Rabies in Orange County

http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/21/1725979/two-rabies-cases-confirmed-in.html

And since newspaper links have a way of disappearing faster than ice in summer ...

Two cases of rabies have been confirmed in Orange County.

Orange County Animal Services received two positive rabies results for a skunk and a racoon on Dec. 20.The skunk was found dead in the pen of a dog at a residence on N.C. 57 north of Hillsborough. The other was submitted because two household dogs had a deceased raccoon in their mouths at a Hurdle Mills residence near Hawkins Road and Highway 86.

In the skunk case, the dog was not vaccinated and surrendered by the owner for euthanasia.In the case of the raccoon, both dogs were currently vaccinated and only need to receive a booster shot within the next five days.These are the 10th and 11th positive rabies results for Orange County in 2011. There were a total of 11 positive cases for Orange County in 2010. The number of rabies cases in 2010 and 2009, where there were 12 cases, are far fewer than in preceding years.

Hurdle Mills ... near Hawkins Rd and NC-86 is awfully close to the route of the two recent Hurdle Mills Irregulars rides. 

NC-57 north of Hillsborough.  That could encompass at least as far as Schley.  

More reasons to keep one's eyes peeled for loose dogs. 

Dec-18: Horses, Ponds, Ducks, Geese

Bahama Beach cut short
With 2011-NC-Randonneuse-of-the-Year Janis.

She'll want to hit me for mentioning her award, again.
But I have no problem trumpeting someone else's achievements. 

A couple months ago, Janis had indicated that she wanted to do "Bahama Beach". 

Once she got to 6000+ RUSA kms for the year, 

With R-33 safely in the bank, 

And having gotten her P-12, 

She regained her interest in "going to the beach". 

And sent a mid-to-late-week message suggesting she'd like to ride "Bahama Beach",  
Or part of it anyway. 

She had learned the trick from her usual pedal-pal, Andy, 

Of testing out new, possibly challenging routes, a bit at a time. 

And that is what she wanted to do. 

I, on the other hand, am absolutely convinced that JJ could do / can do "BB", 

If properly advised on the location, number, and severity of the climbs. 

And, more importantly, I knew that a ride with JJ on BB 

Would be fun and camaraderie filled. 

And she would be less likely to try to "reverse-dump" me on unfamiliar terrain. 

She did try to "reverse-dump" me -- 

The day before the ride, 

Before we began riding, and

Her last attempt was on Old Weaver Trail, just after crossing NC-50. 

I was having none of it!   

Early-ish in the ride, Janis commented that the two reasons 

That she seems to prefer the Mule Pull over Get 'er Dunn are: 

_ _(1)  all but one of her Mule Pulls have been solo, and 
_ _(2) there are a lot of ponds with ducks and geese and also pastures with horses ... and mules. 

Hmmn.  I had an idea ... to add at least a scenic vista. 

But crossing the RR tracks just before the store on Red Mill, next to I-85, 

It became painfully obvious to Janis that her rear tyre had gone completely flat. 

Luckily, we were only 80 yards from that store. 

I was a completely superfluous and useless person as concerns changing JJ's flat. 

We could find nothing wrong with the tyre, inside nor out. 

We could find nothing wrong on the rim or rim-tape, and 

We could not find the leak in the tube, 

But it clearly did have a slow leak. 

Janis decided to use a fresh tube, and 

Try to find the problem with the tube when she got home. 

Her tyre and new tube performed to an excellent standard the rest of the day. 

Horses.  A GREAT Pond, with Geese and Ducks. 

Given JJ's comment on enjoying the sights on a ride when they exist, 

I decided to detour off Stagville Rd and onto Wiley Mangum Rd. 

There is a nice vista from the corner of Wiley Mangum and Joe Ellis roads. 

Looks good to great in the Spring, 

Nice in the Summer, 

Can be GREAT in the Autumn, and 

Still interesting in the Winter. 

(Special note to Irregulars, especially Snapper + IvaHawk:  neither of us lost a cleat or a pedal.)

JJ spotted some horses just a bit further down from the corner. 

I couldn't see them because the trees were blocking my view. 

Some of the horses were keeping a keen watch on a flock of vultures. 

Never did figure out what was attracting the vultures.  

I followed JJ, drifting down to the horses. 

Several standard horses, and one Shire horse (I don't know the specific breed), 

Were interested in JJ almost as much as the vultures. 

Janis figured the horses were hoping she had some apples for them. 

When I had drifted down to JJ, 

I had seen an interesting pond well back from the left side of the road. 

The horse pasture was on the right. 

I asked Janis if she had noticed the pond on the other side of the road. 

No, she had been giving full attention to the horses. 

We had to go back some 30 or 40 yards up the slope to get a good view of the pond. 

Domestic geese and wild ducks and perhaps some wild Canadian geese, too, 

Most swimming in the pond, 

Also keeping a keen watch on the vultures. 

No fake ducks in that pond.  

We eventually continued our ride. 

Pausing in Bahama, 

So Janis could check out the hysterical marker, and 

I could check out a particular headstone in the cemetery. 

Same last name as a prominent local randonneuse. 

Down to Lake Michie (Flat River), 

Across the bridge, the Beach hidden beneath the surface of the lake. 

(Janis thinks I should change the name of the route to "Bahama Bridge". 

But I dunno' -- that might not confuse non-locals as much as "Bahama Beach, + a Little Mtn Rd".) 

Janis climbed back up from Lake Michie (up "the wall") in style, 

Or at least she wasn't breathing all that hard when she reached the turn onto Ellis Chpl Rd. 

Ellis Chapel Rd had a pond or two, and more horses. 

Janis reported that she saw none of them. 

She did see the large open pastures on the left, with cattle, 

Just before reaching Cassam Rd.

We decided to short the "BB" route, 

Taking Range Rd down the "wall", and 

Then thru Butner, to Cash Rd. and Old Weaver Trail. 

I was making sure to point out all the ponds. 

Even ones I had never noticed before. 

I think the only pond Janis claimed to have noticed was the really large one ...  

Falls Lake. 

OWT to New Light, 

Up Ghoston.  (Janis didn't mind the climbing -- but was not too pleased with one or two cars.) 

Over to and onto Peed Rd. 

JJ remarked that she thought the steep part of Peed was tougher than the Michie-Wall. 

MVC to finish at PUE with exactly 54.00 miles, round trip (not out-and-back). 

Janis accomplished her mission:  

Some climbing, checking out part of a new route, seeing new places, having FUN on the bike. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Dec-18:

--> PUE:  Bahama Beach, short-cut --> ; 63.4 m.; est. 4h,50m in-motion; 13.1 mph.  

Q-1 tot: _23 rides; 1822.2 m.; 123 h, 05 m; 14.8 mph.
Q-2 tot: _30 rides; 2604.9 m.; 174 h, 22 m; 14.9 mph.
Q-3 tot: _29 rides; 2479.2 m.; 161 h, 05 m; 15.2 mph. 
O-N tot: _20 rides; 1591.3 m.; 105 h, 56 m; 15.0 mph. 

Dec tot: __6 rides; _394.4 m.; _27 h, 08 m; 14.5 mph. 

YTD tot: 108 rides; 8892.0 m.; 596 h, 37 m; 15.0 mph. 

Dec-15: Gone 'Splorin'

A few weeks ago, a coupla' guys I know didn't like riding on NC-62 from Burton Chapel Rd to Overview Loop Rd.  Something about going up a hill, into the sun, and noticing that two of their buddies just 100 yards or so ahead of them disappeared in the shadows -- the jersey colors and the deep shadows resulting from bright sun -- and riding more or less right into the sun -- made them think that finding an alternative routing to get from Gunn Poole Rd to the Badgett Sisters Parkway before the next Irregulars outing that direction would be a good idea.  [I'm pretty sure we'll be doing that route again.  Nice rollers across creek valleys and up actual hills; no traffic; smooth roads (for the most part).  And maybe we'll do lunch at Yoder's instead of Subway.]

Anyway, these two guys wanted to find and check-out an alternative routing.
You might call it "exploring".

In Cedar Grove.  Going or coming?  Yes.
Can you imagine the locals, having come to town for business, taking a sit on that green bench?

Two alternatives in mind.
The first turned out so well that they didn't check the second one.

Rumor is that someone used to work for Corbett.
Sign before and after Gunn Poole Rd. 

No NC-62, climbing into the sun.
And the alternative is flat, or so I heard.

Excess clothing was removed at the turn-around under the watchful eyes of the local beasts.
Note the white mule.
Note the flat terrain in the background. 

I heard that the one guy might have taken some photos.
If so, and IF he makes a post ...
I'll take this one down.  ;-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Edit Dec-18-2011:  Turned out there were some photos -- but ... the guy that took them claimed he liked this post, and the photos should just be woven into the above.]

Dec-10: IR Falls Lake Loop + Dragon's-Head

Almost had a ride perfect for a repetitious title:
Rule #3, Rule #3, Rule #3.

Thinking to entice some Irregulars that haven't ridden for awhile,
The suggested routes were:

• Basic Falls Lake Loop, 38-miles, and
• Falls Loop, plus the Dragon's-head, for about 50-miles.

It was also requested that the crew advise regarding the start time:

• 1 suggestion for 8:00 or 8:30,
• 5 suggestions for 8:00.

Nine of us met at PUE prepared for an 0800 wheels-away.
Seven Irregulars + 2 guests repeating from last week.
Those that it was hoped might come out for a quick 40-miler?
None of those came out.
Better mention those that did come out, now,
Because who knows if they'll get mentioned otherwise?

IvaHawk + guest Shane (this Shane "came back"),
Tito, Ags, Ricochet, me.

Also Snapper + guest Ken, and BobH.
But regarding those three ... I think a previously unheard of corollary to Rule #3 applies:
If you don't REALLY know the course, or which course we're doing,
Don't fall behind by over a mile,
To do an interval time-trial (or whatever).

I cycled to the ride, and found the other 8 mostly-ready to ride.
I had my yellow shell on over a short-sleeved and a long-sleeved jersey.
IvaHawk directed my attention to something about the other eight:
All were in yellow jackets or shells.
Resulting in nine cyclists in bright yellow tops.
Might have made an interesting peloton-in-motion pic.
We certainly had to be VISIBLE.

We started on time
According to the clock on my cycle-confuser, which might be two minutes slow.

Ags, eager to finish the ride ... yeah, that's the best description ...
Eager to finish the ride before it even started,
Led the way out of PUE.
Left onto Pleasant Union Ch Rd, but
Instead of the usual swoop-down Mt. Vernon Ch Rd ,
We continued to Norwood Rd and took that across to Leesville Rd,
Then right on Hickory Grove Ch Rd to get back on the usual course.
Darn -- just realized -- I better check the actual mileage.
This alternate start not only has fewer noticeable climbs,
It MAY be about 0.2 miles shorter.
[It was actually 0.4 miles shorter.  Sigh.]

One thing I do know about Hickory Grove Ch Rd.,
Although it is flat, that stretch traversed the high elevation for the day.

On Doc Nichols Rd, Snapper and Ken scooted ahead
To the CVS at NC-98 and Patterson,
While the rest of us moderated our pace
So we would not be standing around in the cold at the CVS
Waiting for the completion of certain business inside.

Nondescript crossing of Patterson and Cheek and the "loop" back up to OWT.
Except Ricochet tried to stir the pot crossing the causeway to the CL at the bridge.
The pot did get stirred.

Ags commented on the yard in front of that particular house on Stool Tree / Munns Rd.
Which is a reason I like taking Stool Tree across to Northside Rd.
I remember that yard when the lawn under those trees
Was an incredible tangle of scrub-brush.

Across Northside to Cash Rd (btw, we found NO money).
Three riders gone missing.
IvaHawk informed that Harv + Ken wanted to do a "time-trial" on Northside,
So were planning to wait for the rest of us to clear from their path ahead.
Hawk also mentioned that he had heard BobH tell Harv + Ken to continue straight
Once they got to the stop-sign.

With that information, I decided I wasn't waiting, nor was I going to worry about the three.
Hawk and I concluded that there certainly must be an unwritten corollary to Rule #3
That deals with miscreants that purposefully fall off the back to do something "special"
And then follow a different course.

After crossing NC-50, I found I was up-front with Ricochet.
He asked where the next turn was.
We were operating sans cue-sheet,
Even though it had been pointed out that the Basic Falls Loop was available ... on-line to IRs.

Ricochet and I got to the turn ... no one else in sight.
Turned out they had stopped or turned back to try to take some photos of a fox
In a field west of NC-50.
I'll note here that it was Ricochet that had pointed out the fox
Visible in daylight, crouching in a field, and causing havoc among the nearby birds.

Wonder if I will get a photo of the fox?

Six re-grouped and cruising up Beaver Dam / Rock Springs Ch Rd.
At the top (corner with Bruce Garner Rd), the unanimous response was in favor of
53-miles rather than 50.
Okay ... we're adding the "Horn" to the Dragon's-Head.
[To see the Dragon's Neck and Head -- click here. 
Nothing available for the "Horn", though.]

I figured to give oral directions once we turned onto Lawrence Rd.,
But Ags and Tito seemed intent on riding a pace in which I was not interested (today).
Ricochet set out after them with information to turn onto Bold Run Hill Rd..
[Before starting his "chase", Ricochet asked "which way on Bold Run?" 
My answer:  "there is only one way to turn onto Bold Run Hill."]
Shane pursued and bridged to Ricochet.
IvaHawk and I enjoyed a more leisurely 17 to 20 mph drift down Lawrence to BRH.

Into the valley of the Bold Run Hill we rode, just the two of us.
Although Iva was certain he had seen a glimpse of the other four, well up the road.
Despite that, I figured the foursome would go all the way to Purnell Rd.,
Thus missing the turn onto Powell Rd..

Hawk and I discussed whether he could/should call Tito.
"Mr. Nice Guy" opined that if they missed the turn,
"It will be the really good Rule #3 lesson that they need".
Iva and I were plotting the blog post we could write.
Unfortunately, the foursome was waiting at Powell Rd.
Sigh.

Across Powell and Garffe Sherron, back to Mangum Dairy Rd.,
Just in time to do the nice climb on Mangum Dairy.

Iva missed a shift just at the bottom of the climb.
He thought he had somehow thrown his chain,
Despite installing an anti-chain-throwing device on Friday.
But, turned out it was completely an operator error -- no mechanical problem at all.

Across to Woodlief Rd..
The other five raced up the Woodlief climb up to New Light Rd..
I took it easy as my lower back was bothering me.
Always a sure sign that I had pushed too hard earlier.
Strange when one compares the effort today to my recent rides on Triple-L.
That rando course has many more climbs, and tougher, than anything we did today.
And I had not one moment of lower back discomfort on any of the recent Triple-L trips.
In fact, I can't recall any lower back issues since ... I can't recall.

New Light, Ghoston, etc., and Robert "skutches me out".

Ricochet Robert decided to try to tire the fast three-some still with us,
Tito, Ags, Shane,
AND build a lead on New Light that he might be able to carry to the top of Ghoston.

I was still resting my lower back as we started on New Light, and
IvaHawk and I were soon further back from the fasties than Robert was ahead.
Robert did build quite a lead.

I told Iva, that after half-a-mile or so, my back would be fine, and
"We'll go get 'em."
Iva was game.

That's what we did.
I pulled Iva up and past the kibitzing fasties,
Closed to and went around Robert without a problem.
Robert weighs 135 lbs.  I weigh just under 160 lbs.
The road on that stretch is mostly down-slope (heading for the river / lake).
I generate more power that Robert.
So, it was not difficult to make up the (nearly) quarter-mile to Robert.

The problem, in Robert's view, was me passing the fasties.
Because they picked up their pace from putz-kibitz to grab Iva's wheel.
And the six-some was all back together well before reaching Ghoston.

Robert can climb.
But Ags, Tito and Shane can climb the little hills around here faster than Robert.

Robert enjoyed skutching me out when we all got back to PUE.

My defense?
Everyone knows it is indeed a rare day that I fail to time-trial in on Bruce Garner / New Light.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was supposed to be a short post.
Not a blow-by-blow retelling of the entire 53-miles of the core ride.
Deep sigh.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec-10:

--> PUE:  Norwood - basic Falls Lake Loop - Dragon's Head + Horn --> ; 61.8 m.; est. 4h,01m in-motion; 15.4 mph.  

Q-1 tot: _23 rides; 1822.2 m.; 123 h, 05 m; 14.8 mph.
Q-2 tot: _30 rides; 2604.9 m.; 174 h, 22 m; 14.9 mph.
Q-3 tot: _29 rides; 2479.2 m.; 161 h, 05 m; 15.2 mph. 
O-N tot: _20 rides; 1591.3 m.; 105 h, 56 m; 15.0 mph. 

Dec tot: __2 rides; _188.9 m.; _12 h, 47 m; 14.8 mph. 

YTD tot: 104 rides; 8686.5 m.; 577 h, 16 m; 15.0 mph. 

Dec-03: Bison 204km Permanent

Just after the turn off Howard onto Ray, half-a-mile into the course, John said "see you next weekend" as he waved and took off.

Being an out-and-back course, we knew we would see him at least once later in the day.  We did.  On Gordonton Rd., but much closer to Hester Store Rd than we had expected.

Of course, we had stopped to take some photos:

I counted 50 head. 

Since Robert foolishly refused to be in a photo outbound ... when the bison were still in the field (or had returned to it) inbound:

Robert insisted on a "group shot":

While taking the inbound photos, a small commercial van with the slogan "Eat More Buffalo" went by.  I suspect that a restaurant in Roxboro may be getting their buffalo-burgers locally. 

R-6 for John.  R-4 for Robert.  R-17 for me.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Dec-03:

Leesville-Leasburg-Leesville 204 km Permanent; w/ Ragged Robert - he had "no legs" after having spent the previous day helping his son move ; 127.1 m.; est. 8h,46m in-motion; 14.5 mph; 10h55 official rando time -- JohnA finished in 9h16.  

Q-1 tot: _23 rides; 1822.2 m.; 123 h, 05 m; 14.8 mph.
Q-2 tot: _30 rides; 2604.9 m.; 174 h, 22 m; 14.9 mph.
Q-3 tot: _29 rides; 2479.2 m.; 161 h, 05 m; 15.2 mph. 
O-N tot: _20 rides; 1591.3 m.; 105 h, 56 m; 15.0 mph. 

Dec tot: __1 rides; _127.1 m.; __8 h, 46 m; 14.5 mph. 

YTD tot: 103 rides; 8624.7 m.; 573 h, 15 m; 15.0 mph. 

Dec 3 -- Brogden Rd Freight Train or The Case of the Missing Glove

Everyone was on time just about for 8 AM wheels away. Irregular members: Harvey, BobH, Tito, JohnD, Norris, IvaHawk. Guests: for Harvey – Lou and Ken triathlete buddies. For Iva – Shane from Australia O2 fitness and spinning buddy. 35 degrees or so at the start gave way to warm temps the last half of the ride. Many wanted to finish by 11:30 AM to watch the Heels play UK at noon.

Plan was modified Range Road Rover with the modification being to turn right on Robert’s Chapel. It was a mostly uneventful ride until we got to Stem and Creedmore. Outbound the buddies kept up with the Irregular climbers up the Range Road Wall. IvaHawk brought up the rear. Norris kept me company part of the time because he was executing a training plan that required him to stay aerobic.

Shane is an experienced mountain biker but needs some road training because he is going to France during next year’s tour for three or four weeks! I told him he should talk to The Mallet who was there last summer during Le Tour. Shane had no trouble hanging with the faster guys as I suspected he wouldn’t.

Lou and Ken rode well which one would have figured if they ride much with Harvey. I disapproved of their all black Ninja cycling clothes as I know Martin would have. The rest of us had on the de rigueur bright yellow jackets.

Up Little Mountain Road to the highest point on the course (510 feet), through Stem, and out onto BobH Road known locally as Brogden Rd/Stem Road. I saw Harvey the Steam Engine go to the front and said uh oh, here we go. Later, I found that Harvey, Tito, and BobH swapped leads on the team time trial as we sped towards Creedmore. I don’t know where, but somewhere, I dimly recollect seeing 26 mph just before I was ejected off the back like a watermelon seed at a picnic. The leaving speed reminded me of those times when motorcycles speed by us then goose the throttle.

By the time, I got to Creedmore, I was warm if not hot. I stopped at the top of Stem Rd and took off my gloves and jacket. Norris was there and went on ahead. By the time, I got up to Hwy 50, via the back way, I noticed I only had one glove. I had dropped it between Stem Rd and there. Crap. I hollered to Norris but he had on ear muffs. I saw the guys who had been waiting coming towards me on Hwy 50. I hollered at them that I was going back and not to wait. My return trip to Stem Rd was not successful. However, by the time I got into the Christmas Parade traffic on my return trip, there it was lying in the dirt having been run over a few times by cars. It was fine.

I continued on my own down Dove Rd when I saw Tito (of Amazing Race fame) coming back towards me. He and I rode on to PUE. Thanks for the comeback, Tito. We got back at 11:55 with 53.5 miles for me. 2,194 climbing feet and 3,877 calories. From there to my house for tea and scones and UNC b-ball on the tube.

An excellent day of riding. Thanks to all.

Nov-30: R-Series Rescued

Enjoyably sunny in Raleigh it was -- morning and afternoon.
COMPLETELY overcast in Hurdle Mills and Leasburg.

The course:  Byron's Leesville-Leasburg-Leesville Hillfest.


High temp about 50 degrees F lower than an epic ride from July-2010.
Remember that one, Bob?

High temp about 47 degrees F lower than a certain July-2011 tour.
Remember that one, Robert?
I didn't re-read the text of the recent July post, but I wonder if there is mention of a rooster?

As hinted above, Me-and-My-Shadow early on.
Then Just-Me, into the W wind from Mt. Tirzah to Leasburg.

Tailwind the entire return trip.
Though sometimes the wind seemed a bit confused.
Probably bouncing off things.

And My-Shadow rejoined Me late in the ride.

It is amazing how much the weather conditions can vary over a 102-km stretch.
And, regarding this ride, I refer only to the amount of sunshine enjoyed, or lacking.

About 6 weeks ago on this same course,
I noted that I worked hard to try to get a time of less than 10 hours.
Didn't have the legs for it.

On this ride, I didn't have much legs at the end.
Legs felt worse finishing a 200k than they've felt for a long time.
The result of working hard for most of the ride.

But ... this time ... official time under 10 hours.
And ... R-16.
:-)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Nov-30:

Leesville-Leasburg-Leesville 204 km Permanent ; 127.1 m.; 8h,21m in-motion; 15.2 mph; 9h42 official rando time -- I MUST get back into the habit of starting solo perms ON-TIME.  

Q-1 tot: _23 rides; 1822.2 m.; 123 h, 05 m; 14.8 mph.
Q-2 tot: _30 rides; 2604.9 m.; 174 h, 22 m; 14.9 mph.
Q-3 tot: _29 rides; 2479.2 m.; 161 h, 05 m; 15.2 mph. 
Oct tot: _10 rides; _924.0 m.; _61 h, 54 m; 14.9 mph. 

Nov tot: _10 rides; _667.3 m.; _44 h, 01 m; 15.2 mph. 

YTD tot: 102 rides; 8497.6 m.; 566 h, 29 m; 15.0 mph. 

For the first time in what-seems-like eons, the YTD avg pace is actually slightly MORE than 15.0. 
15.0007 mph.  Who measures to that precision? 
Certainly not me! 
But that is what 102 rides with nearly 8500 miles covered in 566h29 gives. 

Eddington Cycling Number: 
After this ride:  81. 
Meaning I have ridden at least 81 miles on at least 81 different occasions. 

Oh, for something completely different (at least as far as this blog is concerned): 
Next adventure: 
R-17 with Robert and JohnA on Saturday, Dec-03.  
On Triple-L. 
Again. 
Will make 5 times on this course in the last 6 weeks. 
 _ Plus one more time I rode it ... just for practice ... as Andy and JayJay sometimes say. 
Will make 5 of my most recent 7 perms on this course. 
Compare that to how difficult it was for me to complete this course the first time.