Windrock

I had a minor mechanical that took me out of the game by mid-afternoon on Sunday, which was the perfect opportunity to get a few photos. So I offered my services as a shuttle driver and cracked a few barley-pops.
Here's my latest update from the day.

dust and sunshine

my neck is red, and I'm burnt from the sun. Dust and sunshine is a recent change for conditions at Windrock. The sun worked me over today, but the trails were great!
















The Ghetto.
Lower trail at Windrock. I never noticed this before when riding, but I stopped to take a pic, now I know where the trail gets its name.

Bent

I got Bent, like a wet cigarette, at Bent Creek on Saturday. Sunshine and rock-star dirt was the theme for a great ride. On singlespeeds, Eric and I breezed up to the top of Geen's Lick with Hankenstein running along fine. However, the fast descent on Greens Lick put a hurting on him. I don't think the dog ever recovered. All 4 of his paw pads were later discovered to be torn. He nearly crawled out of the woods, I feel terrible since he can't walk today.

Fontana

You're only as good as the last trail you killed...

...and I'm back from the dragon, having slayed the turkey.
Let me break it down for you; The wife and I packed up the girl and dog, headed up Highway 129/ the Dragon, to Fontana Village, where we met my brother and his crew. We set up camp in a cabin, of which my favorite feature was the lack of cell service. So we chilled out, threw some disc and hung out.
Sunday morning, I jumped out of bed before anyone else, and headed out on the singlespeed with the dog and an I-pod. Dropped into Lewyellyn Cove from the cabin and ripped around feeling great! Then I started into the climb up to Turkey Chute, and just kept going, all the way to the top of Yellow Creek Mountain. It was sunny on top of the mountain, above the clouds. The view was amazing, with only the peaks of the Smokies jutting up from the clouds. I paused for a moment, then dropped off the ridge into the 2000' descent and immediately caught the flow I had been missing in recent weeks. It felt great. By the time I made it to Turkey Chute, I was hauling ass and the dog was there behind me running his heart out. Turkey Chute was in great shape, with some fast jump lines and berms.

Hangover Lead
By noon the sun had burned the smoke from the smokies and blue sky triumphed over grey. Dogwoods were bursting with color, waterfalls we rushing and I was fired up to do a big hike in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.
So we mapped a route from Big Fat Gap, along Hangover Lead that sounded promising. Afterall, I had heard good things of Hangover Lead. The hike started straight up a mountain ridge, and continued unrelentingly. We had a great time on a blue sky day, but never found the promise land of spectacular views. Upon returning to Knoxville, and consulting 1 Speed Brian, I found out that we should have headed south to reach the Hangover and its amazing views. So I can't wait to go back and try again.







Macie met the Easter Bunny at Fontana Lodge

Terminaly Ale

The Terminal is the new brewhouse in Chattanooga, of which I had the pleasure of dining on my recent trip to the Scenic City. In a 100-year old building, built near the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, this place has character. I must complement both the chef and the brew-master, cheers to a great menu and the hop-bombs I downed were delicious. This should be a post ride-destination for the next trip Raccoon Mountain, as the location is easily accessible in downtown, off the interstate.


Do to a recent injury, I've been off the bike, except the Xtra-cycle, which doesn't seem to bother me. I've spent more time tossing disc in the woods. I played a great disc-golf course in Chattanooga; The Sinks.

Further, Sundown is back on the sceene, and the party at Erics last night was awesome. Arrested Development had a ball on stage, and they must have enjoyed the massive turnout. I know I did!
Erin brought Macie, and I pedaled up to downtown with Jeff.

It's Always Sunny in Knoxville

more street art:








Macie and Mommy:


Macie in the front yard:

Hike to Andrews Bald

My wife, Erin, and I took Macie on a hike with her Grandparents. We hiked Forney Ridge trail to Andrews Bald, where we had a picnic. I could have stayed forever. Perhaps we stayed too long, Macie fell apart on the way back, but eventually fell asleep in the baby-backpack; and snored. sweet.

Cove Lake

Cove Lake State Park is the home of Rickard Ridge BBQ. Bluegrass and BBQ in the mountains. We need to get a group together to head up for dinner and some music. Mondays and Thursdays are the open mic nights, but they book bands on the weekends as well.