Cold weather

The weather has been getting colder this month, and that has meant dragging out more layers.  I heard a recent saying that there isn't such thing as inclement weather, just inapproprite gear.  There is a lot of truth to that statement.  I have been bargain hunting on closeout winter weather gear, and now is a good time to stock up on things that you can use for a few months and then put away for next year.  

It has been raining here in WNC so the trails have been mush.  We have been riding the gravel roads to spin the legs.  Looks like this week the trails will be frozen, high on Friday to only reach 20 degrees.  


A winter race is coming up at Fontana Village, the Icycle Mountain Bike Event, January 31, 2009.  So for anyone wanting to test their winter fitness this is a good one.


 

Slate Rock Creek/Pilot Cove Trail

Today's ride was another page from the Off the Beaten Track book, page 74 to be exact! We drove up past Mills River Campground 6.8 or so miles and thought we had passed the Slate Rock trail about a mile back, so when we came to the next trail marked "Slate Rock" we stopped thinking we were at trail intersection number 2, come to find out later on our ride we weren't. We parked, unloaded and began up the trail we noticed that the creek was on our left he whole way up, which gave us our first clue that we were on a different trail. Nice trail, several "hike-a-bike" sections, as you can see. There were a few creek crossings and some points along the trail that if you fell to your left, you were just a goner. At the "top" of the climb, which is about 3 miles in, the trail forks. The Slate Rock trail is a blue blaze. The right fork of this trail was blazed blue with 2 blazes, and the left fork had one blue blaze, we chose to stay to the left. The left fork took us up to the Pilot Cove Loop Trail which was were we wanted to go, so a sigh of relief we made it. The fork in the blue blaze trail is not noted in the book.

We went on along the Pilot Cove Trail out to Slate Rock, all I can say is WOW, what a view and so worth all the "hike-a-bike" on the way up there. I mean can you believe that view! On the way out to the overlook the Slate Rock outcropping, the Mountain Laurel were in near full bloom and arching over the trail, ah, it was just heaven. This trail seems to be a pretty well used, and we rode it on a Monday and didn't see a soul. I definately know where I plan to bring my friends the next time they visit, I could have spent hours just sitting taking in the view. The trip down from Slate Rock on the Pilot Cove Trail was steep, the author warns you of this in the Off the Beaten Track book. I was expecting some really steep stuff, and it was in places. I got off and pushed a few times (never be ashamed to push!). We came back out on FS 1206 and turned left and headed back down the gravel road to our car. That trip was a little over a mile, but it was all downhill on gravel. If I had to do it over, I would go the same direction we went today. The trail was tough pushing in sections, but I would rather push uphill than downhill. The view is so worth it so if you get a chance and you are in the area try this ride out. Our ride time was 1 hour and 38 minutes and that was the time the bike was moving, we stopped several times. Our mileage was 7.4 miles.

Puttin' on the brakes

Well, we all know how important it is to be able to stop while riding, and there are two types of brakes out there, v-brakes and disc. I have bikes with both kinds in my stable and the simplicity of v-brakes is just zen. Although, the stopping power of disc brakes is just no comparison. One thing I have just recently noticed is different companies use different fluid for their hydraulic braking systems. Avid (SRAM) use dot 4 fluid which is some pretty nasty stuff that you definitely don't want to get on your skin and it requires using gloves for sure. Shimano products use mineral oil, a safe readily available product if you need to pick some up for a repair. Another thing to think about is how to change the disc pads. The Shimano seen in the picture can be changed from the opening on the top of the caliper, the Avid has to be removed fromt he caliper to change the pads, a little more work. I have Avid brakes on my bike, my husband uses Shimano and when the time comes I will probably be switching to Shimano as well, just for the safety of the fluid and so we will have like parts in case we need to buy replacement anything. If you are thinking about upgrading your hydraulic disc brake system on your bike, pay attention to the fluid it calls for and keep in mind that dot 4 fluid is not good to get on your skin and you have to buy it at either a bike shop of car repair store. Mineral oil on the other hand is not harsh and can even be swallowed so it isn't going to hurt a thing if you get it on your hands, it will only make them softer! :-)

Blogging made even easier!

Ok, I have now gone super geek and set up my phone so I can do some Mobile Blogging. So now when I am out on the trail I can snap a pic and send it straight to wncmtb.com. How cool is that? If any of you out there blog using Blogger you can set up a mobile account from the login main screen. After you set up your mobile blog you can then link it to the blog of your choice in Blogger. I am not sure how much I will use this feature because I hate texting anyway, I am really slow. But I will give it a shot to see how it works.

'tis the season for night riding

As the weather is warming up I walk out to my car in the afternoons and have to smile knowing that this summer I will be getting more time on the trails thanks to my purchase of a riding light. I have to admit I am a hot weather wimp, and yes, it does get hot in the WNC mountains in the summer. I know everyone has this idea in their head that "mountains = cool" well, most of the time that theory is correct, but we are heading into June, July and August and the air around Asheville just gets heavy. Night riding is fun. I have been a few times and I think what I like most about it is the freedom. I know that I will get done when I get back to the car and the only place I am headed is home. No stress, no clock watching, just enjoying the evening on the trails.. Ahhh, I am more relaxed just thinking about it. If you haven't given night riding a try you should. I know it has been my ticket to longer and more relaxing rides.

The Asheville Janes: 24 Solo

This sounds pretty cool and you just can't beat Asheville Pizza and Brewing! The Asheville Janes: 24 Solo

Upcoming summer events...

Summer in Western North Carolina is great, and here are two events coming up that our local Pisgah Area SORBA chapter is sponsoring a booth. If you are interested in volunteering be sure to contact them or just stop in and say "hi" and learn what great things they are doing for our local trails. Mountain Sports Festival May 30 - June 1, 2008 Carrier Park in Asheville, N.C. It will be three days of mountain sport events, demonstrations and entertainment for the entire family! The events offer an impressive race line-up to entice any pro or amateur athlete to test themselves in mountain sports. Races take place all weekend long in challenging and adventurous competitions. Events include Adventure Racing, Mountain Biking, Free Ride Competitions, Mountain Unicycling, Road Cycling, Paddling, Running, Disc Golf, Climbing, Skateboarding, Ultimate Frisbee, Dodgeball, Fire Fighter Combat Challenges, Iron Kids Events, Hula Hooping and others. Along with these events there will be free music. The bands participating are Green Light, Custard Pie, Jen and the Juice, Brushfire Stankgrass, Phil Barker, Barrel House Mamas, Ol' Hoopty, Strut, &; Tishamingo. So come and participate in the events, free clinics and demos. or just injoy the music and have a good ol' time. Bele Chere Festival July 25-27th, 2008 Asheville, N.C. Downtown Asheville Pisgah Area SORBA will, for the 3rd year be participating in this 2008 festival. We will be promoting mountain biking as well as being good stewards to the trails we love to ride. We hope you all can come out and support us at the booth or just drop by and say hi. VOLUNTEERS All members or nonmembers wishing to participate in any of the three days please let us know. Any time you can donate in this effort will be appreciated. Please contact or e-mail our Bele Chere Festival coordinator Tara Piper at tjaye3@yahoo.com.