2 for 1 Deal

Sunday morning's "wintry mix" froze into a crunchy and downright grippy coating - great conditions to kickoff the ride.  As the ride progressed it gradually loosened up to the consistency of pea gravel - not the most efficient riding surface.  In the end, 2.5 hours of riding felt a lot more like 5 which, depending on how you look at it, that is actually a pretty good deal ("2 for 1").  

Welcome Kirk Thibault to the mo7s fold.  Kirk (both of them actually) turned in solid rides, but KT's ride was all the more impressive because he did it on an old-school all-rigid cyclocross bike (pictured here).  Hoping to see a lot more of both Kirks on future rides.

We are looking forward to the possibility of some opportunistic rides in the last 2 weeks of 2008 so stay flexible and close to your email.  If weather conditions cooperate even a little, we should be able to squeeze in a bunch of local rides and maybe a few roadies before the 6th when the party ends.  Stay tuned.

Chris

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a bicycle, must be in want of another one."

Finest Hour (not)

Cool nighttime temps so Sunday morning the trails were in pretty good shape.  I wish I could say the same for myself, not my finest hour (not my worst either, but definitely not my finest).  Was nice to see a few fresh faces we haven't seen in a while including Kirk pedaling up with a hot coffee in one hand and Coldplay on the iPod.

This week's forecast is for a double whammy of warm and wet, not terribly promising but we'll see.

Chris

Hibernia Vibes

Solid ride tonight, trails are steadily improving. Ride did include some drama - high speed impact with some local wildlife. No harm done - rider and owl are both doing fine.

Hibernia is shaping up nicely with lots of positive vibes from the gang (see below). We even have a couple of family-relay entrants (great way to get out of the running part of the event). You still have almost 6 weeks to work up to a 2x2 mile jog in the woods (the bike part is easy - it's basically a Sunday ride with a sense of urgency). So snap yourself out of that winter funk, plunk that money down, and show your kids that the old codger still has some game. Current status:

Positive vibes, money plunked, officially have some game:

• JimT - first in class last year, obviously needs some more competition
• Chris - trying to set a good example

Positive vibes but money not yet plunked, TBD if they have game:

• MikeR - relay with wife Kristin (Kristin is marathoner)
• Andy - relay with daughter Megan (Megan is fired up)
• Steve - bought new bike for the event, so has skin in the game
• JimA - scheduling conflict, feverishly working on it
• MikeY - ready to jump in, just needs a push (or pull)
• Sebastian - ready to jump in, just needs a pull (or push)
• Bob - said it "sounds good" which I think means "all in"
• Jamie - says he is game, impressive since I don't think he has his bike yet

No vibes, no money, may be on life support:

• DaveC - it's time my warm weather friend...
• Matt - hello, anybody there? Where is that golf-outing game-face?
• DaveM - dude, do the relay with Kelly...
• Rob - time to rebound from the double-flat last year and show off those USTs
• Chris Dougherty - the perfect brother-in-law bonding experience
• Sean - didn't rule it out, but didn't rule it in either

No vibes, no money, no game -or- has a pretty good excuse:

• Kirk - family commitment (Sean's first communion)

click me now ==> registration <== click me now

Ride Schedule - I am traveling Saturday-Wednesday but I'll throw it out there: Sunday depart Upper @ 10am. Standard weekday ride schedule next week is Tuesday 8:30pm Upper** (**change) and Thursday 8:30pm Upper. Anyone feel free to amend (i.e., take Andy up on his Hibernia race course tour offer).

MO7S: Finally if you'd need to relive the fun of the past couple of years or read the banter from the last few races, I have archived some of our old emails in the form of a blog at http://mo7s.blogspot.com/. The first person to figure out "MO7S" wins a free pat on the back. Sebastian to review and judge all entries.

Chris

Return to Fair Hill

Our much anticipated return to Fair Hill MD paid off for 8 riders yesterday with a 3 hour outing covering 16 miles of twisting rolling single track with the occasional log hop or rock garden thrown in for good measure. Thanks to Bill for his excellent guiding services, it was nice to just ride and not worry about maps and playing rock paper scissors to choose which fork in the road to take. He set a vigorous pace from the start (i.e., kicked our asses) which was most impressive given that he was on a rigid frame single-speed. Highlights included a couple of dog sled teams, the fox pen (not very sporting IMHO), and the Crackhead Bob trail. Also the valet service was a nice touch (ask Jim Taylor about his keys). Kirk your secrets are still safe (for now) as Drew did not make the ride - apparently he is a Wissahickon guy so we'll have to plan a trip down there soon - keep your calendar clear.

This week is our monthly not-to-be-missed Chelsy's pilgrimage. Standard ride schedule applies:

• Tuesday 8:30pm Lower.
• Thursday 8:30pm Upper. This is the Chelsey's ride, sluts for everyone and Mike is even hoping the cougar will be on hand - don't miss the reunion!

Also if you are interested in the February roadie let me know what weekends you cannot make it so I can tabulate and get it on everyone's calendar.

That's all for now.

Chris

Bueler?

I am up for the ride (unless raining at ride time) – we’ll ride high and dry. I badly need to work out the rigor mortis that has set into my legs since the Sunday ride. As for others, here is what I have heard:

• Jim - traveling today but maybe home in time for a quickie (or two)?
• DaveC – making noises about getting back into the game now that football is done, no time like the present?
• Sebastian – fiddled with banged up cassette on Sunday, maybe good night for a shakedown?
• Kirk – took Thursday and Sunday off so, itching to ride back into the headlines?
• Steve – mom and baby sitting on Sunday, looking for a chest thumping testosterone boost?
• Others? Bueler?? Anybody???

Chris

Race Results

Saturday was a perfect day for a bike race. We set up camp at 8:30 am and promptly put few Lyndenwood kids on the podium for the kids race - good omen for many (but not all) of the Dads.

Between seven racers we had 3.5 mechanicals (busted derailleur, single flat, double flat, and inoperable front brakes). Turns out that it's possible to ride w/o front brakes, but riding with no air in the tires was a real problem for 2 riders - DNF.

At any rate, times were considerably better than last year (work paid off). Instead of bringing up the rear in sport class, we were mid pack and one of last year's beginners even demonstrated sport class podium potential!

Thanks to Dave Calvaresi for use of his hot tub for the post ride soak, rehydrate, and debrief.

Night rides this week:
* Tuesday 8:30 upper
* Thursday 8:30 lower

I am out of town - questionable for Tuesday.

Chris

Leave'm for Dead

Casualties: We bombed the big field and hit the woods at about 30mph - miracle nobody was killed. High speed turn for the quarry, Riley and I rolled right into the climb and Kirk hung back instructing us to wait at the top for 5 minutes, move out if they didn’t turn up. We waited 10min, presumed based on earlier banter that Miller had headed home with hangover and Kirk was not far behind (was apparent early in the ride that he forgot his A game). Turns out that Miller had a double flat, Kirk had a single. So it was a tragic case of leavin’em for dead – not our proudest hour.

Chris

Weekend Attrition

Sunday ride claimed a few casualties. We started two down and lost three more at the halfway mark. We did have Harris-Oates participation which has been too infrequent of late - hope to see more of them this fall. Anyway weekend activities may explain some of the attrition, but remember the Fall Classic is coming next month and we need to be in condition to defend home turf. I don't believe they had a special class for "hangovers" so no excuses! Also remember it is a great family event (kids race last year was a hoot).

Chelsy's birthday ride (Dave "dented helmet" Miller) this Thursday, so we will have two night rides this week:
* Tuesday 830pm depart Lower
* Thursday 830pm depar t Upper

I understand we have a few potential riders considering when to "jump in" on the group rides. I did some arm twisting on one of you Friday night. My contacts at a local bike shop told me about another that recently dropped some coin on a new ride. Time to JUMP IN! Let me know if any questions.

Don't Forget to Keep the Rubber Side Down,
Chris

Chelsy's Report

Ten riders demonstrated yet again that beer and bicycling DO go together. The pace line to Chelsey’s set a blistering pace before things unraveled a bit approaching Downingtown. We rolled into Chelsy’s, ordered the usual, fired up the jukebox, and welcomed our newest rider – Jim Taylor – to the group. Kirk does that name ring a bell?

The birthday gags were entertaining as always. Dave Calvaresi showed real commitment by immediately "suiting up" in his green-polka-dot-full-body cycling suit. It was a memorable sight that I am trying to expunge from my memory, but some of the local ladies had a different take and gave Dave a nice send off when we left Chelsy’s.

Saying that the return trip pace line was a little ragged would be an understatement, but we eventually formed up at the Dorlan Mill fire road for a 10-across soap-box-derby-style race to the dam – won convincingly by Sebastian. Then as we rolled back into Lyndenwood, a group of riders split from the pack to dive into the park for a midnight milkrun down the quarry trail. The milkrun almost morphed into a trip to the ER when a railroad tie ejected one rider, head over heels, into the woods. The ejection was punctuated by calls of "rider down" and "it looks like a bad one" but he was lucky to have landed in relatively forgiving brush vs a rock field or tree.

Hope to see you tomorrow morning for the Thursday AM ride (departing lower at 6:30am).

Chris

P.S. Kirk feel free to contact Jim directly to find out if he spilled the beans on you yet. You guys probably have some catching up to do...

Two NOOBs and a Curfew

Add Andy Sokol and Steve McLaughlin to the Sunday roadie to Fair Hill! This brings us to 9 which is capacity for our 2 vehicles. Calvaresi is possible which would put us in 3 vehicles - this would be good because we'd have Dave along for log hop/somersault type of stuff and also would not have to shoe-horn 5 guys into Riley's truck. Also not too late for others guys on the chain to jump in on this. Kirk can you be on driver standby in case we go to 3 vehicles?

Andy don't forget we need to load bikes on Saturday. We have a neighborhood block party Saturday at 3pm so if possible can you drop your bike off at Mike Riley's (119 Kaiser) sometime Saturday morning? Mike runs a (drunken) bike shop out of his garage so is used to bikes being dropped off.

Kirk there are no Starbucks on the way to this place but if you (or anybody on the ride) needs a jolt I will be brewing fresh espresso shots/coffee between 6:30am and 7:00am so stop by.

Passengers - Fair Hill may have a nominal trail use fee (per vehicle) so bring a couple of Washingtons in addition to the Lincoln you are brining for the driver. Also walkie talkies so we don't have to send a search party for ...someone... like we did at Blue Marsh.

Everyone - remember the 48 hour curfew before roadies. No funny business and steer clear of Jim at the block party. Chris

Mountain Biking

Sunday ride included a special guest (Rob) who introduced us to yet more new trails on the lower east side. One rider attempted to singlehandedly move the huge logpile at the bottom of the sole trail - bike and rider seem to be doing fine but I'm sure the impact registered on a seismometer somewhere. Also we had the customary mechanical breakdowns (broken chain, busted crank arm) but recovered without our drunken bike mechanic who was busy sipping champagne and eating quiche at the family brunch.

"The rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated"-- KO

Game on for Chelsey's ride on Thursday!!! Chelsey's doesn't have daycare, so Kirk is lining up a baby sitter. This means we will flip-flop the weekday rides this week:

• Tuesday 6:30am (morning) meet at Lower Lyndenwood
• Thursday 8:30pm (night) depart via Upper Lyndenwood.

For Thursday ride don't forget bike locks, some cash (birthday boy needs only a bike), and a hall pass to stay out past 9:30. Weather this week looks perfect.

Finally I have collected photos from Savage. Goto http://picasaweb.google.com to browse, select, and download whatever you want.

Chris

Riding Bikes is Fun

Yet another ride loaded with personal bests and more than a few surprises...
A couple of single-speed wannabes made the quarry climb on middle chain ring and second sprocket.

One rider "went missing" mid ride so we launched our first bonafied search and rescue mission. Our first sweep thru the park turned up nothing so we mobilized a ground unit (thanks Kirk) to assist in the search.

Search concluded successfully so instead of calling next of kin we were able to debrief in the comfort of the Ferrer clubhouse. Conclusions:

* Riding bikes is fun, need to do it more often;
* Agree on mid-ride rendezvous locations (boat launch, dam, etc);
* Everyone should bring a walkie talkie (or cell, but coverage can be spotty) on future rides, especially winter and nite rides;
* Duct tape provides excellent foot protection against wind and water and is stylish as well;
* Single speed wannabes are at least five sprockets short of SS nirvana.

Weekday schedule:
* Tuesday night depart UL at 830. I am travelling so am questionable for Tues nite.
* Thursday night depart LL at 830.

I think that about covers it...
Chris

MRDBS Breaks Out

Sunday ride was super sloppy. I'd estimate maybe 10 miles on the map, but our wheels spun at least twice that! 9 riders including first timer Mike Young. Kirk treated us to a new wardrobe - took a page from DM's fleshtone unitard book. Mike demonstrated his bike shop prowess on DM's bike (and as a result we christened a new trail, the "MRDBS"). If you missed the ride then you have to ask about MRDBS next time, fabulous story that will be with us FOREVER. Finally we benefitted from some capital improvements to the Sole trail.

Lights Out

Even better ride last night with 6 including guest appearance by some guy named Kirk who clearly had something to prove and rode like a madman. Sebastian wrote a new chapter in our book of memorable adventures by riding at night without a light (very impressive), and some trails we rarely (never) try at night took out a number of riders myself included. Having a large turnout seems to take things up a notch or two...

I trust KO and DM made it back OK as we entered Lyndenwood at a very high rate of speed and found we somehow lost 2 riders.

Back on tonight at 8:30pm. Jim will be picking up Blue Flash at LL (assuming he can find a light) but let’s depart from UL to add some variety and so we can finish with a sprint on the flats by the river.

Jim would it be possible for you to be at my place 8:20pm so we can then push to UL to join up with the rest?

Chris