride to see the scenery had changed just a bit since the last time I rode at Powhite. Guess they are reworking the sewage pipes or something for the surrounding neighborhoods. The signs say they are almost done. We will see!

Forgot my shoes on the front porch. Duh! Good thing I had a spare pair of shoes in the trunk. I used a piece of heavy equipment that was laying around to dig for some brass and made myself a set of cleats. I apologize to my feet for stuffing you like a sausage into those shoes.

Got a chance to give Jay's El Mariachi a spin up a climb. Let me tell you, something to rolling with the big wheels fully rigid. Point and shoot! Up the climb you go.


I thought it would only be nice to let Jay and Lisa fool around on the Turner. Damn they are fast! Sorry for the blurry pics, the camara couldn't keep up.

New Bike Day @ PSP

Saturday morning brought cloudy skies and warm temperatures. The cloudy skies soon went away but the warm temperatures stayed! I was excited to get the new Turner Burner out on the trails and see firsthand what this full suspension craze was all about. Met Scott on his new 29'er SS-er and Kenny at 10 for a nice loop. Both Lakeview Trails are now open and boy are they nice!

Kenny caught a flat in one of the creek crossings.

Scott took time to ponder what was wrong with his new ride.

I stuck around for awhile and got in an extra loop before meeting John, Steve, Michelle for a ride at 4. After a quick pass of the Green, we were joined by the masterminds behind the Lakeview trails, Joel and Eric. Another lap of the blue then red then green again had us riding until almost sunset.

Couldn't imagine a better way to spend a day off from work at the beginning of Spring. Stay tuned for impressions of the Turner. Just want to get a few more rides in before reporting anything in detail but the first impressions are L-O-V-E the bike. Tires have to go! Three words - MAXXIS HIGH ROLLER.

Work on a Tuesday?

Knowing that I had Tuesday off from work, I decided to get more "dirty" miles in before the Hilbert Enduro this coming Sunday. Met up with Scott at the Qualla lot for some PSP fun!

We were then met up with by Winky. That's one crazy cat! Swam two miles before meeting up with us for another 15 or so miles on the bike.


Before I knew it Travis, Taylor and Richard were coming around the bend as well. Group was starting to grow! I have to admit I have been missing the company of group rides as of late. Too many solo road rides will do that I suppose.

Somehow while on the blue we spilt up into 2 groups. I think Richard and Winky decided to hit Lil West Va. Scott called it a day and then Julian joined the group. Travis, Julian, and I went and played on the red for a bit. Then headed over to Lakeview where my day would soon be ended.

Got over to Lakeview and with the first creek crossing came a loud thud. For one reason or another ended up stopping at the top of the following climb. That's when Travis pointed and asked "Yo dude you normally roll like that?!"

Turned down the offer of a new tube from the other guys. Knowing full well I had yet to repack the tools needed to pull the back wheel off and get it tensioned again. I started the well deserved walk out. A 3-4 mile trek in mtb shoes will do wonders for those who forget to pack their tools.