Loving this weather!

I haven't posted anything in a while unfortunately. I was focused on other projects and I took a couple of weeks off from riding. I bought another bike a few weeks back, a Trek Fuel EX8. I wasn't sure I needed/wanted another bike but I saw a few at my LBS and had to have one. It is really fun but I'm not sure it's more fun then my fatbike. It will be nice to have a choice, that's for sure!
I also bought a new bike rack, a 1UP USA. I am so glad I did, this rack is perfect! If you are looking for a new rack get a 1UP!

I ran into a new friend this morning on my ride. At first I thought it was a cat but as I got closer I saw that it was a fox. It was not scared of me at all as you can see from how close it got.  It finally veered off into the woods and then back across the trail and got within 30 yards of me. I started to get a bit worried, it's rare to get this close to one. 

SNOW!!!

We finally got our first snow that stuck the other day. We ended up with almost three inches here in town, not bad for being so early. I had to take my bike to the LBS to get the brakes worked on so I had to use my back up bike on the day it actually snowed(boo). I quickly realized how awesome the fat bike is compared to my other bike. Fast forward to a couple of days after it actually snowed and I was bummed I missed it or so I thought. In town the snow had all melted but when I rode up towards Arthurdale there was plenty of snow. I was in hog heaven. I picked up a Foxwear Neoshell jacket that works amazing, easily one of the best purchases I have made in a long time. I also picked up some Hi-Vis Moose Mitts in hunter orange for peace of mind and they worked perfectly as well. I had a blast riding on the mostly virgin trail.

Bakers Ridge

I really regret not getting into cycling sooner and taking advantage of all the awesome trails available around Morgantown. If I don't feel like riding on the rail trails then I have numerous choices such as Coopers Rock, White Park and Bakers Ridge. Today I decided to head out to Bakers Ridge. This was my second trip to Bakers Ridge so I really didn't know where I was going yet. I took the route I used last time to get to the top of the hill and started exploring. I found an awesome trail that takes you out to Bakers Ridge Road. I found a few other trails that wondered around the top of the hill and connected back to what seems like the main trail. All in all a great day.

Overlooking the WVU Farm.

Heading back down to the start of the trail.

Trail End

On 10/15 I went for my longest ride yet, 36 miles. Another goal of mine last year was to ride all the way to Arthurdale, something I never achieved. Last year I unknowingly came within a couple of miles, had I known I was that close I would have kept going. This year I didn't stop until I reached the end of the trail. I was on my bike for three hours and couldn't have been happier. The weather was perfect and the leaves were just beginning to show signs that winter was coming. I made a side journey down Route 92 to find a restaurant to eat at but quickly turned around because of all the truck traffic. I'm still really weary about riding along roads, especially ones full of large trucks. My next goal is to ride fifty miles, something I will do before Spring.

This picture was taken at the very end of the trail. There was a large concrete structure in the lake that reminded me of the top of a submarine. I'm not sure what it is to be honest.

The final climb to the end of the trail. I almost turned back here but convinced myself to keep going.

 A nice plaque outside Masontown honoring William C. Larew, Sr. a gentlemen that helped build this wonderful trail.

Today I took my first ride back up the mountain towards Masontown on the rail trail since January. There is a cool little snack shack 9 miles outside of town that has a nice pavilion with benches and a bunch of pictures from years past showing the trails original use. I never met Dave the man who ran the snack shack but always hoped to listen to him tell the history of the trail. I found out today I won’t get a chance to do that, Dave passed away back in July. RIP Dave and thanks for all you did for local bikers and I’m sorry we never got to meet.

Coal Barge

A few pics of a coal barge heading down the Monongahela River. This one looks to be carrying limestone. It's amazing to watch them, they move those huge loads with ease.

Prickett's Fort

Last year when I started riding my bike I set a goal. That goal was to reach Prickett's Fort outside of Fairmont. I didn't make it all the way down there last year, the closet I came was within five miles. Today I achieved my goal. It was 33 miles round trip which isn't a lot for most people but on a heavy Fat Bike it was something I'm definitely proud of. Here are some pictures I took while at Prickett's Fort and also along the way.

  There was a school on a field trip there today. It brought back memories from when I lived in Connecticut and we would take field trips to local Fort's and other historic places. The kids loved the Fat Bike.

  Old railroad bridge.

 A nice shot of the sunlight peaking through the trees.

 Very old graveyard on the way down. Next time I will get a better look at the grave markers.