Night riding at work

Working a swing shift schedule has it's good and bad effects on my riding. It does allow me for more riding time than most but a majority of that is by myself or with my dogs. During the winter alot of my friends don't have the option to ride during daylight hours except on the weekends. So there tends to be several group night rides throughout the week. I don't mind riding at night but if I had my choice I would definitely pick the day light hours as my riding time of choice. While I do enjoy riding during the daytime I do miss out on the companionship and fun of riding with a group of my buddies. This weekend I am working nights and while I need to sleep a good portion of the day it's sometimes hard to get out and ride before going into work. We do have several bikes at work that take alot of abuse and get neglected, sometimes I wonder why they let the bikes get in such bad shape with all the emphasis our company puts on safety. I doubt you'll find a bike in our quiver that doesn't have something wrong with it. Bent wheels, broken pedals, flat tires and gripless handlebars are the norm at my job. I still enjoy riding around the plant as much as possible. Although it's not as peaceful as singletrack snaking through the woods and sometimes the smells can make you hold your breath I still enjoy the ride.
Last Friday night was no exception, I needed to run some samples to a lab at the other end of the plant and it was dark and freezing outside but I decided to ride instead of taking the truck.




No lycra to be found here and instead of a fancy bike helmet I swapped it out for a hard hat. I did have a head lamp though but it was a 5 watt halogen running on AA's, no lithium ions.



My faithful steed for the evening. A steel singlespeed Schwinn cruiser, complete with a bent basket on the front perfect for loading wrenches, drums of oil or whatever is necessary for the job.
I can't complain I would much rather be doing this job than holed up in some cubicle staring at a computer screen all day.

Adios

Moonshine's new ride

I've been meaning to post a picture of Moonshine's new ride for a while but I kept forgetting.

Let it snow

I didn't wake up to a winter wonderland like everyone else here in the greater Tri-Cities. I worked nightshift last night and saw it coming. I did go to bed this morning to a winter wonderland which was nice. I did spread some grass seed on my yard when I got home at 6am this morning while the dogs did their business (chasing cats, eating the neighbors cat's food, and crapping in the neighbor's yard). I've taught them well. Speaking of the neighbors, how dumb and lazy is this. They feed their cat with a paper plate, outside which Moonshine gobbles down faster than I can stop her. Then the plates, yes plates blow around the yard and mine. What do they do? Pick them up? No, they just set more paper plates out. I guess they're trying to train the cat to pick them up after he eats or maybe they think the paper plate fairy will be by to throw them away for them. I was chasing Moonshine out of their yard as usual and I notice 5 paper plates laying randomly in the yard. I love my neighbors. I'm about to stop chasing the dogs out of their yard, maybe that will get their attention.

Adios

Grrr.. for some reason all of my photos that I upload are too large and seem to be keep cut off on the right side. Not sure what is causing this hence the new layout of my blog. I'm trying everything to fix the problem but I haven't had any luck, yet.

Karate Monkey Comeback

That's right, a black Karate Monkey was seen in the woods near my house on more than one occasion this week.

The cold weather has kinda got me down lately so I decided to try running again a couple of weeks ago. My plan of attack was to just take it easy and slow and see how my back felt. I didn't want to push it and cause my injury to flare up again. So what did I do I went down to our local park and cranked out 4 miles. Not too shabby since I haven't ran at all since this spring but I felt good so I kept going. I knew the next day would be the real test but I was pain free. I woke up feeling good other than a little sore in my legs but it was the good kind of hurt. Since then I've been running a couple of days a week. My plan is to be back at running events this year.

Since the run went well I decided to take the Karate Monkey down off the wall and stretch her legs a little. I rode it out at my local trail twice this week and other that feeling a little beat up from the rigid front fork it was a good couple of rides. I think I've gotten a little soft with the suspension up front on the Mamasita. I do need to replace the grips on the KM, they're looking a little worn and I've had a new set of juegos de fuegos sitting on standby for when I stepped out of the sick bay. I think I'll put em on tomorrow and take her out again.

I did take the dogs out with me yesterday on the ride, man they were fired up. Jackson barks at me constantly in the parking lot. It's kinda hard to get ready when he's in your face letting you know he's excited and ready to run.

Saturday Melinda and I are heading up to NC to get a Christmas tree. Should be fun.

Adios

Dirt Rag celebrity

I know I've been slacking on my blog posts and it's not that I haven't had much to say it's that I haven't had much time. I originally wrote this post a couple of days ago but it's been sitting in my draft box ever since.

I've been working alot and picking up some overtime here and there to pay for the holidays. On the home front we've been doing various projects around the house and in the middle of refinancing. I'll never understand how these people whoever they may be can come up with so much stuff to read. Our application package came with over 10, 11x14 pages of legal blah, blah, blah to read and I have a hard time understanding any of it.

I've been a loyal subscriber to Dirt Rag magazine for 3 years now and I've never been disappointed with their magazine until this month. Well in all honesty I wasn't really disappointed in this month's issue. I was disappointed my picture I submitted did not make it to print.

Two issues ago a fellow reader suggested that the editors at Dirt Rag put together a cycling tattoo gallery with artwork submitted by the readers. They did and so of course I immediately sent the an email with my photos of my newest edition on my left arm. Two issues later the gallery was there. I opened it with the anticipation of a kid at Christmas. The gallery was not really that great in my opinion but it was cool that they did it. I've seen better cycling artwork but I guess those folks didn't submit anything.

I did make it into Dirt Rag's online Tattoo Gallery check it out here.

The holidays are upon us are you ready? I'm not it looks as if I will be working, we never close.

Adios

Fall Creek Falls

This last weekend Melinda and I loaded up the dogs, camper and the bikes and drove down to Fall Creek Falls State Park for the TN Mtn Bike Summit put on by IMBA and SORBA. Basically it was a meeting that talked about working with land managers and parks for building mtn bike trails on public land. While the meeting was good and informative it kept us inside for the majority of the day on Saturday when we would have rather been hiking and biking in and around the beautiful state park. We did get to do a group ride with everyone that was pretty fun but I'm not sure it was an actual mtn bike trail. It was a mile or so of singletrack that turned into doubletrack, a 10 mile out and back.

The trip was interesting and fun but I wished we had more time to see the falls and explore more trails. I promised Melinda we would go back next summer. Most of us NTMBA folks all camped together thanks to Brandon who managed to save a us a few campsites. Some of us got there late and the campground was filling up quick with hunters. Not a good weekend to be there with hunters running around shooting guns. We did have the opportunity to camp with the ETSU mtn bike team, some of which I knew and some of which I didn't. Those guys are an entertaining bunch. There are alot of funny stories to tell but I'll keep them to myself. Maybe next time those of you who missed out will go and experience it for yourself.

I will share a little photo essay with you, don't expect a bunch of pretty nature pics like I said we missed alot of the scenery.

Camp & Jackson

Jackson sticking his tongue out at me.

Joe and I gathering firewood the old school way

We didn't waste time cutting it up.

We just kept moving the log in the fire as it burned and it worked perfectly.

What's up with you and the tongue Jackson?

Although it started out as a group ride, they obviously didn't have a no drop policy. Not that we were to worried about being dropped, but some didn't even wait on people who flatted.

The road to the trailhead. Joe tried to convince me that blue jeans are the new lycra, I'm not falling for it. I think he just forgot his shorts.

We passed this half pool, half creek thing. I'm not sure what to make of it but it did have a diving board and lifeguard chair. Obviously it didn't work out to well and it looks as if they abandoned the idea. It made for a cool photo though.

"Trail" what a great name for a trail. Yes it got dark on us as we rode out and I think there were only 2 or 3 with lights. That's real night riding for you.

One of the highlights of the weekend, well at least for Anthony and I. We got to meet David Crosby. He's a serious partier, we talked to him forever just to get a photo with him.

I'm not 100% sure it was David Crosby but he sure did look like him especially with his hat off.

One of our chairs bit the dust and we needed some more firewood so I tossed it on. I know it wasn't very green of me but look at it this way, it won't take up space in some landfill.

Melinda and the kids. Jackson and that tongue again.

Goin campin'

Tomorrow Melinda and I will load up the dogs and the Pancake Shack and hit the road to middle TN. We're camping out at Fall Creek Falls State Park for the Tennessee Mountain Bike Summit.
It should be alot of fun, the Oskar Blues Brewery will be sponsoring the event. You can't beat free beer. I've not ridden the trails there but new trails are always fun especially when your riding with friends.

Schedule:
FRIDAY:
Optional ride
8 pm - Welcome event/social (beer and snacks provided).
SATURDAY:
9 am - Mtb impacts in Tennessee
10 am - Threats to mtb access in Tennessee
11 am - Opportunities for new mountain bike access in Tennessee
12 pm - Lunch
1 pm - (Panel Discussion) - Forming an alliance of autonomous mtb organizations to address state-wide mtb issues.
3 pm - Ride
6 pm - Dinner on your own
8 pm - Social (beer and snacks provided).
SUNDAY
9 am - Ride


I'll try to take lots of pics so those of yall who didn't get to go can see how much fun we had. Have fun at the game A.S.S.

I've been on the hunt for a new camping grill lately and all the ones I've seen have been ridiculously expensive. $40 was the cheapest one I could find. My old Coleman was getting pretty nasty and rusted and like an idiot I let it go. I was in Wal Mart the other day and out of the corner of my eye I spotted a bunch of grills stacked in an odd place. I knew Walmart had already moved out the grills in favor of all the Christmas decorations and the holiday junk they're already shoving down our throats. Please, Thanksgiving is still a couple of weeks away. Do they think just because they've already got the Christmas stuff out we as consumers will be more likely to spend more money on Christmas this year? It's getting ridiculous.
Sorry, back to the grill, there they sat about 20 of them marked down to $20. I grabbed one and headed home. I immediately opened the box to check out my new $20 grill to find out that it was in a million pieces. I guess that's why they were so cheap. It took about an hour to put the thing together only to find out the latch that holds the lid shut during transport doesn't work. Rather than take it apart and trade it in for another and spend another hour putting it together I'll probably just improvise with a bungee cord. That's why God made them and duct tape to fix things that don't work worth a crap, right?

Adios


Forgot to post this earlier: Moonshine's growth that we had removed came back clean from the lab. It was just a harmless fatty growth and they took out her stitches today. She'll be back on the trails this weekend.

Dog Food Surprises

Who knew that when I open a bag of dog food (Pedigree) that I would find a surprise in there for my self. Every once in a while Pedigree will throw in a new bone of some sort they are wanting Moonshine and Jackson to try out but not this time. It was something cool for me. Every bag has the usual little plastic wrapped set of coupons that I normally just throw away. I have nothing against using coupons but they're hardly ever anything we can use. I was about to throw this one away when the words "Free T-shirt" caught my eye! Sweet, I'm all about some free T-shirts. I quickly opened it up to find an entry form for the T-shirt and a requirement of 2 UPC bar codes from dog food bags. We have 2 large dogs one with a huge appreciate so we always buy 2 bags at a time. I cut the bar codes off, filled out the form and promptly sent it off in the mail. It said the normal 8-10 weeks for delivery but who cares it's free, right? No less than 2 weeks later I received the goods in the mail.

It's a pretty cool shirt I think anyway. I like black and the logo rocks. Dogs do rule. The current Pedigree commercials that show dogs who get adopted always seem to bring a happy tear to my eye. If we had a bigger house and alot more land I could easily adopt 3 or 4 more. Both of my kids came from the local pound and I couldn't ask for better pets. I'll never buy a dog from a breeder, there are just too many dogs out there that get put down everyday because someone just didn't have time for them.

I also received a nice little package from Twin Six, some stuff Melinda and I had ordered. They had a huge sale and we just couldn't pass up the deals.

My favorite.

Today is election day so get out and go vote!

Adios

Fun weekend

Hey what did you do this weekend? Beautiful weather right? Heck yeah. I was out in it. Cranking valves running around trying to save the plant I work at. My throat was sore all night last night because I was yelling in the walkie talkie all day. It's really loud at my place of business. I work at a coal gasification plant and 95% of the time it runs very smoothly but when it doesn't things can get very interesting. As much as we all dread the day when the gasifier shuts down it actually makes for an exciting day. It shut down Fri afternoon and it took us about 36 hours to bring it back up only to have it shut down again yesterday afternoon. The bad thing is, the engineers don't know what keeps shutting it down. It gives us no warning. Hopefully they will figure it out before I return to work on Tues night.
Enough about work, I think I will take advantage of the beautiful day and get out and hit the trails. This weekend Melinda and I are heading over to Fall Creek Falls State Park for the Tennessee Mountain Bike Summit meeting. Should be alot of fun. Riding some new trails and talking about building them with some like minded folks.
Don't forget to go vote tomorrow!

Adios

Trick or Treat

Tis the trick or treat season. Melinda and I have been living in our neighborhood for almost 5 years now and we've only had 2 trick or treaters. Both were our neighbors kids, one of which told us we looked desperate for kids to come by. That made me made so I went with the trick route and let Moonshine chase her out of the yard. She had already chased the other kid earlier in the year and he was too much of a chicken to come to our door so he sent his older brother instead to collect his candy for him. Needless to say neither have been back since.
Every year Melinda buys candy at my protest in hopes that we'll have some trick or treaters. Not this year, we're not even going to stay at home. If they won't come to us we'll go to them. Melinda and I have decided we're going to dress up like children for Halloween and ride our bikes around town trick or treating. Why not, sure some people may catch on and realize we're not kids but we'll be half way across their yard with the goods by the time they get the nerve to say anything. If they do decide to say something I'm bringing a supersoaker along just for the occasion. So if two adults show up at your door dressed like kids you better hand over the goods or face the consequences.
Happy Halloween

Adios

Rider down

Tuesday morning I took Moonshine to the vet to have a growth removed. This is the second one she's had removed. The last one was on her chest and was just a fatty growth, nothing to be worried about. They did tell us that once she's had one she'll probably have another. We check her on a pretty regular basis and a couple of weeks ago we found another on her neck. No word on what this one is, it's currently being tested at the lab. The bad thing is they always shave a very large section of fur off so she looks kinda funny for a couple of weeks until it grows back. No swimming for her until the stitches come out either so we may have to steer clear of the trails for a week or so. She slept most of the day yesterday but last night when a bunch of the guys came over she was up to her normal mischievousness as usual.




Earlier this week I was downtown visiting the library,..... library? Yes I go to the library on a regular basis and guess what? I check out books to read. Whoa, betcha didn't know that. Anyhow back to the 3 pictures of bras hanging from the building. Breast Cancer Awareness is this month and our local radio station has taken it to the next level. They have definitely caught people attention. Pretty cool idea!

Yesterday I got out on my mountain bike for the first time since the HOT. I went out and did a lap at Warriors. There are alot of leaves down on the trails now and the air was chilly. It feels like winter already. I think it's way too early.

The last few times I've been to Warriors I've noticed the deer seem to be a lot more tame than normal. When I approach them on the trail they just look at me instead of running away. Yesterday I stopped and watched one eat leaves no more than ten feet from me. I didn't get my camera out fast enough to snap a pic of him but I did get his buddy. He's kinda hard to see even though he was really close to me. I wonder if I start carrying some apples or something can I get them to eat out of my hand like the ones at Bays mtn do?

Click photo to make biggie.

Sorry I don't have more interesting things to say but there is not much going on around here. Just back to everyday life. I guess I could make some interesting stuff up to say, I've seen others do it. Hmm...

I did decide to grow another handlebar stash but this time with some sideburns. Melinda has already begun her protest, she says I look like a dirty Mexican. No offense to any of my Spanish readers, I really doubt I have any but just to be sure I have nothing against Mexicans nor does Melinda think they are all dirty. We'll see how long it lasts.

Adios

2008 Hill of Truth (the race) Part 2

There was alot of smack talk going on this year on our club website as to who was going to beat who. Some friends of ours who have a whole lot more experience at endurance racing were looking to even the score after last years' event. Somehow last year we managed to finish ahead of them.
They have been looking for revenge from last years showdown and I'll have to hand it to them they were prepared, serious and bound and determined to make us look like chumps. They even named they're team after us (Granny's Getting Flossed) hoping to be just ahead of us in the standings and everyone would get the joke. Couldn't they come up with something better? Maybe we'll have to change our name next year. It didn't quite pan out the way they had planned. We allowed them to believe up until the day of the race that we were racing in the singlespeed division but really we were in the sport category. Anthony and I wanted to race the SS's but it just wasn't in the stars for us. My Karate Monkey was the only SS steed in our quiver. Anthony's fork crapped out on him again and I had to loan out the KM to him at the last minute. I didn't think it was a good idea for me to be racing it just yet. My back sometimes will still let me know it's not 100% so I wasn't ready to push it.
It was nice racing in the sport class this year, we concentrated more on having fun racing and not worrying to much on how we did in the standings. The Mamasita performed beautifully and she got alot of compliments even out on the trail.









Lap 1:
I was second out for our team and I was prepared for the course to be a little bit nasty. This year's course had quite a bit more climbing than last year and my first lap felt I felt like I was fighting the bike and the trail the whole time. The roots were slick as crap and the mud was sticky like peanut butter. Sections of the trail that were normally fast felt like I was in slow motion. I haven't had to ride much in wet conditions this year due to the lack of rain we've experienced here in the good ole south. That and add the first wave of racers went in a really got the trail muck nice and stirred up. On one particular rooty uphill section I spun out and had to jump off and scramble up the hill. I felt something odd brush my leg and I looked down and noticed that my seatbag was only hanging by 1 strap out of 3. Not good, it had my good Crank Bros. multi tool in it and I didn't want to lose that. I tried to strap it back on the best I could but I had a feeling it wouldn't make it. I think the velcro is on it's last leg and it may be time for a new one. As my lap went on I kept checking on the seat bag and sure enough it wouldn't stay on. I finally gave up and left it hanging by the one strap instead of wasting more time fixing it.
One section of the course that has drawn alot of attention on some forums before the race also drew alot of attention in the way of heckling spectators hoping to see some good crashes. This particular section of trail was along a steep embankment and the trail almost vanishes off the side of hill just as you round the corner. As if not to make things worse if you don't manage to keep it together and stay on the trail you can expect to go swimming in a creek filled with some of the nastiest funk that looks and smells like poo with several beer drinking spectators cheering you on. (Alot of people did end up crashing and going to a swim and some were caught on video.) As I reached that section I managed to maneuver through with style and ease much to the approval of the spectators. As I passed them I realized they were some of my homies from way back and they kindly offered up a cold beer if I stopped. I thanked them but kept going promising them I would catch them next time around.
When I hit the last section of pavement and really let it rip, big chunks of mud were flying up in my face like crazy. It didn't taste like peanut butter either.










The seat bag managed to stay intact the until the end and when I got back I unleashed a little duct tape on it.












Lap 2:
My second lap went by much faster and smoother, the trail had dried out some and the dirt was starting to pack down. I broke out my ipod packed full of some good tunes. I had also in true NASCAR fashion adjusted the air pressure in my tires and fork and got some more wedge on the right front. That last part can only be done to a car but I thought it sounded cool. I was bobbing and weaving around trees climbing up roots and flying through rock gardens with ease. I was thinking of my buddy at the nasty section drinking beers and heckling people and I was torn on what to do. Stop mid race have a beer or keep going and subject myself to heckling if I passed up their offer of another cold frosty beverage. As I rounded the corner I said screw it I'm making good time why not stop and chug one. I hit the brakes and reached out for a beer only to be turned down. They were all out but promised me more was on the way.








Lap 3:

My 3rd lap was that lap where it just dark enough to make it hard to see and just light enough to make a headlight worthless. I hate wearing a head lamp, mine is so heavy it drives me crazy. I knew I would need it before my lap was over so I strapped it on and took off on my 3rd lap. My buddies had given up their post at the poo pit and gotten closer in. I think the second beer run was too much for them to go any further. When I saw them I slammed on the brakes again grabbed a beer and chugged away. As I sat there only one rider passed me. I finished the beer thanked Drew and hit the trail hoping I hadn't lost too much time. I eventually caught the one rider who passed me and regained my spot. No harm done. The 3rd lap went by quick and smooth I was still flowing fast and felt good even after chugging a beer.













Lap 4:
I was in the pits waiting on Brad and I noticed his time was a little slower than normal. I hoped he was okay but when he rolled in I could tell I mean smell that he had gone for a swim. He actually had 2 wrecks, the first broke off one of his lights and the second took him for a swim at the now famous "Rachael's landing" due to a lack of lighting.















This was probably my slowest lap, I wasn't really pumped about going out because most of my friends were done riding and chilling by the campfire. Somewhere between Brad's lap and mine we made up one more spot, sweet!
I knew this would be our team's last lap. We actually could have done one more lap and probably should have. As fast as we were riding Anthony could have put us up one more spot but still not on the podium. The trail was dry but the roots were not, I swear they were more slick that my first lap and I was all over the place. I managed to stay up right through my lap but there were a few close calls and a few times where I spun out and was forced to walk uphill. As I passed Rachael's Landing another rider and their bike was being pulled out of the soup. I wonder what the count was on the number of people who went in?


When I got back in we called it a night and I pulled up a seat near the campfire. I found out that Brad had to leave and go to Andy's apt. to shower off. The funk he landed in was pure nastiness.

All in all we had a great time, I always try to talk myself out of doing a last lap but I feel this conviction of not letting my team down. And as usual 1/2 way through the lap I'm glad I did it and I have no regrets afterward. We ended up in 6th place in the biggest team category. Not too bad for a bunch of guys just out having fun.
If you wondered what I was wearing each lap I decided to be a little different this year. I went with the baggie shorts and sleeveless T's for each lap. I also chose to show my Nascar pride and sport Dale Sr. and Jr. T's for the first 2. No matching lycra uniforms this race. I don't plan to make it a habit though. My lycra is alot nicer than baggies and cotton t-shirts during a long race . Especially when your sweating and it cold outside.

I have to thank Melinda for all the help she was during the race, she made everything so much easier for me. I feel sorry for those who's wives' choose not to attend. I couldn't do it with out her and her moral support.






One of the guys watching all of the carnage going down at Rachael's Landing got a bunch of it on video and posted it here for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f176/lvNotorious/Video/?action=view&current=HOT08-RachaelsLanding.flv


http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f176/lvNotorious/Video/?action=view&current=HOT08-RachaelsLanding2.flv


http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f176/lvNotorious/Video/?action=view&current=HOT08-RachaelsLanding3.flv

Until next year

Adios

2008 Hill of Truth Race (the festivites) Part 1

...and........ we're back!

When I started thinking about all of the stories I had to tell about this year's HOT I began to wonder how was I going to fit it all in one post and keep it straight. There was so much going on than just a 12 hour mountain bike race. I decided to break it up between two different posts. This one will be all about the festivities and the other will consist of the race stories which was a party in itself.

Friday morning Melinda and I watched the weather constantly. We were looking for a break in the rain, a window of opportunity to set up camp. We've camped and raced in the rain before so it really wasn't that big of a deal but we didn't want to have to set up in it. As we drove down to Oak Ridge for our 4th trip to the 12 Hours of the Hill of Truth we traveled through several bands of rain, on some occasions the sun even came out.

As we rolled into the venue it was pouring rain pretty steadily. We scouted out the best possible spot and waited. It didn't last long and so we jumped out of the truck and went to work setting up. As we were finishing up the rain started in on us again. We decided to head into town for a bite to eat and search for a new EZ-UP. Our old one still worked ok but it has seen better days and we were looking for something a little bigger.
As the day rolled on the rain came and went. It would stop raining for about and hour or so but as soon as someone new would arrive and begin setting up camp the rain would start up again. The weather man was forecasting the storm to finish up early that evening and it did eventually. At one point we thought the rain was through and some of the guys started up a fire only to have the rain come back in and run us all back under cover.

By the time everyone who was coming that evening had set up we had a small city built with all the EZ-UP canopies set up together.
It didn't take long for the festivities to begin and before we new it Brandon had out a jar of the mtn nectar. He had a little prodding but it didn't take much.

Before the seal was broken

After the seal was broken

The aftermath

Sat morning we woke up to cloudy but dry skies. The sun would come out and it would get hot then the clouds would roll back in and cool things down in a matter of minutes. This went on all morning. One minute I would be cold and the sweating the next. Melinda and I cooked up a rocking breakfast for the team, breakfast burritos. Brad brought some bagels with the weirdest peanut butter I ever had. It had sun dried tomatoes, pesto and garlic in it, tasty but very weird.

No rain to be seen!

GRT!

This year GRT went all out and made some sweet looking shirts for the race. I failed to get the whole team in the picture but I guess this will have to do.

The Real Fat Tire

New Belgium gave away this sweet cruiser bike with their logo on it and all the proceeds went to a local club I think. I really can't remember I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention. I was too busy checking out the bike.

While Moonshine was getting cozy with Amanda, Jackson was making all sorts of new friends with all the kids in attendance. There were alot of dogs at the race and many were not on leashes which I don't have a problem with but we did witness a few scuffles which Moonshine seemed to find her way into even if it didn't originate with her. I guess she's just a brawler by heart. At one point I caught her with Elsa (Ritter's dog) pinned on her back.

Jackson the hippie

Jackson on the other hand is a lover not a fighter. He would rather just kick back and enjoy the scene sporting a new hat.

There were a lot of old and new faces at the race, some we haven't seen in a while and it was fun just hanging out sipping beers with everyone catching up on stories and checking out new bikes. I saw an awful lot of 29ers at this race. I think they are definitely here to stay and not just a fad. This weekend made Anthony's second jaunt on the KM and he hasn't said much about it but as my Mom would say "I know I've planted a seed."

There is a band playing in this picture, I know they're hard to see but it was dark and they did have a pretty cool neon light show going on.

One thing different about this year's race was a live band Saturday night. It was a pretty cool addition. I've been to a race where there were live bands before and even if the band is not that great it makes for a great atmosphere and gives the non-racers a little more entertainment. The year's event had more of a festival feel. I enjoyed it more than last year even though we didn't get on the podium and maybe that was one reason why, I didn't feel the pressure. I really enjoyed hanging out with friends, drinking a few cold ones around the campfire, and riding my bike in all kinds of conditions: muddy, dry, hot, cold, daylight and darkness. This race has been one of my favorites for sometime and this year proved that it will continue to be that way.

For those of you who haven't been or decided not to go I will only say one thing, you missed out. There was only one disappointment, no one got rowdy and fired off the cannon. Melinda and I had decided we were going to stay up late this year a join in on the mischievousness but it didn't pan out that way. Oh well there will be many more I'll guarantee that.