Night Falls in Blair's Witch country....

[mugg]

Riding in the Blair's Witch woods on a moonless, frigid night conjures up images of monsters and gnomes waiting around the dark bend. Waiting to scare the living crap out of mountain bikers foolhardy enough to ride at night. As you spin the cranks to ward off the night frost, a big lump develops in your throat and fluids in your lungs threaten to drown you. Your visions begin to cloud as tears fall down from the stinging cold. Still you ride. Chasing your cold shadow into the void as your bike shimmer and shimmy with the ebb and flow of the sinister trail. Logic be damned this is Blair’s Witch country be the faster rider or else meet your maker.

There’s this guy on our ride whose moniker is Single Speed Outlaw. He knows the local trails like the back of his hand. He is our guide for it is his backyard, his playground. He likes to ride hard during the day. At night he is a different animal. He can see even without the aid of his HID light. On night rides he is a big hammer.

Hours of darkness are frightening for most folks. After all the bogeyman owns the night. When we ride at night, on the coldest night of the year we go against the grain. Against the common sense that is bestow upon us as thinking creatures. But mountain biking at night is for doers not thinkers. We are committed to the core. And yes, it is much better than sitting by the fireside, watching “must see TV”.

ThankSS for reading and have a swell day. mugg

’Nuff said.

Looking for the bogeyman.

Blazing the trail.

Time for a little reflection.

Sadly, our prime destination, the Blair’s Witch House was no longer standing. Rubble was all that was left. It was a bummer to say the least.

Jaybone and xander were mugging in the dark.

Inspecting what was left of the spooky house.

SSO was Light and Motion above the rest.

Ken wished upon a star.

"With finger on her solemn lip,
Night hushed the shadowy earth.”
~Margaret Deland

[screampint]

Beautiful! Thank you! Too bad about the house.

I'm too much of a wimp to ride at night in the winter, that's summer thing for me. Oh wait, it's been a few yars, maybe that's past thing for me.

[®andyA]

Riding in the Blair's Witch woods ...

ThankSS for reading and have a swell day. mugg

Kewl picture formats... definitely brings out the spooky nature of the ride.

Great post (as always) mugg.

Randy

[riderx]

Very, very nice. Those pix turned out great.

- the rider formerly know as SSO

[little b]

thanks mugg. i was hoping to go for a night ride tonight, but was feeling unmotivated. now i feel motivated again. thanks.

[hfly]

Thanks a bunch, mugg!

It's 3:00 AM in the morning here at work. This post makes me remember solitary night rides through Transylvania County (near Pisgah, NC) years ago, often at similarly wee hours. The east has the west beat when it comes to night-riding ambience, methinks.

I envy your ability to conjure up distinct moods with the camera.

hfly

[striker]

After having a stellar night ride myself this past Wednesday, your post really brings out the passion. Thanks for one of the best posts in a while. I always read your posts. Heck, I might even have to plan a road trip up to MD to ride with you guys...

Tim

[Ska]

Damn! I told you I'd be sick with jealousy if you went and did that ride.

Too cool mugg.

Serious bummer about the house. I still dig the pic of the house you posted the last time though. Just say THAT was it.

Thanks for the post.

Ska!

[Drewdane]

So what happened to the house anyway? Vandals? Torn down due to too many BWP "tourists"?

[radair]

Great stuff, mugg. Night rides (especially solo) are always spooky, with the moving shadows and all. Looks like you guys had a great one. Tough to capture the mood on film, but you did.

Thanks for this start to my day.

[riderx]

So what happened to the house anyway? Vandals? Torn down due to too many BWP "tourists"?

After the movie came out there was talk of tearing it down for a while because it was in rough condition to begin with. Once people found out where it was, the number of visitors increased. Somehow it missed it's date with the wrecking ball in '99 but apparently got torn down Aug. of this year.

[Drewdane]

Interesting - thanks.

[PROGRE-SS]

Keep it up Mugg! Passion at it's best!

James

[mtnbkr]

Nice pics Mugg. We gotta go riding again. But you should know not to go riding near that place at night...bad things man....bad things! Great pics. Stay warm.

-=Moe=-

[Rev Bubba]

need only read this.

Great job as usual.

REV