Brazen

Sunday at Norris
Well stocked rest area along the way

Hell or High Water

Monsoon

I parlayed my ride-time to Friday night. Skipping ALL of the beautiful weather, I headed out with dark-clouds moving-in. I met Jon at the bike shop and we began another urban assault, which has been the core of my training program for PMBAR.
True to the mission of making it a challenging ride, we began the assault on Sharps Ridge in North Knoxville. The steep pitch and unrelenting climb surrendered, all but the last of my remaining will, to reach the top; without walking.
View from the top of Sharp's Ridge
Once we reached the top and enjoyed the view over the city, clouds came from the backside and moved in quickly, bringing a deluge. We headed along the top of the ridge to a "shelters small-overhang"; where we made a few adjustments. I put a night light on, and wrapped a few things up in my bag, then sat and watched the rain come down for a moment.
We climbed back on to the bikes (shivering cold, since the temperature had dropped at least 20-degrees.) The rain picked-up and pounded as we worked our way back into downtown. Along the way I got a call from the wife, and she had left the dog outside. She wasn't worried about me in the rain, but we had to get the dog back inside. I was at least 45 minutes from the house, and only 5 minutes from Erics house, where there were a few Bruisin' Ale's awaiting consumption. I split from Jon and made it back to West Knox and got the dog in so my wife could continue her evening, without worrying about the dog.
ON THE WAY HOME I JUMPED A HAWK! Yes that's right, I jumped a hawk on my bike, at about 20 miles an hour! I was hauling the mail down third creek greenway in the dark, riding in the middle of the bike trail. I look into the darkness with the help of my HID light and see a giant bird with wings outstretched, flying directly at me. Coasting about 6 inches above the ground, the bird and I were on a crash course and I had no choice but to pull up and jump over it. I landed on the other side and laughed all the way home. Then by the time I got back out, had forgotten about it. Until this morning.

After making it home I put on dry clothes and got in the car, to head back downtown.

The Only Thing to Live For is Today

the role of the river in the art of slowing down

me and the flea bags, by the Harpeth river, south of Nashville

Cul de Nuebert

Bearden Hill->Sutherland->Third Creek->Henley St.->Downtown->Gay St.->Island Homes->Sevierville Pike->Burnett Creek->Rollen->Kimberlin Hights->Porterfield Gap->Union Valley->Boyd's Creek->River Road->Knob Creek->Panther Creek->Goose Gap->Walden Creek->Millers Cove->Walland->River Road->411->McCannon->Martin Mill->Nuebert Springs->Martin Mill->Vestal->Gay St.->Henley St.->Third Creek->Sutherland->Bearden Hill
(+ a few farm roads that are not named on the Gazzetter map)

90 miles.

the summit of Nuebert Springs


Arriving in downtown farm-town





Pain makes it beautiful

We rode a great route on the Sunday road epic, of mountain bikers. The "see you at the top of the climb" attitude barely got us through the headwinds. And after stopping for a six-pack in Walland, we mounted back onto our bikes and headed up Goose Gap in a slight resemblance of a peleton. Like a Slinky, we worked to bring the group in tight, then someone hit the brakes and the caboose didn't. After hitting the brakes myself, to avoid plowing the person in front, I was plowed by Eric and knocked over the bars and out into the road.

Bruised and soar, I got out for a spin on St. Patty's Day. I made it to the Old City and back. Then took the long way home after tour of Leprechauns.

White Lightning in Blount County

With the storm closing in, Brian, Jeff and myself took our time getting on the bikes. Meeting in the Blount county town of Louisville (pronounced Lewis-vulle, as opposed to my former stomping ground lü-i-ˌvil.) Starting from Louisville point the weather was perfect, but we knew we would likely get wet before we made it back here.
It didn't take long for Jeff to get lost by making a wrong turn. We couldn't find him, so we continued on the loop with the rain starting and bit of lightning blasting in the distance. The deluge began beating down on the slick roads, making it painful to ride faster than 20 miles per hour. Although cold and wet, and basically uncomfortable, it was actually a very enjoyable ride.


leaving the point on dry ground


too much reflection on the road makes it difficult to see, but the rain in the eyes was just painful. pretty much an awesome ride.


we found Jeff back at the car running line-sprints to cross-train for PMBAR. He's really taking it seriously. But his teammate was not impressed with his navigational skills today.

colorshow

spy photo's of the competitions training program

GSMNP- Chimney's

Photo's from a trail run to the top of the Chimney's after wrapping up a day of work at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.

This is the final climb to the summit, which is a fun bouldering climb.


View from the rocky top.

Rich Mountain / Parsons Branch

GSMNP

It might not of been as good as going to Pisgah, but it was damn good!

























Brians song.

Living the dream

Me and Erin were talking the other night about our dream jobs. When asked about my dream job, I replied that my dream job would be "Adventure Photographer."
It was mid way through this ride when I realized I am doing my dream job, I'm living the dream. I am a Volunteer Adventure Photographer.


Rare animal sighting: Curt-loader

Flowers and beer.

The Origin of Junk Food

I was so grateful for Friday, we celebrated by an evening at a very swanky new "barcade"; The Fort Sanders Yacht Club.


The shotgun building in Ft. Sanders had an impressive line-up of Donkey Kong, Dig Dug and Galaga, to name a few. The small bar had a cool feel, and at least reasonable beer prices. Me and my brother drank a few Sierra Nevada Pale Ale's and slung quarters at a few machines. Belting away on the joy stick was a blast! It reminded me of being kids, riding our bikes across town to play these same games at the Mr. Gattis.

In unrelated news, there is no bike riding to report for Saturday. However, I did have fun hanging out at Harpers, getting my Yeti 575 ready for a ride I will also miss. Since I am spread thin from long hours at work, currently, I opted out of the Pisgah trip. I am going to stay closer to home and ride in the Smokies.

PMBAR is closer than I am ready. It looms like a potential disaster. So far, my every-so-often greenway-riding seems like about all I have done to prepare. But in the immortal words of Jim Dandy "It's better to regret something you have done than it is to regret something you haven't." I just hope Eric doesn't fire me from the team. There has been a history of team shake-ups here in Knoxville. Jeff was fired by his team-mate last year. I guess Brian thought his frequent trips to Vegas weren't preparing him for the the altered state of endurance adventure racing. Well Jeff tried-out for Brian's team this year, and Jeff must have passed. As it stands the two are planning to make a run. But I expect the tables may have turned, since Brian has picked up skateboarding and neglecting his training. So you ask, Who is in better shape? Stay tuned for the next episode of As the Wheel Turns.

Talking $hit About a Pretty Sunset

It's the time of year when two worlds collide. Stretched to the max between business and pleasure, its trade show season. I am working long hours from now until the end of March for a busy season in the food industry. Finding time to ride is tough and the mountains are beautiful in the distance.
Me and the dog busted free late in the afternoon, but that's the only short window of opportunity.