Afterwork Climb up to the Parkway and back down in the dark. Another epic ride with Johnny Calhoun. Spotted 1 Black Bear, 3 Grouse Hens and chicks!

The double track section of the climb was pretty good. The trail migrates into single track climb at the creek crossing in the picture below. There was a lot of hike a bike over all the down fall.
We were on the parkway around 8:00.
I couldnt get out of work until around 5:00, still had to pick up my bike and gear from the house. It was a late ride but well worth it.
Amos' Epics

Thursday Afterwork Big O MTB Ride and some Trail Work

I managed to get in 10 miles of mountain biking and cut some limbs out of the trial before it got dark but I was still just scratching the surface on the trail maintenance. There is a lot more trail work to be done.
Thanks to Obie, I finally have the kit I bought late last summer installed on the bike. XTR shifter/brake combo, XT hubs, XT cassette, Sun Lite wheels, XTR Shadow derailleur, FSR crank, Ouray grips, all new cables, reworked shock and new linkage hardware. So far it's all good!

Sunday: Early Morning Figure 8

I met Brandon in Morganton at 6:45 a.m. We were pedaling up the forest service road by 7:30. It was nice to get an early start. The temperature was great. In 3 hours and 13 minutes we did 17.5 miles. As soon as we got back to the trucks, it started sprinkling. Good timing.
I had ridden Sinkhole last weekend and it was a blast as usual. Now it is also good to be back on The Big O after such a long hiatus. Next time I've got to bring the folding saw and allow some time for trail maintenance. There was a lot of face level branches through part The Big O.
Amos' Epics

Shuttle Ride with Dixie Marie and Obie

Started at Gingercake acres, dropped down Raspberry, Greentown then Bee Hive.

28 Miles of Dark Mountain, Overmountain Victory Trail and Shiners Run Loop

Great trails if you like rolling single track with some great berms, smooth jumps, and perfectly tamped dirt pack. The conditions were exceptional. I am always amazed at the trail work put in out there. I rode a few trails in both directions including Shiners Run, OVT, #2, and #4, and they all flowed nicely irregardless of direction.
Amos' Epics

Happy Mothersday to my mom and my kids mom, get well soon to my dad, thanks to JC for picking up the bike and thanks to OB for hooking up the bike!

On Wednesday and Thursday, Noel and I headed to Lake James for some paddling and wet exit practice. The weather was spectacular:
Saturday shake-down / warm up ride on Blue Blazes:
Sunday: Parked at Upper Creek, rode up 982 to the pass, took a left and rode to the top of Chestnut Mountain, the old fire tower remains, then I bombed back down and climbed up to the top of Raidercamp, dropped it then took a left and a there and back to South Harper Creek Falls. Back down Raidercamp to Harper Creek. One dry foot crossing, one half a foot crossing, ride on out to Wilson Creek, take a right, climb up Craig Creek Road. Left at the pass and head up to Goat Trail / Sink Hole for a total of over 25 miles.
From the top of Sinkhole. The bike did great. Thanks Obie.
Amos' Epics