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Stokesville delivers for spring fest 2010 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Eric Henley   
Thursday, 03 June 2010 01:17

Despite a rather late announcement, and among doubts of an official event this year, the boys from Harrisonburg pulled together yet another spectacular season opener for Memorial day weekend.  Over a hundred registrants and many other day trippers made the occasion.  Albeit a small turnout, it yielded premium camping spots for everyone and plenty of room to stretch your legs on the trails.

With rain evenly packing the earth days before the trails dried to a nice hard-but-tacky surface.  Huge humidity and 90 degree temps on Saturday gave way to low humidity and gorgeous, if hot, riding on Sunday.  Scattered rib-rattling thunderheads in the evenings wiping out the humidity made for pleasant lows dipping to 50--perfect for camping.

Cullen and Ian and the lady Stompers

 Saturday offered a good warmup ride in the form of leading the ladies for a 7-8 mile loop out of camp.  Sarge's first Lt. Cullen took his new bike (full chainrings!) and showed us what 8 and a half year olds should be doing, breezing through the warmup ride and going on an epic 20 miler on Sunday. 

 

For the main event the Council decided to lead the Stompers on figure 8 course traversing 30 miles, climbing 3000' and nearly doubling that elevation downhill.  Yeah, two downhills for the price of one.  Starting at two shuttle cars at the crossroads half way up Reddish Knob, the troupe headed north toward the descent they call "Deathstar".  Several miles in along the ridge forming the border between Va. and WV, and under the distinguished guidance of Obewan and Bent, we all began our virgin trip down the correct path.  Somehow. 

It wasn't long before the fun began, as a slowly descending ridgeline led us directly to a large, black, coiled rattler a foot left of trail.  Bowing to our host, as this was his house and we were visiting, we quickly sped by after encouraging him to move back from the path.  A quick safety check later we were back on track.  One long, beautiful Virginia ridgeline led to a beautiful downhill ridgeline led to an outright drop, bringing us quickly onto the floor of WV.  

Good downhill, that Deathstar, but it made me wish we had doubled the "out" and halved the "down".  But, the more you experience different types of rides the more appreciative you are of the unique facets of each.  For instance, as the single track became progressively steeper my brakes began to sing to me.  We rode most of the downhill balanced on our forks, super intent on the front tire tracking along--not too much brake nor too little, just enough behind your seat to keep hold of the seat with your thighs.  Intensity.  Fun.  Now for the pain.

The fire road twisted and turned, teasing us with false uphills that led to even larger and faster downhills.  Do we ever stop going down?  Don't we have to go up to get back to the other state?  I had plenty of time to ponder these questions and more as the effects of my patented OTC training method became all too real.  Bidding my fellow Stompers adieu, I found a shady spot of road and fought the Bonk.  Water, food, rest.  A few slow starts later I was back in rhythm, climbing stubbornly to the saddle of the mountain and our motorized steeds.  

Stacia flies in via UFO
Craig and I decided to part with the main group, to shuttle cars back to camp and save the last of our energy for festivities. After seeing a second rattler, Paul and Brian split to retrieve Brian's truck left at the reservoir.  Luck was with the main group, however, as they soon spotted a third and final legless friend.  The long descent from Reddish is long and arduous and plenty to deal with alone, much less watching for slithery traps.  Safety prevailed and the group soon reconvened back at camp for our usual rabble rousing good times.   

Feeding and imbibing soon gave way to s'mores and fireside beers. Chris Scott and Scott (perhaps his last name was Chris?) the local boater stopped by Camp Moonstomper for a few laughs and cold ones.  Quite a few laughs, and quite a few cold ones. (Impressive imbibing, really.)  

The night set in and calm eventually overtook the camp, giving rise to the sounds and smells of the world away from humans.  On cool, breezy Blue Ridge nights the smell of rich earth surrounds you and welcomes you.  The cool waning moon visible through the tall canopy of old oak and pine keeps ever moving silhouettes dancing above as the fire brings a warm contrast to the understory dogwood leaves.  You don't feel like a stranger in a strange place.  You feel... at home.   Until the dread Whipporwills begin to sing directly above from midnight until 3am.   

Taking a dip

 Monday the entire event was capped off by a swim in the ultra frigid waters pouring forth from the regulator pipe under Hearthstone lake.  The kids all loved it, the more daring bikers decided the icy bath was manna, and everyone else was wonderfully happy to counter the heat with a vengeance.  At one point I think there were at least 4 jackhammer jaws going among the munchkins, but they were all smiles. 

Finally camp broke up and we all split our separate ways.  Back to "normal" life and making do until the next Stomping.  Another great spring fest down. 

Special manks, err, thanks to Riddler for scoring those spots and setting up ahead of the masses!

 

Last Updated on Friday, 25 June 2010 13:39
 
Appeasing Ullr one last time PDF Print E-mail
Written by Eric Henley   
Thursday, 03 June 2010 22:47

Lava and fireworks at Timberline

 

On March 20th, after a glorious winter in and around the slopes of Timberline and meadows of Whitegrass, the Stompers closed down the year by celebrating with the T'line crew at the annual "lava" and fireworks show at the lodge.  The lava consists of dozens of ski and snowboard volunteers holding a long bamboo wand while descending the mountain in complete darkness, with lit road flares attached to each end.  As you can see it's an interesting effect, even if you can tell some lava is more hesitant than others. 

 

Several miles of corny hardpack in the upper highlands still offered bounty to those worthy trekkers who braved the heat and holes.  Laura and Paul rallied and we put in a good several hour stomp toward Blackbird's Knob in Dolly Sodds.  After finding that route too easy, Paul led us on a shortcut to nowhere.  Found some great glade skiing as the base of 2+ feet held fast, despite the small white water rivers forming all around.  

 

 

Last Updated on Thursday, 03 June 2010 22:48
 
Stomping the 2009 SM100 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Eric Henley   
Friday, 09 October 2009 11:39

On a glorious weekend in early September, serious bikers and their support crews descended upon Stokesville campground for yet another running of the Shenandoah 100.  The race is officially now part of the national ultra endurance series, which brings with it certain benefits like really cool sponsors.  Dogfish Head brewery supplied over a dozen kegs of their luscious 60 minute IPA, fueling many a racer's sprint toward the finish with visions of overflowing SM100 pint glasses (in zombie-puke green this year!) 

The trails were fast this year, allowing Harrisonburg local Jeremiah Bishop to crush the course record by a mind-blowing half hour.  We Moonstompers held up our end, sending Sarge, Bentjammin and Obewan out for a beating.  Here's our results compared to #1:

1

114

188

220

Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie-Cannondale.com)

 Ian Herring (Team Moonstomper)

Ben Brown (Team Moonstomper)

 Jeff Cheng (East Coasters/Moonstompers)

6:50:27

+3:27:00

 +4:41:08

 +5:06:44

 A hearty congrats to our intrepid riders and a sincere thanks to the friends and families for the support.   

Ben was so excited even his hair was celebrating:

  Ben's Tri-hawk

Last Updated on Friday, 11 December 2009 02:05
 
Kid Nuke Scores 2nd in BoarderCross Competition PDF Print E-mail
Written by Eric Henley   
Wednesday, 04 March 2009 11:53

Facing off against a pack of locals and a repeat top finisher, Kid Nuke gives a strong showing in the first of two Timberline boardercross races to take place this year.  Edging out Ben of Highland Prospects, the Kid managed to score a consistent second place in all three runs.  Reports were mixed, but it appears this may be just the first of many attempts at a Moonstomper power grab in the valley.  We expect the Stompers to return to the races with a stronger showing at the Snowy Luau races on March 22. 

Way to go, Nuke! 

 

 
Free bike. Slightly driven... on. PDF Print E-mail
Written by Eric Henley   
Thursday, 23 April 2009 23:57

Free Jamis Durango

  Driving home from scoring some sweet cast iron off craigslist, I happened into some slow traffic at an unusual spot.  As I progressed I started to notice people swerving at one point in the road ahead.  When I finally got close enough to see what was causing the delay, very much to my surprise I realized it was a mountain bike laying half in the lane!  Instinctively pulling over, as if to rescue a fallen rider or help at the scene of an horrific wreck, I ran back and scored a small but sweet lil Jamis Durango!

Minding my karma, I have been watching craigslist for "lost" posts but to no avail.  It appears to have gotten a fair amount of use so I guessed maybe someone was searching for her.  It's a 14" aluminum frame I don't know that we can use it, but I'm sure it will find some loving feet to make happy before long.  The fork was trashed and the front hub had been driven over, but aside from some tacos for wheels it looks in decent shape.  Even came with a wireless computer, which I may have to gank. 

 The day started with a ticket for 74 in a 55.  I was going 58, and he was using Same Direction Radar (which, if you Google, will find is less reliable than having your ride "tuned up" by Riddler), so I figure this plus the impressive cookware score made it an even day.  

Last Updated on Friday, 24 April 2009 00:02
 
Closing Out January PDF Print E-mail
Written by Eric Henley   
Wednesday, 04 February 2009 18:54

Epic cold conditions on Saturday--6 degrees at 7am--yielded plenty of leftover powder from that week's blast, though Sunday turned to mush before we knew it.  That was fine with us though, because it thawed the bulletproof under layer of ice enough to carve in hard.  Plus Steve and I found the terrain park in Lower Dew Drop to be open and well built.  No harsh landings only smooth, well sloping transitions.  It was so good that we spotted Morgan from WG palling around with Martha's friend Jacob from Va Tech and other regulars, all turning 360s like pancakes.  The dedicated snowboarder of the group even threw a front flip!  Will have to meet the rest of this gang and learn all I can.  Growing up in such a place... aaah. 

Laura, Paul and Caroline went nordic and found the powder.  It apparently blew off the face slopes of Timberline and into the Salamander trees and back country of Dolly Sods.  Still managed to snake some powder lines, though, and it was the first time this season we attempted the Twister tree runs with moderate success. Can't wait to have a big group XC stomp in real deep stuff...

 

Last Updated on Friday, 27 February 2009 14:35
 
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