Biking North Fork Goose Creek

I had plans to go biking on Saturday with my friend Todd and maybe his wife Erin, but I got word that those plans had changed. Instead of going biking there was a canoeing/kayaking adventure to be had. Todd and I decided that we would try going biking on Sunday instead.

I got word that the bike trip was on and after driving over to his house we were trying to decide which area to take. Our options were staying on the back roads which would make for an even and predictable ride or we could take a back trail/off road path that would be more adventurous. Naturally, we chose the harder off road path.

We headed down a nearby road before taking a quick turn and heading down the mountain, through some woods, and ending up near a small stream. We peddled across the stream at a low point and came to an area that appeared to be mostly marshland. As we peddled through it I confirmed it was marshy because I had to place my foot down multiple times due to the soggy conditions and my bike tires not getting enough traction. Each time my foot touched the ground it slowly sunk about four inches down into muddy water.

We continued, soggy feet and all, until we had to cross the stream again. There was a place where you could attempt to ride across the stream but you would never make it, even in dry conditions. It was too steep on both sides and you have to go down and back up about five feet on both sides. We decided we had to jump the six foot gap. Todd went first and continued down just a bit. I was considering the best way to jump over the stream without falling the four or five foot drop into the water. Just as I decided I would just jump while holding my bike I heard a loud thud and looked over to see that Todd had fallen almost face first into some shrubbery. He let out a groan followed by some laughter. After he stood up he told me that he had fallen into a pricker bush. I then grabbed my bike and leapt across the gap successfully.

We began peddling along the stream in super muddy conditions until we came upon the "swinging bridge" that crosses the North Fork of Goose Creek. Todd looked at the water level and decided it was "passable" on bike. He dropped his bike into the creek to wash the accumulating mud off his brakes and the mud off his tires and then started crossing while I was inspecting the bridge. About halfway through I heard him yell and heard some splashing. While he didn't fall completely into the creek he had to hop off and walk the rest of the way. I decided to try the bridge. I propped my bike up on the boards of the bridge and figured I would walk down the bridge and then pick my bike up. The opening to the bridge is set between some large branches and was barely big enough for me to fit through, much less my bike. As I began walking along the bridge my confidence was as shaky as the bridge was, despite some recent renovations. I slowly made my way towards my bike hoping not to shake it off the boards and dropping it to the ground. I finally got to my bike and made it across to the other side.

We continued biking through some grassy areas and came to what was basically a back yard to someone's house. The trail was marked at this point and a resident who was outside didn't seem bothered by our presence. We continued to the main roads and headed back. That last part on the main roads was mostly uphill and was the most tiring part of the entire ride. We did take a quick break on a bridge and watched some cattle taking turns trying to mount one another. Good ol' Loudoun County! By the time we got back we had only enough energy to hose the bikes down and sit on the front porch and hydrate. It was a great ride and we're gonna hit it again soon.

Biking In Lake Fairfax

Yesterday, after feeling restless and not wanting to waste the beautiful day we were having, I decided to drive to Lake Fairfax Park in Reston for a bike ride. I've been here a few times overall and have yet to be disappointed with the one trail I have always ridden. The trail parallels a creek and winds through wooded areas and crosses various roads including Route 7 at one point. There are also several points where you ride through the creek. I have yet to find a comparable ride in Loudoun without subjecting myself to trespassing and having to outrun a shotgun blast of rocksalt.

It was such a nice day out I was caught off guard when I arrived and saw the park virtually empty. I figured people weren't taking advantage of the day because they were still working due to it being Friday, people were out of the area getting a head start on their Memorial Day weekend, or the park was closed and I was, indeed, trespassing. I saw no signs saying they were closed and continued into the park. I drove to the picnic area which is quite often reserved for large functions. I found a few vehicles parked in this area and a small group of people beginning a cookout but nobody gave me the stinkeye so I parked and saddled up.

I began down the trail and noticed there were plenty of muddy spots leftover from the recent rain we've had. I wasn't terribly in the mood to clean my bike later so I tried to somewhat avoid the deepest spots. I made it through relatively clean and afterward was somewhat disappointed by my own wussiness. Getting out and dirty was half the point!

I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't see anyone on the trail for a while. I was so busy focusing on the trail directly in front of me that I almost didn't see a female jogger coming toward me. I'd like to say there was an almost-collision, but I don't want to be overdramatic, although I only saw her at the last moment. She was jogging along listening to music and was certainly cute enough to talk with, but I didn't. And not just because of my wussiness. Mostly because she was heading in the opposite direction and distracted by her music. I also didn't want to get a facefull of pepperspray which she undoubtedly kept hidden inside her sportsbra. I'll tell you quite honestly, after having been exposed to pepperspray before, I'd much rather take that shotgun blast of rocksalt.

Aside from the squirrels, there was a lack of animal sightings on the trail. I've never really seen any on any of my trips out to the park, but I am always hoping. I did see a hawk sitting in the creek but before I could get my camera out it flew off. I did see evidence along the trail and creek bed of deer and other animals.

I casually began riding back to my jeep and saw a few other people riding their bikes. I also saw the jogger again. This time I got a better look. Perhaps it's okay that I didn't talk with her.