Luckily fall also brings cooler weather. Around one mile into the AT hike I stepped over a log. Just before my leading foot touched the ground and just after I'd started shifting my weight forward into the step a brown/orange diamond pattern registered in my brain. My right foot was about to land astride of a snake, most likely a copperhead. It felt like a Wiley Coyote moment. The only thing I could do was expedite the step and try to get out of the way. The arch of my foot reported a rounded surface that compressed slightly as weight increased confirming what my eyes had suggested. I located and monitored the head off to my right as I followed through with another step as quickly and lightly as possible. I tried to avoid fully landing on my right foot, softening my foot strike, walking lightly, and pressing ahead to better footing.
Luckily it was a high 30, low 40 degree morning yielding one very lethargic snake. I was fully two steps away and out of striking distance before his head circled around. Earlier that same week I was reflecting on the limited number of snake encounters given pretty extensive time outdoors this year. This ended up being the third snake of the week, the closest encounter, and the only poisonous specimen. The moment passed uneventful in the material world while my heart rate monitor recorded a precipitous heart rate spike.
I've considered getting hiking poles. This is just more support for that new piece of gear.
The rest of the hike passed uneventful. The few people on the trail were very pleasant. Scenery was beautiful.
The following weekend I found an interesting meetup group aiming for a 12 mile strenuous hike at Rock Creek Gorge. I looked forward to new friends an new trails. The theme of the weekend was Everest Base Camp. I met a new people on Saturday and Sunday who had been to base camp and returned with interesting stories. Rock Creek was a great hike. The climb up in the clockwise direction is pretty aggressive with plenty of sketchy footing. I found myself wishing for hiking boots over my trail running shoes.
Around three miles into the hike the trail crests at the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail seems to cross private pasture land. There are beefy wooden steps built over barbed wire fences for easy crossing. Watch out for the cow patties. I was delighted to find a cyclist on the parkway.
We took a lunch break at this vista. Wind rolled down the hill aggressively. I wore my rain jacket for warmth and protection from the wind.
The following weekend found me at Greenbrier rail trail in West Virginia. 72+/- miles of fall color along a peaceful river. I stayed in Cass, WV on Friday night. Saturday I rode 76 miles of railtrail and then four miles of road into Lewisburg, WV. The four miles to town went up and over a respectable ridge line. On Sunday I met several interesting people. I really enjoy meeting people on long bike rides. John struck up conversation about my bike. He was from Nashville and frequents the Natchez Trace. Morgan turned out to be the Warden's daughter from the prison several miles up the trail. The Vokler's were over from Germany riding railtrails of Appalachia. They were doing part of Greenbrier and then heading down to New River. Craig and Harry like biking and camping respectively and are working their way through railtrails on the east coast.
Bikepacking is a chance to get out there. Escape the daily routine and insulation of a car. Relax the fortifications that keep the world out. Every ray of sunlight, patch of shade, microclimate, and terrain change are more noteworthy from a bicycle seat. I sweat going uphill and chill rolling downhill. I smell the river, the farms, the grills, and the hearth fires. When the day is done the basics of shelter in either bivvy sack or hotel room are that much more comfortable. Food tastes better and calorie neutral! People see the gear and look for conversation to share in my adventure or to relive an adventure of their own.
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