Downhill from Here

The seasonal trails opened up yesterday and with the sun out for the first time in recent memory today I headed out for a little mountain bike ride. I had Bennett on my mind and the only logical way to get there is to go straight up Black Mtn. trail to Buckwheat Knob for a loop that us locals call The Big Nasty. It is a fun little loop but with the stage race going on it meant that racers would be coming down Black fast as I worked my way up. I left the ipod at home and kept my eyes and ears open for the sound and sight of racers coming down. Halfway between Pressley Gap and Turkey Pen the lead guys blew past me and I struggled to get my camera out in time. Knowing that there were a whole bunch more riders behind them I pretty much walked the rest of the way to Buckhorn Gap stopping to take pictures as they rode and hiked past me.

Most were in high spirits but several racers clearly were not enjoying the hike across the top of Clawhammer and Black mountains. It seemed that most riders were not familiar with the trail and I was often asked: "Is this the top?" to which I responded that it was all downhill from here. Of course they still had quite a bit of pushing but I figured they needed a little encouragement. I stopped for lunch at the last overlook and tried to get racers to join me but nobody was interested in my smashed pb&j sandwich. As a seemingly endless line of riders pushed their way up I couldn't help but tell them that the rest of the trail was 'rideable'. I hope that wasn't mean.

I eventually made it to Buckhorn Gap and away from the race course and was actually able to ride my bicycle again. Bennett is a favorite trail for good reason and I took it nice and easy for my first ride of the season. I chose to dismount for all the technical moves as it was very slippery but plan on riding it a lot this winter and maybe even making the final step on the staircase. We'll see about that.

Here are a few pictures. I have a lot more so if anyone is looking for someone in particular give me a number or description and I'll see if I got them.