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

First Ever! Stokesville Strade Gravel Grinder.

My Trek Domane, the most comfortable spring classic ride. 

A new spring classic was born this past Saturday, the Stokesville Strade Gravel Grinder. This event was another great production by the folks at Shenandoah Mountain Touring. Unlike most other events at Stokevilles this one was based out of Stokeville Lodge instead of the campground making for a more intimate feel (and less of a climb at the end).

The Tandem that would become my rabbit.

The ride started out with a steady pace as the lead vehicle paced us out of Stokesville back towards Sangerville on our way to the first of many gravel/dirt sections. As we entered the first dirt section it was obvious the heavy rains from the previous day were going to make for perfect tracion, but add up later on.

Ben Martin, always super fun to ride with!

Lindsey C, my favorite power house PULP rider.

Unlike the gravel roads used another spring classic, The Harris-Roubaix, the Strade roads has significantly more dirt then gravel making for muddy conditions. Like most spring classics corrrect tire choice is vital. My 28c Bontrager All Weather Tires proved bomb proof once again but 25c would have been the best selection due to tire clearence.  Around mile 25 I decided to stop to do come cleaning of the brakes. I did not realize how packed my bike was of mud until I had to take my wheel out and use a road side stick to chip away at the drying crust!

With less mud and resistance on my bike the final 7 miles flew by while we traveled the scenic roads on the east side of Lookout Mountain. A majority of my time was spent trying to chase down one of the several tandems on the ride, my hopes for some good wheel sucking never materialized as the duo rider train stayed ahead to the train depot house.

At the finish line the riders where treated to warm relaxing conditions, great food and drinks. SMT always makes sure every rider from first to last is treated like a king or queen, even if they did not win the crown. Thanks Chris, Jade and the rest of the family at SMT for another memorable ride. I can't wait until next year's Strade. Make sure to put it on your 2016 ride calendar!

If you are going to try Mountain Bike Racing

Shenandoah Bicycle Company had a phenomenal time over Labor Day weekend at the Shenandoah Mountain 100 put on by Shenandoah Mountain Touring and based out of Stokesville VA. While Tim, Thomas, Sam, and David (along with a number of awesome SBC customers) held down the fort at aid station #3 (Bottom of Dowells Draft), Collin, Matt and Kyle raced the event. 

Matt Hassman, after moving to the Valley a little over a year ago decided (with some peer pressure from the rest of the shop employees) to enter into his first mountain bike event ever. Not only was the Shenandoah Mountain 100 Matt's first off-road cycling event experience, it was also the first time he had ridden any of the trails on the course. Matt has spent most of the past year exploring all the roads of the valley but after the SM100 he is super jazzed to checkout the amazing trails the region has to offer. He was also murmuring something about a new 650b full suspension bicycle in his future...

Aren't we lucky to have such amazing mountain biking and road biking all in the same place? A big congratulations is also in order for the multitude of SBC customers who finished the SM100 this year. Especially those who finished the event for their first time ever. 

Matt Hassman at the finish line all smiles.

North River Gorge Trail...Family Style

So here is the before photo of......

The entire crew getting ready to start at the North River Campground.

the crew that patiently ventured down the six or so miles of the North River Gorge Trail this past Sunday. I say patiently because patiences is what it takes when you join a determined 3 year, an exited 5 year old,  and their over confident parents for a biking adventure. The North River Gorge Trail seems to have become a tradition of sorts during the summer solstis weekend, the weekend when Chris Scott and I celebrate our birthdays (this was year #45).  It is alway great to see Chris's whole Family come out for the North River Adventure, this ride includes siblings, neices, newphews and even Chris's 70+ aged parents.

For the Jenkins Family the adventured included taking Ethan on his Jet 16" and Carter on his worn out scoot bike. We made sure we also took a Burley Trailer knowing Carter would eventually retreat to the wet pull behind.  It is mind blowing watching young kids ride off road. Can you image ferns over your head? How about numerous river crossings up to your waist that seem to stretch on forever?  I would image this was the equivilent to the you or I riding in the Amazon. 

Every Stokesville Ride include a great swim session afterwards!

Enjoy was able to do the "Full Pull", with some assistance. Carter determination that him scoot half of the distance and then spent the remainder in the Burley safe haven. At the end of ride we were able to enjoy time spent on the rocky shores of the North River, doing what kids do, play with rocks!