Cartecay/EMBA 4th of July Ride
Happy Independance Day! Today Namrita and I rode up in the Cohuttas at the Cartecay/EMBA 4th of July Ride. The turn out was huge…maybe 40-50 riders. We broke up into a couple groups based on speed & distance and set out. Nam wanted the distance but was a little unsure of the speed of the group doing the 30+ mile route. She decided to go with us after some urging from me. The group headed out at a fast pace for a friendly group ride and Nam went to the back quickly. I slowed up as well, some for her, some for me (I like to warm up just a little). We headed toward the Bear Creek overlook via the forest roads. As we turned off FS 90 to FS 68 the road climbs up for 5 or so miles. Nam told me to go ahead and I assured her at least half of the 8 guys ahead would not be able to hold that pace and would be in reverse soon. I stepped up the pace and rolled on.
That’s where I made the first mistake. We got to the overlook and regrouped, but without Nam. The other 8 guys were doing fine (it was just me that was riding like a slug) and didn’t really want to wait. We road down the first bit of single track and then waited, but she didn’t come. Maybe I was too impatient, but then again maybe she skipped this section which is very easy to do. I waited another minute or so, but still no Namrita, and then chased the group heading down Bear Creek trail thinking she was most likely in front of us.
I wasn’t having my best descending day and almost lost it off a small jump. Then as I was regaining my confidence and was about to launch off a nice little ramp I hear this awful noise from my rear wheel. I immediatedly stopped pedaling and slowed as quickly as possible. Looking back I saw the big stick and my chain and rear derailer going in directions they should not. I checked the spokes and they were OK, but the lower pully of the rear der was gone! Oddly the bolt that holds it in was still hanging on for dear life. I laid the bike down and started hunting for pieces. Forrest, Javaun and Mark all stopped to help. They found the pieces pretty quickly and Javaun & I were able to get it all back together. So a little bad luck followed by some good luck. Still no Nam though, so now I’m thinking she is in front of us for sure.
We rolled down to the Pinhoti intersection and started the climb up. This section climbs for a mile and then descends about the same, finally finishing with a smaller climb out. I didn’t really climb hard here because I am supposed to be doing this high cadence work for my next race. I spun and chatted with Javaun about his trip to Portland. The day was hot, but it was still nice to be out in the woods riding a bike. We didn’t even hesitate at the top and ripped down the mountain again.
As we exited the single track for the forest road again we met up with a guy on Harley in need of directions. He broke out the his gazetteer and asked which roads in this area where paved…..”uhh, none.” We had a laugh, he packed his map and turned around in search of smoother roads. Our group had split when I had the derailer incident and now it was down to four us. We rolled back to 90-B, which where we started and then continued along the Pinhoti trail toward Fort Mountain.
The section of trail is one of my favorite in the world. The climb up is boring plowed over two-track, but as it reaches the top of the ridge you enter an exquisite bit of single track. It waives between trees and over water bars as gravity takes over. The speed quickly builds and is only limited by your willingness to not touch the brakes. Then suddenly it will turn upward, but only just long enough so you cannot carry your moment over the top. And then the speed starts again and you’re bobbing and waiving like a prize fighter. Then upward for just a few seconds, which only leaves you wanting more. Finally the mountain gives way, it’s just you, the trees and gravity now. Down you go dodging conifers and maples, tapping the brakes ever so slightly, just enough to keep the from careening off the trail, but not enough to make the tires slip on the loose, dry clay. The water bars are transformed into inviting launch ramps, only to have your nerve broken by the squirrely line on the back side. Toward the bottom the turns change from tight and twisty to wide and swooping. The dry clay and pine needles make keeping traction at speed seem like walking a tight rope. Finally it finishes with a huge water bar that invites those with the cojones to take flight…..I usually just roll over it.
I figured we would have run into Nam at this point, but still no sign. I wondering aloud I should go back, but I had no clue now where she might be. She could be anywhere in the Cohutta forest now….we roll on in the intended direction of Hwy 52 on Fort Mountain via the Pinhoti. After a short gravel road section we are back on some sweet single track,. This section climbs up the face of cliff. It zig-zags back and forth all the while pointing upward. I bet the climb is less than a mile, but takes 15-20 minutes to ascend. As we made our way up some of the riders that went off in other groups were bombing down. Mike Palmeri, owner of Cartecay Bikes, was leading the way. I asked if he had seen Nam…he had not. I let this group go by and then decided to turn back, leaving the other 20 or so switchbacks for another day.
Back at the gravel road she was no where to be seen. I hung out for about 5 minutes hoping she would show and we could finsh the ride together. I had told Forrest I would be back up the mountain, but decided to find Nam instead. I headed back down the gravel and back up the that sweet bit of single track I had just descend. The climb was not as bad as I expected. There are a couple of steep sections, but for the most part it was a pretty steady middle ring climb. Then back down the boring plowed over two track and onto 90-B where we parked.
I saw Nam immediately and the look on her face said “I had a lame ride.” Turns out she flatted on Bear Creek further up then where my rear der had it’s fit. She didn’t a have a tube (used it Sunday and didn’t replace it), had to walk out for a while and then got one from someone else. She did get to ride some more, but not with anyone. I feel horrible about how this all turned out. I hate that she had to ride alone, especially after I suggested she ride with us in the first place. Next time I’ll just turn around….
Eddie O