Recap:Easy wind Danville-Walhonding

Knowing I was soon headed west for some gravel+ riding in Kansas, Colorado & Utah, I wanted to get as much climbing as I could fit in my pre-vacation schedule; so I honed in on the Danville-Walhonding route. Preparation can be an absolute pleasure, so I explored this route twice with some variations and focus on the awesomely challenging Stone Quarry ‘Rd’ section, using Bat Nest ‘Rd’ as the mellow climb back around; these sections of ATV track give life to the MTB heart in me.

The first ride was on the hot afternoon of Memorial Day, then I went for it again (and then some) that Saturday, continuing the heat wave (which would become very familiar in the western rides). I wanted even more of that bodacious technical climbing, so on the Saturday ride I looped across TH365/Flat Run Rd to repeat Stone Quarry; which in mosquito speak is called the feeding trough, and they wanted more of me. Being less fresh, the mosquitos didn’t mind that my ‘one dab’ first pass, twenty some miles before, was not bested on this second pass; nevertheless, I enjoyed a chuckle the whole way up with the echo of the internal combustion empowered ATV rider who hollered as I turned off Flat Run Rd: You ain’t gonna make it up there! To paraphrase BNL, a common soundtrack favourite: I can, and I will, and I did…

That sun, which helped me consume over 3 liters of water, also summoned the tar into bubbles on the old chip & seal road sections, granting the fun sensation of riding a road strewn with snap pops – oh, to be a child again! I wasn’t the only one chippin’ up rocks for the great highway – during the week crews had laid smooth, slightly loose stone on tar for several miles; there’s something inviting, almost magical about roads glistening white and cool despite the heat.

Somewhere after my 2nd loop up and down and rolling along the washboard next to the river, my cassette loosened up and began rattling about; I didn’t want to feed the wildlife anymore so I pushed on until one concern outweighed the other. Fortunately I wasn’t eaten up when I stopped to tighten it, nor were the gears, though my makeshift tightening trick loosened up again after a few miles, so I was grateful to find the Hunter Rd bridge is passable on bike; because while this preparation was a pleasure, I wasn’t looking to add any more miles.

Cottonwood seed jests the heat with its snowy appearance along the road, wildflowers give way to one another in turn, bolstered by ferns in the shade and berry bushes in the sun…the minor majesty of eastern Ohio foothills rolling in lushly growing meadows, fields and forest…it’s a good place to feel at home.