Treacherous Trestle

Good ride today to burn off the fog from Saturday night festivities. For those of you who missed it, the highlight was crossing a very high, somewhat dilapidated railroad trestle in high gusting winds (I think DC would have particulary enjoyed it). Close second was Jim burying the front half of his ride in some quicksand.

Lots of logs on this ride, and correspondingly large number of spills left more bruises and blood than usual but as Rob said, "pain is temporary, and glory is forever."

2 for 4

Sunday bike (and hike) had many interesting twists, not the least of which was two guys successfully jumping the 2’ log wall that we’ve been avoiding since last June (on the trail behind the dam)! Also worth noting was two spectacularly unsuccessful attempts which left a few marks (on the riders, not the wall). If you want to know the bloody details, then be there for this Tuesday’s night ride – 8:30pm departing from Lower Lyndenwood.

Pep Talk (Pick One)

Regarding the bike, not sure what kind of pep talk you need so choose from the list below:

• Inspiration – Any day may be your last, and this is the only part of that day that you own. Once the world awakens, you are owned. Rather that pissing this away laying in bed watching Sports Center while your wife and kids are sleeping anyway, break from the pack and start the day with something fulfilling and just a little challenging – an example you would like to set for your daughters: He did what was good but not easy, “he seized the day!” (at least on Thursdays).
• Shame – Are you soft from too much time in the spa? Aren’t you the one who dusted the competition in the fall classic? The sailor with an ASA logbook to prove it? The paintball warrior who “went in with both barrels blazing” to slay the opponent? The man who rides without a suspension and with barely a light? Aren’t you the man who saved the Lyndenwood women and children by slaying an angry rabid woodchuck with a shovel? The man who canoed the Delaware at 3am (drunk) looking to pick a fight with a black bear? The man to plunged into Beltzville Lake in October (drunk again)?
• Practicality – Switch to standard time in 2 weeks, so it will be cold but not dark. This is the cheapest exercise program ever – saves you $35 a month. That’s more than $1 per day! Plus you will live longer so you can save $1 per day far longer…

Spandex Details

Record breaking ride this am (distance, degree of difficulty). No more taking it easy on the am rides. Ride was eventful as well:
* harris took a full speed (and I mean FULL speed) run at the railroad ties on the struble. 20 feet in before he knew what happened. Sounded pretty impressive. Full suspension was a big plus.
* calvaresi taking turn from lyndell into kaiser, at HIGH speed, wet road... You might guess the rest. Somehow he pulled out of it, but Matt and I were sure we were on our way to the ER.
* finally (I will spare the details) calvaresi found new use for spandex. That's all I have to say on that one.

Happy Trails
Chris