The 2011 ECO World Tour

It's that time of year when I attempt to start planning my vacations, trips, rides, races and other various functions Melinda and I like to attend during the year. At work we're not really forced to let them know all of our vacation plans at the beginning of the year but the longer you wait to schedule your time the more likely you'll run into a date someone else has already picked. I have a calendar at home with my work schedule for the year and as I hear of dates that peak my interest I write them down whether I think I can make it work or not. Usually we end up making about 3/4 of the events we write down and several get added later in the year as there are always spontaneous trips popping up.

This year there are already several dates writtten down on our calendar but really only two have been set in stone. The first trip this year will see us heading to Brevard for the SORBA mtn bike summit. NTMBA is scheduled to be voted into IMBA/SORBA this year and we must be in attendance to do so. There is a whole weekend of events scheduled including a couple of big group rides so we decided to make a four day weekend out of it and celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary camping near Dupont State Forest.

Our second trip which happens to fall the very next weekend. The 3rd annual 6 Hrs. of Warriors Creek race in Wilkesboro NC. It also happens to be my birthday that weekend and peak allergy season. We will probably just leave the ECO packed in between trips and just restock the food and beverage supplies.

We usually try to work in a new destination every year for something different and this year our goal is to hit F.A.T.S., a very popular mtn bike destination near Augusta GA. We've yet to nail down the official date but I hope to get it scheduled soon.

As far as races go for me and the GRT Racing crew, we have several events pending. The semi local Tennesse Cup Mountain Bike Series has peaked our interest. It's three 8 hour races all within a 2 hour drive. I'm not sure if I will be able to make all three races but I hope to make at least two. Speaking of GRT Racing, we have finally started looking into getting our own team kits. Fat Tony has been hard at work on the design and from what I've seen so far they are going to look pretty sweet.

The 12 Hours of Tsali is also on my radar this year as it looks like the Night Owl isn't going to happen. This one is also a big maybe but definetly something I would like to attempt. It's been a while since we visited Tsali.

I feel like our calendar is filling up faster than normal this year but the good side of that is at least we won't be bored. The only dark spot on our calendar so far is the last weekend in October. We usually hit the 12 Hours of the Hill of Truth in Knoxville but unfortunately I have a work conflict. I knew one day something would prevent me from going, breaking my streak. I guess it's a good thing though, maybe it's time to move on and try new events and other things.

Melinda and I have never really been big on taking large extravegant vacations. I guess we could but really we would have to save all year and it would probably be the only trip we would get to take for the year. The last couple of trips to the beach we've made have left us wishing we were in the mountains somewhere camping with friends.

With the purchase of the ECO a couple of years ago it has really opened alot of doors for us and trips. Granted most of our trips involve camping, the ECO is hardly roughing it.

I'm very thankful Melinda is a camping type of girl, I couldn't imagine not spending half the summer camping with her and the dogs in the ECO. Both of our parents raised us taking camping trips when we were younger. Camping to me is a part of life and to hear some people talk about camping like it's the most horrible thing ever is like nails on a chalkboard. There is nothing like sitting around a campfire at night sipping on a brew with Melinda after a long day riding singletrack. I don't need fancy resturants, room service or beaches to satisfy me. Don't get me wrong I can enjoy it just as much as the next guy but I would rather go on 6 or 7 camping trips a year over one trip to the beach anyday.

Just talking about the trips we have planned is getting me pumped about this year. I'm so ready for this winter weather to be over and for things to dry out and warm up.