Sep-18-2021: "IvaHawk Special #1" Repeat

When COVID and the associated lockdowns "hit," 

Iva began searching the area around (mostly north) of Butner for "new roads" to ride. 

 

An additional reason was/is the roadways nearer-north of Raleigh 

Have become more congested as more wooded and otherwise green spaces 

Have been turned into housing developments. 

 

First, an embed of the planned route (I hope this works): 

 

 

The purpose of the ride was simply to have some fun on low-traffic roads. 

Pond on Hampton Rd, possibly overflowing.  It looked better in person.  Timestamp 0917. 

Road signs at the Red Mountain Rd / Moores Mill Rd corner.  There used to be a "town sign" indicating that this was "Red Mountain" crossroads (or village?).  However, that green "town sign" has disappeared -- just as the "town signs" for Culbreth and Grissom (and others) have disappeared.  Timestamp 0935. 

 

One of the highlights, maybe the best or favorite highlight of the "Iva Special #1" route is Rassie Crabtree Rd.  That road, pretty steep, curving back-and-forth, well-shaded, gives off an aura or hint of riding in the NC mountains.  
 

Rassie Crabtree Rd portion that we just rode up.  Timestamp 0944.

 

Rassie Crabtree Rd portion we are about to ride up.  Timestamp 0945. 

At the crest of Rassie Crabtree Rd, looking down into the valley on the east side of the ridge.  More impressive in person.  Timestamp 0950. 

 

During the ride, IvaHawk mentioned a "famous" photo taken atop Mt. Tirzah from back in the Irregulars heyday.  We decided to honor that photo with the following. 

IvaHawk at the hitching rail at the store atop Mt. Tirzah.  Timestamp 1012. 

 

And for good measure:  the photo being honored. 

L to R.  Ricochet Robert, BobH, Norris, Tito, Ags.  Not sure when this photo was taken; I estimate circa 2012/13.  I do not know who snapped the photo.. 

 

 
From my Excel ride log: 

• Butner:  "Iva Special #1" --  w/ Iva only.    ~ 0825 start. 
• 45.8-miles.  3:21 in-motion.  13.6-mph avg in-motion.  
• [elapsed unknown]  --  but we enjoyed lunch afterwards at "El Rio" in Butner.