With only a few days left before my first planned trip with the bus and a $14,000 work estimate from RUSH Trucks, I expected my hopes would be dashed.
I picked up the bus from their shop, paying nearly $3,000 just for their diagnostic work, and began digging into the ABS braking module they identified as the main issue. At first, I attempted to replace only the worn electric motor & pump within the assembly, but quickly found that Wabco did not offer many replacement parts. Instead, I had to purchase a new module for almost $5,000.
I received the assembly two days before my trip, installed it that day, and had the bus inspected the following afternoon. To my amazement, I pulled it off and would get to take the bus on its first trip since purchasing over three years ago!
On Thursday morning I loaded up the bus with gear for mountain biking & motorcycling and headed west. My wife Rebecca followed soon after and we rendezvoused at Snowshoe Mountain where our friend Jake had rented a cabin for Memorial Day weekend.
It turned out to be quite a blessing that we had lodging to rely on beside the bus, since Snowshoe had apparently enacted a "No RV's" policy in every parking lot within the resort. I was lucky enough to speak to two sheriff's deputies who told me I was allowed to park in the Silver Creek lot as long as I wasn't sleeping in the bus overnight.
I'm unsure why they enacted this ban, since the summer season at the resort rarely experiences crowded parking and in the past their open attitude has drawn bus and van lifer's to the resort.
On Friday I rode with Jake, his girlfriend Dung, his brother Zach, and friend Dillon. We made a few laps in the rainy conditions, but were soon too cold and miserable to stay out any longer. Back at the cabin, we spent some time hosing down our bikes & gear before being treated to a feast that Jake prepared.
The next day, most of the group rode Snowshoe again while Rebecca and I headed to Silver Creek to ride the Enchanted Forest cross-country trail. It was beautiful as always, resembling a rainforest once in the dense woods.
To be honest, I think I've reached the point where bike-park runs pale in comparison to the enjoyment of pedaling through the woods at a pace which allows you to appreciate the natural beauty around you.
On Sunday Rebecca headed home with our two dogs and I joined the rest of our group for another ride in the park. Although the rain had subsided, the trails were still covered in thick mud. We made several runs, but were quickly tired of sliding around the tracks just barely able to keep our bikes beneath us.
On Monday, our group packed up from the cabin and I bid them farewell before getting in the bus and heading to Slatyfork. Once at my favorite campsite, I setup a canopy outside the bus and removed the KTM from the rear deck. Next, I quickly organized my gear inside and rolled out the new memory-foam mattress in the bedroom of the bus. That night I listened to the rain outside while cozily secure inside.
The next morning I lit the bus stove and heated water for coffee & oatmeal. After a quick breakfast, I pedaled Tea Creek Trail to Boundary Trail.
The next day I chose a slight variation and pedaled Gauley Mountain Trail to Bear Pen Ridge Trail to Boundary Trail.
Back at the bus, I discovered my RV windows had a fatal flaw which allowed water to seep under their faulty rubber seals. In the torrential downpour I quickly caulked them shut before retreating back inside to dry off.
Each day of riding in Slatyfork was capped with a motorcycle ride up to the Snowshoe Village to grab a bite to eat and some cell reception to check-in with the outside world.
On Thursday, I packed up the bus and headed down Mine Road. Before heading to my next destination, I rode Roaring Run Trail to Powerline Trail to Black Cherry Trail. After the ride, I took a quick bath in the Old Field Fork before hopping back in the bus and heading to Marlinton for the final leg of my adventure.
For the final leg, I attended the Bikepacking Roots' Mon Forest Bikpacking Summit.
I arrived a day early to the event and was able to get a feel for the venue, Stillwell Park. After being treated like an outcast at Snowshoe, I was hesitant about sleeping in the park overnight. Luckily, I had nothing to worry about as the vibe in Marlinton was far more welcoming than at Snowshoe.
The town has recently built several mountain bike trails accessed by an easy-to-pedal gravel road. It's a great system that allows riders to pedal or shuttle just a minute from the downtown area. I chose the Stillhouse Trail and was not disappointed! After the ride I once again straddled the KTM for a spirited ride along the Highland Scenic Highway.
Attendees to the event began rolling in later that day and the event officially kicked off that night with an event at Marlinton's Discovery Junction.
Although the summit would endure until Monday, I was feeling a bit homesick after a week in the woods by myself. I decided to take part in one group ride that Saturday before heading home so that I'd net a rest-day back at home before returning to work.
Although most of the summit's group rides were on gravel & rail-trails, there was one meant to introduce riders to the MonForest trails which I'd previewed the day before. This time I decided to explore Messir Trail to Lens Ridge Trail. Roughly half of our group riders decided to join me on the route, since the rest of our group would actually be riding a gravel road for a majority of their descent.
After the ride, I packed up the bus and drove into town where they'd setup a vendor expo. I snagged a couple souvenirs before hopping on route 39 to head home. By 8pm that night I was back in Richmond, ready to see Rebecca & the dogs!
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