Wintergreen Cliff Hanger Challenge

Mountain biking returned to Wintergreen ski resort for the first time in years last weekend at the cliffhanger challenge. Right off the bat by looking at the map below I could tell that there would be a boat load of climbing. What you couldn't tell was that there was big chunks of technical rock gardens between all the climbing. Goal for the day not crash and at least don't be dead last. Originally they only had experts doing three laps but decided to add an extra lap after finding the distance of each lap was only four miles. Majority of the trails were brand new with only a few small sections being from the old downhill trials from back in the day.

Me and Allen got there early enough to do a slower paced test lap. Our test lap took almost 40mins to complete and I wasn't really feeling like racing this course. I headed down to the tunnels and lined up with the experts for our uphill prologue start. I guess the $300 cash prize for the fastest rider had got the attention of some of the Pros with Jeremiah Bishop and some other crazy fast riders signing up at the last minute.  Off the start in my usual fashion I fell to the back with only a handful of riders behind me. I never have been one to push off the start probably something I should work on.  After the uphill prologue I passed 3 riders on the next uphill before heading into the woods for the A-corn downhill. I managed to pass one other expert rider who pulled over once he realized I was willing to push faster downhill then him.

Wintergreen Resort by Miguel  Diaz Hansen

The rest of lap 1 was fairly uneventful with more bouncing over rocks and a big switchback uphill climb up the ski slope.  Lap two was going well and I could see on some of the open sections that I was putting a bigger gap between me and the next expert rider.  I started to enjoy the course and little better and get more into the racing spirit. At the end of the lap I noticed the main pivot bolt on my bike was working it's way out yet again.  Crap, I knew I should have checked it before the race but didn't get a chance.  I pulled over and grab my multi tool and tightened it as quick as I could.  I thought for sure riders would pass me but apparently I had made a big enough gap that no one caught me!

Untitled by Miguel Diaz Hansen

Lap three was going well and on the last climb I saw my teammate Allen catching up.  This was his last lap since the SS class only had to do three laps. Allen couldn't resist the chance to pass me and went by me at the last 500 feet of the climb. I congratulated him on his SS win as I turned off to complete my last lap.  He would be the only person all day to pass me. On lap 4 there was a fair amount of sport/beginner traffic to pass and plenty of carnage out on the course. One woman had gone down breaking multiple bones and was unsure where she was, one person had a large cut and was limping out, and I watched a few riders hit rocks and fly over the handle bars.  Medics were busy that day with such a demanding course.  I finished in  2hr 10mins and 9th out of 15 expert riders. Not the best placing ever but there was some serious talent and I did meet my goal of not crashing!

Elliot's Knob

http://app.strava.com/activities/53953556

On Sunday the crew headed out for an epic ride or should I say hike in the Shenandoah area.

The gang rolling down the road.

The ride starts with a nice flat road ride down the valley to Deerfield, VA.  Once you turn off the pavement you start the climbing with a roughly 6 miles long climb. It is at least a gradual climb with plenty of beauty to see.

 At the top you turn to the left and just keep on climbing. Now its grassy double track with some flat sections and some steep near hike a bike sections.

The view from the top

Finally you reach the top at 4,463 feet one of the highest mountains in Virginia. It's also one of the only places  this far south that you will find spruce trees.  At the top is an old fire tower which now houses some telecom equipment.  The wind was howling and the temperature only 60 degrees so we didn't stay to long.

The bikes hanging out

Me chillin at the top.

From the fire tower we turned down Chimney hollow trail. Finally we got a descent after 20miles of pedaling with the next 4 miles being mainly downhill. Of course this single track was full of rocks so by no means was it an easy. Once we hit the next road we crossed straight across and the climbing began once more. It was 2.5miles of grassy double track with three super steep climbs called "The bitches". These climbs were 15-20% grades and went on for what seemed like miles. I managed to make it 3/4 of the way up the first two before walking but couldn't clear any of them.  Most in the group just started hiking at the bottom since it was more effective then trying to ride.

A picture of "bitch" #3. Pictures never show how steep things are!

Finally after all this climbing we got the reward we were after with a three mile single track downhill back to the road. We all agree that while a beautiful ride with some fun sections it's a once a year ride due to all the hike a bike.

Curtis Loop

http://app.strava.com/activities/52190848

Last Friday I ducted out of work early and meet up with Kelly and do one of the classic road loops in Lynchburg. It's 48 miles long taking you out into the county with great views of the mountains and beautiful meadows.

Rolling down the road enjoying the mountain views

Hanging out on the old wood bridge over the creek in Curtis