It’s Been a While

I haven’t had much time to blog, and to be quite honest I really haven’t had anything worthy of sharing (not that it’s stopped me before.)  I’m still having a little knee issue, and even though my injury is improving it’s taking a long time.  So, that means I haven’t been riding much.  I wanted to change that this past weekend.

I was trying to do a fun urban/cruising ride down in Myrtle Beach on Saturday, but working late Friday night meant that I didn’t really have the time to drive down to stay with our Charleston friends (where Little Miss Sunshine was waiting.)  She talked me out of trying to drive down to meet everyone at 9:30 a.m. in Myrtle Beach, so after sleeping in a little Saturday morning I woke up with nothing to do.

I didn’t feel like heading to the hills (alone since I no haz friends), so I started going over local options.  I limited it to really close trails, but I didn’t want to be bored to death.  I almost settled on Sherman Branch, but then I remembered Rocky River Trail.

Technically challenging, tough climbs, and the ability to make the ride as short or as long as you want.  That was perfect for the ride I thought I wanted.  Plus, being alone meant that I could stop and take pictures whenever I want.  Like when I see critters.

You have goat to be kidding me.

Since I hadn’t been riding much lately, the climbs were HARD.  My knee felt good though, so I just pushed through the pain in my lungs and my barely used leg muscles.  Luckily, there are downhills.

With every downhill, there seemed to be a climb.  Despite the sign reminding me that I had a choice of places to ride, I didn’t regret my decision.

One of the neatest features out there is the viaduct, which aside from being fun to ride is pretty amazing to see.

It wasn’t all fun and games though.  Towards the end of the ride, I was pooped.   On one of the final climbs when I stood up to mash, my wheel slipped out from underneath me and I took a tumble.

Ouch.

I’d rather be out on my bike, so even though I busted my ass it was much better than just sitting on my ass.

And the crash wasn’t so bad.  Nothing was broken (me or the bike.)  With one climb to go, I was feeling like I made the right choice.  Nearing the top, I recognized a foul stench that nearly made me gag.  As I started to look around for a dead animal, I spotted something hanging on a tree.

I feel ya, my deer friend.

It was nice to be out.  Maybe I’ll do it again.