Let's get it on

Riding, that is. Winter has gone by the wayside. Two weekends of riding bikes in short-sleeves and shorts later, I shamble a bit looking at my tele setup sitting idly next to the stairs. Let's just bask in the greatness of this Appalachian assault system for a precious moment:

• Black Diamond Velvet telemark skis (175cm) - $99 brand new


• 22 Designs Axl telemark bindings - Christmas present from the fam


• Black Diamond Seeker telemark boots - $260 at STP, the best online store ever


• ye olde Black Diamond Approach trekking poles - circa 2001 with $6 BD Powder Baskets added to morph them into ski poles

Total telemark setup cost: just $365!

You might be noticing the lack of climbing skins. Alas, due to a piqued interest in races and finance conservation, these skis will be going only downhill this winter. No matter - it's not like we have any snow on the ground at all. Good thing we are headed to Utah!

I ended 2011 on high, literally, with a mountain bike ride to the highest [legally] rideable points in Pisgah. From the shop: 276->FS 475-> Davidson River-> Old Indian Creek-> FS 140A -> FS 140-> NC 215->Parkway->Black Balsam Road-> Flat Laurel Creek-> NC 215->Shoal Creek Road->FS 475->Davidson River-> 276. 57 miles according to le Garmin. This ride was actually supposed to be longer, but I ran out of daylight. Hauling around a 21-lb pack added an interesting twist to the scene, making the slog up 215 and Black Balsam very slow on fat tires. The grandeur of the Blue Ridge delivered, however, and I was rewarded with fantastic mountain views on a traffic-free Parkway. Flat Laurel was perfect. Icy, rocky, sunny, a little wet, and very fast. A great finale to 2011!