North Carolina 2008 Trip

And so it begins... 5 men ( Rusty, Bob, Brad, Tim and Eric), 5 bikes, and one ever-so-soft purple velvety liberator pillow. Heading to Pisgah NF and Dupont SF in Brevard, NC for some killer mountain biking, beautiful scenery, relaxation and good times. Arriving on 4.24.08 we set up camp and rode Cove Creek (Caney Bottoms) trail then had lunch and rode Black Mountain. For Day 2 we spent the entire day riding Dupont and rode MANY trails. On Saturday we rode Daniel Ridge (minus Bob for bike repairs). Daniel Ridge was a blast with an amazing waterfall at the end. On Sat. afternoon Bob, Tim, and Rusty took an extended tour of Black Mountain, Shelter Ridge and Avery Creek which we have video from. Over 90 miles total with lots of elevation climbs and crazy downhills. Rusty coined the catch phrase of the trip "Nuggets Down, Nuts Up." Check the photos out here.

Test time

Take this test: http://video.bicycling.com/item/PDTY62LZ7LXFMLBJ

Comments & Spam

The Biking Flurries post below was posted yesterday (with a photo) but I deleted and re-entered it today. I'll add the photo back in tonight from my home computer. Why did I do this? Because somebody apparently attached a comment which started a "virus scan" program. Even if it was legitimate, we don't need random advertisements attached to post comments. I upped the security level on the blog settings and turned on a code verification to block automatic spam. If you have a problem, leave a message at dirtdads@yahoo.com or at my personal email (you probably know it).
Dirt Dad HP

Biking Flurries

Tim & I took a 21-mile spin Sunday afternoon in the cloudy, 20-something temperatures. We had a few snow flurries during the ride, too. The joints were stiff and I'm not talking about the bikes. Toes & fingertips started to freeze but was a good way to beat back some winter blahs. Tell us about your recent ride. We all need the encouragement, right?
Dirt Dad HP

No ICEMAN? Doh!

As VanDirt was first to point out, NONE of the Dirt Dads made it into the 2008 Iceman lottery registration (http://www.iceman.com/). So what's the alternative? More local (free) rides or race alternative(s)?

There's Chain Drive (www.chaindrive.org) at my college alma mater. See Houghton city & MTU photo below. There's a Moab opportunity in October, right, Marc? See Fun Promotions at the left, too. Submit your ideas & choices.

Dirt Dad Jr. (HP)

Rolling in the Snow...

Hey! The past couple of "warm-ish" days have been kinda nice to get out between the precipitation and tool around a bit. Here are my tracks this morning coming out of the garage.

Did that darn groundhog see his shadow this year?!

No biking? Snow biking!

Yesterday after shoveling the ice berm that the county snow plows formed at the base of my driveway, I contemplated what JP told me just a few hours earlier: that the ski was clear & crisp and about a year ago he enjoyed a winter ride on some snow-packed gravel road. I suppose since JP is still getting around on crutches after his hip surgery, he's especially thinking about the joy of riding again as soon as possible. It will be awhile for him to ride but the thought stayed with me, too. Yesterday evening was a carbon copy of that evening so after the driveway was chipped and cleared I pulled the Rockhopper from its hook in the garage and ventured out on the almost deserted streets of my neighborhood. It felt good to pedal again. Just to prove I was really out there I rode over to Tim's even though it was only about a mile to his condo and back. I announced to a surprised Tim that "Biking season is officially open!" I cranked out an impressive 2 miles or so total, somewhat timid to go much farther since I didn't have a single light or reflector on me or the bike.

Come on guys, top this! It shouldn't be too hard. Just some encouragement for you. And, yes, spring is coming but ride now, even if it's inside.

HP