tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46307511794328533952024-03-13T23:04:33.055-04:00Zeke's Great Smokies 2-Wheeled Adventures!One man's adventures in cycling in and near the Great Smoky Mountains and (hopefully) beyond.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.comBlogger369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-87087894179574996872016-09-20T11:23:00.001-04:002016-09-20T11:23:37.850-04:00In The Warm, Wet Embrace of Julia
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, I can
check off my bucket list “ride a bicycle in the early stages of a Tropical
Storm” as my friend and fellow cyclist Woody and I had the distinct pleasure of
being about 4 miles away from our abode on Hilton Head Island last week when
Tropical Storm Julia first began making an appearance on shore. While I was
hunkered down in the driving rain and spinning as fast I could maintain, I
thought of the recent participants in the Blue Ridge Breakaway caught in the
heavy rains at near 6000’ elevation. I was very thankful that it wasn’t 51
degrees as they had endured.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The week was
our annual sojourn to the island when I find it hard to make excuses not to get
out and ride. Excepting TS Julia, the weather was great and our daily routine
of breakfast, ride, nap, eat, sleep, and repeat was great. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSk5aHOel3XC7biUXw6DzymB2JaDM0mM0La3sW6IsNhwCDlg6boxzfgaDqz2IvVbys0GrhUMfGV8XRmQENWaJbjO7P_YnvcTB6ROu9Dfs0Yicnx7gFGWP0e1ojY8Rh8xplBBEBIQUTRDm/s1600/HHI_MorningCoffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSk5aHOel3XC7biUXw6DzymB2JaDM0mM0La3sW6IsNhwCDlg6boxzfgaDqz2IvVbys0GrhUMfGV8XRmQENWaJbjO7P_YnvcTB6ROu9Dfs0Yicnx7gFGWP0e1ojY8Rh8xplBBEBIQUTRDm/s200/HHI_MorningCoffee.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The number of people
riding bicycles on HHI is truly amazing. You see all types of riders: local folk
commuting to work, experienced cyclists riding for fitness and training, but
mostly you see tourists on rental bikes, many of whom probably haven’t been on
a bike in a while. Separated bike paths allow for riding pretty much anywhere
on the island, except of course gated locales such as Sea Pines. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For about
three hours on Wednesday, the brunt of TS Julia swept across the island with
sustained winds in the 40 to 45 mph range with accompanying heavy rains. I
enjoyed just watching the storm and the horizontal rains. I was particularly
impressed by an egret type bird that stayed glued to a pine limb just outside
my window. The bird clung to the tree as it swayed back and forth and as rain
pelted it from all directions for the entire event. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgcNJpPHC0T5oAJuRnzzde6aC597IabNWcYtuRg473Xtb9UwLTepluwhzV6YiDHKvv_e7HBa6tuxZpMYEtsBg9wFR7YzCMn_pMMvgpKNeAA86hds5NGKGCH2hpW5CetXM1ocL5jrJaAPo/s1600/HHI_SunsetOldOysterFactory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgcNJpPHC0T5oAJuRnzzde6aC597IabNWcYtuRg473Xtb9UwLTepluwhzV6YiDHKvv_e7HBa6tuxZpMYEtsBg9wFR7YzCMn_pMMvgpKNeAA86hds5NGKGCH2hpW5CetXM1ocL5jrJaAPo/s320/HHI_SunsetOldOysterFactory.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>(Sunset at the Old Oyster Factory on Marshburn)</em></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Changes in
North Carolina's Vulnerable Users law… As a reminder to motorists and cyclists alike, effective
October 1<sup>st</sup>, motorists may legally pass slower moving cyclists and
moped riders on a double yellow line when it is safe to do so. HB 959 passed by
the legislature now allows legal passing in “no passing zones” if all safety
requirements are met. The bill clarifies that cyclists have use of the full
lane of travel and increases the minimum passing distance from 2’ to 4’. Most
notably, it officially sanctions crossing the yellow line when safe to do so to
avoid traffic stacking up behind cyclists. Of course, courtesy by both cyclists
and motorists remains a necessary ingredient to safely Share the Road. For more
information on the new law, visit <a href="http://bikewalknc.org./" target="_blank">BikeWalkNC’s</a> website.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fall riding
season is upon us and some great opportunities exist for both motorists and
cyclists to enjoy the changing colors of the landscape. To paraphrase what they
used to say on Hill Street Blues, “Let’s ALL be careful out there!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-72525734721785605072016-08-05T08:49:00.002-04:002016-08-05T08:49:54.467-04:00It's About Time! NC Addresses Bike Related Laws<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuCylMcG5jH0__07I4rsyzxzibVoUQor4hQjVGfkivw2Dn8AdxEQrBMYyZcOlp-QD1TUnIuDM__hb3PN0a887FKfkyiaNk3oQYQvVq5cYqYfU1CQsgAhxGQcbErqYnmlsHElsapj8LF3I/s1600/BikeGoAround.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuCylMcG5jH0__07I4rsyzxzibVoUQor4hQjVGfkivw2Dn8AdxEQrBMYyZcOlp-QD1TUnIuDM__hb3PN0a887FKfkyiaNk3oQYQvVq5cYqYfU1CQsgAhxGQcbErqYnmlsHElsapj8LF3I/s320/BikeGoAround.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo: Courtesy BikeWalkNC)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s about
time. Timing is everything. The time has come. Time to myself. Time to get
there. It’s all about time. There’s never enough time! I just need more time.
The time is coming! How often do we concentrate on time in our daily lives?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Time is a
constant. Well, until it isn’t. Time on a bicycle can have as many iterations
and applications as in any other part of our life. It can be “I don’t’ have
enough time to ride”, which is one of my personal excuses. “Timing is
everything” really applies when you are being passed too closely for comfort
and safety. “It was the time of my life” referring to those good old carefree
days when we, in our youth, commanded the roads of Waynesville between the
outdoor pool and the Little League Field in Hazelwood. Ron Leatherwood refers
to that time in our lives as being the first bike commuters. Momma didn’t throw
us into the minivan and drive us to the ball park. We slung our gloves on the
handlebars and rode to the game. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course
that was then in time and now we’re here in time when parents feel less safe
allowing their children out and about on bicycles. Which is too bad because the
result is an epidemic of overweight, out of shape children. Last week from my
office window, I saw some visitors in a family “bike train” climbing Walnut
Street. Dad was pulling the youngest child, three more children were in line on
their own bikes, and Mom was bringing up the rear watching over all. It was
time for a family of cycling tourists to be enjoying Waynesville.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Speaking of It’s
About Time… Come October 1<sup>st</sup>, motorists may legally pass slower
moving cyclists and moped riders on a double yellow line when it is safe to do
so. HB 959 just passed by the legislature now allows legal passing in “no
passing zones” if all safety requirements are met AND it requires a four foot
passing buffer or complete entry by the passing vehicle into the opposite lane.
That means that motorists no longer need to poke along behind a group of
cyclists just because there is a double yellow line on the road. Of course,
other safety factors must be taken into consideration such as it is safe to
pass, there is no oncoming traffic or obstacles that would create a safety
hazard. The bill also establishes other safety issues for cyclists including adding
them to the “vulnerable users” definition already enjoyed by motorcyclists. For
more information on the new law, visit <a href="http://www.bikewalknc.org/" target="_blank">BikeWalkNC’s</a> website.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>The Time is
coming…</strong> We’re only 14 days away from the 7<sup>th</sup> annual <a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a>. Registrations are looking good for the event, a great jersey
(thanks to Brian Birthright) has been designed, and our volunteers are getting
ready! Please note that jerseys should be pre-ordered at the time of the registration as it is unlikely any will be available for sale the day of the event. Early registrants are grabbing them up quickly!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are excited to offer a King and Queen of the Mountain segment this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The segment finishes with the steepest grade of the climb as you enter the Parkway. The length of the timed segment is approximately 10.18 miles (Map My Ride source) and climbs from an elevation of 3052’ to 5358’ for an elevation gain of 2573’. Riders eligible for the KOM and QOM recognition must start the timed segment no later than High Noon (12:00 p.m.) Additionally, any rider “jumping” the course by not adhering to the approved route will not be eligible for the royal titles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The King of the Mountain is sponsored by the Waynesville Rotary Club and the Queen of the Mountain is sponsored by Ms. Deb Wilson and Ken Wilson Ford.</span> </span></div>
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visit </span></i><a href="http://www.bicyclehaywoodnc.org/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.bicyclehaywoodnc.org</span></i></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-72194167158233337602016-05-05T17:05:00.000-04:002016-05-05T17:08:38.855-04:00Planning For The Blue Ridge Breakaway!<br />
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Planning is well underway for the 2016 edition of the Blue Ridge Breakaway. In fact, planning started the day after the 2015 edition. This is my second go-round as Ride Director and I'm currently enjoying the planning process and greatly looking forward to the actual event. <br />
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I'm excited that we are adding King and Queen of the Mountain this year. The Waynesville Rotary Club is the sponsor of the KOM and Ken Wilson Ford of Canton is the sponsor for QOM. We will be recognizing best times for Masters category (40+ years old) in both KOM and QOM and best times for those under 40 years of age also in both categories. The measured segment will be somewhere along the Lake Logan Road climb to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We are still working out the final details of the starting location. The KOM/QOM will be open to those riders on the Hawk and Trout routes. I anticipate that the segment will be around 8 to 10 miles in length.<br />
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Members of the Haywood County Amateur Radio Club have been hard at work locating spots for our communications needs. One of our goals and significant challenges is to have real time results of the KOM/QOM communicated back to the Finish line at Lake Junaluska. Cellular service in this section of the event is non-existent and most GPS trackers lose their signal in multiple locations on the climb. We are working to relay HAM radio signals containing data packets via repeaters and digipeaters back to the command center. While some folks may see this as frivolous, an important outgrowth of this type of exercise is to improve through practice our communications network in case of natural disaster or necessary rescue efforts for lost and/or injured hikers. We learn a lot from these efforts that have benefits long after the event itself.<br />
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This year's jersey is almost ready for unveiling. The base design is finished and I believe participants will be pleased when they see it. Bar none ( a hint there!) this jersey departs from what we've done in the past. Check out the Blue Ridge Breakaway website to see images of the jersey once it is revealed.<br />
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I continue to be puzzled/amazed/concerned at the folks who each year disregard our reminders to pack a rain jacket for the Parkway. Again last year we had a storm cell run across a section of the Parkway soaking the riders. Believe me when I say you get cold quickly at 5500+ feet elevation in low 60 degree weather in pouring down rain. You cannot ride fast enough to keep your body heat up in those conditions. We had more than a couple of folks that resembled Smurfs last year as they turned blue. Hypothermia is a real danger! <br />
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Our emergency preparedness paid off in being able to get those riders into safer conditions quickly. At our command center at Lake Junaluska, we were in constant contact with the National Weather Service personnel as they tracked the weather cell for us. The first radio alert of rain from our HAM operators on the Parkway was within two minutes of our having been advised by NWS staff it was starting to rain. We were able to dispatch vehicles to the Parkway rapidly to assist wet riders. We also had the opportunity to watch the weather conditions on a big screen TV donated by Best Buy and, at the same time, see our motosag riders real time positions on yet another big screen map thanks to GPS transmitters we attach to the motorcycles. Technology places a bigger role in this event than most people realize.<br />
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Early registration is now open for the Breakaway. Please visit the website <a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a> and come join us in beautiful Haywood County and the Blue Ridge Parkway for the weekend of August 19th, 20th, and 21st! We have wonderful accomodations and great restaurants for you to enjoy! Oh yeah, we'll have those famous Haywood County tomato sandwiches for you again!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-5730342621122991662015-05-06T10:11:00.000-04:002015-05-06T10:11:15.095-04:00In The Back Of The Line<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>(Winners to the end!)</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Much has been written about last Saturday’s <a href="http://smokieshalfmarathon.com/index.html" target="_blank">Gateway to TheSmokies Half-Marathon</a>. Facebook, along with the printed media, has thoroughly
covered the event. Many kudos have rightfully been broadcast concerning the
outstanding volunteers that put on the event, the exceptionally friendly behavior
of local motorists as they waited for runners to clear, and of the experiences
of those crossing the finish line first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had a different view. I was the oddly dressed fellow on
the bicycle at the end of the pack. I had on layers of Under Armour, topped by
mountain bike padded shorts, a winter weight cycling jersey, a Hi-Viz wind
breaker, a cycling cap under my helmet, and finally a protuberance upon my
helmet. Said protuberance was my GoPro camera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I later saw a picture of myself and came away scared. Putting this in
context, it was 36 degrees when I left my home in beautiful Buzzards Roost at
6:00 a.m. and near 44 degrees at the start of the race. I was dressed to keep
from getting cold! The only thing missing from my apparel was full fingered
gloves. I could’ve used them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My job, along with Price my cycling compadre, was to remain
at the back of the pack and provide assistance to runners as needed, keep our
Haywood County Amateur Radio Club command center aware of our location on the
routes, and to generally try to provide some protection to the riders from
passing vehicles. We were armed with GPS trackers affixed to our bicycles that
reported our presence on a map observed in the command center and our handheld
HAM radios. In short, we were in constant contact with the organizers of the
event and local law enforcement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When you are at the back of the pack, you see things that
others fail to absorb. You see the gaps beginning to open as the runners
separate into fastest, faster, and steadfast. You see the lines of motorists,
who waited patiently without honking of horns or rude gestures as the runners
made their way along the route. You see the lead runner turning the corner on
Country Club Drive at the first water station and you realize he has opened up
a 2.1 mile lead on your current position. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During our near 4 hours on the bicycles, we saw residents
come out and cheer the runners, smiling volunteers of all ages handing out
water and Gatorade, and law enforcement officers at intersections with words of
encouragement to those runners at the back. As we entered the Village of
Hazelwood, we saw owners of the local shops out cheering on our last two
participants as if they were the two leaders even though it had been some 40
minutes since the previous runner made their way along the route.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But, most of all, we saw the dogged determination of two
runners, <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nicole
Hill and Joanna Rathbone, </span>finishing their first ever event. We happily celebrated
with them as they crossed the finish line, dead last, but perhaps the biggest
winners of all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Cycling Event Planning Continues</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We continue to plan for the 2015 <a href="http://blueridgebreakaway.com/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a> and the <a href="http://cnc.ncsports.org/" target="_blank">Mountains to the Coast Ride</a> of CycleNC. This past Monday we had the opportunity to meet with Ragan Williams of CycleNC to continue our community wide planning for this event as Waynesville is the host town for the beginning of this year's event. One frequently asked question thus far has been "what will be the route from Waynesville to Hendersonville, the stop for day one?" Preliminarily, and I emphasize the word preliminarily, Williams believes the route will leave Waynesville on US 276 and traverse Pisgah Mountain into Brevard and then on into Hendersonville. If this proves to be the case, riders are in for some great scenery as they pedal through the community of Crusoe, by the Shining Rock Wilderness Area, and crossing under the Blue Ridge Parkway above the 5,000' elevation level. A descent into the Cradle of Forestry will include sharp hairpin curves into longer segments of straight, narrow two lane road in the Pisgah National Forest. A stop by Looking Glass Falls should be mandatory!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Preceding the CycleNC event is this year's Blue Ridge Breakaway, which continues to show signs of healthy growth. A variety of routes for riders is included and will again include both the 75 miler and the Century running along the Blue Ridge Parkway before descending into Maggie Valley and a return to beautiful Lake Junaluska. Registration is now open for both events.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please visit both websites if you have questions and feel free to post me back here <em>(gr8smokieszeke AT gmail.com. Replace the word AT with @ so I can avoid even more spammers)</em> with any questions. I'll be happy to assist readers in getting questions answered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Until later,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">-Zeke</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-56740880721561355312015-04-24T09:03:00.000-04:002015-04-24T09:03:52.951-04:00Dogwood Winter Provides Great Scenery For Riding!<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadhs2XdCHYmWKg-dv3gD3OxfGduyz-obxVRgVAaUewuwpKlMTinQeuFMhLf9Yc7yAdJ-GOZTJ4Pa4oxA2txmFZL6ffSYrEqH_Mnf6eA5pswKx5PcgFUvxczhiAJeCgJ5H7uZCdBBI0xKk/s1600/LakeJ_OldManPace_Carolyn01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadhs2XdCHYmWKg-dv3gD3OxfGduyz-obxVRgVAaUewuwpKlMTinQeuFMhLf9Yc7yAdJ-GOZTJ4Pa4oxA2txmFZL6ffSYrEqH_Mnf6eA5pswKx5PcgFUvxczhiAJeCgJ5H7uZCdBBI0xKk/s1600/LakeJ_OldManPace_Carolyn01.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i> (Carolyn solar charging as she spins along)</i></div>
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Dogwood Winter has hung around for a few days here in
beautiful Western North Carolina. The spring flowering trees and plants have
made for some great scenery and visual stimulation as we've been out and about
on two wheels. Thursday nights have included loops around Lake Junaluska, the
United Methodist World Headquarters. The entire area around the Lake has become
a major recreational area for Haywood County citizens thanks to the Directors
of the Lake Assembly properties. Last night was certainly no exception as we
pedaled around on our “old man’s pace” ride enjoying the sights and smells of
spring.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVEFrmdW1uVhMMlKgQuUke3vgONz63PwFSecslTVmizJqW1CtpnoP3W4Wg6fjx4IymBhMKdtWaFG7OAF4wPO8cLvaGtMtPOxHdS1muUWXi2HWLUGlWEQob-uXhfBY2tXLJz-t8jeZnAEG/s1600/LakeJ_OldManPace_David02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVEFrmdW1uVhMMlKgQuUke3vgONz63PwFSecslTVmizJqW1CtpnoP3W4Wg6fjx4IymBhMKdtWaFG7OAF4wPO8cLvaGtMtPOxHdS1muUWXi2HWLUGlWEQob-uXhfBY2tXLJz-t8jeZnAEG/s1600/LakeJ_OldManPace_David02.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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There were too many walkers of both two legged and four
legged varieties to count. Runners were abundant as well. There were multiple
kayakers some of whom were fishing and others who just seemed to be paddling
for fun and exercise. Of course, the lake’s population of duck and geese were
in the mix everywhere. <o:p></o:p></div>
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David, Carolyn, and I enjoyed two fun loops around the lake.
This weekly ride is intended for folks wanting to ride themselves back into
condition and/or hone their skills at riding in a group. It is intentionally
slow paced and open to anyone wishing to join us. It is certainly a “no drop” ride. We meet on
Thursday evening at 5:45 p.m. at the Welcome Center at Lake Junaluska and have
wheels rolling at 6:00 p.m. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCz5UAjNM4dAo3p835l1DgqWim2F1dBAjOhh5e3EV4B9YGwP2gy1QcnCggutObWo64ulOInVoJTEpBYePPk9Gxg-a4_KkQWpn8ZRDJkPIZaVJ9dLhcvQR6V3rvvv_Edf5UxB9Qlp5Rrgi/s1600/LakeJ_OldManPace_LakeFromCross.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCz5UAjNM4dAo3p835l1DgqWim2F1dBAjOhh5e3EV4B9YGwP2gy1QcnCggutObWo64ulOInVoJTEpBYePPk9Gxg-a4_KkQWpn8ZRDJkPIZaVJ9dLhcvQR6V3rvvv_Edf5UxB9Qlp5Rrgi/s1600/LakeJ_OldManPace_LakeFromCross.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Evening rest at Lake Junaluska)</i></div>
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<b>16 Year Old Arrested for Abuse of People Riding Bicycles!</b></div>
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Thanks to the Greenville County, SC Sheriff’s office for
investigating and charging a 16 year old male for serial abuse of people riding
bikes. The Greenville Spinners Bicycle Club in Greenville, SC had been
documenting the ongoing abuse and harassment on their Facebook page. An
investigator from the Sheriff’s Department became involved and located the
alleged criminal. Charges <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">filed against </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">him include </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">six
counts of Attempted Murder, two counts of Assault & Battery 1st Degree, two
counts of Assault & Battery 3rd Degree, two counts of throwing fireworks
from a motor vehicle, and 11 counts of taunting a bicyclist. Thus far, there is
no word that his defense is based upon “Gee, officer, I didn’t see them…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more details, visit <a href="http://www.wlos.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/16yearold-charged-harassing-bicyclist-20654.shtml#.VTo4SvV0y72">http://www.wlos.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/16yearold-charged-harassing-bicyclist-20654.shtml#.VTo4SvV0y72</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Gateway to the Smokies Half-Marathon Nearing!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">On a lighter note, it is only 8 days
now until the inaugural Gateway to the Smokies Half-Marathon! The event will be
held in my hometown of Waynesville, NC and features beautiful mountain scenery
and friendly people. The Haywood County Amateur Radio Club will be providing
radio linked support throughout the course. I (KM4DOP) and Price (W4CPB), another
club member, will be bicycle mounted with APRS trackers and our handheld radios
providing participants with on-road support. I’m looking forward to putting my
HAM radio license to work for a good cause. More details about the event are
available on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmokiesHalfMarathon?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/SmokiesHalfMarathon?fref=ts</a>
or at the event website: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://smokieshalfmarathon.com/" target="_blank">http://smokieshalfmarathon.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b>... and a hearty welcome back!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Welcome
back to John Bryan and his family as they return to their mountain home. John
is working on getting his “mountain legs” back in shape with rides in the local
area. It would be heard to beat the beauty of the last two days!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
is a short post today as I try to work myself back into “writing shape”. If you’re
still with me, thanks for reading!</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Until later,</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Zeke</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-77325551870023894752015-04-17T09:53:00.003-04:002015-04-17T09:53:36.834-04:00BicycleHaywoodNC - Matters of Note!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj5MBXBY3r__Er0mQi50c2VA3iyFNiEQPQ2we8HKAZe40Zy0LtBFHFKTYGzSkCxdAJXGpOMJCJ96VXV4Ii_2Z06wYjfBes2tn_GeKLmBTwrIZdy6ddAAlXhOhDaeCwIh_5z1dMOkMfwNi/s1600/AttendeesApril15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj5MBXBY3r__Er0mQi50c2VA3iyFNiEQPQ2we8HKAZe40Zy0LtBFHFKTYGzSkCxdAJXGpOMJCJ96VXV4Ii_2Z06wYjfBes2tn_GeKLmBTwrIZdy6ddAAlXhOhDaeCwIh_5z1dMOkMfwNi/s1600/AttendeesApril15.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(BicycleHaywoodNC Council meeting attendees)</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last night’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>April
2015 meeting of BicycleHaywoodNC was well attended at <a href="http://www.sidsonmain.com/" target="_blank">Sid’s On Main</a> in Canton,
NC. We were pleased to have a number of guests attending.They brought us up to
date on pending and received grants and a proposal for BicycleHaywoodNC to
become sponsors of a Health on Wheels group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chair Jennifer Jacobson called the meeting to order and
introduced Charlie Clogston of Blue Ridge Bicycle Club and Melissa Rocket of
<a href="http://mountainwise.org/" target="_blank">Mountainwise</a>. Along with our own member, Michelle Trantham, they have developed
the beginnings of a ride program to work with survivors of chronic diseases. In
their model, survivors of cancer, heart disease, and other medical maladies
would be supported in bicycle rides as they recover. The rides would initially
be of short duration and would be adaptable to the individual rider’s physical
and mental functioning at the time. Hopes are that the local medical community would
support the program through referrals and/or other means. The program would
have a number of commonalities with novice ride groups. Ride leaders and “ride
guides” would support the participants during the events. The hope is that, as
survivors gain strength and experience, they will take on the roles of ride
leader and “ride guides”. Ride guides are viewed as supportive members of the Council
that would ride within the group and offer guidance and support to any
participant that might request additional assistance. There is much more to
come on this topic!</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Seth Hendler-Voss addresses the group)</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Canton <a href="http://cantonnc.com/town-manager" target="_blank">Town Manager Seth Hendler-Voss</a> attended the meeting
and updated Council members on a very nice pedestrian/bike grant recently
received by the town. The grant, one of 10 awarded in N.C., will allow the town
to move forward with planning to make the municipality more pedestrian and bike
friendly. The plan will be complementary to existing Comprehensive Haywood
County Bike Plan and the Blue Ridge Regional plan. Hendler-Voss also discussed
long term intentions to improve access to the Rough Creek mountain bike trails
in the Beaverdam community of Haywood County. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong> A couple of ride notes...</strong></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Despite a week of near solid rain, I’ve managed to squeeze
in a couple of rides. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was certainly a
pretty weekend here in the Western North Carolina to be out and about. Last
Thursday evening, we had a small group ride intended to help new and newly
returning riders to learn/relearn how to ride in a group and to work on their
fitness. The ride only attracted people whose names start with “C”: Cecil,
Carolyn, and Carena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three of us
enjoyed a 4.5 mile loop around beautiful Lake Junaluska. The initial lap was
what I call “Old Man Pace”, meaning my pace. This was Carolyn’s first time on a
bike since last year and I’ve not logged that many miles myself. Carena is
another story. She rides quite a bit and is in the process of prepping for a
100k in the next few weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The loop around Lake Junaluska is about as flat as you’ll
find in the mountains. We left the grounds twice in making the transit of the
lake. Once was to cut across to Old County Road and come out under the dam and
the second was when we left South Lake Shore Drive for US 19 and a half mile
jaunt to Wheldon Road, which is the start/finish point of the Blue Ridge
Breakaway. A second lap around the lake brought us near a 10 mile ride for the
day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Sunday, I ventured out by myself for a solo ride again
under wonderful blue skies, white fluffy clouds, and warmer than usual
temperatures. This time I was on my Fuji CCR, which I haven’t ridden in over a
year. My Salsa Fargo has simply become my bike of choice so it gets most of the
workouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Fuji is about three times
lighter in weight than the Fargo so I was expecting to feel as if I were flying
when I got into a steady cadence. Well, not so much as it turns out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was surprised at how uncomfortable I was in adapting to
the Fuji geometry, skinny tires, triple ring, and gear changes. I could have
used a good dose or two of a dry lubricant myself to get rid of some of my
“rust.” And the saddle, oh, the saddle! After 30 minutes, I was sorely missing
my Brooks on the Fargo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I saw only one other person riding a bike on this day, which
really surprised me. Fellow BicycleHaywoodNC member, George Ivey, and I crossed
paths near Bethel, NC. Otherwise, I saw no other cyclists on this sunny Sunday
afternoon. My five mile return to Canton along Old River Road (NC 215) was
pleasant except for a few moments when the headwind made an appearance. The
recently repaved road retains a smooth surface and allowed me a very smooth
trip back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Politics, politics, politics…<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Legislators, in Raleigh, are making yet more attempts to
place barriers in the way of alternative forms of transportation. A bill (<a href="http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2015/Bills/Senate/PDF/S617v1.pdf" target="_blank">SenateBill 617</a>) currently under consideration would require a two thirds vote of the
NC Transportation Committee to approve ANY ROAD DIET in North Carolina. As I’m
quite sure the introducers of the bill plan, getting an approval vote of two
thirds of a committee historically non-supportive of people who ride bicycles,
would be next to impossible and likely kill any local efforts at reducing high
speed traffic and adding safe bike lanes and facilities for pedestrians. The
following text is from the bill itself:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“AN ACT TO REFORM
VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE LAW RELATED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A provision in the
bill appears to make it more difficult to accommodate bicyclists, seems to
contradict the state’s Complete Streets policy, and seems to politicize local
development decisions by requiring approval by the politically-appointed
Transportation Board. The bill provision is as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;">
<i><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(b)
Reduction of travel lanes to accommodate the addition of bike lanes within the
existing paved and marked travel lanes of any State highway system street or
highway located within a municipality shall be approved by a vote of two-thirds
of all the members of the Board of Transportation.”</span></i><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On a more hopeful note, <a href="http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2015/Bills/House/PDF/H232v0.pdf" target="_blank">House Bill 232</a> would direct the NC
Department of Transportation to review and investigate existing laws aimed at updating
safety laws regarding bicycles. North Carolina hasn’t revised those rules since
around 1974 so there is a hope that a new review will result in laws that
advance the safety of people who ride bikes in this state. The original
membership of the committee raised some concerns that there were insufficient
representatives from the bicycle community on the study group. Latest word is
that those concerns were addressed by the bill sponsors. The bill has passed
the House and has been sent to the Senate for consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And finally… On Wednesday of this week, one of the heavier
rain days, I noted bicycles on bike racks at two local businesses and a third
person riding a bike in downtown Waynesville. The first bike I noted was at a
local mattress store and was there through breakfast and lunch so I’m guessing
an employee rode to work. A second bike was located at the new bike rack at the
new Bojangles at lunch and the third bike was unfortunately being ridden on the
sidewalk in downtown Waynesville, which is both unsafe and against local
ordinances for the downtown area. Still, it was good to see people riding bikes
even in inclement weather. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Until later,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">-Zeke<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-2288732758588548252015-04-07T17:08:00.000-04:002015-04-07T17:08:51.824-04:00SPRING ABOUT TO BE SPRUNG!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnAnwPrbEjt_CuOhNQkOtlonRGM0geMMKDs56wEyN-mA3fO-HmQAx5HDlkxoFz8_8ZzgC0g9Skaw7YcnUBjY852YHN3YaYtWfUTdgT3ILNU1A-efRHX0xEQb8m1r8r9LCnnfAqALTtbKV/s1600/LakeJ_SalsaMemChapel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnAnwPrbEjt_CuOhNQkOtlonRGM0geMMKDs56wEyN-mA3fO-HmQAx5HDlkxoFz8_8ZzgC0g9Skaw7YcnUBjY852YHN3YaYtWfUTdgT3ILNU1A-efRHX0xEQb8m1r8r9LCnnfAqALTtbKV/s1600/LakeJ_SalsaMemChapel.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Lake Junaluska Memorial Chapel and my Salsa Fargo)</span></i></div>
<br />
Spring 2015 must be near. Along with the typical signs of spring associated
with Yellowbells, Daffodils, and amorous squirrels, I’m seeing big increases in
the numbers of folks outdoors pursuing various recreational and fitness
activities. <br />
<br />
<div id="extendedEntryBreak" name="extendedEntryBreak">
</div>
The walking track at the Canton Recreation Area this year has been busy with
walkers of two legged and four legged varieties and the ball fields have been
full of various baseball and softball teams getting in games mercifully played
in Daylight Savings Time.<br />
<br />
<br />
More people, who ride bikes, are also out and about. I’ve noted an increase
in the numbers of individuals getting their exercise pedaling steel, aluminum,
and carbon fiber machines all over Haywood County. I’ve spotted people riding
bikes on Newfound, downtown Canton, Lake Junaluska grounds, NC 209, and through
the Towns of Waynesville and Clyde. No doubt there are many other areas being
ridden as well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRP_P6_ycQaH62GmKyQSraOkakVTYOvEA6uGn-mYMWFEjhDO0Dnd1wxHxopmvf4_iS6Emmy95HFP_CWZzVOV1hOPwKTQGYOQoEPgE0Gcv6Gj_G_C2I3P0lWurIL4aln7EO8TA4DCCHrcnC/s1600/CYCLENC_Logo.jpg" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0AXCEYny9XTKdT9WyXc9oaacFvZwslKJ8xsMGiVqkAYFRTmbXo9oCpexQHgPFlO6MyoNItTMMnOenrUo9FKwahtII871EK4xAemF6sNY12rTNmf1JdYcpq8mpRn1vp4CAp5Glf3kKdVX/s1600/BRB2915_Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0AXCEYny9XTKdT9WyXc9oaacFvZwslKJ8xsMGiVqkAYFRTmbXo9oCpexQHgPFlO6MyoNItTMMnOenrUo9FKwahtII871EK4xAemF6sNY12rTNmf1JdYcpq8mpRn1vp4CAp5Glf3kKdVX/s1600/BRB2915_Header.jpg" height="84" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Haywood County will be blessed with two bicycle specific events this year.
The annual running of the <a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a> will occur on August 15<sup>th</sup> and
bring about 500 cyclists plus associated family members to town. <a href="http://cnc.ncsports.org/fallCNCRide/" target="_blank">CycleNC</a> selected
Waynesville as the host town this year for the beginning of the cross-state
ride. CycleNC caps their ridership at 1100 registrants. Being the host town
means that cyclists and their family members will arrive early for the beginning
of the event on Sunday, September 26<sup>th</sup>. In addition to these two
events, the <a href="http://gloryhoundevents.com/lake-logan-multisport-fest/" target="_blank">Lake Logan Multi-sport Festival</a> will fill two days in August
(8<sup>th</sup> and 9<sup>th</sup>) with cycling, running, and swimming. All of
these events will bring substantial revenues into the county.<br />
<br />
According to the recently completed <a href="http://www.bicyclehaywoodnc.com/news.html" target="_blank">“Bikes in Beds”
study</a> of the impact of cycling on tourism in Haywood County and Western
North Carolina, approximately 2% of total tourism trips to Haywood is accounted
for by bicyclists having a $3 million dollar impact on the local economy. With
the ongoing success of the Breakaway and Lake Logan events and the hosting of
CycleNC this year, the future impacts of tourism related to people who ride
bikes will only increase.<br />
<br />
Putting on these events takes many people working together over many hours.
Planning is already well underway for the Breakaway and the first organizational
meeting for CycleNC was held on Monday, April 6<sup>th</sup>. There will be many
opportunities for local citizens to demonstrate our famed Haywood County
Hospitality this year. Whether it is as simple as a friendly smile and wave to a
person riding a bike along your neighborhood road or taking on a volunteer job
at one of the events, it will take all of us working together in order to make
these events resounding successes. So, get your smile on Haywood! <br />
<br />
Registration is now open for both events! For some outstanding Smoky Mountain
riding, come to Haywood County, NC! For more information on the local area,
contact the <a href="http://www.haywood-nc.com/" target="_blank">Haywood County
Chamber of Commerce</a>, the <a href="http://haywoodcountytourismdevelopment.com/" target="_blank">Haywood County
Tourism Development Authority</a>, or post me back at <a href="mailto:Gr8SmokesZeke@gmail.com">Gr8SmokesZeke@gmail.com</a>!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYNCdmpux_Sk2Fh-GddciskGDaMLo8KTjw3UhmgrxusLk5wJLdjbkGRpMaNkEIu4Ro71XRPspgYgsn3aCFLv8CWr8CXGOa73RKZmEJe_gE5_l1DqCRTo_pNyKq8NqCFOAgHQMuH_-gKe0/s1600/Cordelia_1YRBday_ZekePorch03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYNCdmpux_Sk2Fh-GddciskGDaMLo8KTjw3UhmgrxusLk5wJLdjbkGRpMaNkEIu4Ro71XRPspgYgsn3aCFLv8CWr8CXGOa73RKZmEJe_gE5_l1DqCRTo_pNyKq8NqCFOAgHQMuH_-gKe0/s1600/Cordelia_1YRBday_ZekePorch03.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7HFlvPpUM0MAZcEbFwZtlNrAp3_zzovX5QmLzPW4g8VNcxxuBVABOl0xds_QQJsysJ1Fy8TKwSNUPX8_81nIoVGBZguP6aD_4DZSP9JlAXQzRz0aDJpXvaWGlyyFyz6qL_M8bOrVIIr5/s1600/Beau_!yr_Kat08_FB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7HFlvPpUM0MAZcEbFwZtlNrAp3_zzovX5QmLzPW4g8VNcxxuBVABOl0xds_QQJsysJ1Fy8TKwSNUPX8_81nIoVGBZguP6aD_4DZSP9JlAXQzRz0aDJpXvaWGlyyFyz6qL_M8bOrVIIr5/s1600/Beau_!yr_Kat08_FB.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><strong>Past readers of this blog</strong> may be wondering just where I've
been since my last post was a long, long time ago. Well, my priorities shifted
and my time has been devoted to these two new members of our family.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i style="font-size: small;">(l) Cordelia - commonly called "Dilly" (r) Beauregard - commonly called "Beau"</i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span>
It has been the “Beau and Dilly show” 24/7 at our home in Beautiful Buzzard’s
Roost for a little over a year now. Beau and Dilly were born 4 days apart and,
by happenstance or fate, they ended up living with me and the Navigator. Dilly
is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Schnauzer" target="_blank">Giant
Schnauzer</a> born near Lake Erie in Ohio and comes to us from Ramahills
Kennels. Beau is a mix of Border Collie and something darned big and joined us
from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/sarges" target="_blank">Sarge’s Animal
Rescue</a> Foundation in Waynesville.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-50442093808527704082014-07-28T13:10:00.001-04:002014-07-28T13:10:52.703-04:00A Fine Weekend of Rest, Relaxation, and Recovery!<p align="center"><strong>YES! It is that time of the year! </strong><a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a><strong> in 19 days!</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BRB_Adv_2014" border="0" alt="BRB_Adv_2014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u4H5ie8Lrsg/U9aD62KRu_I/AAAAAAAAHqc/9aS_kskUgF8/BRB_Adv_2014%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="157" height="242" /></a></p> <p>The twin joys of raising a garden and puppies has certainly detracted from my riding time this year. It seems like every time I go to throw a leg over the saddle of my <a href="http://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo/" target="_blank">Salsa Fargo</a>, I end up throwing a leg over a hoe or a dog leash. Be that as it may, I haven’t given up on observing those good folk out riding on two wheels. In fact this past weekend, the Navigator and I had a chance to do a lot of observing during our…</p> <a name='more'></a> <p>weekend of camping at <a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/grayson-highlands.shtml#general_information" target="_blank">Grayson-Highlands park on Mt. Rogers</a> in beautiful southern Virginia. Our trip to G-H took us through Abingdon and Damascus Virginia, home of the <a href="http://www.vacreepertrail.org/" target="_blank">Creeper Trail</a>. The economic impact of cycling on the communities doesn’t slip up on you – it hits you on the head with the force of a framing hammer! Bikes, bike shops, coffee houses featuring bikes, and other retailers were everywhere in the picturesque town of <a href="http://www.damascus.org/" target="_blank">Damascus</a>.</p> <p>Vehicles were heavily laden with multiple bicycles as we climbed to Virginia’s highest point for our weekend camping with family members. Once in the park, the number of bicycles and kids of all ages on them did not decrease. Many camp sites had trailers full of bikes parked alongside tents and campers. In the mornings, there was a steady stream out of the park as people headed to ride the Creeper.</p> <p>If you haven’t had the pleasure of camping in a Virginia State campground, you have missed some fine accommodations and experiences. Over the past few years, the Navigator and I have enjoyed camping at a number of their facilities and have found them to be excellent. Virginia does it right!</p> <p>Anytime you get a bunch of people together, there is bound to be someone less thoughtful than would be appreciated. Such was the case with what looked to be three families, who on Friday, took off to ride the Creeper while leaving their four dogs tied to trees in the campsite. The inevitable happened and those of us still in camp were “treated” to 8 hours of non-stop group barking. I can never understand why some dog owners think they can abandon their pets in strange surroundings around unknown people and expect that everything will just be a slice of heaven. </p> <p>We were camped beside the two sets of campground hosts and they too had to listen to the dog-symphony throughout Friday. Needless to say, the Park Police were awaiting the return of the dogs’ owners and had a word of prayer about park rules with them. To the owners’ credit, they seemed to take to heart the message and we were all treated to relative quiet from that point forward. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fST3FB_TBLw/U9aD8vXRw7I/AAAAAAAAHqk/FBqIB5iySsc/s1600-h/GrayHighlnd_DillySeedOrchard01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GrayHighlnd_DillySeedOrchard01" border="0" alt="GrayHighlnd_DillySeedOrchard01" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DZQwcJAm6bY/U9aD99eeXCI/AAAAAAAAHqs/0Cudy1sc81Y/GrayHighlnd_DillySeedOrchard01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Dilly spotting yet another forest denizen in need of a good smell!)</em></p> <p>For our part, we enjoyed hiking with our dogs, Dilly and Beau, along the trails of Grayson-Highlands. Talk about sharing the road! We were on trails shared by horses, mountain bikers, and hikers. It was a challenge keeping our puppies from smelling every inch of the trail. It must have been quite the smorgasbord of scents for them. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sQ60jdzQmuk/U9aD_uCzu5I/AAAAAAAAHq0/ZuVoXBwSH_0/s1600-h/GrayHighlnd_ZekeDillyGary_SeedOrchard01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GrayHighlnd_ZekeDillyGary_SeedOrchard01" border="0" alt="GrayHighlnd_ZekeDillyGary_SeedOrchard01" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZBg02thjbQE/U9aEBNwu-aI/AAAAAAAAHq8/bUNzcfS6WEY/GrayHighlnd_ZekeDillyGary_SeedOrchard01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Zeke, Dilly, and Gary on the Seed Orchard Trail)</em></p> <p>We also enjoyed cooking and eating. I finally got to cook on my <a href="http://www.campchef.com/pro-60-deluxe-two-burner-stove.html" target="_blank">Camp Chef Pro 60 2 burner grill</a> and came away quite pleased with its performance. As you can see from the following image, the hungry horde was awaiting completion of cooking time!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qr8ulb1brI0/U9aECp4_0SI/AAAAAAAAHrE/Bu4FkwY9vKA/s1600-h/GrayHighlnd_HungryHorde01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GrayHighlnd_HungryHorde01" border="0" alt="GrayHighlnd_HungryHorde01" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tPZVYfPhyjQ/U9aEDnGqJxI/AAAAAAAAHrM/8t9SCZrxNFE/GrayHighlnd_HungryHorde01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Is it food yet? Hungry minds want to know!)</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c2VgR8XRnbQ/U9aEEqbLvlI/AAAAAAAAHrU/XnE2jWYpMMo/s1600-h/GrayHighlnd_CampCookZeke03%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GrayHighlnd_CampCookZeke03" border="0" alt="GrayHighlnd_CampCookZeke03" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nG4g3MXAnd4/U9aEFyDUrfI/AAAAAAAAHrc/C-hSmw_WDbI/GrayHighlnd_CampCookZeke03_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Hey, I ain’t fixin’ fast food here!)</em></p> <p align="left">The weekend came to a close as it began… Severe weather sandwiched two days of great camping weather. We left Canton in a cloud burst and packed up in the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm that arrived in camp at 4:00 a.m. and lasted about two hours. As the Navigator and I listened from the comfort and safety of our bed, we were sure glad we weren’t in a tent at that point. We arrived home to be greeted by yet another severe thunderstorm and tornado watch. We were all safely tucked in by then! The days ahead are predicted to be more fall like than summer like. I’m looking forward to temps in the 50’s at night and low humidity.</p> <p align="left">If you are still reading at this point, THANK YOU! Please strongly consider coming to beautiful Haywood County and enjoying the Blue Ridge Breakaway on August 16th. Tell’em Zeke sent you!</p> <p align="left">Until later,</p> <p align="left">- Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-76091568058702738962014-05-27T20:28:00.001-04:002014-05-27T20:28:18.297-04:00NOTES FROM THE GEORGIAN WOODS<p>The Navigator and I are currently encamped in the north Georgia woods at <a href="http://gastateparks.org/FortMountain" target="_blank">Fort Mountain State Park</a> for the Memorial Day Weekend. This is our first trip in close to two years. There are a number of firsts on this trip.</p> <p>One of the more notable firsts is that we are on our first camping trip without …</p> <a name='more'></a> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j2_pUDwkIR0/U4Utc3t4TCI/AAAAAAAAHog/A5FDYMAbn-A/s1600-h/BalsamMtn_100110_OrlaKerchief013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BalsamMtn_100110_OrlaKerchief01" border="0" alt="BalsamMtn_100110_OrlaKerchief01" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8Vm1GTMWlls/U4Utec2gTxI/AAAAAAAAHoo/Bh8G0b4Rv0U/BalsamMtn_100110_OrlaKerchief01_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><em>(Orla – the golden girl!)</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tHXTIKI06pc/U4Ute2nn2cI/AAAAAAAAHow/HowJUbV5cM0/s1600-h/BalsmMtn_Zeke023.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BalsmMtn_Zeke02" border="0" alt="BalsmMtn_Zeke02" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WeCCKKkZKoM/U4Utf6PEF8I/AAAAAAAAHo4/V0IEeGO2p3I/BalsmMtn_Zeke02_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right"><em>(Zeke – the “old man”)</em></p> <p>consummate camping partners, Zeke and Orla.  Our two Labrador Retrievers loved being in the woods as much or more than we do. Unlike Rosie the cat, who tends to go into a funk when she realizes we are packing, Zeke and Orla would get excited at the thought of jumping into the truck as we hooked up the <a href="http://www.rvingplanet.com/brands/keystone-rv/hobbi/toy-hauler-travel-trailers/" target="_blank">Keystone Hobbi toy hauler</a>. We lost both Zeke and Orla in 2013 and I’m acutely aware today of their absence on this trip, which leads me to another first.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1HsugncA3r4/U4Utgg_eefI/AAAAAAAAHpA/ZKNedeACRuM/s1600-h/FtMtnGA_BeauSelfie01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="FtMtnGA_BeauSelfie01" border="0" alt="FtMtnGA_BeauSelfie01" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q-Boub40M5U/U4Uthqp6DxI/AAAAAAAAHpI/kw9ywiErzyw/FtMtnGA_BeauSelfie01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left"><em>Beau’s selfie – shouldn’t have gotten him that camera…</em></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mXm2voeNi48/U4UtiaHhzdI/AAAAAAAAHpQ/s3h1WbaFWO8/s1600-h/FtMtnGA_ZekeDillyPose01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="FtMtnGA_ZekeDillyPose01" border="0" alt="FtMtnGA_ZekeDillyPose01" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wvX7IJbk1iE/U4UtjMftw8I/AAAAAAAAHpY/I5mWjtOhUVY/FtMtnGA_ZekeDillyPose01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right"><em>Dilly on alert – for food or petting…</em></p> <p>This is the first camping trip for our 5 month old puppies Dilly and Beau. Keeping in mind that these dogs are still pups and behave in the way of pups, camping with them has been 180 degrees different so far. Dilly, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Schnauzer" target="_blank">Giant Schnauzer</a>, is a more protective breed than the Labs and that trait has been quite observable. Especially in the darkening of night, her “alert” instincts come to the fore and she sounds her warning signs. That’s not to say she doesn’t sound those warnings during the day, they are just more noticeable at night. Despite our hyper vigilance, she still announces her presence. We’re working on discriminating threat vs. non-threat… along with not pulling on a leash, etc., etc., etc. (Can you say puppy?)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hWvpbM1XtIE/U4Utj2vjEsI/AAAAAAAAHpg/doCSP6nw4f0/s1600-h/FtMtnGA_DillyNightEyes%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="FtMtnGA_DillyNightEyes" border="0" alt="Dilly on night alert!" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aqXNDcM6XTw/U4Utkchr6NI/AAAAAAAAHpo/_zcJAiP7tYM/FtMtnGA_DillyNightEyes_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Dilly sees you but you don’t see her…)</em></p> <p>Beau, the Border Collie mixed with something big, really suffers during trips. He gets sick with the motion of the vehicle, which is typically made worse by the presence of a camper. A consultation with our veterinarian resulted in a medication, which helped stave off the more unpleasant aspects of his car sickness but did nothing to reduce what I’m guessing is anxiety. One particular stretch of GA 515 for about 12 miles was miserable to all of us. The poured concrete highway made bouncing about an even worse experience than normal. By experimentation, I discovered that driving between 49 mph and 51 mph avoided setting up the regular bouncing pattern caused by the seams in the concrete pours.  Once grounded young Beau settled back into his normal laid back pattern of existence. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QTT0YHOGyGE/U4UtlFgcD6I/AAAAAAAAHpw/YpMkVVctBJo/s1600-h/FtMtnGA_WildSetUp02%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="FtMtnGA_WildSetUp02" border="0" alt="2014 Heartland Wilderness Travel Trailer" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t5kJRs5iqIk/U4UtmIy4SLI/AAAAAAAAHp4/ELX3llxh_Y0/FtMtnGA_WildSetUp02_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Speaking of firsts, we are in our new 2014 Heartland Wilderness camper on this trip. Our lifestyle has changed and the need for the Toy Hauler function of the Keystone Hobbi just wasn’t needed anymore and the compromises made to carry the “toys” had some serious cutbacks on what are now more important aspects of our camper. Back in 2007, our initial intent had been to put our Harley into the Hobbi and travel. Life has a way of interrupting plans though and that never came to be. The Harley was driven into the Hobbi exactly once in the 6 years we owned it. That moment only occurred because I wanted to see what the Harley looked like inside the Hobbi.</p> <p>Thus far, the trade for the Wilderness has been a success. With 8’ more room and a better layout, the Navigator no longer has to sleep “caddy cornered” in the bed as she had to do in the Hobbi. The Hobbi bed was cut off at an angle so the bathroom door would open. As I said, there were compromises made. She fully enjoys her RV Queen sized bed now! The Hobbi had surprisingly more storage room in it. I guess that space intended for the “toys” allowed us to pack more than we needed. Much as we did when we downsized homes in 2013, we’ve downsized our materials in the new camper. I haven’t missed anything as yet.</p> <p>One thing not packed on this trip was the Fargo Salsa and the Navigator’s bike. We correctly, as it turns out, determined having the puppies along would be about as much exercise as we could take. So, the bikes remained at home with Rosie the cat. I’ll be trying out that new hitch I installed on the front of the truck to carry bikes later.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Memories of my Dad</strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dmb1Fg0Sedw/U4Utm75jUWI/AAAAAAAAHqA/bw-7BEkdquo/s1600-h/BabeYount_thumb13.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="BabeYount_thumb1" border="0" alt="BabeYount_thumb1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xFSTM8G0PoQ/U4Utn1kgeMI/AAAAAAAAHqI/yVzUnGB1d08/BabeYount_thumb1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="178" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Oliver “Babe” Yount)</em></p> <p>While certainly not a first, I was blindsided during my coffee ritual this morning by emotional recall of my father, who died in 1995 due to colon cancer. The Navigator and I were enjoying the early morning quietness of the campground as we imbibed our second or third cups of java. She was reading a story about the details of singer Glen Campbell’s life and battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. </p> <p>For some reason, I was flooded this morning with memories of a Sunday dinner when Bro Dave was home from the Left Coast just prior to Dad’s passing. All the family was present for Sunday lunch on a pretty day. Dad was quite ill and in pain so he had not joined us at that point. I remember being in the bedroom with him to see if I could do anything to help. His time was coming to an end. He knew it and I knew it. I took the opportunity to inquire of him if there was anything I needed to know or do after he was gone. I remember he looked at me and said, “No, you’ll do what is needed and I know that.” It was a simple statement and so reflective of my Dad’s pragmatic way of living. </p> <p>I recall leaving the room and going outside to the deck because my sadness at losing my Dad was becoming unbearable for that moment. I vividly remember the clear blue skies and holding onto the decking rail as tears ran down my cheeks. I also vividly remember the loving arms of my wife as she wrapped me up and just let me cry for a moment.</p> <p>Remembering Dad on this day before Memorial Day is actually quite appropriate. My Dad was a WWII and Korean War veteran followed by years of service to our country in the Navy Reserves. Dad was on the first destroyer into Normandy on D-Day and, as is so typical of the WWII Vets, he rarely spoke of it until the last couple of years of his life. I regret that he didn’t live long enough to make the trip to Washington to see the WWII Memorial. I was lucky enough to make 3 trips with <a href="http://www.honorflight.org/" target="_blank">Honor Air</a> as a Guardian. Part of my motivation was to honor my Dad’s memory by helping other Vets get to their Memorial. </p> <p>As I have no internet access here in the Georgian woods, I’ll have to belatedly post this with my THANKS TO MY DAD and all the other Vets yesterday and today who serve our country.</p> <p>It is time to close as Dilly appears to have discovered yet another threat to our well being here in the hardwoods of Fort Mountain State Park.</p> <p>Until later, </p> <p>-Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-30671501497944495962014-04-03T17:24:00.001-04:002014-04-03T17:25:00.823-04:00GRAVITY 1 – ZEKE 0<p>The winter rust was quite evident yesterday as I worked on meeting my goal of 30 in 30 during April. I rediscovered what happens when all forward motion ceases to exist and you are clipped into your pedals on a 15 percent or so grade…</p> <a name='more'></a> <p>Gravity pulls ones head toward the center of the earth is what happens in case some of you may have forgotten. Fortunately, in my case, my head was preceded to the ground by my butt, which still holds on to its winter storage of energy. The only thing that really got “injured” was what little pride I have left. Having fallen over a number of times in the past in front of people, this one really didn’t rate high on the embarrassment scale. I’m quite sure that I won’t be blamed for causing any earthquakes in sunny Southern California due to having bounced off of the pavement.</p> <p>I made a couple of rookie mistakes and paid for it with loss of momentum. I was zig zagging across the last grade before my home at the end of today’s ride and managed to get my rear wheel off into a combination of gravel, decomposing leaves, left over acorns, and who knows what else. I was also standing on the pedals and, rather than sit down and weight the rear wheel, I stayed upright until, well, I wasn’t upright. </p> <p>This wasn’t an epic ride by any means but it certainly was a nice break in what is almost summer like temperatures. A balmy 79 degrees made my lightest weight winter riding clothes almost too hot for the day. I’m going to have to dig out that container with my summer clothes if this keeps up. Of course, we may have snow by day after tomorrow the way this winter has gone.</p> <p><strong>Additions to the family…</strong></p> <p>Some of you are aware of the fact that this cycling blog is named after my late great Labrador Retriever Zeke. We lost Zeke when his journey ended on Valentine’s Day 2014. We were able to enjoy his sidekick and close compadre Orla, our yellow Lab, until she too came to the end of her time in September of 2014. My life, for the vast majority of it, has been shared with dogs. I grew up with dogs, had dogs with me at <a href="http://www.appstate.edu/" target="_blank">Appalachian State</a>, and have had the pleasure of dogs in our household except for short periods of grieving time.</p> <p>This spring the Navigator and I decided it was time to bring some more energy into the household so we embarked upon what I shall forever know as the era of “What Were We Thinking?” We planned and researched sharing our space with a <a href="https://doggiestats.com/Dog/Ramahill%20Absolutes%20I%20Am%20Legend%20Of%20Rw" target="_blank">Giant Schnauzer</a> and followed through with making that happen through a variety of interesting connections and contacts that included a <a href="http://www.barnhunt.com/" target="_blank">Barn Hunt</a>, a trip to Georgia, and ultimately a cruise up the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumberland_Plateau" target="_blank">Cumberland Plateau</a> to Cincinnati pick up our little 17 pound bundle of feminine joy when she was 10 weeks old. <em>(NOTE: The image in the Giant Schnauzer link is Dilly’s “uncle”)</em></p> <p>The week prior to that trip, as I was recuperating from a heart catheterization and not allowed to drive, the Navigator piloted us through <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/sarges" target="_blank">Sarge’s Animal Rescue</a> in Waynesville. She was hooked by the cutest bundle of fuzzy joy imaginable in the form of a Border Collie mixed with something big. The pup had the Navigator hooked and landed in all of 30 seconds. Long story made short: we came home with 7.7 pounds of unadulterated love. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-beofyswvKZY/Uz3Rk-JhXmI/AAAAAAAAHn0/9zDrVEcbBrk/s1600-h/Cordelia_Week13_OfficeFirstDay3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cordelia_Week13_OfficeFirstDay" border="0" alt="Cordelia_Week13_OfficeFirstDay" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RO-lXfFctCw/Uz3RlxC_4OI/AAAAAAAAHn8/ZKHAtbOuOJA/Cordelia_Week13_OfficeFirstDay_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="139" height="244" /></a></p> <p><em>Dilly assisting in my office</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-08-2XiLISDo/Uz3Rmcq782I/AAAAAAAAHoE/D-iiXCjo2xY/s1600-h/Beau_Week13_HowHelpU%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Beau_Week13_HowHelpU" border="0" alt="Beau_Week13_HowHelpU" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0c8KIgvOo8U/Uz3RnL_7qyI/AAAAAAAAHoM/VMoqGQkk2WI/Beau_Week13_HowHelpU_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right"><em>Beau showing off the eyes that hooked the Navigator</em></p> <p>He (Beauregard at Buzzards Roost) and she (Ramahills Cordelia at Buzzards Roost_RW) have become fast friends. They are only 4 days apart in age so, yes, we have two 14 week old high energy puppies in the house now. Rosie, the cat has <em>almost</em> forgiven us… Our lives have been consumed with all that goes with puppies in a home. Fortunately, we no longer do 1:00 am, 3:00 am, 5:00 am, and 7:00 am potty walks in freezing temperatures and snow. We are ALL sleeping until at least 6:00 am now, which works out great except for the weekends when 7:00 am would be mighty fine with me. </p> <p>So, the Beau and Dilly show runs nightly and daily in beautiful downtown Buzzards Roost and has supplanted most of my riding time. With the return of Daylight Savings however and a desire to meet the 30 in 30 commitment in April, I have enjoyed being back on the <a href="http://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo/" target="_blank">Salsa Fargo</a> even if gravity reminded me of the pull of joy for cycling.</p> <p>For those so interested, here are the stats for <a href="http://www.sportstracklive.com/track/detail/gr8smokieszeke/Cycling/Buzzards-Roost/2-in-30/1376086" target="_blank">04/02/2014</a>.</p> <p>What will 04/03/2014 entail? Hopefully, staying upright!</p> <p>Until later,</p> <p>- Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-75520013862196620772014-03-03T17:28:00.001-05:002014-03-03T17:28:37.209-05:00Has Anyone Seen Spring?<p>It’s been a while since I posted. Several squeaky wheels have had my attention and, unfortunately, cycling wasn’t one of the louder ones. We’ve finally experienced winter again here in Western North Carolina after several years of only hearing about snow. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f-3hZF12MN8/UxUCBhie3qI/AAAAAAAAHmw/1-AA5gboyuA/s1600-h/SnoFall_021014_WNCCardiology01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SnoFall_021014_WNCCardiology01" border="0" alt="SnoFall_021014_WNCCardiology01" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p5NfFEU0Q-Q/UxUCC4bjCYI/AAAAAAAAHm4/BTFVWp4Tg24/SnoFall_021014_WNCCardiology01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(The storm beginning as I was enjoying an echo stress test at WNC Cardiology)</em></p> <p>This year we had a return to the snow of old. You know, the ones where we walked to school every day in knee deep snow just like our forefathers did. Of course, we’ve had nothing like the mid-west and north east have endured and I don’t count Atlanta’s little ice skating party as anything other than poor planning. I’m ready for spring to finally get sprung or whatever spring does. Yesterday’s 60 degree weather was a cruel joke leading up to today’s return to freezing temps with possible snow flurries. </p> <a name='more'></a> <p>The last little two day storm dropped a meager (in relation to New England standards) snowfall of 8.5” at our house in Buzzard’s Roost. It was a pretty snow that stayed around a few days. The Navigator and I were invited for a long weekend respite at <a href="http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/" target="_blank">Hilton Head</a> Island so we dropped the truck in 4 wheel drive and hit the road headed south. It was on this trip that the enormity of the storm really registered with me. We saw piles of remaining snow as far south as Orangeburg, SC as we traveled down I-26. There were chunks of forests along the route that were just flat knocked down or, I guess you could say, knocked down flat with the tops of the trees extending into the emergency lanes of the interstate. We passed a couple of crews working to get the trees cleared. </p> <p>Fortunately, once we arrived at Hilton Head, the Woodman and I were able to get out for a couple of days of riding and at least lubricate the joints somewhat. I was surprised that my cardio fitness had not dropped off more than it had although I did have a pretty good measure of it at said echo stress test, which I errantly thought I had passed with flying colors.</p> <p>Upon returning home, I was greeted with a phone call from my physician and an appointment with another cardiologist in nearby Asheville, which led to a heart catheterization two Fridays ago. Along with this fun little adventure, I was on restricted duty, i.e., no lifting, no riding, no driving, no splitting wood for a few days. Interestingly, it is a bad thing if the puncture site in the femoral artery should bust open. Should that happen, the directions were very easy and very specific: Press like hell on the artery and call 911. That’s it – simple and straight forward. </p> <p><strong>Other squeaky wheels…</strong></p> <p>The Navigator and I lost our two Labrador Retrievers (Zeke and Orla) of 13 and 15 years of age in 2013. We are both “dog people” and have always had the company of dogs and, as time healed the hurt of our losses, the desire to rejoin the dog world took over. So, to that end, we have been joined by Beauregard at Buzzards Roost and Ramahills Cordelia at Buzzards Roost of RW as of this past Saturday. Beau, a Border Collie mix placed his hook in the Navigators heart and reeled her in Saturday a week ago when we visited <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/sarges" target="_blank">Sarge’s Animal Rescue</a>.  Dilly, our Giant Schnauzer, was ready for pick-up this past Saturday in Cincinnati. Beau was born December 17th and Dilly was born December 21st so they will be kennel mates in both age and maturity one hopes. They have already become fast friends and are reminding us of the energy of puppies, which we had somehow forgotten in the last 13 years. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0CEZbj3EI2o/UxUCDyidnyI/AAAAAAAAHnA/AFswDUXDUMQ/s1600-h/Cordelia_Dilly%252526BeauRest01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cordelia_Dilly&BeauRest01" border="0" alt="Cordelia_Dilly&BeauRest01" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ENAklnh8e20/UxUCEvD9ZXI/AAAAAAAAHnI/fJwWY1trnuY/Cordelia_Dilly%252526BeauRest01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Beau and Dilly snoozing and recharging for another adventure!)</em></p> <p align="left"><strong>Not totally quiet on the cycling front:</strong></p> <p align="left">It hasn’t been a totally non-cycling time although the riding time has certainly been limited. Last Friday we had our latest meeting of the <a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a> planning committee. Registration for the 2014 event opened two days ago. Returning and new riders will find some changes to two of the routes this year. The 45 mile Panther has been extended to a 50 mile course and the Trout (metric century) route has been increased to 75 miles and will include approximately 35 miles on the <a href="http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Parkway</a>. This year’s jersey promises to be another sellout and will again be produced by <a href="https://www.hincapie.com/" target="_blank">Hincapie</a>. If you’ve never ridden the Blue Ridge Breakaway, get it on your schedule now and come enjoy some great mountain riding. With over 10,000’ of climb in the Century route, this is a challenging course and significant fitness and ability to handle your bike is required. </p> <p align="left"><strong>What if you gave a party and no one came?</strong> </p> <p align="left">Well, that is somewhat the questions for us as <a href="http://www.bicyclehaywoodnc.org/" target="_blank">BicycleHaywoodNC</a> offered to provide bicycle safety instruction classes this spring for adults and older teens followed by safe riding skills training on a closed course. We had only one registrant for the two courses to be held around the county so we’re going back to the drawing board on this one. We’ll try again later.</p> <p align="left">I hear the Beau and Dilly show starting up in the other room so I’ll end for now and go see what mischief awaits us.</p> <p align="left">Until later,</p> <p align="left">- Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-88609372144981781752014-01-06T15:45:00.001-05:002014-01-06T15:45:15.512-05:00COLD? WHO ME? NAH!<p>So the National Weather Service is forecasting the coldest temperatures in decades for the mountains of Western North Carolina. So the temperatures have been on a downward trajectory since before we got up this morning. It’s my birthday and I really, really wanted to be able to say I rode on my birthday…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hlDaRrd-3rw/UssVza1SPrI/AAAAAAAAHmE/pJXO3FDnsWo/s1600-h/BDayRide_05%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BDayRide_05" border="0" alt="BDayRide_05" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xwZRGwtz2e4/UssV0PSuvyI/AAAAAAAAHmM/f49iLMmpfjU/BDayRide_05_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Note new GoPro Hero 3+ camera – gift from the Navigator)</em></p> <p align="left">Well, let me tell you…</p> <a name='more'></a> <p>It was COLD out there! I waffled back and forth about going to the trouble of getting dressed to go riding in subfreezing weather. Around noon with the temps hovering around 21 degrees and knowing that they were only going down from that point, I quit my waffling and dressed to ride. The Navigator merely shook her head, although she did agree to document my foolishness.</p> <p>I dug out the Pearl Izumi winter bibs <em>(Hint #1 that I’ve not been riding.), </em>my <a href="http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/mens?cid=PS|google|Sitelinks|US|IP|Sitelinks|s-AllMen%27sApparel|C70nKac0&gclid=CJyds7mz6rsCFUho7Aod7lIAEA" target="_blank">Under Armour</a> base layer, a Pearl Izumi winter weight full length jersey, and my <a href="http://www.smartwool.com/get-outside.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=smart%20wool&utm_campaign=Exact_Brand&utm_content=SmartWool&cid=ps:GOOGLE:Exact_Brand:smart%20wool%20exact:smart%20wool&gclid=CNDci-Sz6rsCFWJo7AodtxgAgg" target="_blank">Smartwool</a> socks. I planted my new <a href="http://gopro.com/" target="_blank">GoPro</a> firmly on my head and walked directly into the heating duct in our basement on my way to dig out the <a href="http://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo/" target="_blank">Salsa Fargo</a>. I figured I didn’t need any skinny tires on such a cold day, you know, just in case the much promised snowfall arrived during my sojourn about.</p> <p>Just as I noticed cool air in a place where there shouldn’t be any cool air, the Navigator inquired if there was a tear in my bibs. Looking down, I discovered that no, there wasn’t a tear but the resident mouse/mice had made a meal of the crotch area of my bibs! Grrrr! Just yesterday I found that my Fat Cyclist jersey had become nesting material for an overfed (no doubt) household of mice.<em> (Hint #2 that I’ve not been riding. When mice eat the crotch of your bibs, you aren’t riding enough…)</em></p> <p><strong>To Be or Not to Be …</strong></p> <p>… cold that is, which quickly became the decision to be made. With cold crotch wrapped around my <a href="http://www.brooksengland.com/catalogue-and-shop/saddles/touring+%26+trekking/B17+Standard/" target="_blank">Brooks B17</a> saddle and my foolishness sufficiently documented on both video and still imagery, I returned to the relative warmth of the garage knowing that I could claim that I rode on my birthday. It wasn’t the longest of rides but it wasn’t the shortest of rides either. It certainly wasn’t the warmest and probably wasn’t the coldest of rides. But, it was my ride on this day at this time so I’ll take it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MqbHWXl9hSE/UssV1dpbUeI/AAAAAAAAHmU/VVbrPjkMy3Y/s1600-h/BDayRide_07%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BDayRide_07" border="0" alt="BDayRide_07" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8258TCQnAB4/UssV2IHhfaI/AAAAAAAAHmc/T72A5ag17Ng/BDayRide_07_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Doing my Flying Nun impression on a cold January day!)</em></p> <p align="left">Now that I’m comfortably ensconced once again in our den with the wood stove perking, it is time to look at what I’m sure is probably really, really poor GoPro video. I’ll bet you can hardly wait for it to be posted…</p> <p align="left">Until later,</p> <p align="left">- Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-76735611705981324112013-12-31T14:53:00.001-05:002013-12-31T14:53:58.524-05:00My Final Excuse for 2013<p>Today I offer up my final excuse, err, accounting of the year as to why I’m not riding my bicycle as much as I’d like. I could blame it on the weather, you know, days and days of unending rain followed by cold, cold temperatures. How cold was it, you say?</p> <p align="center"><a href="ttps://www.google.com/search?q=image:+raccoon+and+bird+feeder&rlz=1C1GGGE_enUS408US408&espv=210&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&source=iu&imgil=nuuQjFGYKt10IM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcRRnZuLCAIZGlKTaocFkBqn9Z3hijFDWCCGfjSsr8TzqyC3QvJU%253B270%253B224%253BCzp4ARGE0yawmM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.humanesociety.org%25252Fanimals%25252Fraccoons%25252Ftips%25252Fraccoon_birdfeeders.html&sa=X&ei=dh_DUtb7K47SkQfb94DQCQ&ved=0CDAQ9QEwAA&biw=1680&bih=924#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=ee8rtjmQLb9HdM%3A%3BNTFYGzjMkVHFtM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.pestrepellerultimate.com%252Fa%252Fimages%252Fguardian%252Fmini-slider-raccoons-birdfeeder.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.pestrepellerultimate.com%252Fa%252Fraccoon_1.htm%3B340%3B260" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="RaccoonBirdFeeder" border="0" alt="RaccoonBirdFeeder" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0A1dTQP6Yp4/UsMg1GM5QRI/AAAAAAAAHl0/Xi35VZmTrgI/RaccoonBirdFeeder%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="188" /></a></p> <a name='more'></a> <p> The weather was so cold the neighborhood raccoons were wearing knit sweaters as they emptied our bird feeders. </p> <p>Last Friday was illustrative of my efforts to improve my fitness. It was a good weather day for December. The mid-afternoon temps were reaching the low 50’s, there was a slight wind, and fluffy white clouds dotted the sky. I deemed it a day for a ride. First up, I needed to get appropriately attired, which meant finding clothes located in a box left somewhere following our move to beautiful downtown Buzzard’s Roost. With the box located and a decision made to ignore the slight smell of mold, I wriggled and pulled into my lycra/spandex knickers that somehow shrunk while in storage. The “club fit” jersey (read FULL cut here) was encouraged into place soon followed by shoes and helmet.</p> <p>Of course, it was necessary to “wire up” as we say in the “let’s measure everything we do” world of today’s fitness. That meant pulling off the jersey, strapping on the heart rate monitor, synching up the Bluetooth radio, letting the phone find the all critical GPS satellites despite the knowledge that I was probably not going to ride further than five miles. <em>(Note: The Navigator gave me a GoPro Hero 3+ Black edition camera for Christmas so now I’ll have even more electronics to sync up before riding!)</em></p> <p>Finally, underway and smoothly rolling down the road, a crazed squirrel, exhibiting madness like I’ve never seen before, dashed and pranced its way just in front of my tire requiring me to brake in a semi-straight line to avoid falling in the “horse apples” decorating the road. I didn’t need the GPS enabled fitness tracking software to advise me my heart rate was now out of the “fat burning” zone. </p> <p>By the half mile mark, I was settled back into a good cadence but was quickly reminded that daydreaming on a bicycle is a bad idea as one of the local resident’s daughters practiced the fine art of make-up application whilst talking on a cell phone whilst driving with her knees whilst ignoring that big old red thing at the intersection. You know – the STOP SIGN! </p> <p>At the three quarter mile mark, a large shadow accompanied by a buzzing sound,  passed over me and scared me so bad my heart rate again jumped out of the fat burning zone. Thinking to myself that this must be what cycling experts consider to be interval training, I hit the apex of a left hand curve smooth and perfect only to find an immediate need to stop as fast as possible. </p> <p>As it turns out, the large buzzing shadow was an Amazon drone delivering a French door high capacity stainless steel refrigerator  (Item #000142378DBT) to one of my neighbors as a surprise present for his wife. Unfortunately, the GPS encoder for the drone misread the elevation marks and was flying so low that it intersected in time and space with a FedEx delivery truck, which was dropping off an extra large gas grill (with seven burners and an auto-incinerator feature) to the same household where the refrigerator was headed. Needless to say, the collision closed down both lanes of our rural non-shoulder, non-bike lane road. Local law enforcement, the FAA, the FBI, the TSA, and a couple of other alphabetically challenged organizations soon descended upon the stainless steel mess and began the long process of assigning blame. </p> <p>After reporting my observations to the accumulated agencies and then giving an on-air camera interview to the local TV station about the matter, I was still committed to completing my ride. One hour after starting my trek and now a full mile away from home, I climbed to the top of the next rise only to find the road blocked by a mountain of trash and debris that had toppled from the county’s newest landfill – some people probably know it as the Park ‘N Ride at exit 33. Yes, the road was impassable and a real threat of puncturing a tire on a used needle lurked amidst the empty Budweiser bottles, used baby diapers, and fast food containers. This last impediment to my ride was simply too much and my spirit was broken - much as the Genuine Miller Lite bottle of beer to my left. </p> <p>I turned around dejectedly and made my (fortunately) unobstructed way home. My mood soon improved however knowing that once again I would sleep securely in the knowledge that I had really, really tried to improve my fitness. As they say, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!</p> <p><strong>A Belated Congratulations!</strong></p> <p>Having not written in a while means that I haven’t congratulated my friend Ted Rogers, <a href="http://bikinginla.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/today%e2%80%99s-post-in-which-i-play-the-race-card-in-support-of-l-a-%e2%80%99s-cyclist-anti-harassment-ordinance/" target="_blank">BikinginLA</a>, on his successful move to a revenue supported site. Ted does an outstanding job of reporting cycling events that run the emotional gamut from sad/angry to happy/ecstatic. Here’s my best wishes for Ted and ongoing success as we move into 2014. Also, here’s hoping that he reports on many, many less cycling deaths and injuries in the coming year!</p> <p><strong>And Finally,</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5" face="Brush Script MT">HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="1" face="Times New Roman"></font></strong></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">Until later,</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">- Zeke</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">P.S. A shorter version of this tale of woe was my final cycling column for 2013 <a href="http://themountaineer.villagesoup.com/" target="_blank">the Mountaineer</a>. </font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-7019418047099476692013-11-01T10:01:00.001-04:002013-11-01T10:01:37.806-04:00A MAN OF A CERTAIN AGE…<p> </p> <table border="3" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6" width="400"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="" alt="Sausage, Egg, Cheese Biscuit" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="" alt="Double burger with cheese" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p align="center"><em>(A teaser of things to come…)</em></p> <p>I must admit that I’ve been challenged this year to find the motivation to ride and to write. It seems I have let life’s distractions get in the way despite my early season promises to self to be more attentive to my riding schedule. With the exception of the month of April, I just haven’t been faithful to myself or my mini-stable of bikes.. The lack of riding has led to a lack of writing as well and it has been a struggle at times to come up with something new or something …</p> <a name='more'></a> <p>that I think might interest people. I’ve never wanted to just publish words just to be publishing something although to keep readership interest, you obviously can’t go weeks without posting something. </p> <p>April was pretty good. I promised myself I would participate in the 30 in 30 effort and I did ride something for some time the first 23 days of the month. But, then work, weather, commitments intervened on the 24th and that was that. My motivation to finish out the month was gone. That lethargy carried over into May, then June, then July, etc. until September arrived. Sure, I had excuses and that’s what they were – excuses. </p> <p>Along the way, I had some reminders of the importance of riding, which is my chosen form of exercise. In early September, I finally broke down and had my blood work done so my physician would keep calling in my medications. That effort was rewarded with a phone call from his nurse saying “you need to come in and get some more blood work done. You’re blood sugar was a little high.” </p> <p>Of course it was! No exercise – sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits at <a href="http://www.bojangles.com/" target="_blank">Bojangles</a> 3 to 4 times a week will run up the old blood sugar count.  There was no magic, no mystery here… I’m probably lucky it was only 133. So, I am supposed to return for the 90 day blood sugar average test.</p> <p>This is my life long pattern when building and remodeling houses. I quit eating in a healthy manner and go for the quick fix. Along with those Bojangles’ biscuits were probably a number of double whoppers with cheese, fries, etc. It explains why my 34” waist appears to have taken a vacation and refused to return home. The Navigator and I built our first house upon a solid foundation of TRIPLE chili cheese burgers and fries! That was back in 1982. I would imagine pure grease was running through my veins by the time we moved into our first home. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PpMpIDlB_w0/UnO0Pf3JXYI/AAAAAAAAHlc/pciJbeCNXkI/s1600-h/Tanita03%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Tanita03" border="0" alt="The Tanita of Truth!" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mc3B_kTj31s/UnO0QAR3u1I/AAAAAAAAHlg/i0B7WPTGrck/Tanita03_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>My <a href="http://www.tanita.com/en/" target="_blank">Tanita</a> super-duper “way too much information” scales informed me this morning during my monthly weigh-in that I have “blossomed” to 192.4 lbs. If I were on my physician’s scales, that would be 202.4 lbs. I may well have to do the unthinkable and return to P.A. - Pizza Anonymous. “Hi, my name is Zeke and I’m a pizza eating maniac!” Nah! Too drastic. I can quit anytime…</p> <p>Being a man of a certain age means that I’m acutely aware that I’ve rounded second, and heck, maybe third by now and I’m heading home for the final finish. I’m aware that my time on this orb is well past my halfway point and I contemplate more often what  I will be leaving behind. Will it be a pizza/sausage biscuit/diet soda laden me that gets laid to rest or will it be a svelte 170 lb.’er with an abdominal two-pack version that makes that final climb? As in all things, I guess time will tell…</p> <p><strong>Changing the subject…</strong></p> <p>In the meantime, for those so interested, here is the text of my latest cycling column as it appears in the local paper, <a href="http://themountaineer.villagesoup.com/" target="_blank">The Mountaineer</a>.</p> <table border="3" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6" width="400"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"> <p><strong>WCU ECONOMIC STUDY SHINES LIGHT ON BENEFITS OF TOURISM</strong></p> <p>Dr. Steve Morse, of the <a href="http://www.wcu.edu/academics/departments-schools-colleges/COB/index.asp" target="_blank">Western Carolina University College of Business</a>, spoke to the Waynesville Rotary Club at their October 18<sup>th</sup> meeting and shared with them the results of a recent economics study completed by his students. His report underscored what many people already know and that is that tourism is a major contributor to the well-being of Haywood County and our citizens. What you say, does this have to do with a column dedicated to cycling?</p> <p>Well, the connection is clean and simple. Cyclists are tourists and they are coming to our area in increasing numbers to ride our roads and spend their money. Nationwide cycling is booming! While much attention has been publicized about the increase in urban cycling, a casual reader can now find much more information on the impact of cycling on rural communities. One needs look no further than the State of Oregon where cyclists contribute $400 million dollars per year to the state economy. (Source: <a href="http://bikeportland.org" target="_blank">bikeportland.org</a>)</p> <p>Events such as the <a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a>, the recently released brochure of destination rides in Haywood, and infrastructure support such as the new road sharing symbols in Waynesville from Commerce Street to Hazelwood are great first steps as Haywood County becomes more bike friendly. These efforts help to round out the overall economic draw of many kinds of tourists to Haywood County. </p> <p>In the past, I’ve semi-jokingly suggested that Haywood residents unhappy with seeing an increasing number of cyclists on the road should pretend they are seeing dollar signs instead of cyclists. Thanks to Dr. Morses’s study, I can now put a value on those dollar signs. Tourists coming to Haywood County state and local tax relief for each of the 35,361 households to the tune of $320.00 per year. </p> <p>Unrelated to cycling, Dr. Morse indicated that from 2005 to 2012, Haywood County manufacturing had actually increased from 17.1% of total jobs to 18.1%. This is remarkable considering the economic downturn that occurred during this time span. Many congratulations are due to Mark Clasby, Economic Director for Haywood County, and to others who have fought to keep and bring manufacturing to Haywood!</p> <p>The opportunities are out there to keep Haywood Healthy – not just physically but also economically. The question is whether we have the political and economic will to pursue the opportunities before they go elsewhere. The Comprehensive Haywood County Bicycle Plan provides the blue print for becoming Bicycle Friendly. Will small businesses in Haywood step up to join Bethel Grocery Store and Sorrell’s Café on the journey?</p> <p>For more information on the WCU Economic study, contact Dr. Steve Morse: <a href="mailto:scmorse@wcu.edu">scmorse@wcu.edu</a>.</p> <p>For assistance in becoming a Bike Friendly business, contact <a href="http://www.bicyclehaywoodnc.org/" target="_blank">BicycleHaywoodNC</a>.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Well, enough of this. I need to get to the doctor’s office for that new round of blood work… and I’m getting just a little bit hungry!</p> <p>Until later,</p> <p>- Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-77076253686220240502013-10-01T17:54:00.001-04:002013-10-01T17:54:19.194-04:00A Sharrow Here, A Sharrow There!<p>My hometown of <a href="http://www.townofwaynesville.org/" target="_blank">Waynesville, NC</a> continues on the move toward increased bicycle friendliness as the first Sharrow was placed along Commerce Street today in the Frog Level section of town. (Yes, I said Frog Level!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gBg8pF8icas/UktEf9PVgzI/AAAAAAAAHkU/ikRLE-Y9EgQ/s1600-h/WaynesvilleBikeMarkings_Sharrows02%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WaynesvilleBikeMarkings_Sharrows02" border="0" alt="WaynesvilleBikeMarkings_Sharrows02" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1STH2PvHY30/UktEgaJmy3I/AAAAAAAAHkY/nJ_7uJtIeLk/WaynesvilleBikeMarkings_Sharrows02_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(The first Sharrow in Waynesville!)</em></p> <p align="left">Commerce Street and Richland Streets are the first to get the lane markings…</p> <a name='more'></a> <p>as the Town of Waynesville implements aspects of the <a href="http://bicyclehaywoodnc.org/BikePlan.html" target="_blank">Comprehensive Haywood County Bicycle Plan</a> adopted in November of 2011. Fred Baker, Public Works Director and a long time cyclist himself, recently returned from a QBP sponsored trip to Minneapolis where he and other group members had the opportunity to observe and experience that <a href="http://www.bikeleague.org/" target="_blank">League of American Bicyclists</a> honored city’s cycling infrastructure. Following his trip, Baker expressed to the monthly meeting of <a href="http://www.bicyclehaywoodnc.org/" target="_blank">BicycleHaywoodNC</a> his intent to mark the segment of the Haywood Hub from Commerce Street through Brown Street this fall and over the winter. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZvfDAu8hYZ0/UktEg4QbEUI/AAAAAAAAHkk/7LEYU0Uskm4/s1600-h/WaynesvilleBikeMarkings_01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WaynesvilleBikeMarkings_01" border="0" alt="Bike Route ahead!" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-My8SY2ySOjs/UktEhRtnyAI/AAAAAAAAHko/ukLb9L7p7VE/WaynesvilleBikeMarkings_01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Marking located at intersection of Commerce and Depot Streets)</em></p> <p>The Haywood Hub or east/west route of the local bike plan runs from Jackson County to the west to Buncombe County in the east and is expected to be a key segment of the <a href="http://www.fbrmpo.org/bike_and_ped/regional_bike_plan_2011-2013" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Bike Plan</a> and ultimately the State of North Carolina Bike Plan. The streets currently being marked are wholly contained within the town of Waynesville and are maintained by the town. BicycleHaywoodNC, a chapter of <a href="http://www.blueridgebicycleclub.org/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Bicycle Club</a>, committed to Baker to provide public education assisting residents in understanding what the symbols mean.</p> <p>This particular segment represents about as flat a route as one can find in the mountains and runs approximately 6 miles along the Richland Creek basin allowing Waynesville citizens and visitors the opportunity to exercise, recreate, and commute to the downtown areas and shopping centers of Waynesville. It is within 2 city blocks of the county Courthouse and runs alongside coffee houses, services to the homeless, a local Veterans’ gathering place, and many businesses. Additionally, it runs beside Waynesville Middle School and is nearby to Central Elementary creating great opportunities for <a href="http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/how-to-build-a-bike-train" target="_blank">Bike Trains</a> and cycling by students to school.</p> <p><strong>Yes, You Are Welcome Here!</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2Rc3lyVBYgg/UktEhwwM_KI/AAAAAAAAHk0/fciPg_cRxjQ/s1600-h/BicycleHaywoodNC_OutpostBanner02%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BicycleHaywoodNC_OutpostBanner02" border="0" alt="BicycleHaywoodNC_OutpostBanner02" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HSlie34aEB4/UktEisErGVI/AAAAAAAAHk4/Ju9jGikUAR0/BicycleHaywoodNC_OutpostBanner02_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></strong></p> <p align="center"><em>(Does it get anymore welcoming than this?)</em></p> <p align="left">Visiting cyclists on Tuesday received a greeting from this young man, who took a moment out of his “bar hunting” in the parking lot at Bicycle Friendly Outpost Bethel Grocery Store. The young man had gleefully been spotting bears here there and everywhere including one who had the apparent ability to fly. Bethel Grocery Store at the intersection of US 276 and Lake Logan Road in Haywood County is the first officially recognized outpost in Haywood County serving cyclists needs. The bicycle outpost concept includes small, typically Mom ‘n Pop businesses on the outskirts of less rural areas. These businesses welcome cyclists and stock cycling related supplies that the travelling cyclist might need along the way. They also provide literature about rides in the local area. A second bicycle friendly outpost in Haywood County is on the cusp of becoming a reality. The second outpost is located in northern Haywood County in the Jonathan Creek community. Blue Ridge Bicycle Club has committed to providing bike racks at these two Bicycle Friendly Outposts. In fact, the racks for Bethel Grocery had just been delivered hours before my own arrival this date.</p> <p align="left">Lots of good cycling news happening in my home community today. I’m looking forward to seeing more of it come to fruition.</p> <p align="left">Until later,</p> <p align="left">- Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-2285040861767634872013-09-24T15:24:00.001-04:002013-09-24T15:24:03.626-04:00UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF THE BUZZARD<p>Monday, September 23rd, was a beautiful fall day here in downtown Buzzard’s Roost. The temperature at 2:30 p.m. was hovering around 71 degrees and there was low humidity. The sky was blue and the clouds could have starred in any TV commercial for clothes detergent. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--GvLCjRHIFY/UkHmwf3NjnI/AAAAAAAAHjI/tGFNbK9TUt8/s1600-h/NewFnd_MtnView_01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="NewFnd_MtnView_01" border="0" alt="NewFnd_MtnView_01" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5FDckVcRwXU/UkHmwxffGxI/AAAAAAAAHjM/5B8lhYdX1jA/NewFnd_MtnView_01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(A brilliant fall day on top of Newfound Road)</em></p> <p>After having dealt with the <a href="http://gr8smokieszeke.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-low-country-wrapup.html" target="_blank">death of our dear Labrador Retriever</a>, Orla, …</p> <a name='more'></a> <p>in the morning, I had a lot of pent up energies left over from a long weekend. I needed to discharge them and I also needed to get out on the road to maintain my  <a href="http://gr8smokieszeke.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-good-times-still-rolling-along.html" target="_blank">commitments to riding reborn</a> last week on <a href="http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/" target="_blank">Hilton Head</a> Island, S.C.</p> <p>Leaving from our abode along the promontory of Buzzard’s Roost, I made my way to the nearby intersection with Newfound Road. The initial half mile or so when leaving the house is all downhill and I was enjoying lightly, if at all, spinning the pedals on my <a href="http://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo/" target="_blank">Salsa Fargo</a>. </p> <p>After reaching the lowest point of elevation along our road, my momentum was slowing and I began to feel the resistance of the increasing grade to my light hearted spinning. In a quarter of a mile, gravity was pulling hard and I was running through gears. I recall thinking, “hey, this isn’t like riding at the beach. My heart rate is up!” Welcome home Zeke!</p> <p>With heart pumping and legs feeling heavy, I made it to the intersection and turned north on Newfound Road, which has recently been repaved so it still has a wonderful smoothness to it. I started a descent and was soon sliding past Plains Methodist Church and into the long left hand curve around the adjacent cemetery. A couple of cars were following me and choosing not to pass even though there was sufficient room. Soon another curve approached and any hope they may have harbored about passing me vanished. As I approached the North Hominy Community Center, I pulled into the parking lot to allow traffic to pass me by and discovered that it was Bloodmobile Day. The lot was packed with parked cars.</p> <p>Only one car passed me and it made a left hand turn at the end of the Community Center parking lot. I don’t know what happened to the second car. Maybe they stopped to give blood…</p> <p>At any rate, I was presented with a clear road to begin the climb to the top of Newfound. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6zysjD3rdAo/UkHmxkCJOnI/AAAAAAAAHjY/peJISRjsmwM/s1600-h/NewFnd_NewPavedRd_01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="NewFnd_NewPavedRd_01" border="0" alt="Newly paved Newfound Road" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fOb78pS1Jkw/UkHmyT0GIQI/AAAAAAAAHjc/y9D-I-ZwQ9s/NewFnd_NewPavedRd_01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(The uphill journey on Newfound begins…)</em></p> <p align="left">Sitting at 3041’ elevation Newfound Gap has a long climb of 2.4 miles from a low elevation of 2650’. The road kicks up in grade significantly over the last 1/2 mile. At the top, I pulled into the shade to cool down and take on some fluid. My <a href="http://www.sportstracklive.com/track/detail/gr8smokieszeke/Cycling/1201285" target="_blank">SportTrack Live data</a> indicated it had taken me 33 minutes from home to the gap. I had a remarkable average heart rate of 128 bpm indicating I was in the best cardio condition of my life. It was hard to rectify my very heavy breathing with such remarkable fitness as I leaned on my bike. <em>(I would learn later that my heart monitor data didn’t record after the first 1/2 mile or so.) </em></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4g0pMzkbB64/UkHmywlEjpI/AAAAAAAAHjo/NzT_BAbMID4/s1600-h/NewFnd_TopClimb_01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="NewFnd_TopClimb_01" border="0" alt="Salsa Fargo at the Newfound Gap" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DJVvoty9FDI/UkHmzT-xvOI/AAAAAAAAHjs/1PRiLRSLC24/NewFnd_TopClimb_01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(My Fargo at the county line of Haywood and Buncombe.)</em></p> <p align="left">Traffic was beginning to build in both directions as I topped off my own tank with some Gatorade and zipped up my jersey for the descent back toward home. </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lG5fLNps1ng/UkHm0D8cc-I/AAAAAAAAHj4/7hNQyssu36E/s1600-h/NewFnd_TopClimb_02%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="NewFnd_TopClimb_02" border="0" alt="Newfound Gap headed into Buncombe County" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NEkZwZZ54Oc/UkHm0vvDcxI/AAAAAAAAHj8/spTHcuw3KSo/NewFnd_TopClimb_02_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Newfound Gap headed north into Buncombe County)</em></p> <p align="left">The descent on the freshly paved road was definitely worth the effort of the climb. I reached my max speed of the day (38.93 mph) on the descent before sitting up and enjoying the ride through the farmlands of north Canton. </p> <p align="left">To top off the ride, I crossed over I-40 at exit 33 and took a loop down into the Beaverdam Community before climbing back up Freedom Drive to my own road home. I was once again reminded that what goes down, must go up as I spun my way back up to the house. I was accompanied by the seemingly ever present Buzzard’s circling overhead. I sent out my own mental tweet to the massed feathers above “Not today, my friends, not today!”</p> <p align="left">Until later,</p> <p align="left">-Zeke </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-67722568630430776302013-09-23T14:36:00.001-04:002013-09-23T14:39:12.895-04:00LOW COUNTRY TRIP ENDS ON SAD NOTE<p>The Navigator and I are back home in the glory of our mountains as fall begins to make itself known here in beautiful Buzzard’s Roost, just outside of Canton, NC. The leaves are showing the first signs of color as some yellows and a few reds are emerging. </p> <p>Our trip to the Low Country was, on the balance, another successful adventure. I managed to ride more miles last week than I’ve ridden since the 30 in 30 attempt in April. It felt good to be able to get out each day and power myself around on my <a href="http://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo/" target="_blank">Salsa Fargo</a>. </p> <p>Unfortunately, our trip ended on a sad and now final note for us…</p> <a name='more'></a> <p> As the Wood-Man and I were just beginning our Thursday ride, we received a phone call from the kennel where our Labrador Retriever, Orla, was staying with the Navigator’s sister. We were informed Orla had taken a turn for the worse and was not walking on her own and seemed to be in pain.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_Ln-UhYrcOw/UkCKJf0ZOrI/AAAAAAAAHig/jf-FURtpArw/s1600-h/BalsamMtn_100110_OrlaKerchief01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BalsamMtn_100110_OrlaKerchief01" border="0" alt="Orla in her Halloween kercheif" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9M-7BCTX37Y/UkCKKOnkQbI/AAAAAAAAHio/w_fcrNPy_WE/BalsamMtn_100110_OrlaKerchief01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Orla camping in better days in her Halloween kerchief)</em></p> <p>We knew she had recently been diagnosed with cancer but, she had been doing quite well and I really wasn’t worried that she would have a crisis while we were gone. I was reminded that Life has ways of proving assumptions and beliefs wrong. After arranging for some pain medication via our local Vet and the good graces of my sister, Orla showed some improvement on Friday so we made our plans to leave the island at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday and pick her up before the lunch time closing of the kennel in nearby Asheville.</p> <p>We had numerous phone reports through out the day and even some hopeful signs of improvement as we made our way home. Once we arrived, she clearly recognized us, got up on her own power, and walked to the door as if letting us know it was time to get home.</p> <p>The rest of Saturday and Sunday was spent tending to her and keeping her pain free as much as possible. Early this morning, I called our Vet and arranged for a visit to get his opinion although, truth be told, the Navigator and I both had come to the realization that her quality of life was greatly compromised. The Vet, following his examination, concurred and we ushered her off to whatever journey awaits her spirit. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9ia2d9zD4Wg/UkCKK5wBotI/AAAAAAAAHiw/jQqPqnT3XVk/s1600-h/ToteFilled_CecilOrla01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ToteFilled_CecilOrla01" border="0" alt="Supevisor Orla" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NNI-DqkcYl4/UkCKLs1Vd1I/AAAAAAAAHi4/sbQtCpjZf4U/ToteFilled_CecilOrla01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Orla became the supervisor of all things garden related)</em></p> <p align="left">Orla, Irish for “Golden Girl” we were told, joined us some 13 years ago as a rescue from West Virginia. She was approximately 2 years old at that time so, at the time of her death, she far exceeded the life expectancy given to most large breed dogs. She soon “socialized” our still wild 6 month old Chocolate Lab Zeke and became an integral part of our family. Following <a href="http://gr8smokieszeke.blogspot.com/2013/02/my-muse-moves-on-to-greener-pastures.html" target="_blank">Zeke’s death</a> in February of this year, Orla became even more attached to me than had previously been the case. I didn’t go to the garden unless Orla went to the garden. I didn’t mow most days unless she rode in the cart behind the mower. </p> <p align="left">Age related infirmities, in addition to the cancer, finally took their toll on her body. Her spirit was never broken however and she had that happy Lab grin and rapidly wagging tail right up to the end. In my 60 years on this orb, I’ve been honored to share space with some wonderful critters. Orla will always be, in my mind, one of the sweetest companions I could ever imagine. RIP, my friend…</p> <p align="left">I gotta go ride now…</p> <p align="left">-Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-27414806284322401932013-09-19T11:41:00.001-04:002013-09-19T11:41:09.994-04:00THE GOOD TIMES STILL ROLLING ALONG!<p>As day five of our 2013 annual retreat to <a href="http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/" target="_blank">Hilton Head</a> Island continues, the Wood-Man and I continue to enjoy the riding opportunities in this <a href="http://www.bikeleague.org/" target="_blank">League of American Bicyclists</a> Silver level town.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fhl1ha2pkfY/UjsasqmH4XI/AAAAAAAAHfY/AdQlnL6SWPY/s1600-h/HHI_WmHiltPrk_Bikepath01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HHI_WmHiltPrk_Bikepath01" border="0" alt="Bike Path along William Hilton Parkway" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kduXwO3N33A/UjsauNr8oaI/AAAAAAAAHfg/-Us6F09Dpwg/HHI_WmHiltPrk_Bikepath01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(The bike path along William Hilton Parkway)</em></p> <p align="left">On Wednesday, the four of us took the opportunity to ride…</p> <a name='more'></a> <p>the well groomed paths and trails at <a href="http://www.palmettobluff.com/" target="_blank">Palmetto Bluff</a>, a private development that allows outside cyclists to enjoy their handiwork of paved paths leading down to the village at the <a href="http://www.sciway.net/sc-photos/beaufort-county/may-river.html" target="_blank">May River</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8KcSHrObHwE/UjsavTm9aUI/AAAAAAAAHfo/knzHTOjErbA/s1600-h/HHI_WoodShazam_PalmBluff_01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HHI_WoodShazam_PalmBluff_01" border="0" alt="HHI_WoodShazam_PalmBluff_01" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dfShwIZct-c/UjsawP8CerI/AAAAAAAAHfw/of-v1i_K2EI/HHI_WoodShazam_PalmBluff_01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left"><em>(Wood-man & Sherry Shazam at Palmetto Bluff)</em></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ypU583zPVPY/Ujsaxo8yrOI/AAAAAAAAHf4/7Eaumy4cXKk/s1600-h/HHI_Navigator_PalmBluff_02%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HHI_Navigator_PalmBluff_02" border="0" alt="HHI_Navigator_PalmBluff_02" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-daQPtpAMlmA/UjsayTo8VLI/AAAAAAAAHgA/rMmC0U3kuD0/HHI_Navigator_PalmBluff_02_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right"><em>(The Navigator checking out the local inhabitants..)</em></p> <p align="left">In addition to numerous fowl populating the trees along the estuary, the following fellow and what was apparently his or maybe her clan eyed us suspiciously. </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YsLFifTo1Cw/UjsazaCwCzI/AAAAAAAAHgI/svx2KvmLnBo/s1600-h/HHI_GatorCropped01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HHI_GatorCropped01" border="0" alt="HHI_GatorCropped01" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cgx39zESS9w/Ujsa0MV8GEI/AAAAAAAAHgQ/hACshZuNXUU/HHI_GatorCropped01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="84" /></a></p> <p>We counted 12 of these denizens of the mildly deep at one point while they observed the 4 of us. Some ventured quite a bit closer but were camera shy and would disappear under the water just as I was ready to snap an image. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O0FQ5vP7mNE/Ujsa1g8gpnI/AAAAAAAAHgY/FbBw4FZwDq8/s1600-h/HHI_PalmBLuff_ZekeNavFullFace_01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HHI_PalmBLuff_ZekeNavFullFace_01" border="0" alt="Zeke and the Navigator crusing the bike path" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kRwyy7UrFOA/Ujsa2cfaHjI/AAAAAAAAHgg/tbj2iVS_mzo/HHI_PalmBLuff_ZekeNavFullFace_01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="left"><em>(Zeke and the Navigator cruising the bike path)</em></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-biFj-W871RU/Ujsa4PQk6AI/AAAAAAAAHgo/LcNTPAo0Ojg/s1600-h/HHI_ZekePalmBluffBack01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HHI_ZekePalmBluffBack01" border="0" alt="HHI_ZekePalmBluffBack01" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NwGF4LqQwr0/Ujsa4xjvfbI/AAAAAAAAHgw/TRCSqz5hCQs/HHI_ZekePalmBluffBack01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right"><em>(Zeke in his </em><a href="https://www.hincapie.com/" target="_blank"><em>Hincapie</em></a><em> produced </em><a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank"><em>Blue Ridge Breakaway</em></a><em> 2013 jersey)</em></p> <p align="left">The paved path has off-shoots of packed gravel that take riders along the water ways and eventually back to the golf course and village. On this particular day, my left crank chose to separate itself from my bike, which was an interesting feeling having a loose bike part stuck to my shoe. Fortunately, it happened at a slow speed on level ground and I was able to come to a full stop without falling over. Even more fortunate was that the Navigator, riding behind me, was able to capture a second part of the crank assembly that rolled away from my bike. We were back up and running shortly after reassembling items.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4n65bYVyjkQ/Ujsa6ZM-3zI/AAAAAAAAHg4/lrG2G8bXm3Y/s1600-h/HHI_PalmBluffVillageCenter01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HHI_PalmBluffVillageCenter01" border="0" alt="Palmetto Bluff Village Center" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y0ECsVaYDuY/Ujsa7ERu3TI/AAAAAAAAHhA/9A7jqxSZCus/HHI_PalmBluffVillageCenter01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="left"><em>(The center of the village enjoys the watchfulness of these great trees!)</em></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_81Exjhr9No/Ujsa8k907-I/AAAAAAAAHhI/AURqQRjF7Rc/s1600-h/HHI_PalmBluffVillageChapel%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HHI_PalmBluffVillageChapel" border="0" alt="Palmetto Bluff Chapel" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9iH0z6f_AJY/Ujsa9ZW-n3I/AAAAAAAAHhQ/war1rYcshyE/HHI_PalmBluffVillageChapel_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right"><em>(Beautiful chapel along the May River)</em></p> <p align="left">The 11 mile round trip cruise was quite enjoyable for the four of us. All that was asked for was that we register at the entry gate, sign an understanding of behavior, and affix the Palmetto Bluff pass decal to ourselves. I still had mine on my helmet from last year and only had to provide the number. Everyone we met, excepting one individual, was very friendly and greeted us pleasantly. </p> <p align="left">The eating aspects of this trip have been as good as the riding aspects. Our evening meals have consisted of grilling at “home” one night and eating out the next. On Tuesday, we enjoyed a meal at <a href="http://www.oldoysterfactory.com/ordereze/1000/Page.aspx" target="_blank">the Old Oyster Factory</a>, a place we ran across on one of our daily rides about the island last year.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M3r_i4-5t6I/Ujsa-oes9DI/AAAAAAAAHhY/WiBaZLuxKb8/s1600-h/HHI2OysterCompSunset%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HHI2OysterCompSunset" border="0" alt="Old Oyster Factory sunset 2012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iX7x0SAJpTs/Ujsa_foXKkI/AAAAAAAAHhg/jzwjym-AxsU/HHI2OysterCompSunset_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="148" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Sunset at the Old Oyster Factory, 2012)</em></p> <p align="left">It didn’t look like this image this year as a serious squall traversed the island just as we sat down at our table. Serious winds driving the rain sideways limited the views of the bay this year. It did look like this however…</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aMnmqmpIDk0/UjsbAdwhvII/AAAAAAAAHho/g1326PI-UTU/s1600-h/HHI_ZekeNav_OldOyster_Tuned%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Zeke and the Navigator at the Old Oyster Factory" border="0" alt="Zeke and the Navigator at the Old Oyster Factory" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qt_bMTIXmxM/UjsbBRQUcqI/AAAAAAAAHhw/Aw9KHImKOeA/HHI_ZekeNav_OldOyster_Tuned_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Zeke and the Navigator prior to an excellent meal!)</em></p> <p align="left">Upon the advice of the good dudes at <a href="http://roadfishbikeshop.com/" target="_blank">Road Fish</a> bike shop, the Wood-Man and I were able to get in some climbing by doing bridge repeats on the <a href="http://www.wheretraveler.com/classic/us/sc/hilton-head/navigate/CL0000032515.shtml" target="_blank">Cross Island Parkway</a>. </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NzTOB1xnoPg/UjsbCd75z6I/AAAAAAAAHh4/XUNfcaVwhho/s1600-h/HHI_WoodmanBridge01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HHI_WoodmanBridge01" border="0" alt="Wood_man climbing the bridge!" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x_mxPRazUDs/UjsbDTW3-jI/AAAAAAAAHiA/9wajKlzl5Ss/HHI_WoodmanBridge01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="left"><em>(Wood-Man nearing the pinnacle of the bridge)</em></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1EdYDgReXyc/UjsbEBVRO8I/AAAAAAAAHiI/TUbHwr7jT_s/s1600-h/HHI_BridgeView02%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HHI_BridgeView02" border="0" alt="Zeke descending the Cross Island Parkway bridge" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dy_xOszeJw8/UjsbFJq3YXI/AAAAAAAAHiQ/jN7IUoSusUU/HHI_BridgeView02_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right"><em>(The view after my first descent. Headwinds required pedaling downhill this day)</em></p> <p align="left">So, the annual RRR&E (rest, relax, ride & eat) adventure continues with 3 more days to enjoy island life. We’ll see what unfolds…</p> <p align="left">Until later,</p> <p align="left">-Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-12672775714050540902013-09-16T10:37:00.001-04:002013-09-16T10:37:40.447-04:00GREETINGS FROM THE LOW COUNTRY!<p>The Navigator, Wood-Man, Sherry Shazam , and I are making what has become our annual Rest, Ride, and Recharge (RR&R) trip to <a href="http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/" target="_blank">Hilton Head</a> Island in the Low Country of South Carolina. A <a href="http://www.bikeleague.org/bfa" target="_blank">League of American Bicyclists</a> 2011 Silver award winner, HHI provides lots of opportunities to get out and about on two wheels.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jhtqkWZ7jPQ/UjcXrzolVhI/AAAAAAAAHfA/zWvxpiV820o/s1600-h/HHI_SpencerBch02%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HHI_SpencerBch02" border="0" alt="Spencer Beach approach" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--d1nF1HhJYw/UjcXsm-8HVI/AAAAAAAAHfI/yaCTijXnJE0/HHI_SpencerBch02_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Approaching Spencer Beach, a private community on HHI)</em></p> <p align="left">The Wood-Man and I had a <a href="http://www.sportstracklive.com/track/detail/gr8smokieszeke/Cycling/1192492" target="_blank">nice 16 mile cruise</a> yesterday to shake out the legs and make room for some grilled steaks purchased at the Fresh Market here on the island. I suppose I should have made that Rest, Ride, Recharge, and Eat (RRR&E).</p> <a name='more'></a> <p>The weather forecast is looking quite promising for our week so I’m hopeful to get my riding habit going again. I’ve made some questionable choices and prioritizations since my attempt at 30 in 30 in April. Riding has been way, way low on the list of things to do and I need to get back to some time in the saddle. I just had some blood work done for part of my annual check-up and the doctor’s office has already called and suggested I come visit face-to-face. Seems my blood sugar is slightly elevated, which is of absolutely no surprise to me. You really can’t have 3 or 4 sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits at <a href="http://www.bojangles.com/" target="_blank">Bojangles</a> each week and pair that with zero exercise and expect to achieve that virile middle-age body that keeps eluding me. (Yes, please, I would really like an XL CLUB CUT jersey…) In all honesty, that should have been sausage, egg, and cheese COMBO. I’m sure the Bo-Rounds were really good for me!</p> <p>I posted my most recent cycling column to our local paper, <a href="http://themountaineer.villagesoup.com/" target="_blank">The Mountaineer</a>, from the comforts of our deck here on HHI while having my morning cups of coffee. For those so interested, here is the text of that column:</p> <table border="3" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6" width="400"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"> <p>Following the successful running of the 4<sup>th</sup> Annual <a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a>, I am currently on gorgeous Hilton Head Island hoping to jump start my own riding habit again. Over the past several months, for a variety of reasons, I’ve made choices that didn’t include exercise and riding. So, I’m hoping this respite from my daily scheduled pleasures will help me get back in the habit of riding again. </p> <p>But first, just a word about the wrap-up to the Breakaway: Once again, appreciation for the 200+ volunteers was a prime positive remark from the participants. The Breakaway covers a large swath of Haywood County geography and it takes many, many people to make it a success. Kudos were frequent for the friendliness and support provided by these volunteers. A surprise commendation went out to the tomato sandwiches served up at the end of the ride. The Haywood County tomatoes were a big hit! </p> <p>Other participants commented on the friendliness of the motorists with whom they shared the road. With only one or two exceptions, Haywood motorists provided plenty of room when passing and passed out numerous smiles and waves. Unfortunately, there is seemingly always ”one or two bad apples in the barrel” and we received reports of two young adult males harassing riders along NC 209. Thanks to Sheriff Greg Christopher and the response of the deputies as they immediately dispatched two cruisers to try and apprehend the perpetrators. There is absolutely NOTHING safe about darting your vehicle at cyclists or pedestrians. </p> <p>Some helpful criticisms were also received and will be attended to as we begin planning for the 5<sup>th</sup> BRB. <em>(Note to one rider: It is unlikely we can talk NC DOT into leveling Rush Fork…)</em></p> <p><strong>Back to Hilton Head…</strong> The Island is a 2011 League of American Bicyclists Silver award winner in the Bicycle Friendly Community category. As you might imagine, bicycles are everywhere with numerous cycling related businesses contributing to the local economy. The locale of our current stay has 300+ bikes for rent. You can order up a bike for your vacation and it will be delivered to your rental unit. Bike racks are ubiquitous so you never have to look very far to find a place to safely leave your bike while eating and shopping. </p> <p>The protected bike paths allow cyclists to pretty much go everywhere on two wheels. As we rode yesterday, we passed many local residents riding to and from work. A pedestrian/bike wooden bridge allows access UNDER William Hilton Parkway to shopping centers. The paths are more appropriate for commuting and recreational riding than they are for fitness riding because of the many start and stops that you encounter along the paths. You can seemingly access almost all of the business sections via two wheels. Well, except Sea Pines but that’s a story for another time…</p> <p><i>For more information, visit </i><a href="http://gr8smokieszeke.blogspot.com"><i>http://gr8smokieszeke.blogspot.com</i></a><i> and </i><a href="http://www.bicyclehaywoodnc.org"><i>www.bicyclehaywoodnc.org</i></a><i> .</i> <i>You may also link to Zeke’s Great Smoky Mountain 2 Wheeled Adventures under Opinion on the Mountaineer’s website.</i></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p> </p> <p>Best wishes to my friend Aaron West of <a href="http://steepclimbs.com" target="_blank">Steepclimbs.com</a> on his ongoing rehab from a year long hip injury!</p> <p>I think I hear an order of <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/shrimp-and-grits-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">Shrimp ‘N Grits</a> calling my name, which tells me it is time to remove fingers from keyboard and head out for some breakfast. Surely, that is healthier than sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits…</p> <p>Until later,</p> <p>-Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-59988662862526410082013-08-19T16:58:00.001-04:002013-08-19T16:58:42.261-04:00Whew… It Is Done!<p>A year’s worth of planning and implementation came to an end Saturday evening around 6:30 p.m. The last rider on the Century route of the 4th Annual <a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a> made it home after some 10 hours and 20 minutes in the saddle. With that finish, the books began closing on another successful…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eR7z9c4yDp0/UhKG4Zv9vdI/AAAAAAAAHdY/GgqL8Ftl1p4/s1600-h/BreakawayMontage2013%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BreakawayMontage2013" border="0" alt="BreakawayMontage2013" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AOWU7JAoxzQ/UhKG5FVCzZI/AAAAAAAAHdg/2Mu9vteXU0w/BreakawayMontage2013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="212" height="170" /></a></p> <a name='more'></a> <p>event hosted by the <a href="http://www.haywood-nc.com/" target="_blank">Haywood County Chamber of Commerce</a> and sponsored principally by <a href="http://www.haywoodnc.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=183&Itemid=158" target="_blank">Mission Hospitals</a> in Asheville, NC. The ride, featuring four routes (the Hawk, Trout, Panther, and Rabbit) was down in actual numbers thanks to dire weather forecasts of a “washout weekend” but not down in spirit or in accomplishments met. There were smiles, grins, grimaces, and projectile… well, you get it: a range of physical and emotional reactions. Yes, there were also stories made to be told as time passes. </p> <table border="3" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6" width="400"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"> <p align="left"><em>“My husband and I participated in the Blue Ridge Breakaway this past weekend, and had an incredible time!  What an awesome and beautiful ride!  This was our second time riding in it, and I think we will make this a tradition every year.  We are encouraging our friends to ride with us next year!”</em> </p> <p align="left">-Lynda Ward, Alpharetta, Georgia</p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>The best outcome of the event was a total of some 31,560 aggregate miles ridden with zero significant injuries. In fact, at the command center, there were no injuries of any kind called in by participants or our moto-sag team. There were the usual mechanicals including numerous flat tires, a bent derailleur, and some broken spokes but nothing out of the ordinary. </p> <p><strong>A Really Classy Person!</strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hs22CRVMIp8/UhKG58WemBI/AAAAAAAAHdo/q31UpBidjXU/s1600-h/LaurenTamayo%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="LaurenTamayo" border="0" alt="LaurenTamayo" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5POfw1ADfjk/UhKG6nibY1I/AAAAAAAAHdw/vFCC-TOffnQ/LaurenTamayo_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="151" height="204" /></a></p> <p>We were pleased when we heard that <a href="http://www.hometrustbanking.com/hometrust/news.php?hometrust_bank_community_ambassador_lauren_tamayo_introduces_ride_on_kids" target="_blank">Lauren Tamayo</a>, Olympic Silver Medalist, would be joining us thanks to <a href="http://www.hometrustbanking.com/" target="_blank">Home Trust Bank</a> for whom she is a roving Ambassador. I had the opportunity to speak with Lauren prior to the event and to watch her interact with staff and participants. What a nice opportunity that was! I would love to know how many pictures were taken of her. She posed for each and every request and had a great smile throughout. She led all the riders out of the starting shoot and completed the Panther (40 miler) route. </p> <p><strong>Hey, the Dude’s an Ironman!</strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MskmYOnUNq4/UhKG7fneS1I/AAAAAAAAHd4/RZEJWhSG1to/s1600-h/AaronWest_BRPTop%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="AaronWest_BRPTop" border="0" alt="AaronWest_BRPTop" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QoNZt56TJu8/UhKG8CrfIiI/AAAAAAAAHeA/DYoiANPxhXk/AaronWest_BRPTop_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Aaron atop the </em><a href="http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/" target="_blank"><em>Blue Ridge Parkway</em></a><em> on the Hawk route)</em></p> <p>Throughout the run-up to the event, I had been looking forward to seeing my friend and fellow blogger, Aaron West (<a href="http://steepclimbs.com/2011/08/21/blue-ridge-breakaway-2011-lake-junaluska-nc/" target="_blank">Steep Climbs</a>) . We missed him last year but were excited to hear he was returning this year along with some compadres from Columbia, SC. As I’ve mentioned, weather forecasters had give us up some 10 days ago and were just killing our pre-registration numbers as they continually had us at 70% chances of heavy rain throughout the weekend. Aaron’s buds cancelled their hotel reservations and decided that caution was the better part of valor this particular weekend and Aaron let me know he would not be coming on Friday evening. He was telling me of the heavy rains he was experiencing and I was still enjoying the after glow of a great day in the mountains with a nice sunset in the western sky. Still, the forecast was for heavy rains all day Saturday. </p> <p>As I went to bed in Haywood and Aaron hit the sack in Columbia, we both were sure he wouldn’t make it. Thankfully, he woke up coughing at 2:00 a.m., remembered my personal forecast, checked his radar, and was on the road by 2:15 a.m. headed for Lake Junaluska. Some 3.5 hours later, he was greeting me at the registration desk. After picking up my jaw from the floor where I’m sure it fell  upon seeing him, we got him registered and on his bike and he simply went out and completed the Century route. Following a brief refueling after the ride and some quick chat time, he loaded up and was home in Columbia, SC near 8:30 p.m. What a day! We corresponded on Sunday and my assessment was he was still in better condition than I was! Thanks Aaron for the effort!</p> <p><strong>Volunteers, Volunteers, Volunteers!</strong></p> <p>In real estate, it is location, location, location that matters. With the Breakaway and similar events it is volunteers that matter. We were blessed yet again with great volunteers. Year in and year out, the volunteers that staff the rest stops or (wo)man the intersections and registration tables, get the highest accolades from the event participants. This year was certainly no different. Some 250+ local citizens came together to pull this off.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0mUlFfW0iho/UhKG-HKI9hI/AAAAAAAAHeI/43YKVRoiNNc/s1600-h/HayChristAcad%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="HayChristAcad" border="0" alt="HayChristAcad" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yf1O8dnFKhU/UhKG-8j-QoI/AAAAAAAAHeQ/7jCS2kLtVBo/HayChristAcad_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="155" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Students from Haywood Christian Academy swept the Fines Creek area roads)</em></p> <p align="left"><strong>There’s always an Ass in the Crowd!</strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-81UsQq19rrg/UhKG_lILyRI/AAAAAAAAHeY/KDzU3w5_2us/s1600-h/JackAss%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="JackAss" border="0" alt="JackAss" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s5tLLXpuvwU/UhKHAUTXBXI/AAAAAAAAHeg/Jjo4Scb2wvI/JackAss_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="142" height="164" /></a></p> <p> Yes, there’s always at least one. This time it was a black Ford Ranger running along side the cyclists on NC 209 and harassing them. We made the report to the <a href="http://www.haywoodnc.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=183&Itemid=158" target="_blank">Haywood County Sheriff</a> and they responded with two cruisers to try and catch the jack-asses, err perps. We had a minimal amount of information to provide so I’m imagining that they didn’t catch them. Still, the silver lining was the great support from the Sheriff. </p> <p> </p> <p>There are many, many stories out there even though we’re not the “naked city.” (O.K., truthfully, how many of you get that reference?). We’ll be gathering them and share them later. So, I’ll close with two thoughts today…</p> <p>1) Mark your calendars now for <strong>August 16th, 2014</strong> – the 5th Annual Blue Ridge Breakaway!</p> <p>2) Never, ever listen to 10 day weather forecasts that promises you a washout…</p> <p>Until later,</p> <p>- Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-72670855739484103682013-08-14T14:01:00.001-04:002013-08-14T14:04:16.881-04:00RAIN OR SHINE!<p>Rain or shine or both… that is the question for this Saturday’s (August 17th) 4th Annual <a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a>. As most everyone in America knows, the southeast has been pummeled with rain this summer resulting in record setting amounts of rainfall. These rainfalls have quite frequently been heavy with resultant flash floods such as the one that hit the <a href="http://my40.tv/shared/news/features/top-stories/stories/wlos_haywood-county-storm-damage-12794.shtml" target="_blank">Martin’s Creek</a> area of Fines Creek earlier this week. All of this has resulted in damage to roads and deposits of debris on the travel surfaces. Thanks to Division 14 DOT employees, we are…</p> <p><a href="http://waynesvilleweather.com/Forecast/Waynesville" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w3eikVpaipc/UgvGFvwi0dI/AAAAAAAAHdA/NK3Zjqhtkx8/image%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="141" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Ray’s Weather Center forecast for downtown Waynesville this weekend)</em></p> <a name='more'></a> <p>hard at work cleaning and prepping the roads for Saturday. Why? Because the show goes on. This is a rain or shine event! </p> <p>Breakaway coordinators are closely monitoring multiple weather service forecasts and finding the only consistent thing to be everyone agrees there will be some rain. As of noon today (Wednesday, August 14th) no one is calling for a washout of the weekend. The most consistent reports indicate passing showers throughout the day with definitely below average temperatures. We will continue to monitor the weather conditions throughout the ride event.</p> <p>Thanks to the <a href="http://wnchamradio.org/" target="_blank">Haywood County Amateur Radio</a> organization we have multiple mobile and site based ham radio operators that keep our entire network in touch and communicating. From our command center at Lake Junaluska, we’ll be able to fully monitor incoming weather on the local radars and make informed decisions, which can then be transmitted to the various sites around the four routes of the Breakaway. We’ll also be watching real time activities of our moto-sags as each motorcycle is outfitted with a GPS responder that sends up location signal that is broadcast back to us at the command center where we see it in real time on a modified Google map of the region. So, in a nutshell, we’re on top of it! We have a full emergency and evacuation plan should it be needed as was the case on Breakaway #1 when a rogue storm popped up on the <a href="http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Parkway</a> resulting in the BRP officials closing the course.</p> <p>Riders need to do their part! Because all of the routes climb to some higher elevation, we <strong>STRONGLY ENCOURAGE</strong> all riders to be prepared for inclement weather throughout the day. Bring a jacket! Have sufficient Hi-Viz clothing on in case rain or fog settles on you while riding. Stay <strong>HYDRATED</strong> even if it is cooler! We will have fuel and water for your bodies at regular intervals. Don’t get carried away thinking you’re in a race and fail to eat or drink. Remember that you must have a headlamp if going on the Parkway. For our Century participants in particular, stay aware that you might well be riding in 50 degree temperatures while on the Parkway. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothermia" target="_blank">Hypothermia</a> does not respect bravado! Dress warmly or have warm clothing available.</p> <p>So, having said all of that, let’s hope for the best and prepare for the rest! </p> <p>See you Saturday!</p> <p>- Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-60562139659812589202013-08-07T15:36:00.001-04:002013-08-07T15:36:44.449-04:00HERE WE GO!<p>It is 10 days and counting until the 4th Annual <a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a> on August 17th at beautiful Lake Junaluska in Western North Carolina. Our planning processes are ramping up for the final few days leading into another exciting event.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com/" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BreakawayUpdatedWebAd2013" border="0" alt="BreakawayUpdatedWebAd2013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v1H8xpqPZFY/UgKhwsfyNfI/AAAAAAAAHcI/DCvVZS2Tm-Q/BreakawayUpdatedWebAd2013%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="180" /></a></p> <p>Planning for this event began at the end of the day of last year’s event, so it isn’t a stretch to say…</p> <a name='more'></a> <p>we’ve been planning for a year now! Selected as <a href="http://steepclimbs.com" target="_blank">SteepClimbs.com</a> “Best Ride of the Year for 2011” and receiving a “<a href="http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/biking/race-ahead-road-cycling/" target="_blank">Best of the Rest</a>” nod from Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine, the Breakaway is quickly becoming a rider favorite. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H-Ua7LUAFCo/UgKhxPV_1yI/AAAAAAAAHcQ/PUxVPDPhe9k/s1600-h/BRB12_HeatherLyuba%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BRB12_HeatherLyuba" border="0" alt="BRB12_HeatherLyuba" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S1GYcFo5vjc/UgKhx7_eyDI/AAAAAAAAHcY/qCocR5Lh7Vo/BRB12_HeatherLyuba_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a> </p> <p><em>Heather and Lyuba prior to the 2012 start!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_vMNINGI0yA/UgKhyXDyY-I/AAAAAAAAHcg/niiDzgUqaew/s1600-h/BRB12_BobClark%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BRB12_BobClark" border="0" alt="Bob Clark 2012 BRB" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NkOw8Vu-mFU/UgKhy42R1MI/AAAAAAAAHco/W1vW_dnQMtk/BRB12_BobClark_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right"><em></em></p> <p align="right"><em></em></p> <p align="right"><em></em></p> <p align="right"><em>Bob smiling before the pain…</em></p> <p>The year’s event, under fair skies and cool temperatures (right?), will kick off on Friday with registration at the <a href="http://www.lakejunaluska.com/bethea-welcome-center/" target="_blank">Bethea Welcome Center</a> at Lake Junaluska. Given that past behavior is the best indicator of future human behavior, the center will fill up Friday evening with folks making the final decision to ride in this year’s event. Well before most Haywood residents arise on Saturday, a cadre of volunteers will be out making final clearings of roadsides and putting up directional signs for the participants. </p> <p>With some pomp and circumstance, this year’s ride participants will depart under <a href="http://www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/9919-new-haywood-sheriff-pledges-modern-professional-leadership" target="_blank">Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher’s</a> protection sharply at 7:30 a.m. Local WNC cycling Olympic medalist, <a href="http://www.hometrustbanking.com/hometrust/news.php?hometrust_bank_community_ambassador_lauren_tamayo_introduces_ride_on_kids" target="_blank">Lauren Tamayo</a> from Home Trust Bank, will lead the riders onto US 276 for the first leg of the ride, which includes an ascent of Coleman Mountain for all riders at all levels. Once the riders cross the Pigeon River at the intersection of Iron Duff Road, Riverside, and Panther Creek, the real climbing begins for participants in the Century, Metric Century, and Panther routes. The rugged beauty of northern Haywood will be on display for our visitors. Over the next 7 hours, riders will complete their routes and get to bask in the feelings of great accomplishment. Hopefully few, if any, will have visited our local emergency room and be nursing road rash or worse.</p> <p>So, what’s missing? You are! There is still time and room! Pack up the family and the bikes and come on up to Western North Carolina for a day or two or three in our outstanding mountains. Come enjoy our Southern hospitality as you stretch yourself beyond your limits! <a href="http://blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to register now or go to <a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank">www.blueridgebreakaway.com</a>.</p> <p>See you next week under sunny skies and cool temps!</p> <p>-Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-87141685265084133062013-07-17T15:43:00.001-04:002013-07-17T15:43:11.317-04:00A Meeting Here, A Meeting There<p>…every where a meeting. My cycling time has been consumed with cycling related meetings since last Friday. I think I’ve attended 3 such meetings in almost as many days. When I wasn’t meeting, I was emailing and/or talking about meetings. </p> <p><a href="http://www.sangrea.net/free-cartoons/work_meetings.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="work_meetings" border="0" alt="Meetings galore!" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RFaONsk1aJM/UebzzXr-uQI/AAAAAAAAHbc/3o0qf9PqK8A/work_meetings%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="156" /></a></p> <a name='more'></a> <p>The meetings have ranged from the macro (<a href="http://www.blueridgebicycleclub.org/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Bicycle Club</a>) to the local (<a href="http://www.bicyclehaywoodnc.org/" target="_blank">BicyclehaywoodNC</a>) to the specific (<a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a>). They are all, to one degree or another, inter-related so that almost helps keep things straight in my mind. </p> <p><strong>Bicycle Friendly Outposts</strong></p> <p>Our local advocacy council (BicycleHaywoodNC, a chapter of Blue Ridge Bicycle Club) has been developing and refining a concept we call a Bicycle Friendly Outpost. This idea incorporates concepts of a Bicycle Friendly Business but not necessarily from the employee benefits side of the equation. Outposts are strategically located small “mom and pop” establishments situated on the outskirts of our community. The Bicycle Friendly specifics are drawn heavily from the lessons learned from Russ Roca and Laura Crawford of <a href="http://pathlesspedaled.com/" target="_blank">The Path Less Pedaled</a> when they attended the 2012 Blue Ridge Breakaway in August 2012. I have continued to follow their paths pedaled and continue to benefit from their community education and advocacy for cyclo-tourism.</p> <p>On a recent visit to <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/bethel-grocery-canton" target="_blank">Bethel Grocery Store</a>, located at the epicenter of Pigeon Valley and some great riding in Haywood County for riders of all ages, Marvin informed me that he had enjoyed the visit of 10 to 12 cyclists that morning as they stopped at his store. This was a Monday and not a weekend group ride. He related that a different solo rider had stopped in while on a 45 mile loop ride because he “had been told the store was bicycle friendly.” I’m pleased that “word of mouth” is spreading about Bicycle Friendly Outposts in Haywood County. A second Outpost should come on-line within the next few weeks and in time for the 2013 Blue Ridge Breakaway. This location will be along US 276 in the Jonathan Valley area of Haywood County. Whereas Bethel Grocery covers the outlying southern end of the county, the newest location will catch riders more on the northwest side of the county. We are hopeful for a third outpost covering northern Haywood but it would be premature to go there at the moment.</p> <p>Outlays of capital have been pretty minimal for the Outpost businesses. We don’t ask them to stock supplies as if they are full fledged bike shop. We ask them to keep the necessities for someone, who might have broken down on the road and need to replace tubes, a patch kit, etc. Both locations stock energy bars and drinks. My favorite post ride drink is the chocolate milk sold at Bethel Grocery. It is always seriously cold and hits the spot after a ride.</p> <p>The Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, our regional entity, voted this past Sunday evening to up the ante for the Outposts by agreeing to purchase and install bike racks at the locations to make them even more obviously Bicycle Friendly. In addition, we have banners ready for hanging that identifies the business as an officially recognized Bicycle Friendly Outpost. We also include their designation on all of our cue sheets and the recently released brochure for Haywood County Destination Rides.</p> <p><strong>Cycling Column Update</strong></p> <p>In my last column on 07/01, I used an instance of assault on a cyclist in an attempt to educate the local citizenry around issues involved with poor judgment on the part of motorists. In today’s published column, I take to task a cyclist’s behavior I observed this past Saturday, that in my opinion, demonstrates the poor behavior of some cyclists resulting in more friction with the motoring public. Under the category of “for what it’s worth”, here is the text of that column.</p> <table border="3" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6" width="400"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"> <p><strong>Legal Vs. Courteous?</strong></p> <p>At approximately 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 13<sup>th</sup>, I was concluding my daily visit to Lowes at Lake Junaluska. As I was departing Lowes, I noted two cyclists descending the hill toward the tangle of cars and lanes that will soon be no more thanks to a NC DOT Extreme Make-over. Little did I know at that point that I would be presented with yet another “teaching moment” quicker than you can say “Yes, please make that double cheese and double bacon on my triple pounder!”</p> <p>Knowing that NC 209 is a popular ride for local cyclists, I anticipated that I would see the two cyclists again as I was headed toward the Shell station on 209 to fill up our gas tank. Soon, the cyclists appeared on the horizon. They were on the final short climb past Smoky Mountain Rehab center and about to drop down the short descent to the intersection of Richland Creek Road and NC 209. They, or at least one of them, was about to provide the “teaching moment.”</p> <p>To set the stage, NC 209 has a wide enough shoulder to allow cyclists to be out of the stream of traffic by riding single file. With the exception of a couple of spots, It is generally clean enough so that safety issues do not force cyclists into the main stream of traffic. Such seemed to be the conditions on this day. </p> <p>Four vehicles were “stacked up” behind the cyclists as they pedaled their way up and over the crest of the hill. One cyclist rode on the shoulder while the other cyclist, apparently oblivious to the traffic behind, proceeded to ride side-by-side of the cyclist who was riding on the shoulder. The first trailing car was unwilling to pass the two cyclists and this kept the other vehicles from passing as well. Perhaps a clear line of site wasn’t available or perhaps the driver simply wasn’t willing to pass the cyclist in the road. Either way, traffic was slowed down quite considerably. </p> <p>The behavior of the cyclist and manner of operation of his “vehicle” provides an opportunity to discuss Legal Vs. Courteous. Was the cyclist riding in the road and side-by-side behaving legally? Yes, under N.C. law he had the same right to that lane of traffic as any truck, car, motorcycle, or moped. Was his act of riding side-by-side legal? Again, the answer is yes. N.C. law does not prohibit side-by-side riding.</p> <p>Now, let’s consider the question of whether the two issues were courteous. I think most reasonable people (motorists and cyclists) would have to give this a resounding NO. Given no safety issues forcing the cyclist to the center of the lane, the courteous thing would have been to have dropped back into single file on the shoulder and allowed the motorists to pass. “SHARE THE ROAD!” is a two way street and both cyclists and motorists must behave courteously for safe transit for all of us along our roads and byways.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p> </p> <p>I’m interested in seeing how the number of “reads” for the two columns stack up since each takes a point of view from the other’s perspective. As of today, the first column has 697 “reads” and has been published since 07/01. Today’s column has 108 “reads” in less than 18 hours of publication time. These are hits on <a href="http://themountaineer.villagesoup.com/" target="_blank">the Mountaineer</a>’s website and doesn’t in any way reflect the numbers of folks who read the column in print. For comparison’s sake, I would say an average number of “reads” for any of my columns is around 135 over the last 6 months. This is a small town tri-weekly paper. </p> <p><strong>2013 Blue Ridge Breakaway</strong></p> <p>Planning continues for this great ride coming up August 17th in Haywood County. We’re hoping to approach 600 riders this year and are currently running about 22% ahead of registration for a similar time last year. Our new jersey can be seen on the website (<a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com">www.blueridgebreakaway.com</a>) and will again be another quality <a href="https://www.hincapie.com/" target="_blank">Hincapie</a> product. If you want some great riding, come on up or down to Haywood County, NC and spend the weekend with us. Heck, if you want to move here, I have a great house for sale close to wonderful riding in southern Haywood County and the <a href="http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Parkway</a>. (I know - that was a shameless plug… Still, the Navigator and I need to sell the house so I can get back to riding!)</p> <p>Until later,</p> <p>- Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-66981027142362940442013-07-14T15:49:00.001-04:002013-07-14T15:49:55.454-04:00RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY…<p>Aaarrrgh! How do the people in the northwest stand it? I seem to have skin, often referred to as “web”,  growing between my toes. I watch”<a href="http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-killing/video" target="_blank">The Killing</a>” on TV and get depressed because of the all the rain depicted in that show. Having the wettest summer on record here is just wearing me down.</p> <p><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Environment/Pix/pictures/2011/01/17/bike-rain1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2011/jan/20/cycling-weather-rain&h=276&w=460&sz=39&tbnid=P9P5AwGtcTG3TM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=150&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dimage:%2Bcyclist%2Bin%2Brain%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=image:+cyclist+in+rain&usg=__sEXkMzkqxa9ukuNarc0L5X25Pxk=&docid=ygpn6PkVxOiRHM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=l_jiUfnYFZfI4APm2YCwBQ&ved=0CCwQ9QEwAA&dur=164" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="bikerain" border="0" alt="Biking in the rain" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BMmCekGwPwM/UeMA4l79xtI/AAAAAAAAHbM/j6SqbeF-byk/bikerain%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="148" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Ever had one of these summers?)</em></p> <p align="left">To make matters worse, the best of the few days of riding have been…</p> <a name='more'></a> <p>Mondays and Tuesdays given the summer long weather pattern. Our <a href="http://www.bicyclehaywoodnc.org/" target="_blank">BicycleHaywoodNC</a> sponsored rides are on Thursdays and many of them have been wash outs this summer as the heavy rains hit about 4:30 p.m. when the atmosphere heats up and begins to percolate. How wet is it? It is so wet that my heirloom squash plants have developed tiny floating rafts for the squash to form in! It is so wet my tomato plants and gourds have created a whole new layer of cooperating by having the gourds grow up and over the tomatoes to provide an umbrella effect. </p> <p>It is so wet that some roads no longer exist or their state of existence is so precarious they are closed by the local authorities. Over this current weekend, the <a href="http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Parkway</a> was shut down between <a href="http://blogs2.citizen-times.com/outdoors/2013/07/12/blue-ridge-parkway-closed-from-ox-creek-to-mt-mitchell/" target="_blank">Ox Creek and Mount Mitchell</a> because a 4” crack developed down the middle of the road. Rangers reported being able to see 6 FEET down into the crack. </p> <p>The rain has also had an impact on our planning for the <a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a> on August 17th. We’ve planned and re-planned our Metric Century route having to work around roads damaged by heavy trucks and weather related road damage. The local DOT crews have been working round the clock it seems to keep roads open. </p> <p>Nevertheless, we have settled on our final route for the Metric Century and it should be posted on-line soon. We have just a few final touches to put on the map and cue sheet. Registration is running ahead of last year’s ride so we’re looking for a great event again this year. Our Century ride includes 32 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway including the highest point on the Parkway. Our new Metric Century will be a challenging ride and anyone able to finish it should feel a sense of major accomplishment! Registration is still open at the link listed above. Our fantastic jersey is also for sale on-line. We are very pleased that the good folk at <a href="https://www.hincapie.com/" target="_blank">Hincapie</a> are doing our jerseys again this year.</p> <p><strong>Speaking of the weather…</strong></p> <p>After six months of residence in beautiful Buzzard’s Roost along the scenic I-40 West route, I’ve managed to get my weather station back up and running. It can be accessed via <a href="http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/28716" target="_blank">Weather Underground</a>.  Wonder what the rain totals are above the “big curve”? How about the temps as you exist the “S” curves? Well, check it out at my weather station!</p> <p><strong>In Other News…</strong></p> <p>My cycling column has continued in the local newspaper. I’ve been on this “teaching moments” line of thought for a while and am trying to use the column in an advocacy and educational approach. Following is the text of my most recent column, which turns out to be #44.</p> <table border="3" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="6" width="400"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"> <p><strong>A “Teaching Moment” Arrives</strong></p> <p>An incident on NC 110 on Thursday evening June 20<sup>th</sup> provides us with a “teaching moment” that extends beyond cycling and into a larger realm of accountability that is often not anticipated but, nevertheless, can have dire consequences. Similar to a pebble tossed into a pond, the ripples of accountability and consequence can extend well beyond the initial splash point. In this case and, unfortunately, for the second time within 4 months, a local cyclist has been assaulted while riding along the shoulder of NC 110. On this occasion, the full license plate was recorded and Haywood County Sheriff’s Department personnel were able to bring in the driver of the vehicle involved in the assault. The interesting twist on this particular incident is that the vehicle was a taxi owned and operated by a local company. </p> <p>The offender in this situation was a passenger in the hired vehicle and represents our “pebble thrower”. The nature of the object thrown from the vehicle is not important because ANY object thrown can cause disastrous results by causing the cyclist to lose control of their vehicle. Most often, assaults on cyclists occur from behind and the cyclist has no warning until they are hit<b>.</b> Potential outcomes include swerving into traffic or off the road resulting in death or injury<b>. </b>We’ll call this Ripple #1. The taxi driver failed to stop to offer aid to the cyclist, which may not have been required legally but certainly falls into the higher standard of ethical behavior, or to cooperate with law enforcement in identifying the perpetrator. </p> <p>We now have unanticipated accountability kick into our story. The taxi driver could now be facing “obstruction of an investigation” charges and loss of license to operate a taxi given that N.C. law requires taxi drivers to observe “certain legal and ethical rules”. (Ripple #2). Additionally, legal authorities inform me that the taxi company and driver could both be sued in civilly court for damages to the cyclist. (Ripple #3) Notice that to this point, our “pebble thrower” isn’t facing any consequences for the criminal behavior of assault. The taxi driver chose not to cooperate so it is unlikely that the perpetrator will ever face the consequences of their actions.</p> <p>Regardless of the ultimate ending to this incident, a couple of lessons can be learned. Operators of vehicles, whether commercial or private, are legally responsible for the actions of their passengers. That responsibility can play out in criminal and/or civil courts. Lesson number two is that Haywood County Law Enforcement officials take assault on cyclists and pedestrians seriously and they will follow up and arrest those perpetrators that can be identified. </p> <p>On behalf of local cyclists and pedestrians, please allow me to express our thanks to the Haywood County Sheriff and his Deputies for taking this situation seriously and taking steps to fully investigate it. Let me also send out thanks to the vast majority of Haywood motorists, who willingly share the road with fellow citizens utilizing other modes of transportation. </p> <p><i>For more information, visit </i><a href="http://gr8smokieszeke.blogspot.com"><i>http://gr8smokieszeke.blogspot.com</i></a><i> and </i><a href="http://www.bicyclehaywoodnc.org"><i>www.bicyclehaywoodnc.org</i></a><i> .</i> <i>You may also link to Zeke’s Great Smoky Mountain 2 Wheeled Adventures under Opinion on the Mountaineer’s website.</i></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p> </p> <p>My next column appears this coming week in <a href="http://themountaineer.villagesoup.com/" target="_blank">The Mountaineer</a>. I’m just awaiting The Navigator’s edit of the copy before submitting it. In the next “teaching moment”, I take to task cyclist behavior I witnessed yesterday. SHARE THE ROAD! is a two-way street and the next “teaching moment” addresses the concept.</p> <p>It is time to head to the monthly meeting of <a href="http://www.blueridgebicycleclub.org/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Bicycle Club</a> in Asheville, N.C. I’m REALLY looking forward to interstate driving in the rain!</p> <p>Until later,</p> <p>- Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4630751179432853395.post-41225241321425979912013-06-18T11:44:00.001-04:002013-06-18T11:44:13.991-04:00HE’S ALIVE!<p>Yes, to paraphrase the movie line “He’s Alive!” It surprises me how time moves so swiftly as I get older. It doesn’t seem like 60+ days since my last post. There have been times that I wanted to sit down and write but found myself waking up from a nap wondering where the time went. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ekq1FaE1gZ8/UcCAQm5E_rI/AAAAAAAAHaM/zFrFMEwHigA/s1600-h/RainwaterTransfer_1stEffort02%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="RainwaterTransfer_1stEffort02" border="0" alt="RainwaterTransfer_1stEffort02" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WvABunUFVDI/UcCARHr1HnI/AAAAAAAAHaU/zjVtJN2UErA/RainwaterTransfer_1stEffort02_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>(Prepping for water transport to the garden)</em></p> <p align="left">What surely must be the longest move in history has dominated…</p> <a name='more'></a> <p>my time as the Navigator and I work toward completing the move out of our home of 18 years to her family home in beautiful Buzzard’s Roost, a bedroom community of the metropolis of Canton, NC. Getting established in the home in which she grew up as been fun and challenging and has provided me with an opportunity to reestablish a garden. Starting with a blank field, we’ve been able to create new beds for vegetables in a layout that I hope will serve us for years to come. All of this has occurred under the watchful supervision of my primary supervisor, Orla.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uLlwHTcn0vA/UcCARszxJCI/AAAAAAAAHac/Dm_oHCCT3aI/s1600-h/Orla_Supervisor03_ClsUp%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Orla_Supervisor03_ClsUp" border="0" alt="Orla_Supervisor03_ClsUp" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZOwJoQjPmQc/UcCASM_73wI/AAAAAAAAHak/3cfi13_EO5w/Orla_Supervisor03_ClsUp_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left"><em>(Supervisor Extraordinaire Orla)</em></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MknNVHZNn08/UcCASihVZ0I/AAAAAAAAHas/eLhnb1G9-ak/s1600-h/StrawBalePrep_Cecil-Orla01%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="StrawBalePrep_Cecil-Orla01" border="0" alt="StrawBalePrep_Cecil-Orla01" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JrPJt3ZaIvU/UcCATZO4mVI/AAAAAAAAHa0/f1VqlISwDWY/StrawBalePrep_Cecil-Orla01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right"><em>(Orla on watch as straw garden is watered)</em></p> <p align="left"><strong>Cycling Time…</strong></p> <p align="left">Unfortunately, my time on two wheels has been severely curtailed after my somewhat successful attempt at 30 in 30 during April. I successfully rode something some distance for the first 24 days of the month and then things went to pieces and have never really been put back together. If this were a Humpty Dumpty story, I’m pretty sure the rotten eggs would be smelling badly at this point. </p> <p align="left">My cycling time has been consumed with preparations for the <a href="http://www.blueridgebreakaway.com" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Breakaway</a> on August 17th. I’m pleased we are running well ahead of last year’s registration numbers at this point. Most aspects, due to the high quality of volunteers we have, have run very smoothly thus far and we’ve found ongoing community support for the event. Beyond our control has been <a href="http://themountaineer.villagesoup.com/p/flood-project-troubles-motorists/1014821" target="_blank">significant damage to Thickety Road</a> running from Clyde into Canton by heavy equipment making the road quite dangerous for cyclists and motorists alike. This has caused us to rethink our new Metric Century route and has put a hold on other planning aspects of the overall event. We hope to have this resolved on this coming Friday, June 21st. The changes we are anticipating will NOT effect the initial stages of the new Metric Century route. We fully expect that the 5800’ of climbing in beautiful northern Haywood County will remain as planned.</p> <p align="left">The N.C. Legislature appears hell bent on moving bike/ped activities not just to a back burner but completely off the stove. The N.C. Senate, in their bill, deleted all state funding for bike/ped projects not underway by 06/30/2013. As of this writing, I’m not sure how the House dealt with the defunding of these activities but initial reports were not positive. The Senate took the position that federal dollars and local community dollars should be spent on these endeavors. Never mind that State matching dollars are often required in order to get federal funding. Of course, these are the same legislators that attached a new tax, err fee, to the registration for hybrid and electric vehicles because “if those people are going to use our roads, they should pay their fair share.” (NC Southport Republican legislator explaining why the need for the new fee.) I wonder how many Prius and other hybrid vehicles it would have taken to damage the road as noted in the link above. </p> <p align="left">The <a href="http://www.fbrmpo.org/bike_and_ped/regional_bike_plan_2011-2013" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Bike plan</a> continues to move toward resolution with an identifiable product expected in the next two or three months. It seems we’ve been meeting on this concept for a long time. The NC DOT state-wide bike plan continues although no one seems to know which direction it will move given the current legislative stand. Maybe some of the legislators will start riding bicycles to get around all of the Monday protesters that show up at the capital to express their disapproval of the legislative action. </p> <p align="left">It is time to move on as my blood pressure is starting to build thinking of all of these N.C. barriers to cycling infrastructure implementation. Congratulations to the cyclists in New York who have already ridden the new bike share program enough aggregate miles to reach the moon and back and then back to the moon again! Also congratulations to friends Russ Roca and Laura Crawford of <a href="http://pathlesspedaled.com/" target="_blank">the Path Less Pedaled</a> as they continue to build a successful nation-wide consulting business around cyclo-tourism and economic development via being Bicycle Friendly!</p> <p align="left">Until later (who knows how much later?),</p> <p align="left">-Zeke</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296442059471583594noreply@blogger.com2