Randy Kerr

Death March Revival - love this route! Yet, another a showcase of God‘s creations in Cherokee national Forest Cohutta Wilderness created by Kim Murrell. 99.9% GRAVEL!

Instead of riding fully rigid like in the past, I thought I would try something different by testing the 11 year-old new stock SID shock that I pulled off the Niner when it was new in 2014. Overall, the shock was a little bit more comfy - mostly because of less head chatter on the fast descents. Although, it was bouncing like a pogo stick on the climbs , even when it was locked, and I was losing a lot of effort, Probably wasn’t worth the extra 4 pounds, tho.

I stayed on top of nutrition and hydration, relying mostly on gels, 2 peanut butter and honey sandwiches, and two turkey and cheese sandwiches that I picked up last minute at Food City on my drive in, and salt sticks. I also enjoyed sucking on pretzels from my cargo bib pockets filled with pretzels, 😀. I was tickled to finally find a real use use for the pockets :-)

I refilled water bottles at Mulberry gap and again at the check station bottom at the bottom of FS 17 after losing a bottle. I wasn’t planning on this refill.

I was also surprised to find that most of the gravel was dry and loose for this time of the year, especially since we’ve had a lot of springtime rains in our area lately. It was shaded and still a blast, though!
It certainly was an outstanding and perfect, cool day to be on the bike!! I look forward to trying it again with newer, improved suspension. Perhaps even full suspension?!!