The BackBlast:

AO:

black_ops

Pax Names:

Spaceballs, Kiffin, Wham-O, Cricket, MSG, Dandy, Smurfette, Floppy, Hombre, Mickey

Number of Pax:

10

FNG Names:

Number of FNGs:

0

Intro:

Well the lake is low… like 20 feet low… so RUN IN IT! Saturday was a day for some Black Ops prep for the Blue Ridge Adventure Race. Q’d by Hombre, Backblast by YHC (Floppy). Started at Blankets Creek. We ran on the trails, then off the trails for a little Oreienteering led by Hombre & Spaceballs. Followed by a Mountain Bike Ride.

Warm-o-Rama:

0530 After warm-up on your own, time to get moving.

The Thang:

Thang 1: RUN
– 9 PAX made their way through the blankets creek trails.
– Down Hamilton's Hop (the main road) onto Mosquito and then Van Michael Trails.
– Then the Orienteering started, off the northernmost corner of Van Michael and onto some old Farm Roads.
– Followed down to the lake, or at least where the shore used to be when the lake was full pool.
– Followed around the lake as far as we could until the edge was basically a rock slide.
– Made our way along some old barbwire fenced property lines and fishing/game roads.
– Found the lake again so back to Van Michael Trail and the vicious Kevorkian Pass.
– Then back to the flag, where we dropped off most PAX, for about 1 Hour 15 minutes total run, 6.5 miles.
– 3 PAX dove back into the woods to finish the full run of 1 hour 45 minutes total, a whole lot of miles.

Thang 2: MOUNTAIN BIKE
– Mickey joined the 3 stragglers Spaceballs, Cricket and YHC for a tour of Blankets Creek.
– Start with a little fun by the MTB training area. EVERYONE get some air (at least an inch or 2).
– Mosquito Flats x1 to Mosquito Bite x2 to the Dwelling Loop x1.
– Stop along the way at benches for quick recover, then continue.
– Back to the flag for about 1 hour 15 minutes total ride, about 7 miles.

All in all about 2-1/2 to 3 hours of running and biking for those who did both.

COT:

The COT was small as the groups were going different directions between the run and the bike. Prayed for our PAX out in the Gloom this fine morning.

Naked Man Moleskin:

A lot of folks including YHC are pretty nervous about these longer runs, partly about being able to complete it, more about slowing the rest of the group down. There are plenty of opportunities to catch a breather during the orienteering. And plenty of guys who know their stuff about Mountain Biking to help out. These guys know the trails well, and they pick up the SIX. Come on out for a fun run and/or bike sometime. As always, we "leave no man behind, but leave no man where you find him."