The past two weeks all started with a mega road trip down to Baton Rogue, LA for AHawkins' wedding. Rolled the 15 hour drive with Scott, Matt, and Lara. It was good to get some key players from our old group together to go and see Andrew. It was great seeing the fellow. He seems to be doing well down in the flat lands of Cajun country.
Alll night drive...
Spent some good time with Drew at the rehearsal dinner, and breakfast the following day.
The view from our hotel room.
The trip was pretty rough on me and I spent the better part of the week under the weather. However, I made a recovery, and got in a good warm up, exploratory ride at Sherando with Scottbot on Saturday. I was still feeling sluggish and tired, Scott was putting the hurt on my on the climbs. The weather was amazing and I was glad to be riding, and not in the house sick.The ride really helped, and it suuure came at the right time.
My HiFi is so happy on the trails in the backcountry.
The view of the Priest from Bald Mountain.
I like finding benchmarks
...Because later that night, a big crew of my great friends from West Virginia came down to visit for a long weekend to do some riding. Jeremy, Josh, Robbie, and Chad all rolled in Saturday night and the "funtime" ensued. Sunday we cruised on up to Smokehole, WV to get on the big IMBA "Save The North Fork" awareness ride on the North Fork trail. I had yet to have the pleasure of riding the North Fork and it was an amazing day. The ride only touched on a bit of the ridge, riding only the northern section, but it was plenty amazing.
Big turn out on the IMBA North Fork ride.
My riding comfort, and legs came back to me on the North Fork and I was feeling gooooood!
So spectacular
Robbie and Jeremy peer into the grand view below!
There is a large push to designate this area as Wilderness, which would prevent bicycle access to the North Fork Mountain Trail. The ridge riding is so much fun, and the views are simply spectacular. It would be a real shame to lose this area to bicycle access. More information on the North Fork Trail and the Wilderness possibility can be found at
SAVETHENORTHFORK.
Chris Scott also has some good info on his blog as well. Give the North Fork Trail a ride, I can't wait to get back. Here is some info from
IMBA on what you can do to help protect this wonderful area of WV.
A great time chilling with some good friends on a high rock outcropping. You can't beat a big fun ride with some really good friends.
Chad enjoyed the final sections of the trail
Robbie was excited about his North Fork ride
We rode the loop from the Redman Run Trailhead North to the end and back on the road.
Wheelie contests of course...
Some chill time by the beautiful South Branch of the Potomac after the ride.
Monday I took Josh and Jeremy up on the big Elliott's Knob to Chimney Hollow ride!
The guys rocked out on the ride and the BIG mountain!
This monster dead tree fell sometime during the summer.
Checking out Deerfield Valley below us where we started!
Josh was stoked to be high up on the mountain.
The view from Ellliott's Knob was amazing. We had a looot of fun on the big ride with the great climbing and descents. Thanks for coming down guys! Great riding with ya.
Lemma passed her Dietitian's Exam! Woooo congrats Lem!
