Avoiding The Ride

Wifey made it home from another week of being schooled in .gov law type things down in D.C. Nice to have her back. Even if it is for less than 48 hours. Because our time together is short, I bagged on the "9 Circles of Hill" ride with D-Pow, Aaron, Rob, etc., Instead I laid about with Wifey and B-Man, drinking coffee, cooking up breakfast, and watching football on ESPN. The ride would have been fun but it was mostly for the fast single speed types anyway. I've had my fill over the past 2 years of making a fool of myself trying to catch up to them. No more blood left to squeeze from this stone. Although apparently there is plenty of oily leakage from various sources that is easily being squeezed out on a daily basis. Damn! Oh well, maybe this now 6 week long intestinal issues will help with the weight loss? Or dehydrate me, nauseate me and have me pulling an Elvis on the throne.

Where was I? Oh yeah.. coffee, poopin' into double digits and eating. Not all at the same time, in that order etc., etc., With the temps dropping overnight, my last ride choking the chicken (not in a good choke the chicken way, but in a bad choke the chicken way), and me looking for some ride redemption I headed to the mountain to ride some singletrack.

On the way I listed to the best Morrissey mix I've made in a long time. It was Moz-tastic and just what I needed. For you see contrary to my friend Don's belief, I do not listen to Morrissey when I'm depressed. For that there is The Cure, various Grandaddy, some Nick Cave, and a host of others. Moz/Smiths is time to just sing along about girlfriends in comas, and 10 ton trucks crashing into us. Not sure what all that says about me, but I'm sure it's not good.

Once I got to the lot it was empty save for a van I recognized as that of Master Endurance racer John-M. I know it was his van, because it's in the background of this 2005 file photo. OK, that and I've talked with/seen John a few times and know his van. Of course the one in the photos is different. Could I be a stalker? God I hope not. I have too many other issues right now.

Soon I was on the singletrack and feeling so freaking good. The great thing about not riding as much as I used to, is that it can SOMETIMES lead me to have just the perfect amount of rest and desire to roll on dirt. On top of that the bit of added weight and strength I've obtained, er "acquired" over the past 2 years actually makes throwing a 25 pound 29er around on the trail much easier at times.

Conditions and everything just came together today. The bike was running good (except for some reason I get constant chain skipping in 32/30. JUST that gear. Frustrating, but the Fox was smooth, the tires had just the perfect amount of air pressure, and the Salsa TiEM was soaking up the trail like maxi padded champ.

Started on the trails near 31, then I headed over to Seven Springs rode most of the course there, and then back. Ride was about 75% singletrack and dirt, with the remaining dirt roads and pavement. I planned to ride for about 2 hours, but that turned into 3 from feeling so good.

It was a great day to be on the bike, in the mountains and once again connect with the dirt.

Riding at Seven Springs was just a blast. I miss doing the 24 Hour race there. IMHO, a local shop/promoter could make a killing putting together a Seven Springs Endurance Series (SSES). Do like one race a month. Maybe 6 hours in length, then if you do enough of the series you get a % off the 24 for that would decide the overall champions. But again, what the eph do I know. That and I'm freaking moving to Michigan, where the next things on my mind will be surviving the winters and putting together some big ass dirt road loops.


EDIT: I did almost forget (thus me typing this part 24 hours after the original post)... I saw no other riders out yesterday. Sure I knew D-POW and gang were on the other side of mountain hill climbin' and shit, and I saw what looked to be John-M's van, but I saw no one. Except for when I was on Jones Mill heading towards Seven Springs. From a distance I saw a rider off to the side of the road making adjustments to his bike, as I approached I noticed that it was a helmetless 60+ year old man in a sweat shirt and rolled up long pants, on a vintage department store road bike with toe clips. As I passed I said hi and he returned with "a great day to be out, isn't it?" It sure is Mr. Elder Forest Road Riding Toe Clip Using, Department Store Road Bike Using Friend. It sure is. I love seeing folks out taking what they can the best way they know how, especially the older folks. Ride on....

Time for cookin' chicken (not choking. At least not now), having a couple beers, and getting some porch time at 1147 while I can.

Later.