@JimN
I decided to go exploring today.
I went down Clinton Road and took the Old Coal trail up to what’s called Bearfort Waters trail, marked yellow.
I’ve been on this trail years ago while Geocaching. It is not well traveled and quite remote with a few water crossings that look bad at first, but are easily ride able because they are hard packed on the bed. This trail is very cool, kind of wide open scenery and very ride able. Great rock gardens that give you several lines to choose from. Some nice uphill climbs and great downhills too. Hey, remember who’s reviewing this ride, a tired old man.
There was plenty I had to walk-a-bike. I really didn’t know where this was going to lead me, but I had an idea it would take me to a bail out spot on Clinton Road down by the Reservoir. This was such a fun trail I forgot to keep track of my energy level, as I knew the end was near and I‘d ride the road back. These rock gardens were so much fun because they had me riding at my maximum limit, finding my line and getting thrown off it and finding it again. Great stuff.
Don’t get me wrong, it wasn't an easy ride, I was shaken to the bone and had jello arms, and sweating like a pig with a heart rate over 160, (I’m 73).
So, I see water ahead and figure I’m nearing the end by the Reservoir. I go down a great downhill to check it out. Wrong....it’s a great spot and I figure it’s just a few hundred feet down from my bail out point to Clinton Road. Wrong, so I realize I have to backtrack a few hundred feet and look for a trail that does what I want. Nope, it isn't working for me.
I climb back up the hill and see a trail that goes deeper into the abyss heading west when I want to go east, but it might be good and work out, but it’s a huge downhill and I can’t be sure. At this point I’m five miles in and lost. Damn! I’m also out of energy, as I was hoping to get to my bail out point and the road for an easy ride back. Time to reavaluate my situation. Lets see, out energy and lost, go into the unknown trail and hope for the best, or go back about two and a half miles to a known bail out point. GO BACK! That’s what I did. Climbing the brutal uphills, go two feet and holding the brake and resting. Climb some more and rest. Lying on the bike and resting and climb some more.
Then riding those great trails and rock gardens again, hell, this is fun again! I can’t believe I’ve upped my game and riding like a real mountain biker! Shit! I’m good!
I’m glad I chose to back track now and having fun again, no energy left, but so what. I find I’m riding harder stuff because I don’t have the energy to get off the bike and back on it again. It’s too hard to lift my leg over the saddle after pushing the bike uphill, so I ride harder stuff, great! I’m lovin’ it! Hey, it’s three hours of struggle and only nine miles traveled but I didn’t die!
I hate that feeling of being five miles out, no cell phone, no one knows where I am, I don’t know where I am, and I’m worn out. But ya know I’m glad I did it. What a blast and fun adventure. I just wish I had a way to see where I am and where I’m going, but my Garmins suck too.
I wasn't even close to my projected ride! Crap!
stream crossing
da climb
I see water
map
map 2 my track