More Greenway
Solo ride on the Greenway. Temps in the upper 30's and really high winds made for a tough start, but once I got warmed up and into a rhythm I was glad to out there. Longer solo rides are good every once and a while.
Greenway rides
Knoxville is working pretty hard to construct a network of Greenways throughout the city. Although some might say it's going a bit slow, it's not too easy to go in after the fact and add connected ribbons of asphalt.
These Greenways have become pretty popular with some of my mountain bike crowd. They are a great alternative to damp trails and considerably more appealing than riding on public roads. We've put together a 40+ mile ride that has very little actual road riding. The fun factor is ramped up a bit when done at with a fast crowd at nigh with a pub stop mixed in. $2 drafts are a good thing.
These Greenways have become pretty popular with some of my mountain bike crowd. They are a great alternative to damp trails and considerably more appealing than riding on public roads. We've put together a 40+ mile ride that has very little actual road riding. The fun factor is ramped up a bit when done at with a fast crowd at nigh with a pub stop mixed in. $2 drafts are a good thing.
Kids concert
Whitney and I took the girls to their first concert this last weekend. The Bijou Theater in downtown Knoxville is an awesome place to see a show. Lots of history, pleasing architecture and not a bad seat in the place.
Dan Zanes took the stage and announced that this show was a party and no one needed to stay in their seat or be quiet! The children obliged and about a hundred three to five year olds rushed the stage! It was one of the best concerts I've ever been to.
Dan Zanes took the stage and announced that this show was a party and no one needed to stay in their seat or be quiet! The children obliged and about a hundred three to five year olds rushed the stage! It was one of the best concerts I've ever been to.
Raccoon
My first chance to ride outside of the Knoxville area in about a year and a half. Couldn't have picked a better spot to use my opportunity than Raccoon Mountain. 16 miles of twisty, rolling ribbons of single track with no hard sections. Just about perfect terrain for a FUN singlespeed ride.
Wally and Allen made for good ride partners. Save for few quick picture stops, we kept a good steady clip. Perfect temp, trail conditions and the fall colors were peaking.
Video of a little climb with some rock steps. I am only posting because Allen DIDN'T make it. Twice.
Wally and Allen made for good ride partners. Save for few quick picture stops, we kept a good steady clip. Perfect temp, trail conditions and the fall colors were peaking.
Video of a little climb with some rock steps. I am only posting because Allen DIDN'T make it. Twice.
New Forkage
Down with rigid, up with suspension! I think the IF resented that hunk of carbon fiber stuck on the front of her anyway.
Tour de Big South Fork
I talked my wife into letting me take my bike along for a long weekend at Big South Fork and I managed to sneek in one big adventure ride while I was there, about four hours total.
My ride consisted of mostly gravel or dirt park service roads with a few horse trails thrown in. Just about perfect 29'er terrain. Observant viewers will notice some extra cables hanging off my bars. Yes, the Karate Monkey now has gears.
Big South Fork has some awesome scenery and really cool rock formations. The park sees very little use and you generally don't have to worry about seeing many other folks when hiking or riding.
Started out in the Friday morning in the mid-30's (COLD). The cold front brought in crystal clear skies.
My ride consisted of mostly gravel or dirt park service roads with a few horse trails thrown in. Just about perfect 29'er terrain. Observant viewers will notice some extra cables hanging off my bars. Yes, the Karate Monkey now has gears.
Big South Fork has some awesome scenery and really cool rock formations. The park sees very little use and you generally don't have to worry about seeing many other folks when hiking or riding.
Started out in the Friday morning in the mid-30's (COLD). The cold front brought in crystal clear skies.
It was cool rolling down the asphalt with those big wheels and gears, even the locals were impressed.
Overly huge seatbag? Check.
The gravel roads had not been graveled(word?) in a while, made for some very fast riding.
After a few miles of gravel roads the ride turned to dirt service roads.
The "road" went by some cool rock features.
The trail turned major steep and rocky as it dropped into the gorge. Despite the warnings, the Monkey needed no leadership.
After a very steep long climb out of the gorge it was back to service roads. Nice scenery though.
Back onto 297 towards the cabin. All these dogs were off of one porch.
The rest of the weekend was spent hiking with the family. Spencer is getting to the age where she is so much fun to do outdoors stuff with. Bike rides are not too far off!
