Christmas Tree!

Lisa and I headed out to West Jefferson today to get ourselves a Christmas tree. Last year we had a great (and very snowy) experience at West End Wreaths. Because of how great our tree turned out last year, we decided to give them our business again. We had our friends Chris and Raena along for the ride.


Last years tree was probably about 9 or 10 feet and we wanted to top that this year. We chose a tree that was about 11 or 12 feet tall this year; it's really pretty ridiculous.

If you look carefully, you can find my feet...


Victorious!!!


In any case, my reasoning behind this was because my uncle Paul used to get these enormous trees, and I always loved them. One year, in fact, he drilled into the floor of his house to run steel cable to anchor the tree to the floor. Now, this wasn't because the tree was like 15 feet tall, but it was probably about 12 feet in diameter....seriously, no joke. So part of the reasoning is because I want to send him pictures so he can see the tradition is carried on!

OVT/Shiner's Run

Well, to burn off some thanksgiving calories, shiner's run and the OVT were calling my name. Billy and I headed out this morning to meet Jeremy. This was the first time I'd met or ridden with Jeremy, I knew him through the grapevine of my brother. We made our way out the OVT and Shiner's run, meeting up with a few others along the way.

Jeremy in a berm

Billy in the same berm

this is about the maximum amount of air allowed under my tires


We hung out for a few minutes talking with some new acquintances from Abingdon (good to meet you Dave, Mike, and crew!). Jeremy headed back at this point, it was only his second mountain bike ride, and he did very well! Billy and I continued on making it to the end of the OVT without any problems, just a few stops here and there to get some photos.

Billy hitting a berm
We stopped on the way back to investigate what we thought was a den, but turned out to be some weird hunting cavern....strange. I didn't realize it at the time, but according to the stats we were moving along at a good clip, averaging 9.6 mph over the course of the 16 miles.


Moving Time (h:m:s) 1:40:55
Distance (mi ) 16.19
Moving Speed (mph) 9.6 avg. 23.2 max.
Elevation Gain (ft) +2,238 / -2,242

Spent

The school let out at noon today and the teachers were out by 1:30. So, I decided to make the most of the day and headed out to Wilkesboro to hit dark mountain and the OVT. Nothing overly special, but I am spent! The trails were wetter than I had expected as evidenced by the pictures of my bike.

The more I ride the Soma the more I realize that I love steel bikes especially with one gear. The ride quality is unreal compared to aluminum, and the feeling of only one gear is liberating, simple.



I'll be heading out to the same trails on Friday with some friends. I'm not entirely sure that anyone actually reads this blog, but if youd like to come post up a comment or show up at the visitor center at 9:30.


Moving Time (h:m:s) 2:22:40 6:52 pace
Distance (mi ) 20.73
Moving Speed (mph) 8.7 avg. 28.8 max.
Elevation Gain (ft) +3,156 / -3,119

Christmas Lights!

Night ride at tanglewood. Every winter before Christmas, the city decks out tanglewood park out with christmas lights. The whole park used to be part of a huge estate, so everything there is decorated all Christmas-ee.






Stats from the ride
Total Time (h:m:s) 2:00:30 7:05 pace
Moving Time (h:m:s) 1:50:02 6:28 pace
Distance (mi ) 16.97
Moving Speed (mph) 9.3 avg. 31.4 max.
Elevation Gain (ft) +1,615 / -1,700

Pilot Ride

I opted for a road ride after school. Headed out of the parking lot with lots of kids yelling out of bus windows, "Hey Mr. Stevenson!" I took it kind of slow since I wasnt sure what to really expect of the climb (it was my first time riding up it). It wasn't really as bad as I had anticipated, hihgly worth the descent though!

17 miles, 2500' of elevation gain, I might have to make this a weekly ride with a double over the top when I have more light.

Yadkin Road Loop

Today, Lisa and I had Steve and Kiersten over for dinner. While the lasses prepared the food, Steve and I headed out into Yadkin County to get in some fun, hilly mileage. The route took us from my house, across the river, and to some backcountry roads. We ended up on gravel which was interesting on 23C tires.
Steve was rocking the HED Stinger 60s he borrowed from Drew at the shop. The gravel took us down to an old mill, it was a really amazing place to find only a few miles from downtown Winston.

Anyways, here are some stats from the ride, a chill, fun paced ride with some cool scenery.

Summary Data
Total Time 1:46:12
Moving Time 1:38:13
Distance 24.82
Moving Speed (mph) 15.2 avg
Elevation Gain (ft) +2,205

Brookie!

I had the opportunity to go fishing this morning out at Stone Mountain. I caught five trout within a few hours, all but one of which were caught on an elk hair caddis dryfly. The prettiest being this male Brook Trout in his spawning regalia (hooked jaw, humped back, and beautiful colors).


I also caught this decent Rainbow as well, not quite as cool as the Brookie, but still pretty cool!

Night Ride City Loop

Steve, Curtis, Drew and I made a ride out of the shop tonight into downtown Winston. This was the first time that I had done this loop, and it was such a blast. Watching Drew and Steve catch air on road bikes going through campus was pretty sick! We took some footpaths through the campus of Wake Forest and a really old part of town, accurately named, "Old Salem." After heading out to Salem lake, we made a brief stop to catch a couple pictures, eat some snacks, and fisnish off the loop. I pulled part of the way back Country Club road, only to have Curtis and Drew blow past me on a (unknown to me) sprint. A few stats, a map, and some pictures...

Total Time (h:m:s) 2:05:27 4:22 pace
Moving Time (h:m:s) 1:51:27 3:53 pace
Distance (mi ) 28.66
Moving Speed (mph) 15.4 avg. 38.7 max.
Elevation Gain (ft) +2,313 / -2,388



Creepy....


Steve and I acting typically foolish




View Larger Map

Road Bike

Well, for a very long time I swore against ever owning one of these machines...But alas, I am now the owner of a Giant TCR. Very cool bike, much fun to ride. The need to ride more often with a better training regimen, along with the lack of funds to go mountain biking every night after work has forced me to this decision.

anyways, photos;




road ride early afternoon tomorrow, followed by...
night ride with curtis tomorrow! rock!