Went back to Pine Log in search of singletrack and boy did I find it, except it was mostly uphill and unrideable. Out of the 5 hours I spent out there, I estimate 2 hours of it was spent hiking. One would have to be an absolute bike-beast to make these climbs and the climbs just don't end. It's like Pinhoti with rocks.
So I began clockwise on Pine Log Gap Rd again and pedaled out to the cornfield again, about 7 miles out. This is a mostly uphill fire road with a sustained 10 minute climb at one point. Then on to the singletrack at the edge of the cornfield and then an insanely steep climb. This was mostly hiking. The topo maps say it's about 1600 feet at the top of this climb. Left onto Pine Log Mountain trail for a brief downhill run then came across acres of rock gardens that went uphill what seemed like forever. This began the climb up to the radio tower and unfortunately, mostly hiking. I think I could've biked some of it but I was in conserve-energy mode. The goings were slow up this mountain and I began to wonder if I'd ever find this tower. Cursing ensued at some points and I was at about the 2-hour mark. Along the trail were some nice views to the north but it was really hazy. After what seemed like hours of hiking up mountains I finally glimpsed the radio tower and was mighty relieved. Topo map shows 2200 feet. Took some snaps at the tower and had a 10-minute break, downed half a bottle of Perpetuem and ate some almond crunch. Now time to bomb back down.
Wow, back down was quick and I cleaned it. It was probably some of the most technical riding I've encountered. I only stopped once through this mile of rock garden and I think that's because my triceps were giving out from bracing. Made it back up to the fallen tree. I could've went back to the cornfield at this point but I was still feeling adventurous so I proceeded straight up Hanging Mtn trail. I was about 3.5 hours in now. Guess what, more climbing, on foot. It's so steep that mountain goats might balk. My biking shoes weren't made for this much hiking and I wasn't having much fun. Made it to the top of this mountain after another half hour. I was beginning to get dehydrated and I didn't know how much longer I'd be out there.
I then went down this mountain and ran across a creek, looked at the map but really had no idea where I was located. Mild panic set in and I was a little worried about spending the night in the forest. I could always double back but that would've meant more agonizing hiking up several more mountains. After crossing the creek, I was disoriented and began to despair. I couldn't quite make out the trails and nothing is really marked. I kept looking for pink tape on trees but found none. One thing I had plenty of was food so I wasn't worried, it was the water situation that concerned me. So I took my "out" which was to double back and believe me, this was an unsavory prospect.
Back up about 4 more mountains and my feet were in agony but that point the pain just blended in with everything else. I was trying to conserve energy so I was biking really slow or not at all in deference to walking/hiking. Water was running low and I was long out of my nutritional liquid supplements. I sipped at my water reservoir slowly and carefully, not wanting to waste a drop. After another half hour I made it back to the downed tree and was elated. It felt so great to be back in recognizable territory. I went as fast as I could downhill back to the cornfield, which was also a welcome site. My ears popped once at the cornfield from the elevation change. Now began the long, brutal death march some 7 miles back to the ranger station. I was able to get cell signal finally after 4.5 hours of not seeing a single person so I called Renee and asked her to meet me at my truck with fluids.
Once I was back I was relieved and happy to see my wife and dogs. I looked down at my watch timer and it read over 5 hours.
So I began clockwise on Pine Log Gap Rd again and pedaled out to the cornfield again, about 7 miles out. This is a mostly uphill fire road with a sustained 10 minute climb at one point. Then on to the singletrack at the edge of the cornfield and then an insanely steep climb. This was mostly hiking. The topo maps say it's about 1600 feet at the top of this climb. Left onto Pine Log Mountain trail for a brief downhill run then came across acres of rock gardens that went uphill what seemed like forever. This began the climb up to the radio tower and unfortunately, mostly hiking. I think I could've biked some of it but I was in conserve-energy mode. The goings were slow up this mountain and I began to wonder if I'd ever find this tower. Cursing ensued at some points and I was at about the 2-hour mark. Along the trail were some nice views to the north but it was really hazy. After what seemed like hours of hiking up mountains I finally glimpsed the radio tower and was mighty relieved. Topo map shows 2200 feet. Took some snaps at the tower and had a 10-minute break, downed half a bottle of Perpetuem and ate some almond crunch. Now time to bomb back down.
Wow, back down was quick and I cleaned it. It was probably some of the most technical riding I've encountered. I only stopped once through this mile of rock garden and I think that's because my triceps were giving out from bracing. Made it back up to the fallen tree. I could've went back to the cornfield at this point but I was still feeling adventurous so I proceeded straight up Hanging Mtn trail. I was about 3.5 hours in now. Guess what, more climbing, on foot. It's so steep that mountain goats might balk. My biking shoes weren't made for this much hiking and I wasn't having much fun. Made it to the top of this mountain after another half hour. I was beginning to get dehydrated and I didn't know how much longer I'd be out there.
I then went down this mountain and ran across a creek, looked at the map but really had no idea where I was located. Mild panic set in and I was a little worried about spending the night in the forest. I could always double back but that would've meant more agonizing hiking up several more mountains. After crossing the creek, I was disoriented and began to despair. I couldn't quite make out the trails and nothing is really marked. I kept looking for pink tape on trees but found none. One thing I had plenty of was food so I wasn't worried, it was the water situation that concerned me. So I took my "out" which was to double back and believe me, this was an unsavory prospect.
Back up about 4 more mountains and my feet were in agony but that point the pain just blended in with everything else. I was trying to conserve energy so I was biking really slow or not at all in deference to walking/hiking. Water was running low and I was long out of my nutritional liquid supplements. I sipped at my water reservoir slowly and carefully, not wanting to waste a drop. After another half hour I made it back to the downed tree and was elated. It felt so great to be back in recognizable territory. I went as fast as I could downhill back to the cornfield, which was also a welcome site. My ears popped once at the cornfield from the elevation change. Now began the long, brutal death march some 7 miles back to the ranger station. I was able to get cell signal finally after 4.5 hours of not seeing a single person so I called Renee and asked her to meet me at my truck with fluids.
Once I was back I was relieved and happy to see my wife and dogs. I looked down at my watch timer and it read over 5 hours.