Nothing Good Happens after 2AM

A wise person once told me that "nothing good happens after 2am.". Based on my condition today, I think that person is very smart indeed. The last remaining brain cells we could collectively muster late last night concluded that it would be bad form for the kids at the bus stop to see us, so we threw in the towel at 4:30am. Brilliant.

Anyway thanks to everyone who turned out, we set a new high water mark of 13 riders and sustained only one mechanical. We did have at least two notable crashes - one in the mudpit at the top of the quarry trail, and one thudbuster at the bottom of the blue trail.

Winner of the "fancy presentation" prize goes to Steve. His gift basket presentation, complete with gift wrap and reading material was a big hit. Shannon however will not be seeing that basket again as it was subsequently used to stoke the fire.

Sebastian, who turned out in shorts and sandals, gets his trail. We just didn't get around to actually naming it yet - this remains on the team workplan as unfinished business.

Chris

Beer Xchange

Accuweather forecast for tonight:

• 33 balmy degrees at 8pm
• Temps dropping less than a degree per hour after 8pm
• No precip, no wind

With a vigorous ride followed by a raging bonfire and ample dose of vasiodialating alcohol, it will be a virtual tropical paradise out there so you might consider switching to rum drinks instead of beer.

Also anyone who wears flip flops tonight (a près ride) gets a trail named after them. Sebastian may get a trail anyway in recognition of wearing shorts for the Tuesday night ride in the lower-20s.

BTW we had a boatload of riders for Tuesday's tune-up ride (some faces we haven't seen in a while) so turnout tonight looks very promising. If you are on the bubble, remember this is a great night to jump into the mix (more emphasis on merriment than mashing the pedals). Also you have the option of joining us after the ride (price of admission may be a little good natured abuse).

See you guys tonight.

Chris

Runup to Beer Exchange

Important reminder, some weather info, and a couple of questions...

One week from tonight is the not-to-be-missed-second-annual-beer-exchange-bike-ride-and-bonfire. Details to come, just be sure have some beer on hand, your light charged, and cancel your Friday morning meetings and conference calls. It will be more beer than biking (so you truants should not be intimidated), but we have to do a respectable ride before we settle in around the bonfire, otherwise we are just a bunch of drunks.

Weather info from Accuweather:

• Tonight 8pm, 32 degrees, rain ending around 8
• Friday 4pm, 41 degrees, partly sunny
• Saturday 4pm, 30 degrees, snow starts and runs late into the night
• Sunday morning 30 degrees, rain in the morning

What this means for you mountain bikers:

• We haven't ridden since Sunday, so I for one am in for TONIGHT regardless of conditions. But I promised my wife and child no solo night rides, so if you intend to ride (please) let me know...
• FRIDAY HH conditions marginal, chime in if interested so we can coordinate tomorrow if enough interest.
• SATURDAY LATE AFTERNOON looks like the best conditions this weekend, fresh snow, cooler temps. Again, chime in if there is interest so we can coordinate.
• SUNDAY MORNING looks sloppy but it is tradition so no need to chime in, I know you'll be there.

Chris

Rides with Scissors

Another awesome sloppy ride today, there is no substitute for playing outside in the mud with your buddies! Fenders would have been nice in some of the soupy but fast sections where we wound up wearing the trail on our chins and faces. And in the end an hour+ of riding left us fairly cooked, since every turn of the cranks resulted in as much spinning as as it did forward propulsion.

Rob may have earned a new nickname. Everyone knows one of those guys who "RUNS with scissors." Well now you also know someone who "RIDES with scissors" -- that guys who just runs has NOTHING on Rob...

As much fun as the mud is, looking forward to dropping temps to speed up the trails and lower the laundry bills. Standard ride schedule this week:
* Tuesday 8:30pm Lower
* Thursday 8:30pm Upper

P.S. A few of you truants (you know who you are) need to get your heads back into the game, play in the mud, get a little banged up. No more excuses!

Chris