With mid-terms coming up fast I needed to take some time to myself and get a good hard ride in. Not to mention that I really wanted to make it up that stinking hill. So the plan was sit through class for the day then see if I could entice anyone into a ride. Everyone was busy with class so I planned to take The Cove out for its last ride with Shimano components (about time).
I set out for some solo laps expecting to see a few other riders on the trail I had my eyes out. Despite seeing cars in the lot on my first lap I was by my self only passing a pair of hikers coming down the Rock-house Trail. On the first loop I got to my hill and unfortunately between slipping on the roots and being frustrated with my shifting I ended riding half way up slipping riding back down and doing it again. But I was still unsuccessful. But I was not done. I went for another lap.
Lap two was spirited I was getting warmed up and the shifting was doing better but not perfect. So I started up the hill and immediately had problems, a root at the base of the hill would either push my front wheel to the side or cause the rear tire to slip. After 5 tries I finally found my line and made it over, I think 99.999...9% of it was mental. Since I made it up that part but ended up riding into a tree that is no where near the trail. Once again all mental but through the cursing at the bike and myself I made it to the top of the first hill and got it back together to power it over the last hill to the top of Athens Trail. After making it to the bottom of the trail I checked the time and it was only 4:30! With all the slow downs it only took 1hr to do two laps. So I figured I have to end this era of The Cove on a good note and decided for one final Hot Lap.
The last lap was a good one. I powered the whole way and I had a debt to repay to that last hill, so with out missing a shift I didn't look up and rode like it was a flat trail and made it all the way to the last technical section where once again the loose dirt got the better of me as I slipped off my right pedal and ended up letting out some choice words since I was so close I'll have to end up changing my line since this one seems to not be working, but who knows maybe with some proper shifting I'll be able to make it no problem.
I ended the day with 3 laps with a total mileage for the day near 15 miles on the Mountain bike. Had it not been too close to 5 I would have done another lap but we can leave that for next week. With Vince coming down this weekend Hopefully we can get some good riding in. ;)
Willis out!
i wish you were running a video cam on your helmet for all these crazy climbs. great stuff!
not a bad idea I'll at least take a picture next time