Buzz In My Ear and In My Face

Two Saturday's ago, I planned to race in Culpeper and then head to Sherando Lake for long rides and camping. The Race was the Battle at Burke Farm, a short, XC-style mountain bike race. I knew it was unlikely that I would do well, since I am more of a long distance rider than a speed demon. But it's friggin fun! The race started off booming - I scrambled to second place and sat on first's wheel. then he died off and I took the lead about a mile in. I kept a good pace for a while, but not fast enough for the monsters of the sport class (i.e. Ken Tankersley, Jason Hopkins, and a couple more). I was passed and dropped quick by four or five riders (the two above, plus Steve Tolley and ..I can't remember the others). I held onto Jason for a few minutes through the twisting, steep, and rocky hills. But, he got away from me. I really love racing..especially when friends pass by cruising at abnormal speeds with all the intensity of a pro. Good stuff. So, I hung in and took a respectable (by my standards) third place in my age group, only 2 minutes behind Jason and 6 minutes behind the speeding Tank(ersley).

Now I will tell you the difference between my style of riding and most of the racers that joined me at Burke Farm: after the race, I went to Sherando area to ride more that evening. The plan was to set up camp and ride another 20+ miles in the mountains with my com padre Todd Green. The next day was to be a 60 to 80 mile day. When I told the other racers my plan and invited them, they all looked at me like I was crazy.

I got to Sherando area at 5pm and we set out to ride around 6. Time was a factor, so we decided to ride up the Mills Creek Trail (AKA Turkey Pen) and then head down Kennedy Ridge and back to camp. This would have been around twenty miles.

So we headed up Mills Creek Trail with a firm pace to ensure we could make the trip before dark. Todd joked about something bad happening about "4 miles in". It was creepy, especially after we hit...wait for it... I was leading and saw a willow-like bush hanging over the trail ahead. I figured that I could just push through it no problem. As soon as I hit the branch, I was, yes, "4 miles in". I apparently let go of my handlebars screamed and grabbed at my face! Todd was trying to figure out why I would let go of my bars, when he started getting the pinch, or stings rather. I ran off about 150 yards down the trail and Todd ran up to a ridge. I had hit and split open a bald-headed hornets' nest (the large paper mache football thing)! They were all up in my ear stinging me all over the left side of my head, neck and shoulder. I guess I was lucky (I'm still trying to understand how one can call me lucky after this situation) that I'm not allergic.

So, I got some good ol' skin removal on the knee and a dozen or more stings. Also, I had a bunch of brown goo on my Camelbak, no sure what it was, but it came from the nest. I knew I had to go back to get my bike, but I did have to weigh the value of the bike/consequence of returning... :) Upon my return to "4 miles in", I saw the nest and the broken area on the nest as well as a swarm of hornets that looked very unhappy.

"ALL I want is my bike!" No comprenden englais? Well, I guess I'd have to get stung. again...

I crept slowly over to the bike and a hornet came out and zapped my hand before I could get there. AT that point, I figured I better just get it and run. So I did. What an amazing value!!! 1 Turner Flux 08 for 1 hornet sting!!

Well, Todd got lit up, too. He sustained 4 stings. After all the drama (and wasted time), we kept riding up Mills Creek Trail until about 7:30pm. Unfortunately, it was getting dark and we had to turn around. We took a HUGE detour around the hornets (upon my request) and got back to camp by dark. A fire and hot dinner made all the pain melt away. :)

Since we didn't get to finish the ride on Saturday, we rode it again on Sunday morning (didn't hit the hornets the second time around). We ran into a couple of dudes from C-Ville riding at a near-same pace, so we joined forces. They had almost hit the nest on Saturday as well, but coming from the other direction. We rode up Mills Creek Trail to the Jeep Trail (Big Levels Trail). We rode down the Jeep trail to Coal road and then up Kennedy ridge for a second solid climb of the day. Sadly, a thunderstorm was threatening, so we cranked back down the Jeep Trail to Coal road and rode back to the Highway, where our cars were parked. We missed out on Torrey Ridge, Slacks Trail, and White Rock Gap Trail.... (next time amigo).

FYI - I e-mailed the Forest Ranger's Office in charge of that area (Pedlar Ranger District) to inform them of the hazardous conditions. They have not replied. The next day, I found out that "Super" Dave Z. had an encounter with those same hornets on Sunday!!!! Seems like a continuing problem.

Out.