Courage

Preparations

With just five riders for the 8:00 pm start we missed the carnival atmosphere that comes from a large more diverse group - the first time night rider, a light without a charge, or the inevitable mechanical breakdown that comes when some of the bikes have not have been ridden in some time. But still, we did have our moments. Like the wardrobe change which left Jim's pants dangling from a no-parking sign near the Lyndel crossing; and the frequent stops to share flasks of bourbon, root, and snap "courage" while imitating the cowardly lion from the Wizard of Oz.

Combustion

We were back to "camp" before 9:00pm where we lit the fire and settled in under a clear sky and brilliant full moon. Bonfires foster easy conversation and this one was no different, until it took an innocent but awkward turn.  A casual gesture triggered it, and before we knew it we were knee deep in a good old fashioned outing (as in "out of the closet"). Not the conventional LGBT closet - no - this was a very dark damp musky closet. We did out best to stuff the new knowledge back into the closet and to seal the door shut. Unfortunately the Saturday morning email suggests we were not entirely successful.

We were treated to a great selection of exotic microbrews, Nathan's hot dogs roasted over the open fire (on forks "made in a fork factory"), and more flasks of "courage" before calling it early Saturday morning. The bikes and backpacks were covered in frost lit by the still brilliant full moon. Really spectacular.

Best beer presentation went to Mike (the Irish one). His entry won sort of by default but what it lacked in debauchery in made up for with high marks for practicality and combustion.

Chris

"Courage"
     -- The Cowardly Lion at the top of The Bobsled Run


"There Goes Tokyo"
     -- Uttered during Friday night's whirly-bird reenactment

Fire and Ice (actually mud) for Tonight

Preparations for the 7th Annual Bike Bonfire and Beer Exchange are in full swing.

Weather for tonight is 29 degrees at ride time, dropping to a low of 27 degrees at midnight.  Balmy which also means muddy.

Nothing left to do but charge the lights, load up the beer, kiss the family good night. Oh and take the following Beer Bonfire and Beer Exchange fun quiz:

What is "Sheep Dip?"

1. Liquid formulation of insecticide and fungicide which shepherds use to protect sheep from parasites such as blow-flies, ticks and lice
2. Half filled bath of hot soapy water shared amongst friends, used to wash off the disco dirt post clubbing or boozing before everyone crashes out on your sofa and floor
3. Scotch whiskey enjoyed by mountain bikers around a campfire somewhere between Durango Colorado and Moab Utah

Who was featured in a full page spread in the June 2012 issue of Mountain Bike magazine?

1. Glenn Armstrong
2. Claus Van Traup
3. The D2M gang
4. Chiggers

Which of the following transportation accidents are associated with previous bike-beer-bonfire events?

1. Riding Miller's lawn mower into the bonfire
2. Riding Kirk's bicycle over the bonfire
3. Riding Cathy's beach cruiser through a rock garden
4. Riding Kaleigh's ATV over a flaming kerosene torch
5. All of the above

Andy has a new baby-blue bike seat because:

1. He's color blind
2. It's slightly more manly than the hot pink one he was riding before
3. It matches his baby-blue spandex shorts
4. It's the only color seat Rob had in the trunk of his car

The Overlook is popular on Friday evenings because:

1. It has a jacuzzi
2. It has great music
3. It has a beer tree
4. None of the above

The 2012 trip to Raystown will be remembered for:

1. $12 worth of firewood
2. Night time unicycle riding
3. 10 seatposts x 1"
4. The First Floor Queen
5. All of the above
6. None of the above (it won't be remembered)

Which of the following is NOT true about the "Green Lane Tickler?"

1. It is about 8" long
2. It is flexible
3. It tickles the inside of your thigh
4. You can only get them at turnpike rest stops

Please make a nomination for your favorite Bike Ride Beer Exchange acronym::

1. BEER (BEer Exchange Ride)
2. BONER (BONfire Exchange Ride)
3. BaRBIE (Beer Ride BIke Exchange)
4. REHAB (Ride ExcHAnge Bike)
5. ________________________ (write in nomination)

See you tonight!

Chris

"Keep riding, Nancy. It's just water and dirt." 

     -- Huck And Roll

Obsolescence, Averted

I am a bike part pack rat. My garage is filled with old bikes and parts.  Wheel sets on their last legs are hanging from the rafters in my shed.  I have milk crates filled with old bottom brackets and cranks.  Boxes of bolts, cables, and derailleurs.

And an old steel frame with a 1" head tube.  That head tube size is a casualty of the bike industry's relentless innovation.  Some of the changes are real improvements (remarkable there is anything left to innovate) but others just seem to be strategies for selling more bikes.  Like the new 12 mm x 142 mm axle standard or 650B mountain wheels. Or the 1-1/8" head tube that obsoleted this bike about 10 years ago.

But I digress.

I have found a use for that old friend with the little head tube.  Instead of collecting dust in the shed it is creating smiles in my back yard.  That's right, nothing warms the heart quite like the combination of a bicycle and Christmas tree lights. You've just gotta smile.

Happy Holidays,
Chris

Foul Weather Alchemy

The basic ingredients were not that appealing:

• Dark (5:00 PM)
• 37° 
• Rain and sleet
• Seriously sloppy trails

But two more ingredients...

• Bikes
• Beer

...and some Friday alchemy turned it into pure gold.  It always does.  

Chris

"Oh Goodness"

  -- Biker chick who wanted to pass me in the root garden...and Kirk

Baby Blue

Sunday's Fair Hill beat down was loaded with great numbers.  Eleven riders, mid-forty temps, 2.5+ hours of riding, 9.5mph average moving speed.  The list goes on.

But the highlight was when Andy busted a seat rail about a mile from the cars and we rode back to get a replacement from Rob's car.  A fetching baby blue one.  Yes he took quite a bit of good-natured abuse in the parking lot.

Now the big question is whether he'll still have that seat next time we ride.

He better!

Chris

"We all get it in the end"
     -- unknown

Detour

Cleared the second step.  This picture
shows about 25% of the skinny.

Seven locals and two "Jersey Girls" (Stephanie and Sheryl) turned out today for a Saturday morning romp around White Clay.

Kirk brought his new Daisy Rocket Sled with big wheels and 42x19 gearing (that is not a typo).  There was some head scratching in the parking lot, but I only saw him throw it over his shoulder once during the entire ride.  Pretty impressive.

Also impressive was the detour we took because of a partial park closure for hunting ("violators will be arrested").  The detour included some impressive new skinnies including one mid-air masterpiece with a gnarly entrance and some serious steps, drops, and gaps along the way.  Tom, Scott, and Steve all took serious runs at it, two of them eventually succeeded to much applause and fist pumping (and expletives which I can't put in this blog).

Chris


“A bicycle does get you there and more And there is always the thin edge of danger to keep you alert and comfortably apprehensive. Dogs become dogs again and snap at your raincoat; potholes become personal. And getting there is all the fun.”

     -- unknown

The Terminator

 The Beer Tree at Night

According to Wikipedia, The Terminator is a moving line that separates the illuminated day side and the dark night side of a planetary body.

FHHR has been on the illuminated side of that terminator since last spring.  Thanks to last weekend's switch to standard time, this week's FHHR was on the other side of the terminator.  But it turns out it was not the wrong side.

The Terminator Passes
The Overlook

I arrived at The Overlook a few minutes early.  I thought I might hide and surprise Mike and Mark as they bombed the trail to The Overlook, but then thought better of it (bikes speeding through the woods at night, somebody would get hurt for sure).

Once they arrived, we cracked our beers and enjoyed our first Happy Hour on this side of The Terminator.  The feeling of standing in the woods, at night, drinking beer, conjured some distant memories.

It felt like we were getting away with something.

It felt good.

Chris

"It’s opener, out there, in the wide open air"
     -- Dr Seuss