Loving The Off Season..

As much as I love racing my mountain bike, it is nice to just go out and ride. No pressure, no need to hammer, just enjoy the trails and the company.

Today was such a ride. I met up with Kurtee and John Thompson. It's been a long time since I rode with John so it was nice to see him out again. Plus I was able to return his cooler that had been living in my garage for the last year. This leads me to funny little story. The last time I hung out with John was at an Eagles game last year. He was there with his sons Justin and Jeremy. Justin was a college student at the time and seemed to have a dis-taste fro good beer. John and I tried to get him to try a Hop Devil but he wanted no part of it. Bud light was his beer for choice. I tried to explain that it wasn't even beer, but it was not getting through. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. John takes Justin to the Victory Brewery, now Justin is hooked on Hop Devil and Hop Wallop. The very beer he hated just a year ago. It might just have something to do with the fact that he has graduated from college and is now a working man.
One more convert.

Cheers,
Buddy

Slowing Way Down...

Well the holiday weekend has come and gone. Usually our little community does a nice ride on Thanksgiving, but the rain put a damper on that this year. This doesn't mean I didn't get some good riding in. Ok lets just say some riding in. It seems I have lost any resemblance of fitness I may have had. It is amazing, it takes months to get to peak fitness but mere weeks to lose it. Friday I met up with Matt at Les' house for a ride at Brandywine. Once again Les laid out a great loop. We managed to avoid the really wet spots. I wasn't climbing very well but I was able to ride the rocks.

Saturday was White Clay and Middle Run. I was joined by K Man, Alan the cleaner and Fort James, who was taking a little break from cross. The trails were a little wetter than I expected, but not bad enough that we shouldn't have ridden. Again I felt like crap but it was a fun ride and it was good to ride with James again.

Sunday was a big ride at Fair Hill. Matt run Forrest led the group containing, Les the International Man of Mystery, Alan the cleaner, Kurtee, Ted logic, Bob the new Spotwhore, Chris, Rob, and Craig. Unlike the 2 previous days I was feeling a bit better yesterday, despite the nagging cold I have been trying to shake. Matt put together a great loop, everybody was riding well and the weather was beautiful.

Rob is loving his beautiful Spot Brand single speed.

A few folks peeled off along the way but we still had a nice group at the end. Like I said I was feeling better, that is until the last little kicker going up the horse jump trail.

I cracked like Humpty falling off his wall. I did manage to recover a little but my spirit was broken.

It was a great ride though.

Well I must try to kick this cold before it drives me mad.

Cheers Buddy