Wabbits in Wakefield

Bayden and I spent a couple days at the cabin in Wakefield with Pappy, Uncle Charlie, Bruce and Bert. Bert has one eye and Bayden was intrigued by his patch and asked what was behind it and if he could see it. Bert explained nothing was behind it and asked if he was sure he wanted to see. Bayden said yes and Bert obliged. His medical training has begun at 4.

Cold temps did not prevent us from riding a little bit.

Bayden joined us for some of the rabbit hunting and hung out with Uncle Charlie at the cabin when he was tired of the walking.

February

Snow on the mountains assures us that Winter is not over.

President's Day Ride

I had Prez Day off and Whitney did not, so I sent the text out for anyone looking for a mountain bike ride and got all negatories. So, I headed out for a solo fatty. I was greated with flurries in town and views of white capped ridges on the drive out. I parked near Boyscout and headed up Leading Ridge.

I continued up the headwaters of the North River.

After this picture things got interesting with lots of ice build up on the bike preventing the wheels from turning...kind of a problem on a bicycle. Add to this frozen pedals and booties and I was doing my best to stay calm (meaning not screaming curse words at the top of my lungs in the middle of the woods) and keep moving. And oh yeah, my front suspension fork quit working at some point on the climb. I am not sure if it was the temperature or if it has officially crapped the bed. It all worked out as I ascended out of the North River headwaters and got on to fire road heading to Little Bald and Chestnut Ridge. I doubt the temps ever got over thirty couple, as the snow stayed entact except on the sunniest of spots. I had enough clothes and food to keep me from misery, and enjoyed the six mile descent as much as possible with a bum fork.

This may not sound like fun, but I love this kind of ride from time to time. It reminds you how good we have it, how dicey it can be riding by yourself in the middle of nowhere, and how nice it is to ride in warm temps.

oh yeah, the fresh cat tracks on Chestnut Ridge added to the mind games. I was doing my best Howard Dean on the ridge to make sure the coyote, bobcats, bears and maybe cougars knew I was coming.

Happy Anniversay!!!

Whit and I are celebrating our sixth wedding anniversary!

On Valentine's Day we went for a mountain bike ride up Hankey Mountain to Dowells Draft, and no, I am not talking about sex. Whitney was true to her meathead form and rode almost the whole climb. She was a trooper and we had a great time. We hope to make it a weekly ride.

Kids! are awesome

Super Bowl Sunday 2009

Had a fun filled weekend to include a concert in Charlottesville Friday night with the whole fam damily. Saturday included some shopping with the kids and an afternoon session with Jared and Joel. Highlight was definitely wall rides on the Convocation Center. Saturday night Fisher watched the kids while Whitney and I caught the Pre-Super Bowl Ride movie at the Blue Nile. Good crowd with faces from Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia in town for the Sunday ride.

Sunday was blue bird and 50 degrees. Fun ride up from Briery Branch on the annual Super Bowl Sunday Ride.

Lots of friends.

Fisher made his first summit of Flagpole Knob.

And his first real descent!

Priceless!