The shakedown

This weekend was the first of what I hope to be many bikepacking trips. Marc met me at my house after I work (of course I got out late b/c it was a gorgeous day and everyone wanted to get a new bike) and we loaded up our new-ish frame bags and backpacks with all the clothing, food, gear and tools we thought we would need for our bike adventure. I got dressed and finished packing and we were on the road by 7:30.

After a short road ride, some dirt road and double track, it was on to our favorite local trail. The stats are as follows: 5 miles, 54 LOW sap lines (added this spring) and 1,400 ft of climbing to a beautiful view.

Although, when you arrive at 9:30 at night, the view looks like this:

We set up camp, cooked dinner and went to bed quickly. I was pretty beat from 3 hours of riding Friday, 3 hours of trail work Saturday morning and then 6 hours of work before we left. I crawled into my bivy and bag and was out pretty quick.

The night was mostly uneventful. The rain that had been threatening held off, and the only thing that woke me was the wind, which picked up so much during the night I thought my bike might get blown off the cliff. I think next time I will bring some small earplugs and a better pillow, and my sleep system should be ready to go.

We packed up after a lunch of granola bars and water. Neither of us wanted to spend time cooking oatmeal or coffee. I was up at 7, and we were packed and ready to go by 7:45

The 15 minute downhill got our blood going and lifted our spirits enough that we convinced ourselves to forego the bakery stop and ride for the morning. We rode 4 miles of dirt and pavement to the next favorite trail system, Sleepy Hollow. This climb was another 1,200 feet of climbing to another killer view (it is much better w/out the stocky redhead)

This pic was taken at the cabin that Sleepy rents out to people who want to hike or bike up and spend the night in comfort. The main reason it was on our list was for the facilities.

It isn't five star, but having a place to sit and fresh TP made the morning if you ask me. The other highlight is the ripping downhill from the cabin to the next section. Marc and I cruised down and hit another dirt road and had to make a decision. We could continue on to another trail system just a quarter mile away, or head back on pavement and river trail to get home and eat a late breakfast/early lunch. It was about 10:30, and since we had a 20 mile ride home and I had to pick up my wife at the airport at 12:30, we opted to head home. Overall, it was a good first ride with weighted bags and full sleep set up. It was also nice to find out how I would feel riding for a while after sleeping outside. Everything went as well as could be expected, although now I just have to figure out how it will feel on my singlespeed when I get my frame back.

Say no to crack.

The riding in the good ol' green mountains has been incredible lately. Trails are dry, it is too cold for the skeeters and flies, and the leaves get caught in between your wheels and frame and make the cool engine sounds. The trails are in such good shape that they are almost too dry, with berms crumbling and people asking for just one day of rain to get the dirt nice and tacky (and also to get a rest day, lots of tired legs)

No matter what happens with the weather, tomorrow is a mandatory rest day for me. Went for a quick 2 hour ride that ended earlier than I had planned. I started from my house, spun the 4 miles to the trailhead, and then began the nice, techy 35 minute climb to the top of a ridge. Once on top of the ridge, the trail follows the spine of the ridge for another 30 minutes to a cliff, then descends down a 15 minute downhill that never fails to put a smile on my face. That was the plan until this happened.

<<<<<

So, on the way up I heard something that sounded like a creaky headset. My headset is old, so I thought nothing of it. I kept hearing it and was getting annoyed, but I made it to the top and got off my bike to take a leak. When I returned, I brushed the mud off of my down tube and felt a slight rise. Not good. The crack was about halfway through the tube, and I luckily found it before the gnarly descent at the end of the trail. I walked the bike down the hill and called Aliza to come and get me. Now I get to call the company and see what we can do about a new single speed frame............

Sunday Surprise

Got out to ride this Sunday all by myself. Tried to set up rides with three different people but nothing panned out. So, I got on my bike and headed to a place I had never ridden before, and I was pleasantly surprised. There was everything I look for in a good ride: rocks, roots, hills, and fun downhill. It also gave me a new spot to go and camp that is close to home.

How did I happen on upon such an oasis, you ask? Well, it all started last summer. I packed up to ride my bike to NH to visit family, and since I was going to be out over night and on lots of sketchy back/forest/snowmobile trail roads my wife wanted me to wear my road ID. I don't usually because it isn't comfortable and it doesn't fit my fat little wrists right. Apparently, it fell off not 3 miles from my house. It was found by the gentleman who maintains the trails that I found. I stopped by his house to pick up the ID, and his wife not only invited me to ride the trails in their backyard, but also to the party they were having that night. I politely declined the dinner, but I couldn't pass up the chance to ride new trails. So, about eight months later, I decided it was time to explore.

The fun climb up.

And the view from the top.

There is a lot of potential up there, but I think that it is going to remain low key. That will keep all the riff-raff out.