Trail Review : Blankets Creek

I attempted Blankets Creek this past summer and didn't have a good time. I blame it on having done a 30 mile road ride beforehand, but regardless, I had been putting off going back for the longest time.
Today, I wanted to tackle a longish day on the bike without having to go too far from the city. When my friend suggested Blankets Creek, I knew my time of avoidance was coming to an end.

An impending rain storm shortened our day a bit so we decided against tackling South Loop. I'll tackle that one day, I'm sure.
Also, these trails are directional! This post is written going the Monday, Wednesday, Saturday direction. I assume you could just read this post backwards if it's Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, or Sunday??

From the parking lot, you head onto Mosquito Flat, a relatively flat, short trail. It's the perfect place to give your legs a chance to wake up before spitting you out at the trailhead for Dwellings Loop, Qhuel Holler, and South Loop.
Dwellings Loop was the only one I had ridden previously. Second attempt left me feeling much more stoked on these trails.
For my skill level, this trail is decently gnarly. It doesn't consist of too much climbing, but it's short, punchy climbs are full of roots and rocks to navigate over.
What I missed out on the first time was enjoying the awesome features of the downhills. Any sort of grief you're feeling from technical climbs quickly vanishing the moment you start descending.
Berms, table tops, rock gardens, and switchbacks galore! Everything you want in a descent, Dwellings delivers.
There are some additional alternative lines that I was pretty sketched out on, but was stoked to have a friend who highly recommended them. If you're a tenderfoot like me, I'll offer you the same advice I was given: roll it or stop to check it out first!
I was almost unknowingly introduced to my first drop today but hydraulic brakes saved me from a probable trip over my handlebars. (But a quick trip back up the trail a bit and a second take, I was able to clear my first two drops!)

After Dwellings, you arrive back at that first trail head (ya know, cause it's a loop...). From there, you'll hit Mosquito Flat again, take that to Mosquito Bite, which is basically Mosquito Flat with a few more roots and some wood features.
The real challenge comes when you arrive to Van Michael. This is one of those trails that got talked up soooooo much that when the time finally came for me to hop on it, all I could focus on was the video game style boss music that was playing in my head.
It's SO! MUCH! CLIMBING!
Luckily, I found out that, despite how much I abhor climbing, I'm actually kind of okay at it.
Van Michael is one of the more technical trails out there (I've heard South Loop is the most technical but, as I said, haven't ridden it yet). Much like Dwellings Loop, you've got a whole lot of roots and rocks to navigate over while you're climbing.
The descents offer HUGE berms and table top opportunities that I assume are used by folks who go a lot faster than I was.

After Van Michael, I was pretty much done for the day. We did a quick cool down on Mosquito Flat to Mosquito Bite which popped us back to the parking lot right as the rain was starting.
I definitely conquered my fear/hatred of Blankets Creek. I can now very happily recommend it to anyone who is looking for a solidy technical day of riding without having to go too far outside of the city.

Right down the Middle

I've had Sophia (my mountain bike) for a week, officially! We've only had time to take her out on one proper outing so far, but I think that was enough for me to fall in love with her.
Last Monday, we ventured out to Cochran Mill Park, a nature center about 30 minutes south of the city. They have a series of trails spanning about 11 miles and ranging in skills from beginner to advanced.
Patrick was nice enough to stick to the beginner trails with me, while our other friends went to do a couple of loops around the advanced. I know I'll get better and I shouldn't be so tough on myself after a day of mountain biking, but holy cow! those beginner trails kicked my butt.

The views that come with mountain biking are definitely worth the suffering.

Once I got my sea legs (or is it trail legs?), things were overall pretty smooth sailing. Luckily, we got to the trails pretty early so, for awhile, it was only us out there. I was thankful to have my warm-up time to myself without having to worry about running across other cyclists, hikers, or dogs. However, right after leaving this beautiful river, the beginner's loop got even more intense. We climbed for what felt like forever (it was less than 500ft over 15 miles...whoops!) over rocks and roots. I quickly found out that I definitely need to study up on my climbing skill set. I'd get momentum going, but as soon as I saw an obstacle in my path, I panicked and got off my bike. Right now, the biggest goal for myself is just not be afraid. I've only ever broken my pinky finger and the thought of getting significantly hurt is always in the back of my mind.

By the end of the day, I only crashed once. Got a gnarly chain ring tattoo on the back of my leg and the most ridiculous bruise ever on my knee when a stick tried to stab into it. There's something really humorous of being on the ground and hearing your boyfriend yell "you're okay, don't cry!" as he rushes over to you. Sometimes I think he knows me a little too well...



My only problem now is that I don't want to go back to road riding. Even my 2 mile commute seems tedious now.
We're off to Chattanooga this upcoming weekend to visit my brother for Patrick's birthday. I'm real excited to check out some new trails in a new city.