Northeast reconnaissance

I've threatened for months that I plan to circumnavigate Wake County. For years the southern and western routes have been clear. Today I rode most of the northern portion. Though I have no map to offer at the moment, I can say that I followed the northeast border of Umstead State Park along the remarkably crappy Ebenezer Church Road for a crucial portion of the route. Even in its remarkable crappiness — mostly because it desperately needs resurfacing — I could manage the other traffic. Shoulders on the other roads were at least good with decent sight lines too. I made it to Six Forks Road, which was my plan unless I decided to go farther. A few miles to the south, Six Forks is an Amazon of traffic flow. Where I need to catch it to go north before going east toward Wake Forest, it is a tranquil country stream. The rest of the route from Wake Forest seems obvious: south on N.C. 96 to N.C. 42 into the dark heart of Johnston County, west on 42 out toward Moncure and routes northward into the extremes of Chatham and Wake counties before heading east toward home. With today's link under my belt, the circumnavigation could be next weekend. Or maybe later. Stay tuned.

Drum beats …

for Bike to Work Week are already audible. The annual big event for cycle commuters is May 14 through May 18. If you live in western Wake County, one of The Cary News reporters is planning a victory ride (victory over what I'm not sure) and inviting anyone who wants to join him to go. I'll be going since the long route looks good. Maybe I can find out about the victory too.

Ride season is upon us

as if you hadn't guessed. Lots of shops and clubs have a variety of rides but here's what the fine folks at The Spin Cycle are pedalling. Group rides are a great way to learn cycling etiquette and occasionally meet people who are good companions for other rides or for hanging out with. Even if you don't get out on a group ride just get out. You'll be glad you did.

Ah spring

"Hey asshole — get a car!"

Now that the weather's nice, more windows are rolled down. The witticism came as I pedaled past a passenger in a vehicle turning left from Tody Goodwin Road onto Beaver Creek Road to go even more deeply into the comparative nothingness of southeastern Chatham County. Except to emphasize that the bon mots emanated from the passenger, who may have been letting someone else drive, draw your own conclusions.

Greetings aside what a day to ride, even in Chatham County. I got in about 70 miles. The distance kept me on track for two goals: at least one 100k ride per month and a monthly tally of 416.7 miles, to put me on pace for 5,000 miles for the year. Though I made it for March, I'm still 205 miles behind for the year. Rationalization: summer months are better for piling up miles than winter months.

I expect my fan reached his destination hoarse as assholes were everywhere. The weather is cyclingtacular. And I own three cars.

C'dork's Friday ride guide: the ride not taken

February is going to hell in a handbasket. The last few weekends, going back into January, I've felt too crappy to ride. Tomorrow the scientist and I have college stuff to do for and with our daughter, followed by the state high school wrestling championship match. None of the three of us are competing but we know several people who are. Sunday the scientist and I are booked wall to wall. Our dumb. Of course, as I type this, I'm feeling fine even though my diet has sucked lately: too heavy on simple carbs and fat, not enough protein or complex carbs. Jesus, do I need some fish, brown rice and oranges. I also need to start lifting again. Anyway, there will be two more February weekends after this one but it's going to take some serious cranking to get any meaningful miles in for the month. That would make all the difference.

C'dork's Friday ride guide

Some rides are the ones you make the most of, others are just inspirations. It's unlikely cycledork will get out tomorrow to enjoy the route presented here. Cycledork and the scientist are going to a wedding in Lincolnton that will mean leaving cycledork central during early afternoon — peak riding time for January — at the latest. The good news is the 'dork may be able to get out Sunday. If you get a chance I hope you enjoy the route. It's on my list for the near future even if I only do my favorite 40 miler Sunday.

A Virginia flier

In the mailroom here at cycledork central we receive untold volumes of bike-friendly offers, solicitations and propaganda. One of the most recent was a brochure extoling the Bike Virginia Captain John Smith Adventure scheduled for June 22 through June 27. The basic cost is $230 per adult. Though you may not have received a leaflet describing the tidewater opportunity, you can register for the ride here. Adventure indeed. Imagine what thrills Captain Smith or Powhatan or Pocahontas could have had on a two wheeler.

C'dork's Friday ride guide

This Saturday, assuming no rain and that I get confirmation from cyclebuddy, is going to be cycledork on the 2100, cyclebuddy on the recumbent and anyone with the fortitude to join us on our homemade, somewhat scenic and partially predictable ride through western Wake and northeastern Chatham counties. Meet at 8 a.m. at the ATT trailhead on White Oak Chapel Road. From there, south along White Oak to Green Level Road. West on Green Level to Wimberly Road. Then east on Jenks Road to Davis Drive (one big hill). South on Davis Drive/Salem Street through Apex (caution: traffic and parallel parked cars) to Old U.S. 1. Hammer on to Beaver Creek (south of US 64)/Farrington Road (north of US 64), where we turn north. Depending how studly we're feeling we can go all the way to Durham, where we turn east on Stagecoach Road, come south on NC 751 (hilly) and then east on O'Kelly Chapel Road (cyclebuddy's recumbent will hit hit 35-40 mph), south on Green Level to Durham (two hills) and back into Cary Park. If we're feeling merely mortal, we turn east on Hollands Chapel Road, jog along 751 for a second and onto Lewter Shop Road and back to White Oak Chapel. My guess is that these rides are in the 50 and 40 mile ranges, respectively, at a speed between 17 and 19 mph. There may be a Plan B to deal with the rain, in which case I'll pass that on.

C'dork's Friday ride guide

There are as many weekend group rides in western Wake County as Carter's has little pills. For instance, tomorrow, you can roll out of Cycling Spoken Here's Cary store, 1377 N.W. Maynard Road in Cary, at 9:30 a.m. for one of three road rides — 17-18 mph, 19+ mph and women only. Two more rides take off at 10 a.m. Sunday. A mountain bike ride gears up at the store at 10 a.m. Sunday as well.