M(oooooo)ve over, we're going camping

   It's so easy a nine-month old can do it! A couple Saturday's ago around 15 fine folks departed the backyard of the shop on a emaculate spring afternon ultimately headed toward the Stokesville Campground for the second bikepacking trip of the season.

   I was super stoked to have the day off and be in my favorite summer shirt sitting atop my tangerine Surly Crosscheck with an extra dab of sunscreen splotched on my nose. David Lee straddled his Surly ECR and led the troops through some neighborhoods and out onto 42 South.

One of the toughest, but most rewarding climbs of the trip. 

   I made a clutch executive decision to drop from the back and burst into Mr. J's to flag down two egg and cheese bagels for the ride, one of which made it into Lee's stomach later in the ride. It's important to keep the leader well nourshied, you know?

   Loaded with Arkel Dolphin 32 panniers on the front of the Crosscheck I hauled back out onto the route and caught the group just past Mole Hill.

   Lee's well-planned route, which we pre-rode the weekend prior was spectacular and featured many sights and sounds and little to no long stints on any particular road.

Stop and smell the methane, that's how that saying goes right?

   A highlight of the ride out featured Marshall Hammond "turtle necking" a 29-inch tube into a 26-inch wheel to remedy a flat.

Paul Hansbarger sporting some Devil's Backbone atop a bag he designed.
He's cool like that. I think an addition to his frame bag line is ideally
in the works. Beer tarp? 

   My favorite part of this trip was that packing food for the ride wasn't necessary with a mandatory stop at the famed Stokesville Market to look forward to. The market has become a staple for riders exploring the campground and national forest trails. Great pizza and even better beer and a guilty pleasure, Puffcorn. 

   Members of the group were quite refreshed to roll into the market late in the afternoon to stock up for the night of fun at the campground. I slammed a Sunkist and Dr. Pepper within five minutes of being in the market! Sodas never taste better than when you get off your bike.

My trusty steed fully loaded. The rear rack actually came of an old electric bike and
perfeclty houses a Z-Lite sleeping pad where the bike's battery woudl tradisionally go. 

   If you're caught up in the never ending debate between panniers and a trailers, just try them both! This was the first ever trip where I had panniers in the front after some heavy guidance from co-workers and I'm completely sold. Going downhill like a sturdy racehorse has much better of a feel than sporting bags in the back twerking on a descent trying to keep your back end to settle down. 

A secret stop on the way home Sunday
proved scenic and educational for our group. 

   That night we were all able to feast on our bountiful spread of goodies before a rumbling fire that carried us off into the night as we departed for bed. 

   Bikepacking is my favorite. I heavily encourage anyone interested to come out on the next trip which is slated for late August 15/16--we are more than happy to talk setups and lend out and a trailer if you're thinking of one. Plus you can come and join Lee and I as we attempt to be funny with group memebers!

   Adventure by bike- Stephen