Ridininthawoods

Saturday I received a call from the Turner that rides a Turner with an invitation to pedal around in the woods on Sunday. The plan was to go to Sewanee and ride the perimeter loop. Very rarely if ever have I declined an invitation to ride in Sewanee so the decision was easy for me, all I had to do was comit to going, wake up the next morning do some work around the house, get all of my stuff together, and casually mention my departure and expected time of return to La Jefa as if I already had permission. A brilliant plan that actually worked.

Three minutes before our departure our group of four dwindled to three so it ended up being Turner, R.D., and myself. We have been having a bunch of rain and Sewanee's soil really has a lot of sand content so while the creeks were full and flowing the trail was just perfect with the exception of occasionally being very leafy.


A non-action shot expertly captured by my camera.


This qualifies as an action shot because R.D.'s drive train operated (or didn't operatae) in a manner that required him to ride in his big ring all day.

It was nice getting out for a ride even though the wind was howling at about 3000 mph and the temperature was a balmy 48F. Sometimes my favorite part of riding is knowing it will end soon.


A quick change back into civilian attire and then we were off to Shenanigans for my own unique form of recovery. A vegetarian sub sandwich and a Fat Tire Amber Ale.

Bicicletas montanas, Cervezas y servicio

This past week I managed to get in two rides. First was a ride con mi amigo Alberto with some beers afterwards.


Alberto was sporting some new winter riding gear and dancing on the pedals of his still new Yeti 575. We both aquired our 575's at the exact same time but mine seems to be showing more signs of wear and is in dire need of some attention.



I needed to remove the shock to get a years worth of grime and build up clean before my linkage took on the appearance of an old farm implement.



If you look in the background, somehow more in focus than what I was focusing on, is the beginning stages of my XTR single speed crank. If I could just get my bottom bracket I would be set.



Alberto spends most of his year wearing spiked shoes, shin guards and a jersey with Chivas spelled out in big letters on it, while chasing a black and white ball around a big grassy field. The rest of the year he splits his time between tennis and mtbing. He drinks beer year round so that gives me enough excuse to put up with his other sports and the occasional mountain bike trip.

Like I said I rode twice during the work week and the second ride was a lunch hour road ride. I really don't like riding the road much and especially don't like riding a short one hour ride on a small loop. But the trails were soaked and it was better than not riding at all.

This weekend should offer some good riding if early Christmas stuff doesn't get in the way, but somehow I think it will.

Ignorance is Bliss

You know how you can ignore a problem it's supposed to just go away. This particular method of ignorance have never really worked out well for me. In stark contrast however, other methods of ignorance have worked quite well for me. More on that another time. Take the letter from the IRS that I really didn't take the time to read and fully understand. I just ignored it, thinking it would just go away but instead resulted in a huge debit in my business account. Dammit! The slightly squealing brakes on my truck that signifies it's time for new pads were ignored long enough for me to require new pads and new rotors. Ouch! The rear tire that had lost some knobs and loses all of its air between rides the one that I can see the dry rot from ten feet away was ignored until it came to pieces on the section of trail farthest from anything requiring a lengthy hike out. Yeah that sucked!




Similar has been the case with my back pain. I have been seeing a Chiropractor for three years with some results when I really was hurting. However last March I injured my back again but not as bad, I just felt like it would just go away. It did go away and manifested itself into severe pain radiating down into my left buttock, hip, and calf. Damn if this didn't hurt. It was extremely uncomfortable to bend over, sit, stand or lay in bed certain ways (like the way that is the most comfortable for sleeping). About the only time it didn't hurt is when I was riding. Huh. Well if I can ride, I must be okay, just ignore it and it will go away like all of my other problems. It hasn't worked in the past but it will probably work this time. WRONG! It just actually got to the point where I couldn't sit in a car to drive, or sit anywhere for that matter, couldn't sleep, or walk and oh my God it got to where I was in so much pain on the left side of my body I couldn't ride. Well this spurred me to action. I went to an Orthopedic, received a diagnosis in 2.37 minutes (the Dr. was able to do this without any dialogue from me whatsoever) and a prescribed course of treatment. Not quite worthy of my BC/BS $30 co pay. Since this kinda pissed my off I chose to ignore his diagnosis and coarse of treatment as arrogant and not beneficial to my very important quest to kick ass as an aging, nearly bald, mid pack, single speed phenom.

So I went about in ignorant, but painful bliss. Until now. I just couldn't stand the pain or ignorance or I don't know what but I finally took action and got a MRI. the results, two heriniated dics, one as the doctor put it, is severe. See example below:




That very day the good doctor sent me to the hospital where a nurse made me wear a funny robe and put an I.V. in my arm. Eventually I was administered something that made me see double for a few minutes and then I came around and my mom was there staring at me. Thank God for mom. From what I have been told, I recieved an epidural injection of cortisone into the disc area of the spine which has made the pain almost go away. This doesn't fix the problem it just makes it go away for a while. But for now I am in a lot less pain.

Into the Mild

Just prior to celebrating the National Indians Losing their Land to Us Thursday, I loaded up the family (well 75% of the family, La Jefa, The Little Man, and myself, no Midasdog) to head over to Bankhead National Forest. I have some pics of our eventual 'hike' in the woods, but first a quick detail of the day:

Awake at 6:00AM

Shower, eat breakfast, tinker around until 7:00AM

Load car with 1 Chariot, 2 bikes, 2 bags of adult clothing and 5 bags of miscellaneous food, drinks, sippy cups, diapers, toys, baby wipes, camera stuff, etc.
This takes until 10:00AM

We leave for the forest. We make one stop in Wren, AL at the only place to stop in Wren, AL. Everyone we see, men, ladies and especially the children is adorned in camouflage. Ah-oh. Do they allow hunting in Bankhead? Yeah what else ya gonna do in the woods? This makes us a little uneasy. But we forge ahead and get to where we are going to begin our adventure. It is now 12:30PM.

We decide to just hike a little with the Little Man. We 'hike' until 1:15PM; turn around and head back and arrive back at the trail head around 2:00PM. We traveled approximately 1/2 mile. Pretty good with a 2 yr old. Mind you he was hiking on his own, not in the marsupial fashion that most toddlers and infants are used to.

We then drove to a different trail head in the forest and began another sort of hike. The only difference is this trail head required a $3.00 fee. We really didn't get our monies worth so the forest will owe us next time. We finished up around 3:00PM and headed for home.

Back Home at 5:00PM and unloaded by 6:00PM.

For those of you tabulating, that's:

~3 hrs loading, packing/unloading

~4.5 hrs driving

~2 hrs 'hiking' read: walking, stopping, falling down (the Little Man, not us), taking pics

We didn't hook The Chariot to the Niner and ride old abandoned forest roads like we had planned, but we spent the whole day together as a family and that's what we intended to do. Maybe we will be better prepared for adventure next time, actually map out a route and ride, maybe we won't, but we will enjoy the day just the same.


Hey! what are you doing way up there?


The Little Man.....kickin it up the trail.


Uh-oh.



Can I take this home?


There maybe more hiking, walking, driving or activities other than riding in my immediate future. I have had back problems for some time now but for the last nine months my left leg has been alternating between pain and numbness. I have been seeing a chiropractor for a while and am now beyond his help. I saw a rude, know it all, I don't have time for your problems, orthopedic surgeon both this summer whose course of treatment I chose not to pursue unless absolutely necessary. I am now seeing a non-surgical orthopedic and have gotten a MRI. I will get the results today. Hopefully there is a solution that will allow me to continue to ride and begin to heal at the same time.

Recent Pics, and a Big Surprise from Armstrong

Below are some recent ride pics from Monte Sano State Park. Click the pic, it will get bigger.



Two Turners, one fully suspended and the other showing a sly smile. The suspension comes from Fox and Push Industries and the sly smile from sneaking away from work and riding a not so secret 'Secret Trail'.



You know the old adage; It's hard to see the forest for the.......power lines.


The Tang Flavored Niner. Yeah, the trail is a little leafy.



The views are nice on the south side of the mountain. It is always a little warmer in winter on this section of trail.



Climbing out just before dark. After we got back up to the road there was enough daylight on the west side of the mountain to loop around High Trail on the the Land Trust Property.


Lance, Lance, Lance and more Lance..........



Lance was heard saying on the newest soap opera titled...'As the World Turns around Lance'........I'm going to, maybe I want, I don't know, do ya think I should, I kinda like racing, pay attention to me cause I might change my mind, the French don't like me and they don't play fair, who should I date next, yeah...I guess I will race in the Tour de France after all. But I may be too tired from the Giro to want to win, or maybe I want be too tired from the Giro, or maybe I won't try to win the Giro, or maybe I will wait and announce something later next month. This is getting exciting.

More Pictures, Less Second Grade Prose

As promised, some pics from the Cavaliere's visit. Click on the image for enhanced viewing.

'Team Cavaliere' on the trails at Raccoon Mountain. (Note: This pic looks grainy but it's not, that is just how misty it was. (Photo: Becky)


From left to right, the 'Director Sportif' from Mountain Mist Cycling and the sole 'Domestique' from Team Cavaliere.


The view from the overlook at Monte Sano State Park. (Photo: Becky)


Becky did a great job timing this pic as I was able to keep the front wheel off the ground for .00002 seconds.


Are we just going to ride around in this parking lot all day? I got some big wheels on my Specialized I want to roll over some rocks. (Photo: Becky)

In other Cycling News from less important parts of the world.........It appears that 4 days of suffering in the mud, heat, humidity and oddly enough the cold is not enough for the organisers at La Ruta de los Conqustadores. In order to reduce the events carbon footprint they feel it is necessary to add another day to the fun. The good, the organizers are doing away with more of the paved riding in favor of more off road, which in Costa Rica means craggly dirt roads that have the same profile as the graph of my sock portfolio. The bad, you are still chasing a bunch of Ticos and World Cup pros around in the steamy jungle only to pedal up to frigid altitudes at around 11,000 ft and then down the the steamy jungle and then back up again for multiple days on end. If this sounds like your cup of mate' then grab one of the 300 spots available and have fun.

Team Cavaliere 'Stage 2'

After a raucous night of merriment and an intense Scrabble competition (La Jefa won again) we awoke to a drizzly, foggy Saturday morning. The same as the day before and the day before that with the exception of this day it was about 32 degrees. No one was too eager to venture out into the slop so we had a leisurely breakfast, some of the crew took naps, and eventually around 2:30 in the afternoon we rode the 3.5 minute pedal to the trails.

The trails were covered in wet leaves so it made the riding interesting. The top trail was, to say the least, slick in spots, as the hard pack soil now wore a greasy toupee of leaves over its shiny scalp. Every turn that I am used to slamming into with reckless abandon now required something I shun in all but the most dire circumstances, concentration. The trails are not only visually different this time of year it is almost a different type of riding. having four distinctly different seasons as we do here really keeps one from becoming bored with riding, even when riding the same trails over and over. The same trail can take on four or more very different characteristics through the year. For those of you that don't ride all year long you are really missing out on something.

After riding the top we dropped down a little and rode Mountain Mist. For those who don't know Mountain Mist is a rocky trail, very rocky in some places. Riding it in these conditions was like riding on a bunch of bowling balls washed in a bath of Pedros Ice Wax without being able to see the greasy spheres. After this circus we rode thru the sinks and out to the closed road for another loop on the campground trail before heading home just about dark. A good ride for a dismal day.

Becky and Rich have some pics, if they send them to me I will post them.

Team Cavaliere 'Stage 1'

After my anaerobic Tour de France-ish sprint up the road I was still ten minutes late for our scheduled rendezvous at high noon. Soon my breathing became less labored and we exchanged pleasantries... how's Charlotte?.....good......how's Huntsville, La Jefa, and the Little Man?.... good, great everything is good....Let's ride! So it began from the East Overlook at high noon.

It didn't take long for all of us to realize the the riding was going to present the chance to work on some bike handling skills. The trail was wet, the rocks and roots were wet and slippery, as if that is not enough all of this was hidden by a thick coating of soaking wet leaves. Yes, this is going to be interesting. Given these conditions we started off slower than we would have if we would have been able to see the trail or any of it's hidden surprises. We took the loop all the way around the lake by passing "The Small Intestine" on our first go. Rich was the first to stack it when his bike washed out from under him on a very sketchy rock section. And just when we were almost back to the parking lot Becky decided that Rich would not be the only one to get his uniform dirty and have a story to tell so she decided to perform the same stunt only with a log crossing. Upon arriving back at the parking lot Becky had logged us in at ~16.5 miles. Everyone wanted more.

We decided to ride back out and pick up "Small Intestine" and come back on the trail a different way. Well "Small Intestine" delivered as it should offering up several more miles but all in about a 10 sq. ft. area. The only flaw in the many miles of trail at Raccoon Mountain is evident on this trail. At one point there is a tight switchback on very little slope which is a mere two feet from another section of trail. If you go into the switchback a little hot, which you will, and there are leaves on the ground, there will be, it's a forest, you are quite likely to just keep going onto the other section of trail. This in turn will bring you back to the same switch back again, which will be like the part in the Blair Witch Project where you just keep passing the same place over and over again and can not make any progress and are eventually attacked, gored to death and then eaten by a ravenous deer. Anyway I alerted Becky and Rich to the sharp left turn and obviously saved them from being lost and possibly eaten in the woods. We eventually finished up the trail that looks like a bowl of spaghetti on a map or I guess it could be construed as diagram of a part of the human digestive tract either way we were done with it. On the way back we took a different section of trail that just happens to have a log ride on it. Fun. Yeah, a ton o fun if you have the skills. It didn't take long for me to start loosing a little blood from my lack of skill on wet slippery things you ride above ground. So there we all have hit the ground or in my case a log skinny and then the ground, so we can go home now. We ended up with ~24 miles finishing around 3:30 or so. Not bad for a day in November with a forecast 80 percent chance of rain. Let it be known if there is ever a decision to ride or not ride.....Pedal Damit.

I forgot to mention yesterday that La Ruta de Los Conquistadores finished up on Saturday. Cycling News has some bland and to the point coverage of it here.

Team Cavaliere 'Prologue'

Friday I got up early, looked outside into the damp, foggy landscape with a certain gleam in my eye that could only mean one thing.....I would be riding today and not working. Not that I dislike work, I like my job, I just like riding better. I felt so good about not having to go to work I went anyway. Funny how not having to do something makes it seem much less of a chore, so I put in about 45 minutes of "working for the man" time just prior to my sojourn to Raccoon Mountain. With a little bit of work behind me I set off to begin my weekend.

Yes, Friday was the first day of a long weekend of riding that would put me back in some semblance of shape in a mere three days. Yes, that's right, the three day training plan. The three day training plan, in case you are not aware, is the staple of the weekend warriors pursuit of mythical cycling performance. Here's how it works (or doesn't work), big race coming up, knock off early on the Friday the week prior to the race and ride like hell Friday thru Sunday and even squeeze in a mid-week recovery ride to make sure you are in top form to finish mid-pack in the Sport class. Then make a promise to yourself to actually do more or at least some training or riding (is there a difference?) so you will podium and possibly win a Maxxis Ardent 29er tire.

For more training tips consult someone who is a coach or at least actually trains. Now back to the riding.

I arrived early for our high noon rendezvous at Raccoon Mountain so I decided to suit up and go for a spin. The weather was very misty, or foggy, or whatever you want to call it when it is soaking wet outside but not raining. However the temperature was a balmy 64 degrees as I started to pedal out of the parking lot. I pointed the Tang Flavored Niner down a familiar albeit leafy trail from the East Overlook for a very fun start to my weekend of riding. After a while I decided I should go back to meet up with Team Cavaliere as this was there first taste of riding in this area and I did not want them to wander off where they might be prone to attack by the vicious deer that roam this mountain. I popped up on the road and started to head back until I discovered a new trail. Well, I didn't discover it in a Lewis and Clark sense, but rather saw a trail that someone has made and adorned with signage providing useful information like mileage, difficulty, a name, etc. So not exactly a discovery as much as a "oh look at this". It seems when I go to Raccoon Mountain I am almost always greeted with a new section of trail or in this case a new to me trail, or some new trail feature. SORBA Chattanooga is really working hard to fulfill their commitment to building 100 miles of trail within some predetermined distance of Chattanooga proper by circa 2010.

After having such a great time riding this newly discovered winding ribbon of leaves, pine needles and sand that headed in the opposite direction of our predetermined meeting location it was time to navigate back. As it was already time for us to meet at the East Overlook I needed a quick way back. Lucky for me there is a road that circumnavigates the big water filled hole in the ground that generates the electricity that keeps the bass bumping into the wee hours of the morning in big cities like Miami. When I finally made it back to the overlook breathing hard from my anaerobic road effort, "Team Cavaliere" was in full kit, staring at the map on the kiosk and obviously ready to ride.

Day 1 riding report, and maybe some pics, tomorrow.

Global Economic Crisis.....Fixed

All right, I am growing weary of hearing about it and reading about it and you are too. Recession, deflation, slowing economy, credit crisis, global economic crisis, blah blah blah.

If we would all just spend some money and quit whining maybe, just maybe everything would improve. But just in case you take my advice and spend like the worlds economy depends on it, and things don't turn out as rosy as you would like, you can always count on an ass saving through bankruptcy or a governmental bailout. So go ahead and spend, consume, or as Bush would like to call it stimulate, let's see what happens. As the saying goes "put your money where your mouth is" we will get this thing started off with me.

In order to, ah hum... self stimulate the economy, I vow to purchase the following or something similar, or nothing at all if La Jefa gets wind of any planned purchases:

1. A new hitch mount rack for my "Official Mountain Biking Use Only" vehicle.



+

Why yes, that is a Thule 916 - T2 on the ass end of my vehicle.

2. A Shimano M970 Crankset. Now this is the ultimate in consumerism. Why you ask? For two reasons, 1. I already own one on a geared bike, and B. I don't need two of the rings or the bottom bracket it comes with. (you'll find out why, keep reading)



Yes, I will be turning this carbon composite, titanium toothed, 7075 aluminum, piece of Sushi Engineering, into a SS crank. Actually, now that I think about it, I will not be using any of the rings. Huh. Extra points for extra consumption!

3. Given the fact I am buying the M970 Shimano Crank to use as a single speed, I have the opportunity to purchase a Blackspire Single Speed Ring.



This is where I earn the extra points for extra consumption.

4. In a double edged sword type effort to simultaneously bolster the economy and bling out the Tang Flavored Niner, I have, in sloooooow, tortoise like transit from the Pacific Northwest, a color appropriate Chris King Bottom Bracket.



Arguably the most interesting and anticipated component at Interbike this year. And in spirit of the true grit that built America (consumerism), I have got to have one.

5. In order to spread the love beyond the bicycle retailing community, I will also one day soon, pawn "The Little Man" off on an able bodied grandparent and take La Jefa on an overnight jaunt to a big city nearby. There it is almost certain that we will dine on scrumptious vegetarian food, sip fine wine, guzzle ale, and otherwise do our families part in stimulating this flaccid economy.

Now if everyone else will come up with at least five ways they can monetarily consume, and I mean over and beyond the required Christmas purchases, we, as pampered, selfish, lazy Americans can turn this whole GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS around. I and the rest of the world thank you and every other "gotta have that" American.

Super Swanky

The Swank 65 was held this past Sunday. I have always wanted to do this race but have never felt good about my fitness level at this point in the year. This year is no exception. I am already up to my winter weight of 169 lbs and it's not even Thanksgiving. Time to start riding more, eating less while still consuming an appropriate amount of ale.

This weekend will be an opportunity to get in a lot of riding. Our friends Becky and Rich are making the drive from Charlotte to sample some of our local single track. They have not paid a visit since their co-ed team performance at Dirt, Sweat and Gears.



Rich is happy because he thinks his first lap is almost over, but soon the trail shoots right back into the woods for more climbing.

It will also be Becky and Rich's first visit to our new to us, partially renovated, still sort of a construction zone house.



How inviting! We are going for the quaint, bed and breakfast feel. I think we have it.

Our weekend will begin on Friday where we will meet at Raccoon Mountain where we will begin our weekend of riding and extracurriculars. Saturday after a fantastic breakfast (lovingly and willingly prepared by La Jefa) we will ride the leaf trails or more appropriately rocks hidden by leaves of Monte Sano. When the leaves first fall and cover wet mossy rock it can be like riding on greased bowling balls. It will be a great opportunity to work on some technical skills, or practice falling which is how I work on my technical skills.

Passing on your left Paola!

Well it has been a while since the mountain biking world has had a female that posseses the looks and the hammer down ablility that Paola Pezzo has. She has that feminine quality that is oh so nice and she will rip your legs off and beat you with them on any given ride. That's what you want in a female mountain biker, sexy bad assness........


I won't bore you with all of Paola's accolades, you can look that up for yourself if you are interested, but I would like to mention that she won gold in the first ever olympic mountain bike event.



Since Paola there really has not been a cross country female sex symbol. There have been some that are attractive and some that can really ride and are totally dedicated to the sport, but none have had it all put together like Paola, until now. Oh yeah, check out Ergon sponsored rider Irina Kalentieva.........



And this little Russian not only looks good.............




she can ride too................



One more pic of Irina for your approval..........



Click it and look close so you can see the ergon pack in the back ground. Great marketing Ergon!

Yes, this post is about cycling. both of these women are professional mountain bike racers for God's sake. They are as good for the sport as Lance, more fun than Lance and much more appealing. No offense Lance.

Back to more cycling discussion manana.

It's raining, it's pouring, this post is so damn boring.......

Well it happened as I knew it would. That Mr. Bluebird that has been sitting on my shoulder for almost a week has finally flown off. It's raining, and is expected to continue to rain most of the day. Slow at work and no riding to be had. All I can do is sit and think of warmer, sunshine filled, smiley faced days.........



I know I promised toady to reveal my riding plans for the weekend but as they are still up in the air you will have to wait. Check back on Monday for a full report of what is gearing up to be a very unexciting, eventless, normal type weekend. I hope you have the same.

Rambling in the Woods

Yesterday "Wild Bill" and I made our post election, good weather for riding, sick of working pilgrimage to Sewannee, TN for a ride in the woods. The weather was so good it was almost depressing to think that it will not be this nice again for probably 6 months. I am glad that we took the opportunity to take advantage of it.

A nice view from the Perimeter Trail


"Wild Bill" logging some air time at the Forestry Cabin.



Me



Post ride libations at Lake Chester. Guess what kind of ale we are enjoying and you win something of nominal value to be determined later and awarded probably never.



After we had our post ride beverages we went into town to Shenanigans, grabbed one more Fat Tire and sauntered over to Woody's to talk about bikes and riding. Woddy has one of the coolest bike shops I have ever been to and is in a great location for riding, eating and of course consumption of premium ales.

Check in tomorrow as I will reveal weekend riding plans. Doesn't it just make you tingle with anticipation?

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep! We interupt this marriage to bring you Fall MTBing!

What a beautiful day for a new president, the weather here could not be better. Considering the newness of the president and the beautiful, perfect mtbing weather I think I should go for a mid-week ride in the woods. It just so happens that one of my jobs is geographically positioned about 30 mins from one of my favorite places to ride in the woods, Sewanee, TN. Check out La Jefa riding the skinny, kinda reminds you of stunts in B.C. Well....maybe not.


Here is a tasty sample of Sewannee's smooth single track in the early spring.

Obligatory group photo from our early spring outing with the ladies.




Just so I don't have to go enjoy the riding all by myself I have persuaded "Wild Bill" to join me in truancy. Our plan is to meet in Scottsboro, about 11:00, start riding at 12:00, and begin drinking Fat Tire Amber Ale at Shenanigans at about 4:00. Sounds like a great afternoon of post election news fasting. Full report on the riding and extracurriculars tomorrow.

One last thing this morning. In the spirit of "Change" I have decided to ride the Big Squishy Geared Yeti today. Should be a fun, comfortable ride and a nice change from the hardtail, one geared Tang Flavored Niner.



Hasta manana.

Vote for Good Weather

Saturday, was a single speed ride aboard the Tang Flavored Niner on my back yard trails of Monte Sano Mountain. It kicks ass to live 8 minutes from downtown by car or bike and be less than 3 minutes by bike to over 3o miles of rock strewn singletrack. My ride Saturday went House>Obsrvatory Trail>Top Trail>Goat Trail>Keith's Trail>Stone Cuts>Logan Pt. Trail>Stone Cuts Bypass>Sinks Trail>Mountain Mist Trail>Closed Road>Observatory>Home. A really nice ride and great weather for riding, a perfect day in fact until I returned home to begin the debacle you read about in yesterday's post.



Sunday I was given permission from La Jefa to road trip it to Raccoon Mountain. I could not get anyone else to take interest in traveling short 1.25 hrs north and east to ride these flowing ribbons of dirt and stone that make even hardcore tattooed mountain bikers all giddy like little school girls. So I traveled solo and the company was as good as the riding and the views. Look at the view from the east overlook parking area.

And another view of the City of Chattanooga.

SORBA Chattanooga has really done a great job partnering with TVA to build these trails and provide a really great trail system. Read more about the Raccoon Mountain Pumped-Storage Plant here. And if you go, definitely go the the visitor center, it has a model of how the whole system works just so you know whats going on where you play.

If you are the sort that likes full face helmets, pads, heavy metal and big squishy bikes with brake rotors the size of man hole covers (political correction: person hole covers) Raccoon Mountain now has something for you. Clicky makes biggie.

That's almost as scary as the WARNING at the beginning to Slick rock trail in Moab.

Notice my "Devil may care" attitude on World Famous Slick Rock Trail below.

(pic circa 2004)

Sorry to veer off topic, back to Sunday's ride. The weather was absolutely perfect, sunny, dry, low humidity, no wind and 68 to 70 degrees. Who do we have to vote for to get some more of this weather in the Southeast? Speak up candidates, promise me some good weather and you have my vote. Seriously, all you have to do is promise, no one really expects any elected official to really do what they say especially me the small business owner. Alright, now I am really going back to cycling discussion. I rode all of the single track for normal people and and even some of the "Free Ride" area, and had a blast. I could have had more fun at the free riding if I were not riding a singlespeed hardtail with not quite 80mm on the front. But that set up is perfect for 98.735% of the trail at Raccoon Mountain. Another view from the mountain looking West off a trail named Small Intestine.

I guess they named it Small Intestine because if you go down it the right way everything is nice, flowy and smooth, but if you go about it the other way it a lot less fun. Or it could get it's name from the fact that they packed about a gazillion linear miles of trail into roughly two square feet of forest. I don't know. Maybe TVA knows, they know lots about power, generation power and selling and charging for power. This whole recreation thing is kinda new to them, really it is, they want us to think otherwise but they have not always been the best stewards of our land.

The rest of the trail system gives you the impression of actually going somewhere, like circumnavigating the top of a mountain, which is actually what you do if you ride the whole trail. There is a little something for everyone in this trail network, you can ride the road around the lake to get to the easier or more difficult sections of the trail or your favorite sections of trail, or do like I do ride the whole thing and then go back over the parts you want to ride again. Oh deer, what is that?



I gotta start carrying a gun, that wild animal could have attacked at any time.