Do you have an emergency blanket? No, but you can use my beard...

I wish I could remember 1/4 of the funny things that were said last night at the turn around point. Mike B and I had made plans to be out at The Hub at 6PM last night to drop off the Scott Spark Erinna had borrowed for the day then to ride North Slope and Sycamore. Our plan changed right as we arrived at the shop. The whole crew: Sam, Jimi, The Prospector, and John were headed out for their own ride: Out and back on Squirrel to/from  Laurel Gap. At the last second I asked to ride the demo Rocky Mountain Element to really change things up, too.

 My personal Rocky Mountain Element 970 BC Edition should be in my possession next week. I figured it would be a good idea to get used to having the squish under me. We re-rallied at the Turkey Pen parking lot, took the single track down to the river, crossed the bridge,

 turned onto Mullinax, then suddenly I was riding allllll by myself. What the hell was going on?!?!? Too much air in the tires.... Hardly an excuse but I was hardly riding the bike. It was riding me. When I arrived at Pea Gap the group was antsy to get moving but Jimi was listening to me. 'I'm hardly on the bike' I said. He replied ' Is it you or how the bike is set-up?'

 That got me thinking and made me a bit more aware of the mistakes I was making. Jimi also hung back with me so I could follow his lines and get into a groove. It worked. THANKS JIMI!!! I was having a great time and was feeling great when I arrived at the gap. It looked like they had all been there a while and were ready to hang out for a while longer. Laughs were had, beers were cracked, and an extended breather was underway.

Then it was time to ride bikes.... downhill..... fast.... Sam and John led out. Mike (who was on his new 29er FS) and I traded places back and forth. Jimi and The Prospector in the back. Jimi made his way forward eventually and was a treat to follow. Once it was Sam, John and Jimi in the lead it was hip jump and berm carve after hip jump and berm carve all the way down the hill. I wish I had a video of the action because it was just as much fun to watch as it was to participate. Thanks for getting out guys. That was a fun evening on the bike

The time has come for changes. Do something or I will.

clickityclickityclickityclickityclickityclickityclickityclickityclickityclickity

I got out for a quick and cold ride this afternoon. I had plans to go further but the nagging mechanical issue and me being a puss about the cold sent towards home rather than onward towards more miles.
It was also the first ride on new tires with Stan's. I just don't quite trust the 60 lbs of pressure in the front tire without a tube yet. It kinds freaks me out. Anyone out there have experience with Stan's in cyclocross-type setups?

Tour de NMR with Scott from Indy

Too much hippy juice

The route for the day: Estatoe->North Slope->276->477->Bennett->Coontree->276->475->Long Branch->Cat Gap. I broke off from the group at this point and took 475->276 back to the Jeep. They had grand plans that started with 475b from there. Right now I think they are still out.

 I rode a Rocky Mountain demo/rental bike from The Hub. I'm sold.

Thank you Sam for the route. Thank you Clay for the music.

DOUBLE DARE WORMHOLE

This past weekend was Double Dare and I think I may finally be awake enough to think about the ride I got in while the race was going on.... Saturday afternoon was beautiful with temps in the high 70's and zero humidity. The Fall foliage was at near peak also. Mike B., Brian N. and I were on the bikes at about 4pm and our route for the day: 475->471->WH->471D->Butter->Cat->Davidson. The warm-up was atrociously hard, the downhills were smooth as, ummm, butter, and Mike and I kept Brian in sight on the downhills but just barely. We got back just as the first losers were arriving at DD so, that worked out perfect. I didn't bring a camera, gps, or anything like that along so no true documentation this time. I do, however, have Double Dare photos. That'll do, right?

Friday night

Charlie and Chris headed to gear check / sign in.

Knoxville!

Saturday night.

Midnight Crit

Midnight crit 2

Sunday 5:50 am