velocraig.................

Labor Day Camping

2010-09-07T21:56:00.006-04:00

Just "the guys" went camping last weekend....very low-key.
We went to a primitive National Forest area called Boggs Creek about 20min north of Dahlonega....no electricity or running water (unless you count the creek) and only a vault toilet.
We had a blast....laying in a field watching stars, riding bikes, playing in the creek, hiking, playing catch, etc.

Fence

2010-09-07T21:40:00.004-04:00

Built a little fence for AnnaBelle a few weeks ago...Jason helped....

Also installed "invisible fence" system to keep her away from the fence/digging while we are gone during the day....can't see it here.
More pics later when it's all painted and finished.

Gainesville to TN trip April 3-5

2009-04-07T15:09:00.009-04:00

It's been months since I've posted...guess I finally have something to talk about.....

....since spring break seems to be bringing the family in from 3 states to meet at the cabin in TN, and I had a few days of vacation, I decided to load up the Soma and ride up to the Cabin...here's the basic info:

- 3 days solo on the bike...all 60+ lbs of it!
- 52-67 miles per day

- 3 states - lots of climbing...lots of it! :)

I started on Friday at about noon heading to Clayton...mistake #1...it was VERY windy...gusts up to 25mph...I should have left earlier. This was my longest planned day (more about that later) at 62 miles and the elevation was constantly up and down. Mistake #2...I broke the cardinal bicyle rule...never ride something on an important day that you haven't tested previously. I changed how I packed the panniers and have more in the front ones than I have tested previously. As I head out of the driveway onto the hill down Mt. Vernon Rd., I realize that this has changed the handling of the bike and I have a shimmy in the front end of the bike. I immediately think, "I can't ride this thing like this!" and contemplate turning around to adjust...then I remember the last trip last summer and decide to "deal with it" and adjust in Clayton....glad I did. After 5+ hrs on the bike and 2 short breaks along the way in Cleveland and Batesville, I roll into Clayton. I decide to stop at the McDonalds for a snack and a break. I eat a cheeseburger, chocolate milk and a cone. This ended up being dinner! I decided to use the MickeyD's "shower facility" before rolling over to Grandma and Papa's old house for the evening.

Here is my first nights stopping point:

I figured this would be a great no-cost night and asked permission from the family...they obliged, even though I'm sure they thought I was crazy... I pitched my tent on the sheltered side of the house (winds still howlin at this point), had a snack and turned in by 9pm. At some point in the night one of Rhonda's cousins had driven by the house to dutifully check on it and saw the bike on the porch which triggered an alarm to him. He and the Clayton PD came bangin on my tent tellin me to come out! In my slumber, I apparently told them to "leave me alone"...the cop "asks" me to come out again and I say, "it's private property, I have permission, leave me alone...I'm sleeping"...at this point I hear Jonah say, "Craig???"...I was pissed to have been awoken, but never got out of my bag....it was freakin cold outside! Apparently everyone in Clayton with a scanner knew what was going on...it was a source of amusement for everyone at the ball-field the next day....glad I could spice things up in Clayton for the weekend!

After sleeping too late (Mistake #3), I get up and pack and go to the BK in town for breakfast.......yeah, I know, I'm soft for not cooking. While eating, I looked up at the flag on top of the power poll and realize the wind is dead into my face for the whole days ride at what has to be at least 20 mph...ugh...oh well, gotta get movin or it'll just take that much longer!

Here's me going across the state line....great self-portrait, huh?

Day 2 had the climb that worried me the most right in the middle of my mileage...Flowers Gap, between Franklin, NC and Dillsboro...it goes to a 9% grade for about 1 mile of the 5 mile long climb. I was really worried that my 34X28 gear wouldn't be enough with the bags...well,it barely was but you can be sure I never stopped or walked! I made it but payed for it! The descent was a little unnerving since I had to ride the brakes more than I wanted to (remember that shimmy??... I never completly got rid of it, FWIW) due to the extra weight and was worried about over-cooking the rims and blowing a tire...stopped 3 times to let them cool...it was a good idea...they got HOT at one point.

Note to self: disc brakes would be a good idea on a touring bike for the mtns!

By the time I got to the bottom and Dillsboro I was hot and decided to pull into town for something cold to drink.

Here's where I had a root beer float...Mayfield w/ A&W!

That may have been the best float I ever had in my life...at least it seemed like it at the moment.
Oh, well, had to get movin...still have to make it to Cherokee and I have no idea where I'm going to stay at this point.

Between Dillsboro & Cherokee, an old lady nearly creamed me...I coming up to an intersection w/ the highway I'm on and she pulls up to the stopsign to enter. I make eye contact w/ her and shout to make sure she notices me but something seems odd.........then she looks right at me and pulls out anyway. As she gets in my "space" I swing the 60+ lb beast I'm riding out into the lane to avoid becoming a hood ornament on her little truck. As I ride along, leaing into her front fender, I slammed my fist on her hood and yell again. She actually was yelling at me and shaking her fist at me. She slowed down and I ended up in front of her truck, so I did what any rider would do........I stopped and put my feet down. Yeah, I know....stupid.
I rode away unscrapped.....

As I roll into Cherokee, I made a stop at the Cherokee War Veterans Memorial...Rhonda's Papa served w/ Gen. Patton in WWII and is listed on the memorial...he was born and lived for a while on the reservation...Wallace W. Carter.

So, I get to Cherokee and check around for someplace to stay and realize there are NO cheap places, even this time of year. Most of the legal places are booked solid, you don't wanna "free camp" in the Cherokee Reservation (BAD consequences for getting caught) and the Natl. Park campground was almost $20 and had no hot water (I wanted a shower); so I find this ratty place called "Bradleys". It's on the river (not my fav. spot due to cold temps) and has a hot-water shower-house for $20....OK. I decided to ride around and check some other things out...ended up riding around for about 15 more miles...just 'cause I wanted to :) That made for about 67 miles and some big climbs for the day!

Here's what night 2 looked like:

These were my visitors from the river....

Here's the new K-12 school they are building on the reservation.......it's the biggest freakin school I've ever seen!!
....I guess the casino is treatin' em pretty good these days!

So on day 3 I had this little climb to get over before getting to the cabin....bad news for me is that it's 17 miles long worth of climbing!!!
I had to go over HWY 441 and Newfound Gap at over 5000 feet.

The first half went pretty well.....and then the weight of the bike started to catch up w/ me and the 34X28 gear started to feel a little short for my needs! The last few miles were tough, to say the least. I started to bonk and the loaded miles were beginning to accumulate in my legs all at the same time...ugh. I was determined not to stop til the top, so I just kept peddalin' :)
I made it to the top and hung out w/ some AT through-hikers from FL for about 30 minutes. We sat in the grass and soaked up the sunshine and chatted about FL since they were from the same little town my dad was from...small world, huh?

They took this picure for me....

....and I then I headed down the 14 mile descent to the bottom of the Hwy near Gatlinburg.
After getting to the bottom, guess what I got to do again.......
....that's right; CLIMB!
After another 30 minute climb, I got to the top of the ridge and got to follow the river road down to Metcalf Bottoms picnic area where I exited the park and headed into the valley and the cabin.

Here's me at the top of the 13% climb to the back of the cabin!

I dodged a bullet w/ the weather for this little trip....it was very nasty for days before I left and here's what happened the day after I arrived...abut 3 inches of snow and 30 degree temps:

So, inevitably, after doing a trip of any length, you'd better have learned a few new things:
- never second guess yourself...just keep going and deal w/ your issues as you can
- don't come out of your tent for ANYONE!

- wool is your friend; it's warm, it's dry, it doesn't feel slimy after the first ride in it and it doesn't seem to EVER stink :)
- you can never have too low of a gear when your on a loaded bike
- disc brakes would be good on a loaded bike for in the mountains

- I have a new respect for the people who do the full-on touring out in the Rockies!
- look out for old ladies in trucks...they're ALL crazy
- stop and enjoy the ride; you've got plenty of time

Braves!!

2008-05-18T21:19:00.007-04:00

Take me out to the ball game!!!

Actually, it was Monkey's first game, ever!

Long story, but Mom & Dad were supposed to be here this weekend so I bought tickets for PopPop, Monkey and myself...short part of the story is that they couldn't be here due to a medical issue w/ my uncle and since I couldn't get the tickets sold (whole other story there!) RAB, Monkey and I went...Here are the pics to prove it!!!

More bug info soon!!!!!

Monday "Dub-Date"

2008-05-12T22:01:00.005-04:00

Engine was going back together today when I stopped by...All the tin was on; heat exchangers & exhaust looked to be in good shape.The doghouse/alternator went on as I was leaving...things are progressing nicely!

Part III

2008-05-09T20:36:00.003-04:00

Heads came back looking real good...new exhaust valves and guides. Rockers installed...they look good too.

87mm pistons and cylinders installed.

Talked to Joey at All Around Restorations today and he tells me should be finished late next week.

dub pt. 2

2008-05-06T20:56:00.003-04:00

Pics of the engine tin and hard parts in the paint booth waiting for spray and of the crack in the spark plug hole on the #3 cyl head (look carefully, its fuzzy).

Hope to have the heads back tomorrow so the engine can go together Wed/Thurs and the new tank painted and ready to go in by Thurs.
Carb should be rebuilt already.
Might be on the road by Friday (fingers crossed)

Race update...
6 hour race on Sat. didn't go as well as the last two...
I did the first 3 hours wheel to wheel w/ 4 of the top 5 guys...
I bonked about hour 3.5 and slowed down alot...apparently so did the others!
Ended up finishing 6th but was only 13 minutes off of the podium after almost 7 hours of racing.....
I'm currently in 2nd overall in the 3 race series, so all isn't lost.
.......that's racing.........

V-Dub

2008-04-30T18:20:00.005-04:00

The bug is on the path to being back on the road...took a few pics today...

The "BIG POST" Day!!

2008-04-23T17:50:00.012-04:00

Two big things on this post....

Thing #1...I'm most excited about this one!!

Monkey on his first ride w/o the trainging wheels!!!!!

<--------------Looking at me like, "what are YOU looking at?".....

thing # 2.......

The Tour de Georgia rolled into town today....since they dismissed school at 1pm to accomodate all the road closures, RAB, Monkey and I all headed over to watch.

Super fast sprint finish...one of the fastest I've ever seen...downhill towards City Park (the football stadium area, at the cabin where we had Monkeys birthday party).

Afterwards I hunted down one of the US riders I've paid close attention to for years...Bobby Julich.

Then I found the team cars and got a pic of one of his bikes on the car and then.........

I hunted HIM down!!!

some people have a problem

2008-04-13T21:10:00.003-04:00

The folks promoting the Bakers Dozen race sure were nice......but I think they have a drinking problem.
BEFORE the race they give everyone one of these shot glasses....
AFTER the race was over they gave me the pint glass...

Short story goes like this...
I lead the entire race until the last 3 minutes when they 2nd place guy behind me asks to lead going up the climb we're approaching...I let him and as we go through the start/finish they call it due to HEAVY RAIN.
Bottom line he wins the event even though I led the whole race up until the last few minutes.
Lesson learned (again) ...never, ever, ever let anyone around you for any reason...it's called a RACE for a reason.
Good news... my fitness seems to have recovered pretty well following "the crap".
Bad news... RAB seems to have aquired "the crap" now :(

Here's me at the beginning of the event following the LeMans style start.
I know this is the beginning because I don't look like a big brown mud-hole on legs yet....
I did a few hours later!

It's on!

2008-04-11T08:43:00.003-04:00

Looks like the race is on for tomorrow...currently no more than a 50% chance of rain through tomorrow night. I'll post later @ results, although with all my ailments of the past 2 wks, I'm not expecting much...just hoping to finish w/o too much pain :)

Mom and Dad - I got the card; taking the $ to the race w/ us this weekend. Maybe I can buy some luck w/ it!
KEB & TheJellyMan...the box showed up yesterday; the good stuff...yeah! Gonna take some w/ us for coffee in the AM before the race!
RAB and Monkey - made burgers and such for my b-day and Big-J stayed to eat w/ us; Monkey gave me a card that played "Rock & Roll all Night" when you opened it up...good times.

Thanks to all for a good day!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-04-08T16:19:00.005-04:00

Yeah...today makes 39.

Started w/ Mom & Dad calling me at 7am w/ the HBD song.

Went to Nimblewill area to do some forest service road riding on the Vassago w/ Big-J who was on his new KHS Solo-One SE 29'er.

Rode about 2.5 hrs and feeling like I'm recovering from that bug last week.

Hoping for no rain this weekend so we can race.

Doing house work the next few days...new water heater, fix driveway, yard-work, fix gutters, etc.

Happy B-Day to me!

yeah, this one is me ^^^^^^^^^^

patience...

2008-04-05T19:55:00.002-04:00

...pays.
I'll be brief...I got home Friday bummed we weren't going to SC for the race and found an email from the race promoter: "race rained out, moved to next weekend."
Called the campground and they were able to move our reservation to next weekend w/ no $$ lost and if I'm healed up we'll go give it a shot!
I'm still weak and haven't ridden in a week, but should be able to ride vs. race the event.
Also went to the Dr. last night...he thinks I'm getting over a virus, so I should be feeling much better by next weekend!
Patience pays...

best laid plans

2008-04-03T22:38:00.004-04:00

10pm on Thurs night and we just pulled the plug on this weekends race/camping trip..........

Monkey and I are still coughing like crazy and I feel poor, at best

the forecast for Sat is 90% chance of thunderstorms

fuel cost (driving truck w/ camper in tow)

Even though we'll lose our $$ from the park reservation as well as my pre-paid race entry fee, it just doesn't add up, so, it's a no-go. This was a second-tier race (lower priority) for me but it still bums me out not to get to do it just for the training.

--Monkey handled the news pretty well for a 5 year old...probably better than I would have.
We told him that we will try to go later in the week since it's spring break.
--RAB has been shopping all week to get "stuff" ready for us.
--I've been wanting to do this race for the past 2 years only to have conflicts w/ the HS band spring trip...finally works out schedule wise, and now this.
--Made arrangements for someone to cover for me at church this Sunday....

Lots of stuff screwed up because of some freakin' little bug..................

"crap" update

2008-04-01T08:09:00.006-04:00

Slept ok last night...ok enough to oversleep!
Temp was 97.6...about normal for me in the AM.
Drugs are good...
I still feel poor/weak/achey.
WEDNESDAY....
I slept good...temp at 97.6 again this AM...this is good.
Drugs are starting to build up in my system and make me feel a little "loopy". Hope to start coming off of them some tomorrow to clean the system out before the weekend is here. Still hoping to race....If I can breathe.
Talked w/ school systems head nurse/band parent this AM and she said that there has been a respriatory virus getting around and sounds like that may be what I have.
I guess it doesn't matter how hard you try to stay healthy when all those damn little bugs are floating around in the air! Maybe I just won't breathe while at work anymore.........................

The Crap

2008-03-30T22:24:00.008-04:00

The wife was sick a few weeks ago...bad. Monkey's been coughing for a week now. I've been being anal about the hand washing, not getting in kids faces or touching slobbery horns, etc.....can't afford to get sick w/ the beginning of the race season here, you know.
It's been for nothing, apparently...
Started feeling less than great yesterday w/ the higher HR and took the day off. Figured that would help the body recovery from the heavy training last week.
Yesterday evening started feeling nauseous and had a bad headache this AM (unusual for me).
Went for a short ride today and felt worse as I went.
Got home and took a shower so we could take Monkey to see sheep getting sheared (see FarmhouseStyle for more) and it just kept feeling worse.
Finally took my temp tonight after laying on the couch all PM and it was 99.5 which is about 2 degrees above normal for me. Got a nasty, raspy cough and the body aches to go w/ it all to boot.
So I guess it's official....I've got The Crap!
Worse part is, that unless it passes VERY QUICKLY, I won't be able to do the 13 hr race we are booked to go camping for next weekend...... :(
UPDATE #1 - Woke up Mon AM after sleeping poorly and felt bad but temp was down to 97.9, which is still high, but better.
UPDATE #2 - Went to work all day...not fun...still feel like crap, but not my normal sinus/sore throat stuff...this is the all-over the body aches. Temp was 98.2 most of this PM.
I'm drugged up and going to bed now...night-night everyone.
PS- heard Sherry has the crap too...sorrrrry :(

Rest...

2008-03-29T23:08:00.004-04:00

Up until today I've ridden 7 of the last 8 days w/ 3 in a row at 5 hrs! Whew, I'm tired...

Woke up this AM to an elevated HR and the sound of rain...perfect reason to sleep in...it felt good.

After some home-made biscuits w/ bacon and fresh eggs, Monkey and I loaded up and drove over to Addictive Cycles to swap out some extra parts from the Vassago build-up and to pick up some spare brake pads for next weeks 13 hr race in Augusta. I hope the weather holds up well since it is going to not only be a race for me but a mini vacation for the 3 of us at the beginning of Spring Break.

We'll be taking the pop-up on it's family maiden voyage...I used it by myself at the 6 hr race a few weeks ago, but this will be our first venture out together in it. I'm really hoping Monkey will enjoy the actual camping part...not just the "idea" of it. Hopefully this will be the first of many family trips/adventures together in it!

you gotta be kidding me

2008-03-24T21:14:00.017-04:00

I should have known it was going to be an interesting day when I saw this 45 min into my ride today.......

So, let me tell you about my Monday...

I'm doing a 5 day block of training with the intent being 5 days of 5 hours each day....been going good so far.
Today was supposed to be two loops of Winding Stair in the Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area above Dahlonega. Mostly fire roads w/ lots of climbing at about 5 hours long. Started the ride w/ temps in the mid-30's hoping for low 50's by the end of the ride......HA!!

This picture is of a guy I came upon about half way around on my first loop. He was sitting trying to stay dry/warm as the snow was blowing sideways!!! Argh....it snowed/sleeted on me for the next 30 minutes to the point that the front of me & my bike were covered in snow. Kept going and it slowly started to die off.

After the first 2.5 hours I looped back to where I had stashed a couple of water bottles in the woods...loaded up on more fluids and dropped off my empties. Took off for more pain (and suffering) on the second lap.

Well, sure enough, when I got to the top of Cooper Gap (near the Ranger Camp) it was blowing snow still!

Ended up w/ just shy of 5 hours for the day...mission accomplished.

Two more pics from the day...one speaks for itself and the other....well, we are in north GA!

NEW!

2008-03-22T12:52:00.027-04:00

Well, since this blog is new, I thought I'd make my first post about something new to me....
I've been slowly buying the parts for my new single-speed...took almost 4 months to get them all.
On Thursday, Cody from Addictive Cycles (my team sponsor) called and told me that the frame I've been waiting 3 months for had just arrived....a JabberWocky by Vassago in Snuffleupagus Orange w/ a non-matching rigid black fork. It's a 29'er (big wheels) steel frame.....yeah baby!!

I bolted that afternoon from school (Forbes can verify this) over to the shop and took possession immediately. I felt like a little kid :)
When I got home, Monkey & I went to the barn and got it pieced together. I went back over to the shop on Friday and finished getting it together............ and then promptly took it to Chicoppee for its maiden voyage.
I'll report back later after I've been able to tweak the fit a little bit, but I was impressed w/ its lack of big-bike-syndrome (that's a good thing)!
Later....VC