Yesterday’s Mt. Pisgah WOW ride was as great as ever. I never tire of
this beautiful and challenging ride. In fact, someone suggested that we
do it more than once a year.
We had 15 stalwart riders, all of whom
were an absolute delight to pedal
with: Rick Hester, Doyle Smith, Jim
Richardson, Archer Yates, Jacqui
Adams, Tracy Roof, Susan Mrwik (visiting
from “New York City”), Rob
Matusik, Charlie Clogston, Janet Zusi, Tom Palmer
(visiting from
Columbia, SC), Dave Pruitt, Janet Grant, Carrie Highley and
yours truly.
While I scouted the route the day before, I was unaware
of the walk/run
event scheduled for the park at the same time we converged
for our
start. Consequently, we got off 30 minutes late, having to waiting
for
riders to make their way through the police, spectators and runners to
get to the parking lot.
If anyone wants the group photo I took at the
start, let me know.
I was much relieved that the long time resident and
very large, white
aggressive dog at Mile 14 on Black Oak Road was secured
and gave us no
problem (It was sitting in the front yard the day before.).
Some riders,
however, had to contend with a Rottweiler at the upper end of
the road,
but apparently with no harm.
The chain gremlin must have
been with us on this ride. I lost count of
how many folks were dropping
chains along the way. Everyone made it,
though.
The climb up Hwy 151
was uneventful, but a good challenge as usual. Not
as many runoffs in the
little coves because of the drought. The
rhododendron leaves were really
drawn up.
As we climbed up the busy Parkway, it became cloudy and a
little cooler
as expected. By the time we arrived at the Pisgah Inn, it was
pretty
much overcast. Time for jackets.
Lunch at the Inn was really
good. We didn’t have to wait to be seated,
but service was a mixed bag –
some fast, some slow. After taking some
more group photos, we headed south
for the Hwy 276 descent. (Susan Mrwik
took the photos; I'm sure she would be
willing to share.)
The next-to-the-most exciting event took place five
minutes from the
inn: We were stopped by a ranger. It took
considerable use of
her siren to get our attention because no one could
figure out what the
problem was, but finally she pulled us over. Her
complaint: Our group (2
had gone ahead) in file was causing traffic problems
and that we should
be breaking up into smaller groups to allow cars to be
able to pass.
(She didn’t seem too concerned about the car that speeded
closely past
us.) She said that there was an increase in bicycle traffic on
the
Parkway and that it was causing problems. She asked if we were a club. I
said yes. Then, she wanted to see our permit. We must have been a funny
looking group with all of our mouths hanging open at these revelations.
After giving her my name and phone number, and pledging to her that we
would split up into groups no larger than five and take plenty of
spacing (while she watched), we headed for 276.
The most exciting
time was navigating the really tight, steep turns
going down 276 in cold,
heavy rain showers. I’m so grateful that
everyone took their time and took
plenty of spacing on the rider ahead.
It rained so hard at times that it was
difficult to see. Again, good
fortune smiled on us: no accidents. Once we
hit the lower grade descent,
the rain let up and it got warmer, making for a
nice spin back to the
park by around 3:00. Like I stated in my initial
posting, Mt. Pisgah
makes its own weather.
Many thanks to everyone
for working as a considerate team. It was a lot
of fun.
Finally, I
would like to recommend that Club leadership meet with
Parkway officials to
determine just what the rules are, and if there are
new rules that differ
from the DOT laws, that they be posted on the
Parkway web site and the
Parkway map and that all cycling shops, clubs
and advocacy groups be
notified. I don't believe we should be adversarial
with the Parkway officials
since the Parkway is such a valuable cycling
resource, but the air should
be cleared.
Joe