Dirt, Freebies & Room 212

Sorry for the lack or a "real" post yesterday. I was all caught up in Maja Silver Medal Fever as we (me) call it around here at The Soiled Chamois (again- me). But there WAS more to the weekend than just fawning and cyber stalking (Wifey's words not mine) after young Polish XC Olympic Silver medalists. There was some riding of course. I tried to stay away from the mountains (Busssssssssssschhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Sorry about that but I told Wifey that every time she or anyone I come in contact with says the words "mountain" or "mountains" I will immediately say Bussssssssssssssschhhhh!!!). Annnnyway. Like a moth to a flame I found myself instinctively driving to Seven Springs. I mean another couple laps couldn't hurt! Right?

I felt 97% good. The 3% that sucked was the part of my body that was still fighting off the stomach germ that I think I got from my CamelBak bladder. Or the germ that Mrs. Racin' Rick sent down to me via some sort of bizarre Maine based Internet transmitted shit illness. Instead of blathering on about the ride that is most likely as familiar to you as it is to me, I will shut up and photo blog....

All in all a good ride. No complaints and I'm glad I went. There were a ton of cars parked up at the Tahoe Lodge but I'm not sure where the hell everyone was? I only saw like 4 people over two laps. The must have all been parking up there to get there down hill on. Whatever floats your two wheeled boat I suppose.

One rider that I did see and who followed me for a bit until I pulled off to piss and he got suckered into giving directions to the to some clueless dude. Was an older gentelman, sporting knee pads and NO helmet?? What the f*ck?? I mean the trails at the Springs are not THEE hardest in the area, but there is enough rocks and shit on the sigle track to do some SERIOUS damage to your friggin' skull. As well as damage the opportunity to ride some of the best trails on the mountain (bbbbbbbbbbbuuusssschhhhhh) for the 99.7% that DO wear a helmet. I mean he was wearing knee pads to protect his knees and NOTHING to protect his skull!! That thing that supposedly contains his brain! The thing that controls everything he does! I JUST DON'T GET IT!!!

I believe I spotted some other Solos out getting one final low down on the course too. I'm 99% sure I saw Schultz, disguised as a "casual" mountain biker. He was sporting some baggies and a plain jersey to appear super "non racer" like. And EVEN went so far as to use a female rider to make things look all "casual couple" out for a ride. Sneaky! ;)

I also think I saw a member of Rob Lichtenwalner's Militant Vegan Army out getting data on the course, just in case Rob decides to destroy the course again this year. The award for ultimate undercover course spying HAS to go to Brandon Draugelis. Check the photo below and look closely on the left hand side of the pic!

I mean really! A friggin' bear costume??? I acted like I didn't see him and just pedaled on by. I wasn't 100% sure it was him until I got further down the trail and saw his Cannondale Team Scalpel on the side of the trail with his Iron Hill number plate STILL attached. SMOOOOTH move B.D.!! Once the ride was in the books it was a quick stop for a pepperoni roll, and haul ass back to the W.O. to clean up, fetch Wifey and head BACK to the mountain (Busssssschhhhhh).

After we dropped B-Man at my Dad's. We headed up to Hidden Valley for a night of "us time" in Room 212 and dinner at the John Harvard's on 31. Get this story... We opted to sit at the bar and eat. A bit later in the evening it gets a little more crowded. Some dude asks me if it's cool to sit beside me and starts chatting. Nice guy and apparently he likes his "tea", since he started with a Double (soon to be made a triple) Vodka Tonic. Later the dude asks me and Wifey to do a shot of Crown Royal with him. We of course decline (I got called a pansy for like the one millionth time in my life), but he insists on buying us a beer. OK, no prob. So we chat a bit more. I must say the dude was funny in a "wow this guy is so unlike me" sort of way. We chatted about very un-bar fly topics like F.L.W.'s Falling Water and befriending local hillbillies.

Then about 15 minutes later he tells his friend the bartender to cash him out, and to put our dinner tab his bill!! WTF?? We say thanks, but no thanks, but he insists! The bartender gives him the bill and all the guy says is "Jesus! You two must eat like birds!" He then paid our $80.00 dinner/drink tab. After he left the bartender assured us that it was all cool and the dude does this sort of thing all the time for folks he likes, that he owns a successful construction business and is not hurting for cash at all. Too freaking funny! He MAY want to lay off the Triple Vodka Tonics, but I do have to say "Thanks for the dinner Mr. Triple Vodka Tonic and 1 Crown Royal Shot Dude!". Much appreciated. Take it easy and drive safe out there. Please.

Wifey and I had great time and it was nice to spend some "one on one time" with her. I'm not much for breaking my weekend routine, but this was a sweet, fun way to repay her in advance for the work she will surely do next week as my pit crew!

Time to cook some grub. Later!