Banner Elk, NC

Took a trip down to Banner Elk, NC with my friend Neil to ride in the Mountains for the first time. I finally got to experience first hand why climbers in the cycling world are not typically 6'4" tall and 215 pounds... It was a humbling experience, but it surely made me want to move to a location with mountains to ride. Our buddy Momber who lives in Raleigh was kind enough to be our guide and give us a solid riding plan. It was an amazing day.

First we tackled Roane Mountain (Carver's Gap sign is on the top) beginning in Tennessee and crossing into North Carolina a few hundred feet before the pinnacle. We started in the valley where we then climbed for 8 miles of distance to achieve the altitude of 5512 feet. I guess I wasn't paying attention to Momber when he told us we would not be on flat or declining road for the next 8 miles because I was constantly looking up the mountainside wondering how much longer this shit was going to keep on. Looking back now, knowing the distance would have not helped. Anyway, we made it to the top. One thing that I noticed to be very foreign was constant and noticeable resistance on the pedals during the entire climb. As soon as I would want to coast, even for a second, I would lose literally any speed/momentum and it was a bitch to get back up to speed. This surely never happens on flats! Well we made it to the top.

Above: Neil atop Carver's Gap the first time we climbed it



Above: Myself atop Carver's Gap - First time

It was amazing to follow Neil down a mountain descent, another first. By amazing, I mean it was quite terrifying. I had never "descended" anything other than a few hundred feet of hills in Michigan. Once I became more comfortable on the descent, I looked back over my shoulder and there was a Hummer following us down the descent. As soon as the road began to take more sharp turns, I looked back again and we had opened a huge gap on the Hummer. Pretty funny how much faster we could get down than a giant/gumpy SUV.

Above: This hidden treasure was in the valley below Carver's Gap

This gas station was in the valley. This old dude, presumably the owner, had the most gnarly accent. I still have no idea what he was saying to me. I just kept smiling and laughing assuming he was making fun of my pink spandex, although I cannot be sure. We left the gas station to ride to another climb - Hughes Gap. I believe this is where I noticed there is no substantial length of flat roads in TN or NC. Along the way to Hughes gap a jeep Wrangler locked up its brakes in an attempt to not kill Neil and I. Fortunately for us, he was sucessful in not killing us. I would have been pissed if I died before I got the chance to do more climbing. I rode into a ditch and almost flipped over my bars trying to get out of the Jeep's path of potential destruction. Neil just kept riding ahead, totally unaffected by the situation. He is fearless.

Hughes gap was a shattering climb, one of the first times since I have been biking where I thought I would have to walk my bike to the top. I ended up making it, very very slowly to the top. Both Neil and I ended up doing ladders (zig-zagging across the width of the road to decrease the effect of the incline) to get to the top. This was followed by another fast paced descent where I began to gain more confidence in my ability to descend without falling off the side of the mountain.

Finally we got back to the base of Carver's gap - Neil and I had a quick discussion of whether to head back to the car or climb Carver's gap again. Of course we chose to climb again. Which we managed to do, it was by far my favorite day of riding bikes I have had thus far. I cannot wait to go back! The ride ended up being 58 miles and climbed just under 7000 vertical feet. I mapped the ride - it can be seen here: Wickham.cc Roan Mtn Ride.

Walked the bike home three times in two days!

Spring is surely here! Breaking shit becomes routine again. This week we started having solid shorts weather, it was in the 40's every day! I don't often wear leg warmers when it's in the 30's either, but I never wear them when the thermometer hits 40. Anyway, the warm weather typically means I can push it harder which always takes it's toll on the bikes. I took the road bike out a few days ago (no mechanical issues) came home, switched into normal clothes and took the track bike out. I ended up cranking really hard to run a light and it pulled my rear wheel out and skidded through the intersection. I didn't have a wrench, so that was the first walk home. Next day, I got a flat on the track bike, walked my bike home took my road bike out for a ride - broke my derailleur hanger off.
While I was walking home a guy, who used to come into the restaurant I worked at, stopped to offer me a ride. I would have taken him up on it, but he has a nice car and my bike is ALWAYS so dirty I didn't want to ruin his car. A little further along my walk a random dude in a truck stopped and offered me a ride. I assume he was a cyclist, he had a Thule roof rack on his truck. It was pretty nice out, so I thanked him and told him I was pretty close to home - kept walking. I am always amazed by how helpful strangers are willing to be.

(I don't know if I would stop and offer a ride to some giant walking
his bike around wearing pink spandex)

Last summer two ladies who were out walking offered to go home and get their SUV and give me a ride home! It is always a nice reminder how generous people can be. I wouldn't do that for somebody, haha. So now I am stuck not racing this weekend and waiting for FELT to mail my second derailleur hanger replacement... Looks like I will be on the track bike until then.

Track Bike Downtown

Still my favorite way to bike, in traffic - in the city

Switching back to Blogger.

I am switching Wickham.cc back to Blogger. I have found that I missed a quite a few features and the overall simplicity. So this is it going forward.

Morning Motivation

Today was not one of these days, but...

Often times I really don't feel like getting up in the morning and rushing into the cold to ride my bike. It would mean being hungry, frozen fingers(my fingers are beginning to look like a mountaineer's), wet feet and bum(I know what you are thinking... From snow, not messing my pants). Last week I came across a video that just puts me in a good mood and when I am happy, I bike. So here is the gift of happiness/motivation for everyone else. *I am not sure if it will motivate others to go to class, work, write a thesis and so on, but you may long for biking - adorning giant animal heads.*

'What's a Girl to do' by Bat for Lashes. Also don't give up on it too early, I am not crazy about the song but the video is awesome.

Bat for lashes | What’s a girl to do | Dougal Wilson
by Festival-Mecal

I am going to go walk around for a few hours and check out the roads... Mainly to decide if I need the mountain bike or if I can ride the fixed gear. Ride on.