Linden (Virginia)

I write this post "from the future" and let me say, this winter was one of the mildest we've had in years. Certainly not what I'd have expected given this snow in November...

Snowshoe (West Virginia)

This past weekend was Snowshoe's final weekend of summer operation. Now the resort will prepare for its winter season. It was a good chance to get out on the bike and say goodbye to another good summer of riding.



The bus had seven passengers for this trip [including two dogs] and we were met at the resort by Jarrod for Saturday's ride. The weather was phenomenal and the Fall colors were in full force.



We had a bit of mechanical difficulty when Krister's xLOC broke, which is designed to default to "lockout" on the front fork (a MAJOR design flaw, Rockshox!). It was a major pain in the ass, but he kept a smile on his face and rode the trails despite the hand-numbing vibrations and lack of suspension.



We finished up the trip with a quick dip in the Greenbriar River and a few scoops of ice cream in Cass, WV before heading home.

Gauley Fest (West Virginia)

Late each summer the Summersville Dam is released to provide a few days of increased flow on the Gauley River. It's become a regular event called Gauley Fest which includes concerts, vendors, boat raffles and gear swap.



We were lucky enough to have lodging, shuttle, and food waiting for us when we arrived, compliments of our friend's company, New River Outfitters. The place was great! Fully loaded with hot tub and kegerator!



Our group separated into two boats and soon we were headed down the river. Our boat had only one paddler with experience on a whitewater raft, but we all pulled our own weight and navigated the river with ease. I fell out of the boat at a crucial rapid, Pillow Rock Rapid, and our entire boat (minus the guide) was pitched later down the river at Box Canyon. The other boat was tangled in the hydraulics near the end of the trip, which sent a few of its members swimming for the shore. Somehow we all emerged from the carnage with smiles on our faces and tales to tell.

Timberline (West Virginia)

Somehow I forgot to upload this little gem.

Seven Springs (Pennsylvania)

Last year we visited Seven Springs for the second stop of the Gravity East Series. At that time, we were in a rush to practice and race which doesn't leave much time to explore the other trails in the resort. This weekend, however, allowed us time to ride every trail in the park.

Snowshoe (West Virginia)

Our first trip to 'the shoe' this season was marked by relatively good weather, fun in the mud, and a few injuries to body and bike. The weekend's weather was constantly changing, with dark rain clouds rolling in and out of the area all weekend long. You could see blue skies approaching even with torrential rains overhead. Each storm was brief but heavy, a reminder that we were lucky to have sunshine otherwise.



Three of us had GoPro cameras, so we were shooting video both days. Alex and Jake decided to compile the footage and as soon as they're done I'll have the finished product posted here.



Joe learned an important rule - protect your nose region! Luckily he'd just purchased some Oakley goggles with a noseguard, otherwise this little scrape would have been a broken nose.

North Anna River (Virginia)

Single-day trips are sometimes the best. This float on the North Anna River is one of my favorites.



Our group dwindled a bit from our original twenty or so to a group of twelve people (and two dogs), which worked out pretty well since we were only taking one vehicle in addition to the bus. The temperatures this previous week had been near 100, but the day of the float they hovered around 85-90 - still ideal for a lazy river adventure.



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