Monday, January 17, 2005
Blame it on Alberta
CCCCCCHHHHIIIIILLLLLYYY ....
Today was the kind of cold that kills... and Todd Helmick and I were stupid enough to go out to the high-mountains of Augusta County for a grudge match of "who is gonna fold first" ... I did.
Trepidation:
After excruciating pain on my face and toes I decided I was scared of how cold it would be at the top of Shenandoah mountain! The recent 70 degree temps made me forget that I owned winter shoes. So that was for sure a big factor in my lasting only 1:15. We crossed a stream rendering Todd's derailleur inoperable. I told Todd about the peeing on the frozen derailleur trick that Chris Scott told me. He looked at me strangely at first, but then I told him to turn his head and I demonstrated the magic of this life saving fix. The trick is to bounce the bike up and down and run thru the gears before things get cold again. Voi La.
We bailed down the ice blackened stretch of route 250 and I was like hallelujah when we saw the gas station. The white trash mocha was to be our savior! We sure got some strange looks from the rustic looking men in leaf costumes. They didn't understand WHY some one would ride bikes outside in 14 degrees and blasting 20 mph winds, and neither did I.
Redemption:
After getting the much needed re-load I decided I hadn't thrown in the towel yet. It seemed like a waste to drive all this way and ride for an hour. So with much duct tape, a pair of shoe covers, and some heat packs on our toes we headed into the mountains again. We decided that all single track was the warm way to go, so I lead us up the 40 minute snowy climb up the Dowels draft trail. We did make it to the top this time and the shimmering blue and white view was breathtaking as was the wind chill. We ripped it, carving S's in the snow all the way to the bottom.
Relaxation:
Todd split for home back in Williamsburg and I headed back to thaw my bones out in H'Burg.
A fantastic ride, followed by some hot tea.
My face still stings a little and feels wind burned, a small reminder of our adventure.
Keep warm:
Jeremiah
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