On Saturday I found out they are repaving the descent from Awosting. They held me up as they let the a single lane of traffic come up. Rather than looking at my path I chatted with the construction worker and was focused on the repaving crew coming up on the other side road.
I had about 200 yards to get up to speed and just as I did (20ish or so), I realized they were resurfacing my side too and it was rough and prepped for paving. There was about a 2 inch drop. I immediately hit the brakes, and looked right to get up on the smoother shoulder. My front wheel went but the back wheel hit the incline sideways forcing me back into the resurfaced lane. In that split second I thought I was toast as the bike wobbled side to side. Somehow, I managed to keep it upright and got back to the shoulder as the rear wheel deflated. Whew! Disaster averted. No damage to the my new rear Flo 30 either. A quick tire change, (halting the hyperventilating) and I was back on my way. Took it easy on the rest of the descent and counted my lucky stars. I actually looked forward to climbing up to Mohonk after that. Also took long a pause thinking what might have been as I sipped a cold beer in the Otter afterwards.
PSA - There was another section towards the lower end that has also been repaved. So, when this top section is completed most of the descent should be pristine.
Here’s to keeping the rubber side down!