Freedom Park, Williamsburg

I road this place a few years ago and I guess I just forgot about it, but its a great work out. It can be pretty fast and fun. No major down hills, but some fast spots and some climbs. Babycakes says it is more challenging than New Quarter and longer if you include the newer section. Check out our new friend. Not Christian; the snake. We think its a quarder, the snake not Christian. daahhh.

Babycakes went to WV

Carrie went to visit the family for a day of boating. This is near the New River Gourge, WV.

manteo, hatteras, okracoke islands

There is something to be said about free time, love and sunblock. Apparently I wasn't listining on that day in class. Let me tell you guys something about traffic. If you intend to go to the outerbanks don't do it on a Friday, or Saturday. It took Babycakes and I 5 1/2 hours to drive what should have taken 2 hours tops.
Manteo is a sleepy town. Even more so than it was 10yrs ago. The Roanoke Island Inn is still worth going to. Quit and beautiful. Not much as far as night life and the business' around seem to come and go. Poor Richards has been there at least since the early 90's and is the only thing other than the manteo book store that is still around. The stars are incredible at night and apparently Carrie and I are the only ones who give a shit.
Hatteras we just breezed through and then there is the free ferry to Okracoke. Ocracoke has some of the best beaches on the east coast. The island is only sixteen miles long and not much for riding, but Babycakes and I went for a nice run for about 40min. after being in the car for awhile. We proceeded to find a place to listen to live music and indulge in some fresh fish and wine. It is a must to drive down from the busy area and check out the beaches. We could see other people, but we couldn't hear them, or jets. Silence is priceless. I even found a place to get an espresso and a nice Ashton Estates cigar. Life is short live it up.

black beard

Who can resist the rebel spirit?

just of the road

This covered bridge was built in 1914 and still standin. The water felt great.

The hoola hoop queen

Carrie didn't really taste much wine, but she had her fun listening to music and checking her hoola skills. Go Babycakes.

Floyd County Winefest

Sunday after riding we went to Floyds winefest. It was mellow and the food and wine was good. Virginia still has alot to learn about red wine, but the whites and desert wines are doing farely well. It is the south. Didn't we invent sweet tea? People were nice and I got drunk a little.

Don't let the smile fool you

She was down right nasty moments before this picture when she was makin the climb. Its like she gets mad at the hills. I just don't know what to think.

off work again

This was day three of riding at Fairy Stone State Park and still smilin'. There isn't a huge network of trails. The main loop is 41/2 miles and the other two loops are about 21/2, but you can workem all together and get a good ride in. You can also just punish yourself with repeats on the main loop which is about 21/2 miles of climbing, but the down hill is worth it. It would be an awesome place for a race.

Breakfast isn't always in the a.m.

Yes, I was a little hungover cooking, but on the way to recovery.

One can see the strangest things in bars

Look at the pure fear in the dudes face.

Hot sauce in the makin

We got the first little pepper on the habanero plants.

fixie time

2drunk last night on the beach cruiser so I must be punished this morning, or this afternoon for the rest of you. See Ya.

hubba hubba tent

The new tent rocks. The MSR Hubba Hubba tent has worked out well and we are satisfide with our purchase. The guys and gals at Blueridge Mountain Sports have been more than helpful. Thanks.

Yo-Eddy

I dreamed about this bike for over two years. I saved, borrowed, and stole to get it way back in the day when lots of stuff was still made in the good ole U.S of A. This is a 1995 Yo-Eddy team bike from Fat City Cycles for those of you who might remember. I commuted from Norfolk to Chesapeake to work at Bikeline, then from Norfolk to Va. Bch. to work at Bikezone, then from Columbia, S.C. to Lexington S.C. to work at the Hawley Co. Went from beginner to novice and then to sport class on this bike. This was back in the day when this was my car, training bike and race machine all in one. It has been with me through many, many life experiences good and bad and it still puts a smile on my face. Technology is no substitute for an old friend. I must of lived in 15 different places, worked at 10 different places, drank gallons and gallons of beer and wine, lost and gained a dozens of friends, brain cells, and a few pounds with this bike and today I went riding with my two true loves; Babycakes and Yo-Eddy.

New Quarter Park, Williamsburg, Va.

Back in town and Babycakes cain't git a nuf. She did her first river crossing in Douthat and now she is crossin logs like its nuthin. And yes I can still do it also.

You didn't think I forgot did you?

You gotta wash it down with somethin. This beer was chose because of the black bear on the label. And let me tell you; after three and a half hours of riding and a bear bigger than oneself standing up on hind legs and starin' at ya 4 what seemed like an eternity, that beer was deserved as well.

Indulge

After three days of hiking, biking and gettin the poop scared out of you by three black bear checking you out as you are climbing up crap that is barely walkable you earn a few things.

Smores

And then there is desert.

Mountain biking in Douthat

I had the same expression as Babycakes coming up the mountain. The weather and view was awesome. I could get use to the life of active leisure.

wild roses

This is on top of a ridge where Douthat state park and George Washington National Forest meet. The smell of the wild roses was awesome and there was a great eastern breeze up on the ridge line.

sasquatch sighting

When checking the fire in the middle of the night I was disturbed by the excessant sound of giggling and the flash of the camera. Its natural not dirty.

Lady slipper

Apparently these are very rare, but not in this place at this time of year. We must have seen thirty, or forty of these things.