while we are at it

Let's keep it rolling in terms of sharing new stuff around here.  A little while ago I was out on some local "secret" trails doing some trail work.  I don't do enough trail work.  I think my current pace is about once a year - not too good...  That needs to change.  And this is a trail where it can change.  This trail is new.  This trail isn't built with the general public in mind so we don't have to worry about how challenging a section is - if we like it, we build it.  I can get behind that!!

Anyway, while out walking the trail to see what has been built since the last time I was out there and what we were going to be working on that day I started thinking about my hike on the Appalachian Trail.  It was real nice to be out in the woods.  And while out there, we I was reminded that wildlife was all around, even in Charlotte.

Early on in the trail I came upon this.

Looked like vertebra, likely deer.  TomTom informed me that there were a ton of deer around early morning/dusk, and sure enough a few steps further on the trail and we could see deer tracks across the trail.  Later as we were hiking through the flagged section of trail-to-be TomTom stepped right on this guy.

I was walking behind TomTom and saw his foot slip on something, and there was this guy.  I guess he was hiding under the green leaves.  I checked him out, seemed like his shell did the job so I snapped a quick photo and left him be.  He was up on the side of a hill, so I was kinda curious as to where he was off to... but we had work to do.

That day we cleared some good trail.  It was nice to be out there with TomTom, G3, and TheMutt.  Normally we just ride together, so it was nice to be putting in some work together.  Towards the end of our work day I was clearing a rotted log out of the way and uncovered this monstrosity...

Grossest grub in the world.  I don't even want to know what that thing turns into... if it turns into anything?  It grossed me out, I was done!

So yeah, being out in the woods made me think about hiking, so when I got back home I had to order a few things I knew I needed/wanted for hammock hiking.  To the internerd!!

A few days later my stuff arrived, yay!

Setting up my hammock isn't hard, and doesn't take too long, but I learned of a technique that makes it even easier and faster... so why not??  I ordered up two carabiners and 4 descending rings to allow for a "no knot" hanging of the hammock that will cut set up time down to oh, about a minute.  It will allow for quick set up and take down, easy adjustments to center the hammock between two trees or adjust the height.  

The headlamp was on sale, and it would be nice to have rather than a flashlight so that I could hike in the dark if necessary, or just have light around camp at night.  There are a couple other things I know I need for the trip, but I have time.  I'm sure while I'm hiking I will hit sections where I will think to myself "man this would be sweet on a mountain bike," but I think it will be nice to slow down for a bit and enjoy the journey in a different way.

work in the woods

I FINALLY got out to put in a little time at... well, it doesn't have a name.  But the Mutt has been talking about it for a bit, so you can pour through his stuff if you want to know a little back story in the trail.  I ran into Tom Tom at the Tour de Charlotte on Saturday and we got to talking and he mentioned he'd be out bright and early the next morning getting in some work before joining up with a group ride at Sherman Branch.  Sounded good to me!

I was late to the trail because I wasn't paying attention to the time change deal... I woke up and thought I was early, and then looked at my phone.  Oh well.  I got my ass in gear and got over to the trail.  I started walking the trail, figuring I'd eventually run into Tom Tom out there at some point.  I didn't bring the bike because I had to run some errands with the wife after doing some work out there.  Let me tell you, even just walking it I could tell this is going to be one sweet trail.  Definitely not a lot of saddle time on this trail as there are a lot of quick ups and turns and challenges, so get your ass out of your saddle and get it done!!

While I was walking I came across this.

 
And then I made a new friend.

And after that I ran into Good Guy Greg cutting through the woods to the trail ahead of me.  We met up before the bridge work and water rerouting that they had all done a few weeks back, so he gave me a little tour of the rest of the trail.  Tom Tom met up with us as he was walking back to come get us and the tour continued.  I must say, I was impressed.  Impressed with what was already out there, and excited by what is to come.  The potential for this trail is huge.  

I spent my time out on the trail eradicating freshly raked sections of that tiny rooty, stringy, web mess that you find around here.  The type of stuff that trips you as you walk, and can certainly end a ride real quick with the grab of a pedal or derailleur.  When I first started reading the local forums and people would talk about root removal from trails I always pictured legit tree roots... but now I wonder if this is what they were talking about.  I've never supported root removal due to challenge, but I can totally get behind the removal of these tiny roots floating above the tread of the trail.    

Trail work was fun.  Seriously.  I'm definitely down to put in more work out there.  To help clear trail and figure out the routes of what's to come.  Go get out there and help with your local trails, there is no greater feeling (other than riding the trails of course) than giving back.  It gives you a sense of pride and joy just knowing how much fun you, and others, will have on the very trail you are sweating on.  

St. Patrick's Day

Ah, the time of year that Southie is over run by thousands, intoxicated and in green.  This is also a time that if you move your car, be prepared to park very very far from your house... so I was pretty much stuck in Southie all weekend.

Saturday I took the risk and left Southie bright and early for the first trail work session at the Fells.  It was a great turnout, had about 30 people there.  We made short work of the task at hand - rerouting an uphill section of trail and then regrading and narrowing the trail coming down the backside.  I had never ridden this trail before (orange), as it had previously been illegal for mountain bikers to access, but it was great to start getting our "new" trails ready to ride in April.  It was also nice to hear "thank you" from the many dog walkers, hikers, and joggers that came through while we were working.  So no matter how loud one group may be in damning us mountain bikers, the majority are truly cool with shared access and appreciate the work we are doing.

We've got much more work to do in the weeks ahead to get the orange trail fully open and ready to go for bikes... and then some planning and work on building new trails - which will be rad!  Working on the trail was rather fun.  At the end (sorry, didn't take any pictures) the trail looked as if we hadn't done anything to it... which is perfect!! One guy commented - "it's like a woman and her make up - takes 2 hours and you can't tell the difference!!"  Too funny!!

When I got home I was luckily able to park right down the street (after multiple laps looking for a spot).  I was itching to hit the trails, but already the streets were getting packed (and double parked) as the masses were rolling in for their night of partying, so Annie and I just went out for a nice lunch down at the Seaport instead.

Sunday was parade day.  Again, that meant no trail riding for me... so I took out Georgia and hit the streets.  As I was leaving Southie (a couple hours before the parade start) I encountered cab after cab coming into the neighborhood and masses of people in green walking their way in.  Of course I represented with the Ireland jersey but was headed out of the chaos.  Nice little ride.  The weather was perfect and I combined the last two ride routes into a 35.2 jaunt.  Still have one section to iron out but this will be a nice little loop I think.

Today I do have the HiFi on the pterodactyl and I'm ready to ride after work!!  Not sure exactly where I'll be yet... maybe Foxboro or Upton... but I'm sure it will include fat tires and dirt!!