A Weekend Without Biking!?

What do you do when it is cold and grey outside, you just spent last weekend super muddy at a great SVBC Superbowl Sunday ride, and you need a break from the bike? A trail run!? Not just any trail run but The Wild Oak Trail Run (often referred to as T.W.O.T.). It is not your ordinary run but a special and unique event that embodies everything that many of us have grown to love about our mountains, our trails, and our trail community. The Wild Oak Trail Run is not a race or at least not really. Consider that 50+ people started but only four "finished" that is because those four finished all four laps for a whopping 100+ miles of Wild Oak Trail. Most others were only participating in the "fun run" portion of the event which involves 26 miles and a bunch of uphill. Mountain bike events and bike events in general could learn an awful lot from the spirit of these free "fun run" events. Kyle got out for the Wild Oak Run and then a Sunday hike to a waterfall in the Shenandoah National Park with former SBC employee, Whitney March.

The rules for the Wild Oak Trail Run are one of our favorite things about the event and nothing sums up the event more than these ten rules. While not for everyone, this type of run/ride/hike/ski/name any other form of human powered mobility and endurance is food for the soul. 

(From the T.W.O.T. Run site)

Who is Invited
Since this is a semi-invitational, here are some guidelines to help you determine if you are "invited". Actually, most of the following determines who is not invited.

• If you are even the least bit worried or concerned about getting lost, don't come.
• If you have questions, don't come.
• If you need a crew, don't come.
• If you need toilet paper, don't come.
• If you expect to be pampered in any way shape or form, don't come.
• If you're a whiner, don't come.
• If you're a freeloader, don't come.
• If you're seeking fame and/or fortune, don't come.
• If you're thinking about writing a report about your experience at Wild Oak, don't come.
• If you crave abuse, if you yearn for abuse, if you are addicted to abuse in any way shape or form (be it physical, mental, sexual, verbal, mathematical, artistic or whatevah) BY ALL MEANS, BE MY GUEST. (This applies to abusees only. Abusers are not welcome. The only abuser allowed is the trail.)

Epic day off: Spruce Knob, WV.

On Monday, after a long day of work here at the shop, Paul and Scott set out to make the most of their Tuesday off.  They embarked on an adventure deep into high backcountry at the precipice of West Virginia.  After a curvy 2 hour mountain drive from town, they reached the exposed summit of Spruce Knob.  They encountered temperatures and wind gusts in the 40's.  With a swift retreat to more comfortable conditions at lower altitudes, they sought the perfect spot to setup their hammocks.  Surrounded by a grove of terrestrial lightning bugs, ferns and Red Spruce they slept near the Seneca Creek Trailhead.

After a basic dutch oven breakfast and some open fire espresso, the odd pair hopped on their mountain bicycles to explore the Epic Trails as designated by IMBA.  They returned to the precipice to ride through a magical alpine boreal forest, interspersed with rock fields and wildflower meadows as they descended the Spruce Mountain ridge.  Huckleberry, Lumberjack and High Meadow trails spit them out on Seneca Creek Trail at the bottom of the mountain.  The cooler temperatures did not afford them a swim at the base of Seneca Creek Falls, however it did provide Paul with a birthday plan.  After a leisurely 6 hours in the woods, pizza and beer would be the only way lure these two back into reality.

When is your next day off?  Let us help you make it Epic.  Come by SBC to get the best ride beta, map selection and bike gear around.  For more info on IMBA Epic Rides, click here.

[gallery orderby="rand"]

Weekly Wednesday Night Ride

Do you know the most fun & easy way to avoid riding in the summer heat?  Ride in the dark with a night light to stay cool!  Starting last week, Wootten will be out at the Western Slope of Massanutten every Wednesday Night to ride mountain bikes with those not afraid of the dark.   Come out for a chill paced no drop group ride if you dare.

Giro d'Ville 2012

If you don't know what foof is, don't look on urbandictionary.com, go to google maps and search Charlottesville.  However, either way you look at it, you're right.  This weekend, Harrisonburg's brave mountain warriors will be holding it down in Montebello, fighting the foof.  Reputations are at stake.

Giro d'Ville is a multi-day mountain bike stage race for gnarly rival locals and their respective cycling communities.

Tim says "We put the F U in FUN."

Crossfit Harrisonburg is coming downtown!

If you thought Mountain Biking was hard, crossfit will rock your world.  Crossfit Harrisonburg getting all Pulped Up with the Short Mountain Acai Bowl for a post workout recovery meal!  It's a must, and its Paleo if you go no granola!  Stoked to have the Crossfit Harrisonburg crowd all hooked up on the smoothie goodness!!!!!!