I do apologize for slacking off on my posts, however, it has rained 5 of the past 7 days since my last post. I'm sure most of you know what this can do to a person. It makes me want to quit my job and move to another State. Not to mention my 29th birthday is in a couple days, not that that matters, since I already came to that realization back in March when I signed up for the first race of the year with a 29 race age. I'm almost a vet (or master, whatever's next)
Because they clearly state "flames should not be shooting from the top or the front of the chimnea." However, Joe is such a master a fire, he didn't need to read the instructions.
It was just like camping, Joe's outside breaking down pieces of wood to put in the fire, I'm inside (on the computer) and the neighbor notifies us of the noise we're making. I guess we should be more like him and just build a real chimney into the brick wall of the patio. I wonder how he got that approved through the board?
Which brings me to my other neighbors.
Today, Joe, Andy and I met up with our friends Rod and Steve (the main guys that built the Mohican State Forest trail and are currently responsible for maintaining it).
They joined us for lap 1 before heading home. We always have such a good time riding with them as there is never a dull moment. Rod cannot stand a girl in front of him (that's right girls, get mad! He's good at that!) so he jockey's me for position in the group.
Our friend Steve, however, is opposite. He likes people to think that he doesn't care and he just sits back for the ride. But I know that he goes out there when no one knows and does some super secret training. Back in the day, Steve was our secret weapon at 24 hour races, he was super fast (and still is just doesn't reveal his potential). I've nicknamed him "Sneak Attack Steve" because I think he's training up for a comeback race.
I don't have any pictures of the muddy mayhem that occured this past weekend as I took the trip solo. So let me just tell you about all of the fun I had this weekend.
Headed out to Hagerstown MD after work on Saturday and arrived at the hotel around 6:30pm. I decided to check into the hotel before going for a pre-ride so that I wouldn't have to worry about it when I got back. Arrived at the trailhead by 7:00pm, and thought I had enough time to get in one lap. Boy was I wrong!
This is me, today, just before our group ride at the Huffman Trails near Dayton, Ohio. I am about to notice how much time my friend Andy spends bending over. By the end of the post, you will see how much this guy needs a table! In fact, I think I will bring one just for him to the next ride or race.
Yesterday, Joe and I drove up to the Mohican State Forest near Loudonville, Ohio for a ride. I've been wanting to ride there for awhile, so since we had the weekend off, we headed that way. I was supposed to meet a friend there, but she was running late, so we took off. (don't worry, I am not mean - she didn't get there for another 45 minutes to an hour) Anyway, we decided to do our own thing instead of riding together. Neither one of us knew an approximate ride time for the trail, that was the reasoning.
I was hoping that this race wouldn't be a repeat of last year - it sure was close. The trail remained dry for the most part until race day. The high for the day was 44 degrees with a light rain that became heavy at times.
The race took place at Mountwood Park in Parkersburg, West Virginia on Sunday April 13th. It was race #2 for the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association, as well as race #2 for the Ohio Mountain Bike Championship. (although OMBC #1 was canceled due to weather)
Here's a picture from Saturday April 5th while on our way to the SERC race at Tsali trails in North Carolina. Yep, that's right, my friends talked me into going. Turned out to be a good thing, I made the podium again in 3rd.
Mapquest said to take route 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Forest which was very scenic. However, it took a really long time to go a short distance and we chose another route home. I did get a few pictures of the mountains during the ride - this one turned out to be the best one.
Continue reading "This is why it's called the Smoky Mountains....." »
So, as I mentioned in a previous post, my two goals for the AMBC race this past weekend at Chickasaw Trace TN, was to finish top ten with a faster time than last year. Well here I am, number one on the podium!
We arrived at the trailhead on Saturday around 2pm and headed out for a pre-ride of the course. It was obvious that it had been raining that morning, and half way through our lap it began to pour. We finished up in the rain and headed over to the hotel. Luckily, the hotel had a watering hose out front, so we washed the mud off our bikes while they were still loaded. It was nice to sleep in as my class didn't start until 12:30pm and the hotel was about 5 minutes away.
As of March 27th 2008 the 29er Crew official website will be available for all to read. All of the posts that you see on the site are from members of the team and you will have the option to comment on them! To get there, just click on the 29er logo on my page under sponsors. This way they will see that you are coming from my site. To see my page once you get there, simply go to the "select a rider" bar to the right and click on my name. This will also be a shortcut for you to find any posts that I have. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have over the past couple of weeks! And hope to see some of you out there soon.
The Superfly came today! I thought it would come tomorrow, but it was here at home waiting for me when I got off work!
I only took my hands off of it long enough to quickly snap this picture of Joe working on it. I promise I will get some better pictures to you soon.
The only thing I am missing now is the 29er Crew uniform, which I was notified yesterday, should be in my possession by April 11th, which would be before our new season opener (since the original was canceled). I can't believe it showed up today, I was so not expecting it until summer. Either someone pulled some strings or I have a guardian angel. Too bad Joe's didn't come in, hopefully he will get his soon too.
With that being said, anyone looking for a Paragon?
