Skills Without The Hills

Aside from watching cover bands and attending pump track opening ceremonies, I wanted to get out on my bike.  Slightly bored of cross country stuff due to all the “racing” I’ve been doing, I wanted to hit something different.  Since the Dirt Divas were having one of their skills clinics at Backyard Trail I thought, “I should go there and help.”

I like riding with the Divas, especially when they need us Dirt Dudes to help out.  There was a really good turnout of Divas (and sweaty dudes.)  We broke up into two groups and hit the trail.

Hubbs is not a Diva.

BYT is definitely my favorite place to ride here in Charlotte.  It’s different than most other trails in the area, and getting to spend time with the ladies to help with their skills is a bonus.  Everyone loves BYT it seems, like those Faster Mustache guys.

We actually saw lots of people out there for fun, but it wasn’t about them.  It was about helping the ladies and showing them a good time out on the trail.

My man Evan took the time to teach the ladies proper jumping techniques…

And they did their best to catch some big air too.

The best thing about BYT is the features, so having a skills clinic there makes sense.  That place is a difficult as you want to make it, and everyone can learn something.

Sandy shows us how to ride the big tree skinny.

It was a fun day, and I felt like it was the best way to spend time on the bike on a warm Saturday morning.  The ladies had fun, no one was (seriously) hurt, and there were smiles all day.

It’s not always about racing.  Sometimes you have to give back.  Yeah, even a selfish sumbitch like me.

Group Effort

 So yeah it was meeting day.  A few of us volunteers arrived at the venue early in the morning to setup, and like the saying goes, many hands make light work.  Before we knew it, people were registered and the meeting was underway.

 While the meeting went on, some of us participated, and the rest made sure everyone had plenty of food to eat and coffee/other stuff to drink.  It wasn’t bad work, and I was happy to see all of our volunteers come together to make sure the attendees had a good time.  It was all standard “meeting stuff”, but at one point we all headed outside to get the obligatory group shot to prove that we were there.

Photo credit:  Leslie from MTBProject

While we did “meeting stuff” a whole host of locals were down the road at Backyard Trail to get ready for the big group ride.  We had folks from our club and even the Faster Mustache guys helping out.  Once the meeting broke out, everyone started to head over to the trail to get their ride on.  A few of us stayed behind to make sure we cleaned and locked up the building, which meant that I missed the groups rolling out.  Good Guy Greg was with me, so when we finally hit the trail we decided to just ride with the first group we caught.

It didn’t take long, and we settled in.  We hit the Poo Tracks as one big group and it was interesting.  The out of towners had never seen such a thing, and they were laughing and having a great time.

It was difficult to maintain a steady pace with all those people trying to navigate the tricky tracks, so I just stood there and took photos.  In addition to the photo above, I found an old poo cart off in the bushes.

When our ride leader got a flat, I was suddenly in charge of our group.  I tried to hold us together, and being up front gave me moar opportunities to photograph the riders.

Dicky had lots of big air and gnar photos from his ride, but we had a little fun too.

We were losing daylight though, so we eventually started making our way out of there.  It was an awesome ride, and luckily I was able to see most of the other people out there on different parts of the trail.  Every single person had a big smile, even the ones that crashed (there were just a few.)  Our little hidden gem here in the sewer was well-liked by all, and I was proud that we got a chance to show it off.  Everyone had a great time it seemed, but the night wasn’t over yet. 

Once we got off the trail, I had to find beer for the after party.  Luckily, Big n' Buttery was unable to kick two kegs all by his lonesome…

Bicycle Sport was actually kind enough to donate those to us for the party.  We cannot haz party if we do not haz beer.  So thanks to them (and Big n' Buttery.)  The party was a success and everyone walked away with full bellies (courtesy of Lola’s.)  I did not take photos because I was busy making sure everyone had fun. 

They did.

Man, I was really nervous about our club hosting the SORBA Board of Directors meeting here in Charlotte.  I attended in Jacksonville last year and thought, “Hey, we should do that.”  We talked about it for a while, and before I knew it we’d been chosen to have everyone here in our town for this annual event.  Lots of folks came together from our area, including our board members, ride leaders, and local establishments, to make this a pretty fun time.

I are proud.

It Makes Me Sick

Don’t worry, this is not a bitch session.

I took some time to my self da udda day and went for a ride.  I had a few errands to run, but since I wasn’t working I knew I would get in a decent spin in the dirt.  I went to BYT, our local slice of not flowy/smooth/way too easy/built for beginners goodness.  It’s always a good way to clear my head, and challenging enough that I don’t get bored.

I started my ride, and I was feeling great.  Only a few minutes in, I found a friend out on the trail.

Yes, I saved another turtle.  I’m getting pretty good at it.

Other than my little shelled friend, I had the place to myself.  I was on Darth Maul (my rigid SS), so I felt every bump, rock, and root.  I enjoy that.  I jump a little on that bike, but I don’t do any of that crazy shit.

I’m not stupid.

Well, sometimes I am.  Not in this case though.

It was a great ride.  The rain held off until I finished, and I didn’t feel like I had overworked myself.  There was only one small issue…

I felt a little sick when I finished.

It started as a small sinus/cold type thingy after my BYT ride, and then it got worse.  Sunday’s trip to the hills was all I could take I guess, and I woke up early Monday morning feeling like complete shit.  In fact, I noticed it in the restaurant Sunday after our ride when I couldn’t seem to get warm.

Monday evening when I got home from work it hit me hard.  I got in the bed and covered up, with chills so bad that I could hardly stand it.  The little lady said, “Why do you get sick every time you ride BYT?”

I have no idea.

I can’t blame the trail, but it is kinda odd.  I’m sure that trail doesn’t make me sick, but my job does.  I know, I know, yours probably does too.  I work in a hospital though, and not close enough to patients and visitors to build up any kind of immunity.  I wash my hands often and all that, but lack of sleep, stress, who knows what else leaves me prime for catching whatever the hell is floating around in the re-circulated air I breathe at my desk every day.  I gotta get outside more.

I’ve gone home and done absolutely nothing for the last few nights after work, hoping not to overdo it while I get ready for the Jerdon Mountain Challenge this Saturday.  I should be taking it easy anyway, but doing nothing while my body fights off some kind of death virus is probably not the best way to prepare for a race.  I haven’t even felt like drinking beer.  That’s no way to get ready to ride my bike.

I don’t care how bad I feel on Saturday though.  I’m “racing.”  Sure, I run the risk of getting worse like the last time I got sick, but I won’t pass up a chance to ride my bike in the hills with two hundred of my closest friends and two-wheeled enthusiasts.  I’ll get up at 5:00 a.m., drive to Old Fort, saddle up, and get all Enduro™ in my weakened condition.

It should be fun if I don’t die out on the trail.

At least I didn’t sign up for ORAMM...

Group Effort

Sure, we took a trip up to the hills Saturday.  It was fun and all that, but I’m not getting into it right now.  Something way more important happened over the weekend, so I wanted to share it.

We’ve had a lot of shitty weather here in Charlotte lately.  A more than usual amount of rain has wreaked havoc on our local trails, of which an all volunteer workforce maintains.  Most people that ride around here don’t really do anything other than ride the trails, and they spend the rest of their time bitching about when the trails will open back up.  A few of us, instead of bitching about not being able to ride, go out and get the trails back in tip top shape. 

I’m not alone in this (our club the Tarheel Trailblazers does the building and maintenance around here), and I’m definitely not the hardest working trail volunteer here in town.  However, when a chance came up to do a little work yesterday, I made sure I was there.  A shitload of trees had been knocked down at BYT (Backyard Trail), and a crew of us showed up to get them the hell outta the way.

A few folks cut the downed trees with chainsaws, and the rest of us carried the logs off the trail.  We took some of them and made a new trail feature.

After that, the trail was cleared to ride again.

I’m not important around here as far a trail work goes.  I just put in time on our trails when I can just like everyone else.  Instead of bitching about the trails being in piss poor shape or just riding whenever you feel like it, get off your ass and do a little work.

It will make you feel good.

Foul Weather

It puts me in a foul mood. 

I was really glad to see my cousin while she was here.  She's from the side of my family that I used to be very close to, but we haven't talked much over the last few years.  I miss them, so hopefully soon I'll get a chance to see the rest of them.  I wasn't about to run off for a ride while she was here visiting, so when she took off back to VA Sunday morning I had to find a place to ride in a hurry.  

Luckily, I got out to Backyard Trail early enough to beat the rain.  The sky looked shitty, but the trail was reported to be in great shape.  While I changed my clothes and got the bike ready, a group of riders hit the trail just before I did.  Since I was kinda grumpy from not riding, I wanted to make sure I didn’t go too fast and catch up with them.  I needed some alone time, especially after being out in public on Saturday without any kind of two-wheeled machine.

I hit the trail at a nice, steady pace, and the plan was to shake myself out of my bad mood.  Within minutes, I was smiling and enjoying the peace and quiet of being alone in the woods on my bike.  My addiction is riding bikes, and without my fix I had started to suffer from withdrawals.  I guess there are worse habits to have.

After about two miles though, I found the group stopped on the side of the trail to rest.  I politely said hello and kept going.  The next stop on the trail was the Poo Tracks, and I knew that would improve my mood even more.  I hit them at a quick pace without any issues, which is much different than the social ride last Tuesday when I fell in the poo-laden soil.  I think I forgot to mention that last week, but whatever.

Blurry photos.  I has them.

I had so much fun on that section that I took the shortcut and did it all over again.  The group had resumed their ride though, and all I could hear was their loud conversations over my otherwise quiet ride.  I picked up the pace a lot to lose them, and before long I was back to riding all by my lonesome.  And again it was quiet…

Sort of.

My bike was making funny noises, which I later found out was just the whole shifty bits and drivetrain combination.  I really need to hurry up and get back on a single speed before I go batshit crazy.  While I was examining my bike local SSer Eric Hagerty rolled up and we talked for a minute.  We discussed my frustration of being on gears, and then he quickly rolled away on his one-geared machine.  I felt a bit of jealousy for that particular moment in time.

Even though my legs were a little tired from not using them to pedal all week I had a great ride.  I was drenched in sweat from the humidity, and I was satisfied that I got off my ass early in the morning to beat the rain.

Even my new and improved TK-421 trooper was happy that he didn’t have to sit around the house anymore.

It’s not looking good for the rest of the week.  There may be a ride tonight, but right now it's looking like it might be on the pavement.  Yuck.

Last night I got out to do some trail work though at our "secret" local spot.  Maybe I’ll get into that tomorrow if the ride report is kinda sucky.


If there's a ride report at all.

A Little Riding

For some reason, I had to tell you all about my Washington, D.C bicycle adventure yesterday.  While I was glad that I got to ride a little bit while I was up there, I wouldn’t really classify it as anything quality.  Sure, it was fun, but I need to be in the woods.

Tuesday night I was.

Finally, the weather cooperated and we were able to get back to our regularly-scheduled Tuesday Social.  This time we went to BackYard Trail, and I was amazed at how many people were out there.  Several group rides were taking place, and ours was the last to roll out.  We had a huge group wandering all over the trail at a social pace, and I have to say that it was the most fun that I’ve had on a bike in a long time.  Well, except that I was riding gears. 

I’ll get into that later.  As in tomorrow.

I'm still not used to riding gears, or suspension.  My geared bike is fun and all that, but sometimes I feel like it's not meant to be ridden locally anymore.  It feels out of place.

I rode TK-421 like a single speed (I haven’t gotten around to converting it yet), most of the time because I would forget to shift.  I still had a good time, and I’m glad so many people came out.  I only took the one photo (see above), which should tell you that I was too busy having a good time to worry about capturing images.

Who gives a shit.

Of course, much beer was consumed at the ride’s conclusion.  Fine hoppy beverages and good food, paired with good conversation made for a great night.

I love this bike shit.

And I love short blog posts.  

A Unique Ride

I rode with the Dirt Divas last night, but I didn’t take any photos.  It was fun, and I even got to do a little night riding.  I dig that.

The unique ride I’m talking about was my trip out to the BYT.  Yes, I’m still talking about it, and yes, you can close this window if you don’t want to read it.

You’re still here?

Cool.

Anyway, have I mentioned how much that trail freakin’ rocks?  Some people around here have mentioned it as a replacement for Poplar Tent, but I wouldn’t go that far.  Nothing can replace that fine gem of a trail, but BYT is certainly the next best thing. 

There’s even trailside scenery.

It was the most unique trail experience I’ve had outside of the mountains (that I can recall anyway.)  The trail was smooth, rooty, rocky, and fast…all at the same time.  It’s been around for many, many years, so it has “character.” 

Tired of the same old boring ride at your local “racetrack”? 

Go ride BYT. 

Tired of wandering aimlessly through some boring, short trail as your mind focuses on things not related to bikes? 

Go ride BYT.

Riding along at BYT, you never know what kind of shit you will see.  Like this section of trail that somehow ended up in a drainage ditch…

That part made me want to go home and grab my skateboard, and ride it all Animal Chin style.

You know, like those guys at Wallows:

The neat shit didn’t stop there though.  Check out the man made features:

Riding there was just what I needed, and I didn’t even know it.  It wasn’t the long race schedule, bike choices, or anything like that that made me feel burned out.  It was the lack of fun that was bringing me down, and I’ve seemed to have found the cure.  I can’t believe I waited so long to go back.  You can bet your ass that it won’t happen again.  BYT will be on my regular rotation of local trails, and it will probably keep finding its way back to the top fairly often. 

In fact, I may go back out there tonight.

Not In My Backyard

But it was in a backyard nonetheless. 

I’m talking about Charlotte’s famous (and former underground) trail system, the Backyard Trails.  No longer a secret since an agreement was reached with local government to make it legit, it’s quite the popular spot around here.  It used to be the “trail whose name we do not speak”, but now it’s open for all.  I hadn’t been there in a couple of years, so it was time to see what was going on and have myself a little alone time.

Even though it’s all legal now and junk, it’s still a little difficult to find if you don’t know where to look.  After parking in a parking lot that’s not the trailhead, you have to cross a busy road to even find the trail.

Once you cross the road, you still have to do a little searching.  Luckily I’ve been there before, so I wasn’t wandering around the neighborhood streets looking for singletrack.  If you know where it is, you’ll find the trailhead.

This place is nothing like the other trails around here.  Fun, flowy singletrack gets you moving fast, but there are lots of features thrown in to keep you on your toes.

I’ve always been told to “look before you leap” there, and I was quickly reminded why.

After riding around and jumping shit, grabbing the occasional handful of brakes, and generally having a helluva time, I saw something odd.

Now, I hadn’t been there in years, and I think I may have missed some things the last time.  The railroad sign was followed by this:

Aww, isn’t that cute?  Little baby railroad tracks.

It didn’t take me long to figure out that these were the now infamous poo tracks.  I couldn’t wait to ride them (I missed them before for some reason.)  I looked around, and there was poo, I mean tracks everywhere.

Basically, these “tracks” are like little skinnies (formerly used to haul poo to and fro I’m guessing), and the loop takes you back and forth over several of them.  I didn’t know what to expect, but luckily another sign was there to inform me of the difficulty.

It was freaking awesome, and easily the most interesting loop out there.

On one of the track sections, a tree had taken over.  Not to be robbed of poo track goodness, they made it into another feature.

My bars were too wide for the option on the left, so I didn’t do it.

I rode across a bunch of these tracks, and it was fun as hell.  I was laughing my ass off and enjoying the ride. Mostly because I kept saying “poo tracks.”  

It’s fun to say.

Try it.

"Poo tracks."

You know, all this talk about poo makes me want to cut this blog post short.

I’ll finish the ride tomorrow.

I gotta go poo.