When gathering for our 4th NCC Gravel ride, we were warned by the Conway pickleball players that it might rain. I had to pass along the pickleball field as some folks had parked at the lower parking spots.
We started out with 9 riders and headed towards Main Poland rd, before we made there, one of our partcipants realized he was not ready for a B pace ride yet, and cut it short. The rest of us, Brent, Jack, Jeff, Joe, Zach, Chris, Christan, and myself continued up on Main Poland. It was a floral affair as the road was lined by narcisses. With a quick regroup at Poland Gate we descended down towards Chapel Falls.
The entrance to Chapel Falls from Main Poland is a washed out road, and required all our focus to not fall into the river. We then turned left on a mountain bike trail, we were greeted and cheered on by 4 teenagers while we navigated the rooty trail up. At the bottom of the falls we regrouped, enjoyed the view, some wafts of skunk (not the animal). We did a hike-a-bike up Williamsburg road, but not before we had a group photo.
We got a wet surprise on Ludwig branch where we encountered a 20 yard long, road covering puddle that was just unavoidable and we all got wet shoes and socks. It was not there 2 weeks ago on my pre-ride, sorry guys.
After flying down Wing Hill (aka Goat path), we soon arrived in Williamsburg where I did a quick detour to show the Tangle Chocolate Coffeshop. From Williamsburg we climbed over Nash hill to West Whately, we felt some sprinkles at the top of the hill. When we regrouped in West Whately, Jamison caught up to us, he had been delayed and fortunately made it to the group.
We were ready for our last climb, Poplar hill, a paved steep climb, that turns into a dirt road. Trying to not to disturb the neighborhood, we quietly descended into Roaring Brook. We were almost done. On West Whately rd we saw a porcupiine on the side of the road (no porcupine was hurt duing this ride), and were welcomed by a beautiful sunset sky just before returning back to Conway.
And the rain? Besides a few sprinkles, it held off until after the ride.