Mountain Monologues II
(Right, Kay Lynn's license plate says it all. Bottom, I make a move on a black snake.)
Over 2 days, Kay Lynn and I did 85 miles of Shenandoah 100 course. The first day (55 miles) took over 7 hours and by the end I was toast. I ran out of water for the last hour, and though Kay Lynn shared hers, it really did not matter because I was over cooked and needed something much colder than what was left in her Camelback.
As we rode back to the car, I drifted back and flagged down two dudes in a truck and asked if they had cold water. “Nope, but I got a cold beer,” the driver said as he handed me a chilled unopened Natural Lite . I graciously accepted and figured they got paid with the entertainment of watching road kill coming back to life as I chugged it down. That nasty beer was so darn good and I was energized and even buzzed for 15 minutes. It was enough to get me over a couple of climbs.
I admire Kay Lynn’s skills and sure appreciate the hospitality. It was great to hang out with someone with lo
cal knowledge and local lodging.
Day 1: Ramsey’s-Braley loop first. Then Rt. 715/ 705 to FR 95 to FR 85. Chestnut Ridge back to FR 95 and Rt. 705/ 715 back to Braley Pond. 55 miles, one cooked rider, one flat, 7 hours. Sitings: turkeys, bear
Day 2: Stokesville up Narrowback climb to FR 101 to Briery Branch Road. Up that brutal Lynn trail, down Wolf Ridge and back. 30 miles, 4 hours. Sitings: bear, deer, black snake
9 comments:
Looks like lots of fun. Wish I could have been there with the both of you climbing and suffering. Maybe not to see the bear :) Best of luck to you at Shenandoah 100 and remember to have fun and make it to the end for all the rewards and good times. Talk to you again soon, it was great to talk to you the other night. B-Line
You forgot about the red-headed woodpecker siting!! You also forgot to mention how hard it is to change a flat-tire after 6 hours of riding:) And, lets not forget the sweet reward of cold beers on the screened-in porch with some delicious pizza! Oh yeah, the pain is definetely worth it!! I am certainly a mountain bike addict cuz "Pain is my cocaine" -MTB Chic
LIZ!!! What in the %#@& were you thinking trying to catch that SNAKE!?!?
Those things are killers, killers I tell you!
If I had even seen that snake I would have screamed like a 9 year old girl, pooped my pants and had a heart attack in that order. And there you are trying to catch it...aaaaarrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhgggggggggg!
My brother once told me he ran 18 miles and was on the home stretch when he came across a snake stretched across the whole road. He had to decide whether to jump it or run back. That would have been a 36 mile run for me. Stay away from those things.
joshua - I once turned around and rode 3 extra miles because one was just laying on the road. He wasn't going to move and I wasn't going to go around him so I went back and found a different way.
I'm getting the chills just thinking about snakes.
everyone sees bears, except me...
I have a winnie the pooh mouse pad so I guess that counts.
Best of Luck at the 100, I'll cheer for ya.
Lookin' like you'll be good and ready!
Best of luck up there.
Snakes aint nuthin' more than big worms with teeth
wow , awsome stuff ,can`t wait for part 3!!!!!!hope to make iron cross with ya`ll??????
The snake looked way too comfortable to be bothered by my pestering, really. I admit to knowing very little about snakes other than black snakes not being poisonous. I suppose that does not keep them from biting and that sure would have ruined the day. I should also admit that I was too blinded by sweat and tears to actually see the bears. Kay Lynn saw them both, I just heard them plop down from the trees.
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