Monster CX and Stage Race Prep

 The alarm went off and I went back to sleep.  I woke up an hour later, an hour late.  I took a deep breathe and rolled out of bed.  It was nice to know that I was not in charge of the rest stop this time.  I was to meet Mark Smith from Liberty Bikes to support rest stop # 3 at Monster CX.

Somehow, I got ready, got coffee, picked up some breakfast and made it out to the start in record time.  I made it with 15 minutes to spare.  I had planned on meeting Mike Keeley at the start to wish him good luck, but when I got there,  I totally forgot to look for him.  So, I just stood around, said some hellos and watched the start.  Sorry Mike!

 I headed out to the spot and helped Mark and Norman get set up.  We had a huge spread of a buffet.  Pete, Sarah, Jaimee,  Ben and Macy showed up a little later.  We were a well oiled support machine and got lots of compliments on how well organized we were.   Mission accomplished.

 This was Mike's first ever Endurance CX race.  He has done some shorter gravel rides, lots of centuries and several multiday trips, so he knows what it takes to get it done.  He rolled into the rest stop smiling, and feeling "ok".  He looked great and I told him so.  After some bacon and gatorade,  he was off to the finish.  Congrats Mike!

 I had to head out a little early to get to the kid's first soccer game.  I grabbed the leftover doughnuts and offered handups out the truck window as I passed racers.   Noone accepted until I came across this dude.  He is a local endurance racer who knows that you don't pass up a doughnut in the middle of the woods.  Mike Pearce along with Mark Sackett recently took a shot at the Palmetto trail.  They ran into a lot of flooded land and had to improvise but they got the job done!

 Sunday, I took the kid out for a ride.  We were out for 1.5 hrs, and had a great time.  I realized that my headset was getting a little stiff so after the ride and a stop at Waffle House, I set about getting it in order.  I wound up with a new stem and new headset.  Thanks Matt at Liberty Bikes for helping me sort things out.

One last shakedown ride tomorrow, then its go time on Tuesday!  Can't wait.

Thursday Night Ride

 Well the final (for me) Thursday night Liberty Road ride rolled out with about a dozen guys.  Bob Wright joined us after a long hiatus,  it was good to see him out and about.  The wife works with him now at the hospital and she reports that he is a hard worker.   He apparently works hard at his cycling ability as well because he pretty much ripped my legs off.  Just what I needed as final prep for next week!

Thanks Matt for the last minute flat fix!

We pedaled out at a moderate pace.  On the I 26 climb, I found myself on the front again, so I set my pace and we cruised up.  I didn't hear any chatting so that made me happy.

Nixon

 The rest of the ride was mainly a repeat of previous rides.  Pull, peel off, try to recover,  land in front again.   There were 4 really strong guys, and I found myself in the group just above my skill level, but I dug deep and was able to hang on and do my part.

Me taking a picture of Nixon taking a picture

 We had a nice cloud cover, still lots of humidity, but cooler air temps made it bearable. 

overheated and toast....

I'm always at my limits after this ride.  I'm feeling great about my fitness and feel like I am more fit than ever before.  This group ride might have been frustrating at times, but I keep coming back because I know that it is good for me.  Part of the frustration is my own fault,  coming in with hopes and expectations that I have shared before.

I learned a lot this year though.   I met some new and solidified friendships with old friends.  Our cycling community is diverse.  Lots of hidden talent,  lots of strong personalities.  I'm excited about the future of cycling in our town.

While a lot of the rides tend to feel cutthroat, beat each other into the ground,  I believe that anyone on the ride at any time would sacrifice a training ride to help a fellow cycling with a flat or other mechanical.   I saw it happen repeatedly this year.  Someone waiting for a rider who got dropped to pull them back to the group,  stopping to help change a flat,  waiting while half the group got caught at a red light.  Sometimes even turning back to go look for someone.

What sticks with me about this ride is that our cycling community really does care about our fellow human being.  It is encouraging to ride with folks like this.  And in some strange way, it gives me the energy and desire to keep working with kids and teaching them to be world conscious riders,  aware of the humanity around them.

Thanks for the great rides,  see you next year!

Stung

 

I put on my Honey Stinger kit looking for inspiration and motivation.  It was time to do one last set of intervals in my prep for the Pisgah MTB Stage race which starts in one week.  I drove out to Rice Pinnacle and headed over to Hardtimes to get some big gear hill climbs in.  It was early so there was not much traffic.  I headed up hill getting warmed up and then turned the gas on.  Heart Rate hung around 102% and RPE felt awesome.  I wished I had set the timer because I made it to the top in what felt like no time at all.

Anaerobic,  I turned around and soft pedaled back down the hill.  I felt like I could do the max amount,  I felt great and was excited about how far I have come this year in my training.  At the bottom, I turned and headed back up.  This one hurt a little more.  I had started the timer and realized that I was trying too hard.  I relaxed and practiced proper pedal stroke and body position.  Much better.  

I was feeling good.  The timer confirmed that I am faster than a couple of months ago.  I hope it lasts through next week.  Not that I'm racing or anything,  just out for a ride.  I got to the top of the climb and headed back down for a couple more.  I was softpedaling again,  minding my own business and getting along just fine.  

Suddenly, I felt a little prick in my leg,  I looked down and saw the silhouette of a flying insect.  the pain intensified as I flicked the piece of crap insect off my leg.  Chills ran trough my body and my inner thigh started throbbing.  

I screamed.

This is me screaming in pain.

Noone was around.  I'm thankful that I'm not allergic, but now what am I going to do with a swollen, itchy inner thigh?  I quickly look around, trying to find some plantain, a broadleaf plant that can be chewed and placed on the sting area to relive the pain.  None.  I pulled over to a creek, still in pain,  kind of wishing I had stayed home today.  Picking up some mud out of the creek, I placed it on the sting.  This offered relief.  I replaced the mud often for the next 4-5 minutes.  The pain subsided to uncomfortable.

Mud on the sting area.

 I decided to keep on with my training, but when I started my next interval, I found that I had no power left.  The adrenaline and hystamine rush had left me flat and sluggish.   I headed over to explore loop to take the scenic route home.  Bombing down Sleepy Gap, I felt a little off.  About the third undulation,  I hit it fast and off balance.  I came alarmingly close to loosing control and flipping over the bars.  That was the end of my fun for the day.  

I soft pedaled to the parking lot and called it a day.  

I tried to float like a butterfly but got stung by a bee....

Magical

 This is one of those weekends that will go down in my mind as one of the best days of my life.  I had the opportunity to share my love of whitewater with my kid and wife. 

6 Yrs ago, I was paddling whitewater as much as I now ride a bike.  I was an American Canoe Association certified instructor in Canoe and Kayak as well as Swift Water Rescue certified.  I was at a point in my "career" where I had run the Chattooga, Noli, Wilson's Creek, Rocky Broad, Tallulah, N Fork of the French Broad... and then some.  I was gearing up to run the Narrows of the Green one day, but just never felt the confidence.  Then gas prices went up and the kid was older and I couldn't be gone all day.  So I sold the boats and bought bikes,  started racing endurance mountain bike.

Before I sold my Mad River Outrage open canoe (that I could roll), the kid was about 3,  I took him down the ledges on the French Broad River in Asheville.  He cried almost the whole way.  My singing silly songs did little to calm him.  

And so, my career ended.  I often reminisce about the friends and fun times I had.  There is something about water, that runs in my blood and makes me happy. 

When we decided to skip the myriad of bike event options in Asheville and head to the NOC for the day, we figured with the great weather forecast, we should rent a boat.  

We got on the river before 1pm and headed downstream.  I was in the stern as the guide, the kid in the middle  and the wife up front.  After Patton's run, the kid stowed the paddle and enjoyed the ride. 

While the raft floated downstream, so many memories washed back.  The flood, the swims, the rolls, the surfing, the classes.  All fun times.

Except for the first time I joined the Carolina Canoe Club.  I was new to the sport and did not know how to use the river to it's fullest potential.  I had enough food and water for a 2 hr max, point to point run.  The club members planned to be on the river all day,  surfing, eddying, playing, chatting etc.  I was starving 5 hrs later, but learned a lot that day. 

 

 I was confident in my guide skills even though a little rusty.  I was about 90 % sure that I could guide us through Lesser Wesser.  I decided that we would not stop and scout, and instead we just went for it.  I've been through it enough that I have it memorized.  I had looked at it on the way up to be sure that it was the same.  It was exactly how I remembered it. 

We floated down, hit the first wave,  the kid shifted/ slipped into the bottom of the boat,  I yelled at the wife to paddle forward,  straightened the boat,  skirted the first hole of the falls, rode the tongue, punched through the bottom wave and we were through. 

And then it was history,  the kid's first major whitewater trip.  He loved it. 

At the take out, he got to try out a little SUP action! 

Fun times.

Thursday Night Ride

The ride went off fairly smoothly,  after a last minute time change, I apologize t anyone who might have shown up at 6pm and gotten left.  I hope you had a good ride. 

About 8 of us set out for what turned out to be a smooth fast paced ride.  The sun is setting earlier, and the air temps were definitely cooler than the past couple of weeks.  I focused on my wheel sucking,  attempting to take less pulls.   It didn't work,  I find myself at the front wanting to do my part.  That's just the way I roll.   When I see the opportunity, and I have skills that match, I take up the slack.  In every aspect of life, not just cycling.

One more Thursday Night Liberty Bikes Ride left for me,  then the stage race and some mountain biking after that.   As if I need more,  I've only been riding my road bike once per week lately!  

Fun times!

Rigid Bites...

 I got to go for a quick spin around Bent Creek.  I rode the John Henry which is a 29er.  The bike is smooth and stable.  And while the rigid fork works well on gravel roads and pavement,  it really bites on single track.   It was the least enjoyable ride I have had in a long time.  I gotta find some Suspension Experts and figure out a solution.

It was early and still foggy in spots,   still humid but with the cooler air, it felt good.  Not many people out so it was pretty peaceful.  The above pic looks like something out of a fairy tail story. 

The rest of the day consisted of phone calls, e-mails, cutting the grass for some friends, selling bikes at The Bicycle Thrift Shop, taking the kid to the Great American Hobbies RC track ( a much better experience than the other shop),  and attending the Velosports Racing Team's Ring of Fire,  end of season party.  They hooked Trips For Kids WNC up with a $500 check.   Thanks guys, and thanks Heidi for helping out!

Of Bikes

 The after summer lull has ended and school programming has picked up.  I am slammed.  But it all revolves around getting kids on bikes and encouraging families to be active.  4 new bike clubs are in the works.  I'm working on figuring out the best way to support and encourage each of the clubs,  I know there will be more in the near future. 

2 weeks until the Pisgah MTB Stage race.  Can't wait.  I'm almost finished with my training,  just a couple more peppy rides then some relaxing ones.  I'm enjoying the chill rides more and more.  Maybe its age, or maybe I've had my fill.  I still like to go fast, maybe I have proven myself to myself and know what I can do.   I won't stop training though,  I still want to see what I can do and go on adventures!

 Speaking of chill rides, the kid has taken more of an interest in riding,  watch Facebook for announcements of family/kid friendly rides.  This is something a lot of people have shown an interest in  and I think it will be  a blast.

 I finally put some phat tires on the John Henry and took it for a spin.  Jason and Adrienne were in town so we took a chill ride together.  Finished up with BBQ at Moes......BLAM!  

This bike is amazingly smooth and fast.   It's wheelbase is a bit longer than the Siren 55 that I use for racing,  so it took a few minutes to get used to.  I love this bike more each time I ride it.  I decided that I want to set it up with a suspension fork so I'm shopping around for one.  80-100 mil ought to do the trick.   Then after some chain suck, I got home and measured the chain....oops,  looks like I need a new chain,  which means chainrings and cassettes too.  Dang it.  The fork might have to wait. 

Shadow Rider

Autumn is right around the corner.

 Well, I think I am recovered from my death march at Dupont last weekend.  Dupont is no joke and it put me in my place.  It is more like rolling hills than the longer extended climbs of Greater Pisgah.  One good thing about the ride last saturday was that I spent 40 miles working on skills, body position on the bike and pedaling technique,  thanks to WN Precision. 

This week is a rest and recovery week, so I've been spending time at Bent Creek, riding around at a super easy pace for less than 2 hrs and working on my skills some more.  Floating over rocks and roots is a big one that I am working on.  And of course, riding down hill with less braking is another. 

I'm feeling really comfortable on the bike,  with the fork freshly serviced at Suspension Experts,  the Siren 55 is running smooth.  

Less than 3 weeks until the Pisgah MTB Stage Race!

The kid decided he wanted to ride to school on Tuesday, and we have ridden 3 days in a row.  I didn't push him or recommend in any way, which was really cool for me.  He's only 9 and has the rest of his life to ride, so I figure he will enjoy it more if we ride when he wants to!  

Save The Trails Challenge 2013

I signed up for the epic and was relieved to find out that it had been shortened to 40 ish miles due to a trail closure.  I had to be back in Asheville by 4pm.  If something went wrong then I would be late.  There was about an hour where things went wrong.....I had doubts about making it back on time, or at all.

The day started with the fog lifting nicely, a cool breeze and a bunch of fun people.  I wasn't there to have fun though, I was there to test my race fitness and try something a little different.  Ok,  I was there to have fun too. 

I decided that since this is a supported ride with rest stops, I would try to ride without a Camelbak.  I would carry two bottles on the bike and a smaller one as a back up in my jersey pocket.

After the raffle we rolled out.  The group of juniors rolled off the front and I settled into my pace.  I rode with Patrick for a little while then Joe and Chris.  Chris and I passed each other the rest of the day.  We had very similar pacing.

I don't know the names of all the trails out at dupont, but I do know that after a big loop somewhere, we rode down Ridgeline, then up Jim Branch.  After that, everything is a blur.

The first hour and I was eating and drinking fine and feeling great.   The temps were not high but the humidity was.  I was pushing my pace a little bit to see what I could sustain over time.   This sport is about trial and error but it in endurance events,  you don't realize the error until 3 hrs into the ride.  It is difficult to find what works and what doesn't for that reason. 

The first hour and 12 miles rolled by.  I was cruising.  We had not yet done a lot of climbing though.  At the start of the second hour, I realized I wasn't having much fun.  I thought about the 20 folks wearing tutus, taking their time.  If I didn't have somewhere to be, I would have stopped and waited for them.  Climbing up the gravel rd and turning onto the airstrip, I realized that I should have emptied at least one bottle by now.  I had only taken in about half of one and not nearly enough of the second.  I chugged most of the water out of one bottle and I'm pretty sure that messed up my system for the rest of the day.

I grabbed a sandwich, refilled the bottle and kept pedaling.   Lots of tight, twisty single track,  up and over  a  mountain and I was at aid station 2.   2 hrs had come and gone and I was not feeling great.  Not terrible, just not great.   I was able to keep the pedals spinning, but my heartrate was low, I had a headache and the glare of the sun was annoying.  2 out of 3 negative symptoms.

I continued on,  around the loop and back through the I-9 rest stop.  I grabbed a little cup of trail mix to eat as I rode.  200 yrds later, with a mouth full of half chewed trailmix causing me to gag, I had flash backs to the Alleghany Mountains Loop trip I did about a month ago.  I knew at that point that the goal for the rest of the day would be to minimize damage and make it out alive.....

Only 20 miles left to go, I can do it.  I prayed for strength and wisdom.  I sipped,  and ate some gels.  Grinding my way to the 3rd aid station I greeted Karen and the Neuberts.  I estimated that I had 10-15 miles left.  I felt ok, and was able to eat some more sandwich.  I had been snacking on my Fritos (which I accidentally dopped and a local photog got a great picture of)  but they were not bringing me back as they had done in the past.

Chris N was trying to get in position to snap a photo, but I didn't have the patience at the time to wait for him.  Sorry, Chris.

The farther I rode, the more of a blur the ride was.  I was riding down an awesome trail that should have been a blast but it wasn't.   I was feeling ok, then suddenly bouncing down the trail around a switchback, nauseousness hit with a fury.  I stopped, took some deep breathes and managed not to puke.  There was a small creek running across the trail and I sat in it.  Dousing my arms, legs torso and dripping some onto my head.  I sat for just a couple of minutes and started shivering almost uncontrollably.   I wanted to lay there and fall asleep, but knowing that I could send myself into shock fairly quickly, I got back on the bike and continued on.

Riding down the rest of the hill, I was shivering but it felt so good.

A couple more climbs, a stream crossing or two, I can't remember and then to forest opened up into the Guion Farms parking lot.  What a relief.  No sprint finish, just a grind up to the pavilion to tell Jon Cartwright thanks, grab a half cold Coke and then on to the truck to change and head back home. 

4.5 hrs, 39.5 miles  ( I skipped the Poplar Trl Loop) 

Another good day on the bike, another lesson learned.  

Thanks Pisgah Area Sorba for helping us keep our trails open!!

14 Reason Why You Should Ride The Save The Trails Challenge

1. Fun
2. Fun
3. Fun
4. Fun
5. Fun
6. Fun
7. Fun
8. Fun
9. Fun
10. Fun
11. Fun
12. Fun
13. Fun
14. Fun

Thursday Night Ride

 Riding through Biltmore Forest on the way to Liberty Bikes, I caught up with Anthony.  He was commuting home from work.  It was good to catch up with him and finally ride together.  Cool guy with a cool family. 

I decided that since I am warming up for the Pisgah MTB Stage Race, it would be a good idea
to try to hang with the A group and get some speed in my legs. 

We set out at a steady pace and I found myself on the front already with Gen.  We cruised down the parkway until the first climb.  It seemed that it would be a mellow fast pace tonight.  Not a lot of chatting, but no one pushing the pace.  I thought I might be able to hang on. 

Up and over the first climb, onto 191 left turn, left turn, right turn, then the pace picked up a little bit.  Some guys punch the pace, I stay steady,  counting how many guys pass me on the first kicker.  I figure if I stay somewhere in the middle, I'll be able to have people to ride with when the pace heats up. 

We stayed mostly together, and then a left on Pennsylvania and the pace gradually increased.  Between the fields, up the incline that gets steeper and the suddenly kicks up.  I found myself second in line behind Taylor.  He always kicks it up several notches here and I can't hang.  I flick my elbow and shake my head.  A little gap forms and then its on,  I hold steady up and over as several guys pass,  the groups splinters and the rest of the road is a bunch of guys in little groups trying to catch the next little group.  Fun times.

 The rest of the ride was mellow but fast,  it was a little warmer than it has been the past couple of weeks and Wednesday night was the last ring of fire so some of the guys were a little beat. 

some serious conversation about how cool this ride is.

 Halfway up Mills Gap Rd, Chris Brown asked who wanted to ride Merrils Cove to Pinners to add some climbing.  I said, " I do, but I won't be able to go hard".  Chris said,"  oh, we won't go hard".   All I gotta say, as I gave it all I had,  that was hard.  I managed to keep them in sight,  except around the sharp bends,  I'm not sure if they were pushing the pace,  Eric White and Chris up front,  that's how it goes,  but I definitely was at my limit. 

They kindly waited at the top before bombing down the other side.  That is probably the fastest I have ridden that climb, ever.  I'm thinking we should add that to the loop though,  its a great workout!

It was dark by the time I got home,   probably will need to change the start time soon.  Then I plan on riding my mountain bike on Thursday nights through the winter. 

Coffee

I tend to get in a coffee rut.  I find something I like, has good flavor, as local as I can find and I stick with it.  Not only to support local, but also because there are some bad coffees out there, and I don't like to waste my money, much less waste my morning coffee time.  My disclaimer is that I don't know the lingo, the dynamics, the particulars to what constitutes a good cup of coffee,  I just know if it tastes good it makes me happy, and if it tastes bad, it makes me sad.

I found Dynamite Roasting 6 yrs ago when I was working out near Black Mountain.  I tried it and I really liked it.  They have several different roasts, and while I prefer a good solid dark roast, I tried their lighter roasts as well, and enjoyed every single one. 

Up to that point, I had been drinking Kinetic Koffee: "Organic Coffee Roaster", based in Arcata, California.  Excellent coffee, and Mark, the owner is a cyclist and super nice guy,  even helping me out in pursuing my own cycling goals.  It was hard to stop ordering from him,  but with Dynamite Roasting a short bike ride away,  I had to make the switch. 

I have known Marshall Hance, for a long time.  I moved here 9 years ago,  and I cannot remember where I first met him.  I do remember him working on my bike at Youngblood Bicycles, but we seemed to meet at random times,  on the trails or at races.  And then one day,  he opened Mountain Air Roasting: " The Best Cup of Coffee You Have Ever Had Every Morning".

I stopped by Greenlife one day and noticed that they had his  coffee brewed.  I purchased a cup to go and left.  I started sipping on in it with high hopes but those hopes were dashed.   The coffee was not very hot and I realized that I must have gotten the very bottom of the pot, and that the post at that point was not very fresh.    I wrote the coffee off until recently when I decided to purchase some beans, grind them fresh and brew it myself at home.  I was pleasantly surprised with a great cup of coffee.  And super excited to have another local brand to choose from. 

I recommend all three of the above coffees.  I can't really pick one over the other,  they are all different but great roasts!  


Enjoy your coffee!

Trail Work

I met up with a group of guys for some Laurel Mountain Trailwork.  Our goal was to cut all trees off the trail and trim back the growth overhanging the trail.  And if there was time and opportunity,  clear some drains. We worked hard and ended up walking 8 miles,  with tools.  The weather started with little sprinkles but the rain held off,  even a little sunshine showing through.  Of course the humidity was high,  jungle like! 

Sitting here typing this, my calves feel like rocks,  not in a good way,  tight and hard to walk.  Part of the reason is simply not used to hiking,   but mostly because my $60 work boots aren't cut out for that type of activity.  I'll have to figure out what to do about that. 

photo cred: Greg Leister

photo cred: Greg Leister

photo cred: Greg Leister

 Chuck Ramsey's synopsis: (and pics)

Three of us were shuttled to the Mt Pisgah end of the trail (actually to Buck Springs Trail, which connects with Laurel) and worked our way downhill with a chainsaw, loppers, etc. A second group (five PAS volunteers) worked their way up from Forest Service Rd 1206. The two groups met in Good Enough Gap, having removed brush, deadfalls, and trail-side debris from the entire length of trail. We walked out to 1206; everyone had around 8 hours work and 8 miles distance to his credit. Here's a set of before and after shots; this tree was in the 30" diameter range. We were able to leave the tree in play, yet provide an easy ride-around. With Justin PM, Chris Strout, David Knupp, Stephen Janes, Greg Leister, Mark whose last name I missed, and Ryan Donovan

photo cred: Greg Leister

As Chuck said, we were out for about 8 hours,  it feels good to get out and care for something that so many people use.  Feels really good.

The Puzzle

It was a little bit foggy on the ride last night.  I finished up the daylight hours spinning around the gravel loop at Bent Creek.  Everything was wet.  Trees dripping, road soaked,  creeks raging.  It was good to get out.

As I rode, I thought about the ups and downs of life.   Riding my bike doesn't help.  Sometimes I wonder what it would be like without bikes in my life.  One of the highlights of my day,  I often come home feeling great, get showered and fed, only to wind up wishing I were still out there.  Still out there pedaling, gliding downhill,  grinding uphill,  flying free.

It is always the act of returning to society, to daily responsibility that sometimes brings me down.  But then I start to think what it would be like without the other awesome things in my life:  wife, kid,  project house, Trips For Kids WNC,  our dog, garden, annoying neighbor kids,  friends in the community, etc.  

It is that moment, that I realize how cycling is just one piece of the puzzle.  All of the pieces fit together to enhance my life and give me opportunities that I would not have otherwise.

I have lots of stuff, stuff that contributes to bring happiness and excitement and sometimes frustration to my life.  But beyond material things, that break,  I am blessed.  Not because I am financially stable ( what does that even mean?)  or because of who I know or what I do.  I am blessed because I am cared for by a higher power.  One who created me for a purpose.  The purpose is not always clear, but is most definitely linked to the act loving my neighbor as I love myself. 

Living this life is not about elevating myself.  I am a mere piece of the puzzle, fitting into the larger puzzle that makes up the neighborhood, country..... makes up the world community.

And then I sit back, sip some coffee,  listen to the birds,  take a deep breathe and contentedly look forward to the next ride.

Fun Family Weekend

 We had a fun filled weekend that saw us spending lots of time together.  No long, solo mountain bike rides in the woods, but I could not be more happy.  I love my family and they love me!   We started out with a trip to the Hendersonville Bike Park.  The kid and I had gotten skunked earlier in the week with some bad intel, so we were excited to see the sun out. 

The park is nothing less than rad.  There were kids from 2 yrs old to 40 yrs old out there trying new stuff, working on skills and having a blast.  I recommend it for anyone of any skill level.

After riding we were hungry so we stopped by Harry's and Piggy's for some BBQ and corn nuggets.  I went with the special of the day and had enough left over to take some home,  hmmm, lunch today!

 Of course we had to take some photos by all of the crazy statues!

 I got out for into the woods for a little while, and found some really cool wildlife tracks.  Two different species enjoying the same woods!

 And picked up a hitchhiker...

 Sunday was the big day.  The kid had made plans to head to the grandparent's for a whole week.  Pretty awesome.  We went for a little hike/run together before heading out. I was hoping for a little bit of time together before he left and was happy to have some fun with him. Such a cool kid. 

Thursday Night

half of the A group,  looks like Justin Bieber on the left.... ;)

 It looked like it was going to be a dry ride until we rolled out and the sky go dark with some thick gray rain clouds.

I rode into Liberty a little early and felt like my saddle was too low.  I quickly measured and found that according to that measurment, the saddle appeared to have slipped 2 cm.  I made the adjustment and headed out with the group.  I knew right away that the saddle was now way too high.  I could not figure out what was going on.  I ended up stopping several times during the ride to lower it a little bit, but could not get it right.  Close to the end of the ride, my legs gave out from being overstreched for 2 hours,  I crawled back home.

Once I got home I measured again and found that it was still 1 cm high.  That's when it dawned on me that my tape measure starts at the tip and the one I borrow has a blank space before the the start,  about 2 cm of blank space....

Where is Kevin Hessler?

The A and B groups split up pretty good tonight.  Kevin rolled off with the A and then waited for us at the first stoplight,  letting the A's go on to hammer.   I'm gonna ride with the A's at least once this summer....
We had several strong riders, new to this group ride, who did not have experience riding in a group/paceline.  It was cool to be able to share the skill and practice some.  The guys seemed to catch on pretty quick and we were able to pull off a rotating paceline several times.

A couple of folks got separated at different points during the ride.  We stopped to wait and even road backwards to look for them.  Sorry we lost you,  I hope you made it home in time for dinner!

And to top off another great day,  I got another piece of blue for the John Henry.  Next on the list, blue Salsa quick releases. !  And then quite possibly some blue hubs?  This is after all, my main adventure bike.