What’s the point of making a resolution when you can do a resolution? What better way to shake off a long night’s hangover and arduous (yet heartwarming) holiday season? Get out and ride, that’s what I said 20 years ago come January 1, 2010. Yes, it’s early winter, and yes, there’s a possibility of serious snow, ice, and such. But I’ve never missed this ride, not once.
That’s even counting the first 10 years, when bikes, hiking, and horse riding were not exactly illegal, but were hardly sanctioned, uses of Roanoke city property. In those days, the now popular trail system on the Bennett Springs tip of the reservoir mostly didn’t exist, so the ride used an established route that completely circumnavigated the long lake on trail and fireroad, 23 miles all totaled.
Ride #1 in 1991 was advertised through a free listing in the Roanoke Times called “Outdoors You Go.” 14 people showed up. I was elated. It was in the 30′s that day, so it was nippy, and in those days, most mountain bikers supply of technical clothing consiste of a collared flannel shirt! The bikes of course were fully rigid, but weighed as much or more than today’s full suspenders. Toe clips, little tires, and poor cantilever brakes seem almost Victorian looking back. We didn’t know any better, so off we went!
Setting out from the boat dock parking lot, we traveled the only route available, the fireroad, toward Bennett Springs. It’s a nice ride, not technical, but not flat either, like you might expect from a lakeside track. Up the 1000 foot climb (it’s funny how my description of this on a scrawled map became the proper name), down the Trough. Trough? Why not the Gauntlet?
Well, we didn’t know anything about the the then unnamed Gauntlet’s existence. We knew of one trail down and it would several years before I dubbed it the Trough, due to its rutted condition. It was on this very ride, though, that one fellow named Dave told me about the mysterious “long” singletrack down. It was thick with laurel, so thick you couldn’t see your bike beneath you squeezing through that tight crease, trail barely visible. The arms took a mean scratching and thrashing, leading me to its inspirational namesake, the Gauntlet. Dave was notable for one other thing, just as inspirational. At the top of 1000 foot climb, he reached into his pannier and produced an air-chilled 12 ounce National Bohemian adult malt beverage. Didn’t think bad beer could taste that good!
Down the short singletrack then up to the powerline. We didn’t know about Green Ridge, then, either. Green Ridge is a sweet 3 mile ridge trail that parallels I-81. It would become the preferred route for ages once uncovered, far better than the dusty, undulating powerline. But alas, Green Ridge has been shut down. It exits through a driveway at the offices of Church of God on the frontage road. Miscreants long ago lost our welcome passage by stealing tools from a shed. They weren’t riders I don’t think, but the church thought so. It was great while it lasted!
1 mile of frontage road to another of our tragic closures, the dam trail. In those days, and up until 9/11/2001, you could hang out at the dam if you wanted to. Now your banned within 200 feet of the thing, just in case you’ve got an explosive or something sinister in mind. The 2 mile trail from the dam back to the parking lot was amazing. It carved and snaked, perched atop a high bank above the waterline. While it was mostly flat, it had a slight technical jag as well, with plenty of embedded limestone and rolling g-outs. Often called the fishing trail by locals, it was a great way to close out the loop with sweet, fun singletrack!
23 miles under the belt. In 1991, there’s no way I could’ve conceived of this milestone ahead. Technology has changed the way we ride and do things in sometimes dramatic fashion. None of that mattered to the 14 riders back then. It was just a great way to start the year correctly by doing a resolution. That’s one I’ve been somehow able to keep for 20 years!
Posted by mountainbikeva 
