Making a list. Checking it thrice.
Sandstone Visitors Center in our newest national park was the first stretch break.
https://www.nps.gov/neri/learn/historyc ... he-new.htm
Just shy of the Virginia state line, I sensed a build up of performance robbing deposits. New River Coffee's dark roast accompanied by protein, fat and salt set things right again.
NO ROK STRAPS were harmed during commission of this ride!
Heading into Vanderbilt's first choice.
But the scenery will have to wait because other matters have precedence.
Seriously good chips. Move over Gatorade!
Photographs never do justice.
Wolf Creek headwaters flow through the water gap on their way to the middle New River.
I tried to find to find a crooked gravel road out of the valley, but this was the best I could do.
Looking north from Big Walker Mountain Overlook..
And south towards Wytheville.
Zeroed in on the campground.
Setting up shop.
Chased the remaining half of Mrs. Mattie's turkey on exquisite fresh baked sourdough with grape Pedialyte, dark chocolate on rice cake coated with vegetable steak.
From my hammock as twilight began to settle and my eyelids were getting heavy.
Next morning, Round Mountain bound along Suiter Road.
Looking back up Suiter Hollow from the south side of Round Mountain.
Along Round Mountain's south slope.
Demanding more determination with each passing mile Round Mountain haul road tops out here, just a stone's throw north of Burkes Garden
My determination waned about a half mile along the old track into Burkes Garden. Constantly flirting with disaster, navigating two tree tops, constant off-camber deep ruts, boulders and baby heads and a bedrock ledge for good measure, my brain eventually caught up with my ambition. No place for a 400 lb pig and solo rider, whereabouts unknown with no cell signal. Turn around fool!!!
[The road sign back down at Suiter recommending against GPS routing and no access to Burkes Garden is not entirely true. Rather, it should say Burkes Garden accessible if leading your mule!]
The haul road continues east along the mountain and the timber slashings become fresher. Eventually I eased over into the weeds to dodge a loaded log truck pulling a loaded log trailer. I flagged down the driver and asked if I should turn around as I had no desire to get in the middle of an active job. Unbeknownst to me, I was only a couple hundred yards from a new road fork that leads to the current log job. He told me to stay on the old road and I'd soon be in Bastian. He neglected to mention that the forest service had let the road go since logging contracts were issued 7-8 years ago; presumably to minimize public travel. The only fresh tracks along the 12 miles were those of a dozer trammed in to construct the new logging site. Brush had closed in and erosion had had its way, but the two-track was doable given due focus…a jack mule could be ridden if he was amenable.
I was more than a little happy to see the open gate. I didn't have the legs to ride that twice in one day.
As always, a track saved for next time.
Vegan steak and grape Pedialyte performance boosters.
Having a half day left to ride, I traveled back up Wolf Creek along the smooth flow of Grapefield Road and ended up here out of curiosity; well that and seeking performance additive.
Can't say I'm overly enthused with the commercialization of a favorite road from my street bike days before "Back of the Dragon;" but I admire their initiative and the coffee is fresh.
Not really wanting to run knee deep in Hogshit, I opted out at Thompson Valley. VA91 gravel is more my roll.
VDOT couldn't have posted this 12 miles back? Dips#!+s.
In those Clinch Mountain Hills where time stands still.
Backtracking, I forced the pig into the Hogshit for half the Back of the Dragon so as to circle to camp. Once clear, I gave Snowflake her head and we made pace ahead of the building weather.
(Though we practiced social distancing, there was Hogshit. I'm drawing Snowflake's blood samples today and sending them off for Swine Flu antibody analysis. Pretty sure she is ok, but it can't hurt to check).
Yummnnn. Spklbuk's famous dehydrated chicken/vegee chili and crackers for supper. Propel and strawberries for dessert. Sacre Bleu!
After supper it was time to set the tarp and secure all my gear against the incoming. Apparently weather services (plural) do not entirely grasp decimals.
At least 0.33 inches fell overnight; I'd say closer to a half. $#@+
Next morning and time to head north of the New. The only thing worse than tearing down a wet camp is tearing down in the rain so at least there was that.
Just south of New River at the first stretch break of the day.
The oldest river they call New.
Along Rt 460 a fuel stop for both bike and pilot because sensors were indicating performance clogging buildup and sagging performance requiring fuel additive and both buffalo and vegan steak intake.
Some modicum of performance level restored and as I had read that the lake was once again holding water, I specifically routed into Mountain Lake as I'd only ever seen a dry lake bed. The reports of filling back up are maybe a little exaggerated. I guess they are rightfully excited to get what they've gotten. There is indeed more water than I've ever seen, but most coal strip ponds cover a bigger area.
https://cardinalnews.org/2022/12/05/geo ... ctuations/
Didn't stop at the resort or the lake for a pic but did snap this to verify the route.
Closing home with a fast interstate run, I was soon being assaulted by the head of security.
Damp gear is strewn about awaiting passage of the cold front to allow a proper airing. I am considering dehydrator recipes. Hobbled, stoved and creaky, I'm already looking forward to the next outing. Not sure I can take it if it gets any better!
