Let Fall Begin - First Ride 2024

After yesterdays epic ride for the last ride of summer, today is another beautiful day so back on the bike once again. This time it will be a group ride lead by someone else. There were 8 bikes/riders in total and we were going to ride all the back roads near the Uwharrie National Forest. Not the dirt/gravel roads but blacktop. There are a TON of back roads with little to no traffic and tons of exciting turns. Unfortunately many of the roads also have a fair share of debris so keeping a close lookout around the corners is essential.

We met up in Mint Hill and proceeded out to the Uwharrie area. Once we crossed the Pee Dee river bridge, we took a left at the BP station and it was on!

I will admit, I have driven most of these roads but never pushing as fast on the corners as we did. It was a lot of fun but glad I was not leading. Once thing about a group ride is if you are following, you can see what line to pick or NOT pick. There is definitely an advantage to not being first.

It was also a warm day. Still nice while you are riding but once you got off the bike, you started to sweat...in Late September! we did stop for lunch at Bigfoot. There was a truck show going on so the place was kicking. They also had a live band. We ate lunch and after resting up a bit, decided to head back out and do it some more.

We had just started the ride and about 1/2 mile into the ride, I came up the turn and was going a bit too fast (I think). I hit the brakes and not really sure what happened. I do not think I slid on gravel but my rear tire slid. To compensate I pulled up and ended up swerving into the oncoming lane and off into the grass. I was able to steer away from the ditch and miss the street sign while riding through the weeds and grass. I just lost it on the turn. My mistake and it does not take many when hitting corners fast. I was just glad that no traffic was coming and did not affect the bikes riding behind me.

Needless to say, with that little mishap, I was a bit behind the pack of riders. I eventually caught up to them at the next turn. I politely opted out of the rest of the ride. One reason, I was shaken pretty good. Another reason, it is a bit embarrassing making a mistake like that. I said my goodbyes and opted to hit the dirt and gravel roads where I feel a bit more in control!

After doing about 30 minutes of riding, I decided to head back home. I was still tired from the day before and wanted to get out of the heat. I made it back home free from any other mishaps and went inside. I will try to pull the video off my bike to see if it reveals anything about that turn (doubtful). I just chalk this up to yet another learning experience and glad that it did not end badly.