the new ride...

Well it isn't "new" per say, I've had the frameset since 2002 but its been my TT bike. I just switched all of my sram stuff off of my BMC onto the Giant. 15.8 lbs as pictured above, race ready. The crank bros quattros, aluminum bars and seat post are killing the weight but I am done with carbon bars and seat posts, so I'll live with it. It's still over a pound lighter than the BMC. 

This is pic is training style, rocking the powertap. I was pleasantly surprised that it still functions haha. 
It's weird being back on compact geometry but no complaints, ten times better ride than the BMC and I'm a fan of the "blacked out" look. 

e

Not a whole lotta lotta update

Me and my hiking buddy chillin' on Roan Mountain. Not the best place for dogs to hike because there is no water and no shade. But luckily she is a baller and luckily I carried like 3 bottles of water for her haha. 

I've just been riding a bit, studying a bit, and doing a lot of nothing in between. I get to take the GRE soon how exciting is that? I can barely contain myself. 

Ohh and since I am a wanna-be biologist I should tell you to check out that Sorbus aucuparia behind us in the picture (the Mountain Ash). Til next time,

e

Hike at Roan Mountain for Appalachian Ecology

Black Berries are actually threatening the "grassy bald habitat" on top of Roan Mountain. A project is actually underway to bring in Angora Goats to help control the black berry and keep it from over growing the bald. 
A close up of Rock Tripe, it is edible but a little too spongey for my taste.
Rock Tripe growing on a rock in the understory of a Spruce-Fir Forest.  
False Hellebore is a common plant, albeit one that looks slightly out of place, on top of Roan Mountain.
Roan Mountain Bluet is a very distinctive small flower.
Patches of Blue Berry are also common, scattered throughout the "grassy bald".
Close-up of a bud on a Blue Berry bush. 
A shot of the Blue Berry leaves.
A "grassy bald" on Roan Mountain.
Round Bald, elevation 5826 feet.
The side of grandfather, showing the merger of "High Elevation Deciduous Forest" (light green) and "Spruce Fir Forest" (dark green). 
The understory of a "Spruce Fir Forest" is made up of nothing but "duff" which is a mixture of pine needle debris. 
Green Alder, a relict of ice ages. Roan Mountain supports an isolated population of this plant, which otherwise is only found in the northern most Appalachians, in and around Vermont. 
The most distinctive most of the understory, within a thinner forest, such as were the deciduous and Spruce Fir forests converge. Here, the moss is sending off spore stalks.
In this forest, moss dominates the understory and covers everything.
Three different types of lichen share residence on a rock.
Life is pretty tough at 6,000 ft.
A few shots of the view from Roan Mountain.

This was one of my favorite hikes. My Appalachian Ecology class is over now, so I will have to come up with more things to post, until then,

e

Hike at Beech Creek Bog for Appalachian Ecology

Beech Creek Bog is located on the northward slope of Beech Mountain. Sphagnum Moss forms mounds that are raised, which allow other plants to grow on top of them, that would not otherwise grow in a bog (in this case Rose Bay Rhododendron, such situations allow the plants to grow but they are typically stunted). These Mounds are called a Humic.
Close up of Sphagnum Moss, a good indicator of a bog habitat.
Cinnamon Fern is also common in wetland areas. It gets its name from the spore stalks, resembling cinnamon.
Here is the Beech Creek, it does not directly feed the bog, making it a "true" bog, which is fed by ground water.
Beaver Pond further down Beech Creek.
Effective little chain saws ehh?
If you walk upslope, out of the bog you enter a "mixed oak forest" where the shrub layer is largely made up of only three plants: May Apple, Hay Scented Fern and a species of thin Grass.

A few more pictures...

Hike in Linville Gorge Wilderness for Appalachian Ecology

Without doubt, the Linville River offers some premier rock hoppin' terrain. 
This one is for Sarah (because it is the best and most beautiful haha). Amazing view of the Linville River Gorge and "table top" in the background. Looks like a postcard ehh? 
Postcard shot number 2, same scene, different viewing angle. 
Eastern Hemlock that has died either from Pine Bore Beetle infestation or Wooly Adelgid infestation. It is shedding its bark significantly. Good thing mom wasn't there to see the bark or I would have been carrying it to our backyard. 
Some fry in the edge of the Linville River, probably Trout. There is a good amount of sediment in this river since there are so many roads that cross it, such as 221 and 105. 
Dr. Skeate's dog "Buck Eye" fetching sticks on the river. Wasn't too effective but very entertaining. 

Only two hikes left, but more pictures to come...

e

Hike at Big Yellow Mountain for Appalachian Ecology

The bald at the summit of Big Yellow Mountain, elevation 4,535 ft. Grandfather Mountain in the background.
Another angle of the bald, the trail cutting through is the AT. The "natural" tree line is very abrupt. The forest here is a high elevation deciduous forest, with surprisingly few evergreens, and mostly Yellow Birch and Beech, with the occasionaly Northern Red Oak and Ash. The bald is thought to of been formed either by glaciers, or by the once common Elk which would of kept it from growing up. The open field is now managed and the land is leased so that cattle can be kept here to keep the bald from growing in.  
"Dwarf Beech Forest" Along the ridge of Big Yellow Mountain, thick forests of Beech are abundant. However, these trees that are probably hundreds of years old never grow more than 3-5" thick and 20 feet tall due to the temperature and high wind. Just a few hundred yards down the side of the mountain, the same trees are 30" thick.
American Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca americana). Can't tell from the photo but this guy was about 4" long. A true beast. 

Hike at Wilson Creek for Appalachian Ecology

Little Lost Cove Creek. "Hunt Fish Falls" and following swimming hole. 
The local "hot spot" for chillin' purposes for all the teenage Osteichthyes fishes. 
The most natural sauna I have ever seen. If only the water was 105 degrees instead of 50. Ohh well, maybe next time. I am sure at some point during the summer it gets close to 60.
I took this one for Sarah, of some sp. of Lepidoptera
The water is amazingly clear all along Little Lost Cove creek.
"Hunt Fish Falls"
More pictures to follow,

e

Summer Class

Well, this blog seems to have died, my fault. But I am in Banner Elk for a summer course...Appalachian Ecology. So, BE is not too hoppin' so I am back to blogging to pass the time. Maybe I am lucky enough to still have an occasional curious reader. 

But today we hiked around Wilson Creek, within the Pisgah National Forest, so I'll throw up some pictures of the hike tomorrow.

e

Anyone still read this??????

Well a lot has been going on since I last posted. I got through six weeks of base and wasn't having a good vibe, so I just finished taking 2 months off. So, more or less I am in the worst shape I have been in in umm, 5-6 years I guess haha. But riding is feeling good again, so I suppose everything will come back around in time.

During the downtime, I've been busy trying to wrap up other aspects of my life and open new ones. My time at Lees McRae is wrapping up, and I will finish up in the fall with a major in Psychology and a minor in Biology. In December I am going to do my internship in Uruguay. 

Then I'll start applying to graduate schools. I am mostly interested in Appalachian States Biology program. It's nerve racking and exciting all at once, I will be glad when it is a done deal. 

Everyone knows text posts aren't too exciting, so I'll get together some pictures over the next fews days and post. Peas,

e 

yep, it's that time again

Sunday: San Diego, CA, 74 degrees

Monday: Asheville, NC, 42 degrees

Tuesday: Banner Elk, NC, 19 degrees

FANTASTIC!!!

California

I've been in California for a week, staying with C-dub. The weather has been great, and certainly better than in North Carolina. So, we've been riding a lot to take advantage of it before we head back to the east coast for the spring semester. We spent a few days in San Diego, and now we're in Warner Springs. Which to me, is the desert. Riding is a little harder here, it is really dry and feels warmer than it is. But tomorrow we head back to San Diego for one last day, before our flight on monday.

I am about to start my last two semesters of college, and luckily this semester doesn't look to daunting. So, hopefully I will have more time to ride and race than I did last semester.

I will try and get some pictures up soon, since text posts are not too interesting.

addio,

e

just an update

Well I haven't posted in an eternity it seems. I've had to devote a lot of energy to school this semester. I am still in the process of working out a team for next year. I should have the final word in the next weeks.

I've been in the weight room a little bit, and on the bike a little bit. training will prick up a lot as soon as december rolls around.

I'd like to thank the Capri-Foundation and Joe Carpisassi for everything last season.

til next time

e