Same Old Story

Two years ago I went for a big ride with Jonathon, Broussard and Dennis where we pushed up Big Creek in the snow.



There were already eight inches of snow on the ground and it started snowing again as we pushed our way up. It was more than a little bit crazy - things got down right scary. I remember at one point I stopped to swap out my gloves for a dry pair. I got the wet gloves off fine but my hands were so cold I could not get my hands into the dry ski gloves I was carrying. Eventually Jonathon came up behind me and was able to pull my gloves on. That was a wake up call and during the next hour of pushing my bike up the trail all I could think of was what the best, fastest and safest way back to my truck was. Our plan was to go down Laurel but there was no way I was going to try that.

By the time we hit the parkway it was already getting late and the conditions had gone from bad to worse - it was on the verge of blizzard/whiteout conditions. Zach and Dennis were there hunkered down in the tunnel and said they were bailing down to Wash Creek Rd. as well. When Jonathon appeared we were all still so shell shocked we neglected to tell him the bail out plan. When it was time to pull out he realized we were bailing but continued on up to Laurel while ZB, DK and myself headed on down the road.



We had already been on the parkway earlier in the day on our way to Trace Ridge and it was clear but now riding was a treacherous impossibility. We had to walk almost all of the seven miles down to Bent Creek Gap.



In the end we survived and so did Jonathon. It was as big as I've ever gone in Pisgah.

Today's ride started much the same: the four of us plus a fifth met at Fisherman's at 10am and headed for Bear Branch:









After riding Bear Branch we headed up 5000 to Spencer Gap and Trace Ridge. There was a lot of snow and a lot of ice but we were all having fun. The sunny south slope of Trace meant little snow and a wide open downhill and too much fun. Once we regrouped at the parking lot we discussed our options and everyone else headed home while me and Jonathon decided to head up Spencer to the Parkway and then just come down Big Creek. I know I wasn't the only one remembering our ride from two years ago but I was prepared and figured why not try it.

Spencer and Trace hurt but when we got to the Blue Ridge Parkway it only had patchy snow and looked rideable so up we went. Things got bad fast and the idea of walking all the way up to Mount Pisgah did not sound like a good idea at 3pm so I made the call that we would bail. Jonathon graciously agreed and we turned around at the Young Pisgah Ridge tunnel:



We backtracked our way down Trace and then Spencer and then continued across the Never Ending Rd. on Spencer to Middle Fork. I got both my feet wet crossing Fletcher Creek but for some reason followed Jonathon up Middle Fork anyway. After that it was a long spin back down the Never Ending Rd. My feet were frozen solid and it hurt and I was ready to be done. So, Lower Trace > Fisherman's sounded perfect. Fisherman's required walking across the river but the truck was right there and my feet were already wet so why not?

It was just after 5 when we got done - I think bailing on Big Creek was the right call. Fun ride!