My Thanksgiving Holiday was a good one this year. We had a great dinner at home on Wednesday with just the immediate family. I cooked the entire traditional dinner and it was judged by my family to be the best they had this year. On Thanksgiving Day we went to Kim’s parents for dinner with her family. It was a good time. I learned that my bow and arrow skills are lacking. But that is another story . . .
On Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Roger and I rode for a while and got in about 27 miles. Good riding! We covered some new territory and I hit every goat trail except one. Always a good time! The ground was actually very dry but the thick cover of leaves made things a bit sketchy at times. We couldn’t have asked for better weather and riding any day is always great!
Deciduous Leaves Covering the Ground
We also planned to ride the day after Thanksgiving as well. But this time, down at Red Bird. I hadn’t been for several months now but it was time to check it out. Four of us headed out at 9:30AM and it was only about 38 degrees and cloudy. The trail was once again covered with leaves and we were the first crew out that morning from the trailhead. Following the leader, we all headed up the old single track trail to the ridge rather than the jeep-width road bed that is the beginning of Section 1. It was Jesse’s first time up that trail but he made it to the top without too much drama.
We rode along the main trail taking some side ventures here and there where the old single track trail existed many years ago. It always pays dividends to ride with someone that knows where all the “private reserve” trails exist. About 9 miles before the store we hit some old single track and had to struggle under some very large hardwoods laid down across the trail. Jesse had his big hand saw, but dragging the bikes under was faster. We went down a bit and hit some killer single track down to the road. You can see this big rock overlook just before you drop down to the road.
Rock Ledge Overlook
But by the time we got here, it was raining. Not hard, but just enough to make things a bit slick. So we worked our way down the hill and took the road for about 3 miles to Collett’s Store for gas and food. Riding down the road was not fun at all. It was only in the low 40′s and it was raining lightly the whole time. It was good to get inside the store and warm up a bit. I think we were at 38 or so miles into the ride and it was about 12:30pm.
Lunch consisted of a burger with all the toppings and some water and gatorade. I’ve had a couple different things there and the burgers are always decent and filling. A few more riders showed up for lunch and fuel too. We chatted a bit, filled up our bikes with gas, and headed off down the trail. Roger and his Son still had to get gas but said they’d catch up to us as long as we stayed on the main trail. I turned off the gravel, hit the trail and waited for Jesse at the top of the big rocky hill. Once I knew he was up and OK it hit cruise and tried to make some good time as the trail got nastier by the minute. The rain was picking up on the ridges and was not the best conditions. I rolled past the power line cut and didn’t even stop as the rain and fog were covering the valleys. No good vistas today.
Roger caught me about 2 miles before the road crossing at KY66 on the southern portion of the trail. They said Jesse was another 20 minutes behind me. We waited for a second and then went down to the road to wait. Jesse rolled down the hill about 15 minutes later. He was spent, done for the day. The trail was not good at that point and everything was getting slicker by the minute. He chose to ride up the road back to the truck. A lot of blacktop but certainly the fastest way to some dry comfort.
We proceeded onward and went up the newly graded “baby stroller” hill. It was easy now with no big ruts and so forth. A few miles later the rain stopped . . . that was nice. Then by the time we hit Sand Springs Road the sun was coming out! Excellent! The climb up the switchbacks was great as always and the sun was shining when we hit the ridge. It was wet but the goggles were back on and we could pick up the pace a bit. Onward!
This last few sections are by far my most favorite. No one rides it. It is great single track and few people ever make it that far. It is shame . . . the best for sure. With sun out in force and the trail looking good we cruised down to the final goat trail. Nothing new there but fun as always. I just love that section! The truck was just down the road and we hit the parking area at about 4:20 or so . . . not bad. Just over 72 miles for the day. A great time but I was sure to be sore the next day.
The following day was good for resting up a bit, but I washed up my bike and got it ready for a ride on Sunday. My plan was to take both bikes so I could try out my new WR450 forks on the 2005 trail cutting machine. Kyle and Bo were coming so I wanted my 2007 for some good trail riding so that was the plan.
Bo showed up early the next morning. About 15 minutes early. He’s good like that. You never have to wait on him. He says he’s late for everything else in life but NEVER for late for riding. The man has his priorities in order for sure. Gotta respect that! We loaded up but I left the 2005 YZ at home. Hooking up the trailer was not in the cards so riding the 2007 was the plan for the day. I’ve been spoiled riding it so much lately. That WR tranny is killer!
Jesse and Kyle rolled in a bit after Bo and I and we all suited up and got ready to ride. It was cold on the hill and the wind was blowing hard. Not a good way to start the day but you could tell the sun and warmth was on its way. Jesse headed down a draw to work on cutting out the whole creek bed and we headed out on a loop or two. After about 16 miles or so we took a break and checked on Jesse. He was doing fine and was content to keep on working on the trail and not riding for the day.
We ate lunch quickly and planned the next loop. Kyle wanted to hit the MX course so we included that in the planning. Bo showed him how it was done on the MX course. I sat there and watched them go in circles for about 20 minutes. They finally wear themselves down so we headed on down the trail picking up all the single track I could find between there and truck. I had about 23 miles on the odometer and was ready to see if Jesse needed help before I called it a day.
Barger Branch Headwaters
I dropped into the creek bed to see how far he’d made it. He had his BIG Stihl with him in that old-school purple North Face aluminum framed backpack. It was funny. Bo and Kyle were to come up the creek from the other direction. It took them a while to find us but we were about done by then. Jesse had completed about 80% of what needed to be done and I just helped finish it up. I climbed out the creek bed and up through the briars to the single track up the hill to the bench on the bluff. From there I hit the goat trail off the end of the knob. The climb is one of those things where you can’t make a mistake and recover easily. You want to do it right the first time for fun’s sake! I made it up safely and went to the truck. Jesse showed up and then Bo and Kyle followed. Bo got them lost (again) . . . but that is another story too!
So at the end of this ride I had accumulated 123 miles or riding in three days out on the trail. Not bad for riding here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky! Get out and ride!
See you on the trail!
