Category Archives: Bluegrass

by

Ride to Ride Another Day- Monday Lick Edition

Dave” Every Day” Gault”
Our navigator and logistics specialist- Chris Csuy.

There are no “Gimmes” in West Virginia. I have a lot of experience racing and riding mountain bikes in West Virginia ,and it is never easy. We have been pummeled in wind and rain, and bounced along on tight, off camber trails with high consequence off the edges. Rock strewn passages with roots and downed trees, all make West Virginia riding tough and especially so for me now as the elder statesman of our group this year. For me, it is ride to ride another day and stay upright. Not always the case for me as I am perfecting the art of the left sided crashes. It is pretty amazing that a bunch of guys in their 60s can pound along on these trails, with Bob K, Csuy, Everday Dave, Paul B, John C and Randy leading the way for us and continuing on when the rest of us mortals had to take a break. I have broken into the seventh decade and am happy that I can at least still ride some of these trails. Shark led the two mortals- Pete and me, and all together we had some amazing riding this past weekend on the newly created Monday Lick Trails in Marlinton, West Virginia.

Video by John Casuccio.

When we go to the Marlinton area, we stay at the Pre Civil War Cabins at the Jerico. Really nice lodging and wonderful people to work with down there. Ask for Lindie. All of us stayed together in the largest cabin (The Loring) which was great for reliving the days activities around the large wooden dining room table or outside by the campfire on the banks of the Greenbrier River.

Now, if you are thinking of trying the new Monday Lick Trails, understand that it is a long ride up a fire road to make several challenging downhill trail runs. The way to do it is to shuttle, although we all climbed the long road once. And it was lonnnnnnnnnng!!! But putting together some vehicles to shuttle to the top is the way to go and you need a guy like Chris Csuy to be the logistics manager. It was great to have him at the helm.

Shuttle Vehicle

Another thing about Monday Lick is it is not for the faint of heart. Even though you shuttle to the top in the optimum plan, the trails which run downhill do have some climbs and are challenging. There are typical West Virginia rock sections and rooty sections. The tight, off camber condition is kind of unnerving if you have acrophobic sensitivities like me. The drop offs to the side of the trails are sometimes steep and long and a fall would not be recommended. However, if you look ahead and concentrate, you can enjoy the challenge and take in what you came for in West Virginia.

Pete Hilton keeping me on the path.

Some of the things that I have always liked about West Virginia are the scenery and the quiet, peaceful feeling of the mountains. When Pete and I drove down this year, the leaves were almost peak at the top of Snowshoe Mountain. My first real feel of fall for 2025, and I was a happy man. I love the fall and driving and riding in West Virginia is a treat this time of year.

John Casuccio decked out in his western finest for the concert at the Opera House.
Bluegrass by the Hackensaw Boys.

Finally, I always like to end the trip with a concert at the Pocahontas County Opera House in Marlinton, or the Purple Fiddle in Thomas. Last time we took in Vanessa Collier and her blues repertoire. This time we took in bluegrass performed by the Hackensaw Boys, and it was great. It kind of wraps up the experience of West Virginia. Like I said, I have had a lot of great times in the mountain state. From the 24 Hours of Canaan and Wild 100 races, to the NORBAs at Snowshoe, to the different mountain bike festivals put on by Elk River Touring Center, riding and experiencing West Virginia is a wonderful way to spend a long weekend. Sure, it is challenging, and we all end up with bumps and bruises, but the camaraderie, and the experience of riding in the mountains is really special. The mountain bike crew is always fun to be with and taking the show to West Virginia is always a trip that I look forward to anytime we can do it. Marlinton and Monday Lick are becoming more and more popular and quickly becoming one of the classic venues of West Virginia. Go experience it and have a blast. Thanks for reading.

Please follow the blog on http://www.chroniclesofmccloskey.com It helps.

” As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 21:17

by

Mountain Bikes and Bluegrass Music

Did you ever daydream while listening to music and think of a place where that music takes you? I am a big fan of bluegrass music and every time I listen to Allison Krauss, the Steel Drivers, Nickel Creek, Rhonda Vincent or a host of other musical talents, I think of the mountains of West Virginia and the fun times I have had there over the years. The first time I ever spent some time there was with Chuck Greenlee when we went for the 24 Hour races in Davis and Timberline. There was no music at that time because Chuck and I BS ed each other the whole trip while trying to beat the Parrot Man and his souped up van all the way down the interstate. We did set the land speed record in Chuck’s pickup but it was a harrowing ride especially when Chuck’s friend, Sam Dyke, would find us along the road just outside of Morgantown and it was a three way race in short order.

After a while, I started to know my way around down there and always drove. Not only for self preservation but it was nice to have all my gear with me in one place. Driving to Davis and Slatyfork was always a long drive on the back roads but really beautiful as I made my way through the mountains listening to bluegrass and kind of getting into the spirit of West Virginia. Through the years I have gone with several groups to races and events like the West Virginia Fat Tire Festival hosted by Gil and Mary Willis at the Elk River Touring Center. The Wild 100 was another event that was a true back country race that Elk River hosted and oftentimes we would stay either at Elk River or The Jerico in Marlinton. At the Jerico, the grandfather of the proprietor would always tell me that they had some Yankee boys buried on the hillside above the cabins and I would always sleep with one eye open down there. All in jest but kind of unnerving,

But all the while in all of the trips, I had my bluegrass on and there have been nights on the deck of the Elk River Touring Center that Gil had some local bluegrass bands play for an event. What a treat after absolutely flogging myself on the rough, rooty, rocky West Virginia trail systems. The one thing you have to remember about riding in West Virginia is that it is the toughest riding you will ever do because the West Virginians want it that way. The locals like Sue Haywood, ( former pro with Trek and many times national short track champion), love to take you out and show you the treasure trove of demanding rock strewn trails. It is their turf and they not only know it well but they ride it even better Sue is a noted local and has raced all over the world but makes Davis home. She is a great teacher and riding those trails in Davis are a real challenge. But watching her makes it look easy. Even on the famous ” Moon Rocks”

But after a ride down there, which can be a whole different ball game when it rains, you are exhausted, beat up, bleeding, and hopefully your bike has remained in workable shape. Otherwise, it is a visit to Blackwater Bikes in Davis for repair. http://www.blackwaterbikes.com But sitting behind the grocery store at the trail head after the ride and sipping a nice cold IPA with my pals, I quietly turn on some bluegrass in my Jeep and really enjoy the wilds of West Virginia with a musical flair.

I am proud to say, that on the last trip to Davis, I introduced the boys to what I consider a real treat musically speaking. We drove just north to Thomas,WVA. and took in some bluegrass at the Purple Fiddle.

It is a locals place that specializes in good food, beer, and hosting some of the best touring bluegrass bands in the country. http://www.purplefiddle.com I hustled the group along and after a much needed shower, we made our way to one of the front tables and listened to a band from North Carolina named Mipso. Pretty talented and what I thought was a great way to end a Saturday after getting slayed on the wet, demanding trails of Davis. I believe in atmosphere and The Purple Fiddle delivers all the time. After this last trip, I thought maybe Davis was getting to be too tough for an aging warrior. But listening to Allison Krauss on the way home, and this week in my car again, the pain has subsided and we probably will make our way to the mountain bike festival in the fall in Davis if the Covid thing doesn’t play havoc with the trip. Look out Sue- here comes the old guy posse again. Laughs for you for sure.

There has been a lot of bluegrass fueled fun down in the mountain state over the years and thinking about all of the trips and riding that I have done down there, I think I have created some really good memories for myself. I will never forget the NORBA races in Snowshoe and after our races, it was fun to watch the pros. Even when they lose like the year Missy Giove lost the dual slalom finals and had a message for the crowd. Hilarious.

Last fall we all made it to the World Cup Finals at Snowshoe and watched the best in the world compete as well as get some miles ridden on the infamous Tea Creek Canyon trails early in the morning before the races.

Another fun trip with another fun loving group who also appreciated the atmosphere and down home hospitality of the Mountain State. Loved listing to the locals in the woods singing “Almost Heaven, West Virginia” while the racers bounded down the course at breakneck speed. Yes, music takes you back to great times and bluegrass always takes me back to West Virginia either in my mind, or planning my next adventure. Thanks for reading.