Fall For All
By Kyle S. Inman, October 2003
All Rights Reserved

Download Maps of the Outrageous Blue Ridge & Arcadia Region

You never know what to expect with these kinds of things, but sometimes they turn out real nice.

Congratulations to all who completing the back-to-back 30-mile backwoods epics of Autumnpalooza IV. The two 4-hour loops were truly a bundled ride for the ages. After 15 years of trail experiences out here, it is still remarkable to concoct long loops that we’ve never duplicated before. This is a tall tribute to the amazing volume of world-class riding in our front yard. It’s funny, though, how we see more people partake from other neighborhoods and far-flung towns than from right down our own street.

Thanks to the local folks who did came along, while the number of people willing to drive 3 or more hours was remarkable. Among the 29 Saturday riders were folk from North Carolina, West Virginia,  DC, Maryland, Tidewater, Charlottesville, Iron Gate, Winchester, and Richmond. Sunday’s 21-strong group added Virginia mountain bike living legend Peter O’Shaugnessy (on a sweet Yo Eddy) from Montebello, and 3X World Champ Carol Waters, now of Lexington. The weather was crisp and gorgeous, yielding a few clouds late. A cool, dry breeze kept tapping your shoulder to remind you it’s fall now.

Saturday’s ride found a widely split group; some folks got turned around, but all made it successfully back to the Bearwallow Trailhead eventually. A map flaw, scribbled by our usually steady cartographer, lead to some difficulty (Oh, It’s a RIGHT turn!). 3 different riders suffered bent or cracked derailleur hangers, all but one carrying a spare. Yes, I am a converted fan of these $8 frame savers.

As expected, the diversity of riding in the Jefferson National Forest was as broad as it is excellent. From sweet sidehill to rocky fireroad, the Blue Ridge offers literally everything (except mud). I witnessed inspirational skills—climbing prowess, ridiculous endurance, and absurd bike-handling— in addition to great kindliness between companions old and new.

At day’s end, some who had just completed the 31 miler were laid about the ground. Susan, Dale, and Brian apparently hadn’t yet had enough, so they chose an additional trail ride, running the initial Cave Trail segment in reverse. This also included a bonus mile of Bobbletts Gap climbing. Afterward, several folks headed back to their respective hometowns, while a healthy group headed for the North Creek campground to regroup and recoup for stage 2.

Sunday saw a remarkably resilient return from most riders, some of whom (myself included) were left hobbled and wobbly from day one. Fresh arrivals complimented the group, bringing the starting total to 21 (20 finished the whole thing).  The ride began with the Wilderness-targeted (we won’t be allowed here if they win) Cove Mountain trail, a climb of demoralizing angles. Afterward, sidehill half track, grass fire trail, gated gravel road, and the sweet Little Cove Mountain trail with a side excursion to the cool mini-gorge falls. Then, onto the big hill: Apple Orchard Mountain.

A five mile road portage through the remarkable Arcadia/Peaks of Otter valley lead to a short but sweet Whitetail Trail climb to land on a grassy fireroad. This required a short stab through the woods, which the lead group completely blew by. Thankfully, cellular technology came through, and everyone regrouped. 

The planned loop of taking a second, stiff fireroad, followed by Apple Orchard singletrack climbing, started to loom as practically excessive. Rain appeared imminent. The group opted for the longer dirt road climb up the big mountain to connect with Cornelius Creek—still a long lap. 7 miles of climbing (think Poor Mountain Hillclimb) to the ultimate reward. A half-hour into the climb, blasts of mist came rolling through like it was shot from a haunted house fog machine. The accompanying wind sliced through my short-sleeved jersey like a paring knife. Oops, I was fresh out of jackets. What to do, stranded on the backside of Apple Orchard Mountain, where 65 degrees had suddenly become a rainy 45! A couple of the trailing crew came along, young and cheerful at it all. So, I joined in that dizzy perspective and kept on plowing.

The Cornelius Creek turn off appeared, even though it seemed never to come. Again, the cellular device came in handy, as 3 or 4 had blasted to the parkway, a mile of additional climbing. The arrival of the lost boys made our merry band of slowpokes grow as we reconnected just before the best, and last, trail of the weekend.

Astonishingly, the temperature rose, shrouding the ancient twilight woods in a cloudy, mystical aura. Mirkwood? Needless to say, the evening light blended with the boulders and gushing falls of rocky Cornelius Creek to add a crown jewel experience to the crest of an amazing weekend. At the bottom, I was both sorry the trail was finished, and delighted to have made it. 3 miles of coasting back down, and Autumnpalooza IV was in the books. Lord of the rides indeed.

Combined with Thursday’s Explore Park Prologue, 72 miles were covered by mountain bike. During these miles, no hiker was intimidated, no horse spooked, no hiker-exclusive trail ridden. Much trail improvement was made as trees and limbs were extracted constantly. This led me to re-think IMBA’s mantra of “Leave No Trace.” My version: “Leave a good trace—improve the trail.”

Surprises can be pleasant or not. Autumnpalooza was one of the best possible kind.