Roadtrip news

Roadtrip - day 1
Getting up at 6:30 - uuh, that hurts. Wanted to hit the road with Robert at 7:00 AM, which would have worked out if I hadn't assumed that I have to drive to his place. He drove to mine - so of course we missed each other...

After a couple of hours of driving through OH and PA we hit some railtrail out of Ford City, PA and did some exploring on our own. With ~2.5 hours not too big of a ride, but a nice way to mix up the long ass drive to Harrisonburg, VA.





Roadtrip - day 2
We rode the first half of the Shenandoah 100 race course today. That should make 50 miles. And if you can't find the first turn and get lost on the ride back from the half way mark to the car that adds 20 more miles.

Did a lot of climbing, a good amount on singletrail (mostly because our guide - that would be me - needed the full climb up to "Wolfs Ridge" before he decided that we now for sure went the wrong way around that eastern loop of the course - the correct direction would have brought us up there on a boring 2-track).

Getting lost wasn't so much fun, especially because it started to rain - aah I mean pour. A lot. We got dirty. A lot.

I think I scared the shit (a lot) out of some locals in their Pickups when I asked them for directions. My accent and completely mud covered face is something they don't see to often down here. Glad none of them hunters shot me!



Roadtrip – day 3
We bought a map. Now navigating the 2nd half of the race course was a lot easier. I can’t believe how little I remembered from the race. There was a section of road I though was maybe 3 miles long, but riding it now it was a lot longer. Also some singletrail section, that I had no idea I every rode before. What am I thinking during a race?

All the singletrail downhills were so sweet and fast, I can’t believe it. At one point of time I looked at the computer and it showed 26 mph. Wu-hoa, too much to take your eyes of the trail. Fun!


Roadtrip – day 4
Climbed up to “Reddish Knob” on the roadbike. Roadbike? Yep, Robert brought his two Treks along. Thanks!

We climbed for about one hour – it was a pretty steep climb, and the wind gust didn’t make it a lot easier, because it was a headwind for most of the time. I grinded my way up with a super low cadence. Not because I wanted to, but just because I ran out of gear.

Robert did a sympathy ride and picked the same gearing – and made it to the top faster than me….

Yesterday my HR monitor decided to die, today my watch stopped to work, and my digital camera finally retired from taking pictures. I wonder what brakes next? Probably my body…