Blue Ridge Parkway

Monday was a great day for a ride here, but even a better day in the mountains.  I opted for a run from Cumberland Knob to Doughton Park and back, but felt good enough for a few extra miles when I got back to the X.   I had to get some gravel in, and a beautiful gravel road was discovered, Crownridge.  Heavenly, parallel to the parkway road that has quite a few steep ups and downs on it.  I may be the only person moronic enough to get my legs torn up by thorns and stinging nettles on a road ride.  The temptation to check out one of the streams alongside the Parkway was too much for me to bear.  Alas, no trout spotted in what looked to be a very likely spot.  All in all a good day on the bike, a few photos to share:

Doubleshot Doublehump

When I woke up this morning, the prospects for a ride looked dismal at best.  Cloudy and rainy at the house...so without a whole lot of thought, when I got the text from Mitch saying he was out, I went back to bed.  After slumber, the day looked brighter, so I decided to head north and do the Doubleshot road loop along with a climb of Sauratown.  Coming down Moore's Springs Road, I had a Tacoma pull up alongside, and lo and behold, a light shone down from heaven and Dudley appeared.  I figured that he was heading to MST to do some trailwork or get in a mtb ride.  With some quick deliberation, I decided to forgo the stop at the campground and head up to Hanging Rock.  I made it up in pretty decent time (for me), and headed back to the campground.  I stopped and shot the breeze for a few with Dudley and Tony, then headed back up Moore's Springs Road to climb Sauratown.  I took a few photos with the crappy iPod:

View from the top of Mickey Road, Brown Mountain in the distance. 

Dudley, rocking the Autodrop Invitational Jersey that Sean made for the MST crew last year. 

Shakedown!

I knew that I had something special waiting for me when I got back from vacation this weekend.  Brown Santa brought me most of a bicycle, to be built up with parts I've had for a while matched with some parts I've picked up over the past couple months.   After getting to a point where I could do no more with the tools I had on hand, I ventured to Doc Wheelies and we completed the build in short order.  As it sits below with pedals and cages, the bike to be dubbed "Cash" is 19lbs and a bit o' change.  I'll do some fine tuning over the next couple months leading up to the Breakdown, but there isn't much I'd like to change about it.  Look for a long term review later on this autumn!

As a side note, Erich and I have been busy working on getting things planned for our fall race.  The Autodrop Slingshot will go off October 27th from Bob's Big Gas Subs and Pub in Winston-Salem.  The checkpoint based road race was a hit last year, and with new checkpoints and challenges this year, it is sure to be a day in the saddle to remember!

MST Trailbuild

After a week's vacation growing sideways and rotund on shrimp and grits in Hilton Head, I was amped to get out and swing some tools today to build some trail.  The crew worked on a fantastic section of trail on the campground-side of Moore's Springs Road.  This short section must have 6 or more switchbacks and at least as many berms; a thing of beauty.  There was a glimpse of the Stokes County Yeti, however fleeting, but I am certain it was him...  

                                           Beware anyone who nears his lair.

What dat be?

Something new is coming...this is a foretaste of the feast to come.  Anyone not in the know want to gander a guess at what the frame, fork, or setup will be?  There is one hint in the photo, and you don't have to look closely.

Long time no see!

It's been a hefty long time since I have updated this blog.  As you will notice the URL and title has changed.  I first started this blog a few years back in the thinking that Steve and I would be starting a frame building a company, but that was not to be.  So, it was time for a change.  Clawhammer is in reference to two of my favorite ways to spend my time: riding in Pisgah, and listening to bluegrass.  Anyways, all that out of the way, everything has been going well, it's been a great summer with some big changes on the horizon.  I have a new mountain bike on the way, but sold the Big Mama about a month ago...this is the first time in over 7 years since I have not had a mountain bike.  It's been rough!  Needless to say, two-wheeled ventures have been limited to that of the skinny-tired variety.  The other day I got out for a nice ride in the mountains with Jim.  

Jim snapped this photo of my in Blowing Rock with Grandfather Mountain in the distance

Same ride, same place, different view

I have also been doing some running. My new favorite (read: brutal) loop is from the lake at Hanging Rock up to the summit of Moore's Wall.  It is about 5 miles and takes every bit of an hour to run.  Well, at least for me it does.  Though tough, the view from the top is every bit worth it. 

Jasper, my German Shorthair, has been growing like a weed and is now weighing in at a brutish 75lbs with still quite a bit of growing left to do.  He will be embarking on a journey of his own in about 6 weeks.  He will be spending between 6 and 8 weeks with a trainer at a hunt club in Snow Camp.  I'll be joining him on the weekends to help in the training process.  This blog, though mainly about cycling, is progressing to include all outdoor pursuits.  I will, hopefully, if training goes well, have some photos of this guy carrying some quail and pheasant back to me.

IMBA Trail Care Crew Weekend!

This past weekend, the IMBA trail care crew (Steve and Morgan) made a visit to Moore's Springs Trails and helped put together a fantastic weekend. After a couple sessions Thursday night and all day Friday, Saturday's classroom portion of the weekend took place at Singletree Inn. Taking the winding gravel road to the top of the ridge afforded some amazing views, but only once to the top did I really get to appreciate the full 360 degree views.


Johannah and Bill were kind enough to allow us to all crash their hunting lodge and learn about proper trail building techniques. Once through the classroom sessions, we descended back to Moore's Springs and got to work on a new stretch of trail that will eventually connect the south side of Moore's Springs to the North (or Campground) side. This was, by far, the most well-attended trail build that I have been to. Novant/Forsyth Hospital who has become one of the sponsors of the trails brought out about a dozen volunteers. All told, there were about 30 people busting their butts making a new sinewy section for Stokes County recreation.



Austin and I took to our normal routines of taking out any larger trees/brush that is in the way of the corridor (read: hitting things with an axe-like tool called a Pulaski). Then, once that work was finished, we proceeded to carry large rocks from one place to another to build a retaining wall for a switchback. By the end of the day, we were pretty exhausted, and for me, a requisite soaking in the creek took place:


Sunday's festivities included a group ride of MST with Tony, Dudley, Steve, Morgan, Derek, Brent, Mitch, Monte, Billy, and John.

Tony, with just a glimpse of HeyDuke in tow.


IMBA's Steve crossing the creek.


Dudley looking like a big kid having sooooo much fun!


Derek making it look so easy, he can ride it one-handed!



After the ride, it was over to CLMer Brad's place to watch the Tour of Flanders...poor Cancellara...