Leaving Tomorrow, starting the 30th

Super nervous. I'm hoping I'll have the same luck I had last year, and of course be faster.
Who knows how it will go; so may variables.
Stalk away.
http://trackleaders.com/tourdividei.php?name=Stephen_Huddle
 http://mtbcast.com/site2/

Drugs and invites

I'm not going to understand some Latin word when I'm sick. short and sweet I will understand

Oh and wedding invites.

Her idea too!

Charlotte commute

Blue Ridge Parkway Ride

 

Notice the new helmet? Yup; drove all the way to Asheville and forgot my helmet. I found a guy in the parking lot and asked where the nearest shop was.  He sent me to Youngblood Bicycles just down the road, and after a quick chat he told me to put in my resume......uh....damn it, just moved here.

So I started a little late, but wound up riding with Billy from Catawba Valley Brewing Company. Lucky for me he was riding at my pace so we spent our time chatting which of course made the time go by much faster.

Unfortunately we had to part ways after this photo. I kept going too Linville for dinner and just down the road to camp out around 7 or so.
The next day was faster but the rain/clouds slowed me down. I did manage to get one measly photograph.
At the last little snack stand I stopped for water and to warm up; which didn't really work since the fire was too small. I managed to get a ride for the last 18 or so miles. Mostly downhill and more than likely very cold.  So I'm a wuss, but it was for the best.

First Pisgah Ride

I finally made it out to the mythical Pisgah Forrest.  It's a long drive, which doesn't serve well as a day trip area. Hopefully a few overnighter's are in the future.
I planned doing a loop of Laural Mountain, for a total of 14 miles of difficult riding. Unfortunately I got a bit mixed up and just wound up doing and out and back. I'll have to try again perhaps with some more planning, and maybe I'll figure out how to use my fancy pants GPS to help.

Long Overdue Cohutta Write Up

Way too much walking.
They changed up the course; added more single track(a welcome addition for many).
The first 30 miles or so I had sore arms due to the single track and the stiffy fork.
After that it was ok, but I had to walk up that long climb as you might have noticed.
I don't think the ridged fork slowed me down too much, but I'm still on the fence.
I will not be running it on the 24hrs of Burn though. 

In other news I'm in Charlotte with the Mrs'.
And I'm in for the 2012 TD, June 30th.

K. Bedford Cross Bike

I need to adjust the saddle height and whatnot(and I guess replace it with a black post). And I need to adjust the grips and wrap the bars. I've put a few miles on the road and on grass with it. It's pretty nice. My major complaint is that the brakes aren't that great; real squishy. It might be from the cable housing, how I set them up, or maybe I'm just spoiled by hydraulics.