Road Ride or Mountain Bike Ride?

     Crazy night with the weather.  First the ride look like it was cancelled, then it was on but a road ride (sorry Jay), then a mountain bike ride, then a last minute change back to a road ride.  However, this last change was made too late for some CRC riders.  So, the more masculine CRC riders showed up with their mountain bikes (Jim, Craig, Ali) and the more girlie CRC riders showed up with their road bikes (Dave, Arthur, Todd, Mark).  Jim actually abandoned his trip out west to make the ride tonight.  So we headed our separate ways, agreeing to meet back at 8:30.
     Despite the rain, the trails were in good shape, although some corners were a little slick.  Jim lost his focus for a second and went down hard in a corner.  His thoughts were elsewhere :).  I don't know what was going on but we saw a ton of deer in the woods tonight, including a very large and intimidating buck the I am convinced was looking to take us out.  However, we failed to keep our promise to return at 8:30.  Jim opted to lengthen our ride so we did not arrive back until 9:00.  However, it was Ali's turn for beer (good job by the way) so the female half of CRC was left sitting thirsty waiting for us to return.  The road group did 50 km, mountain did 30 km.
     Sitting around tonight was probably one of the funniest nights in a long time.  Surprising too since Jay wasn't there.  But we spend a lot of time reflecting on past escapades and funny things that have happened (Ali's best crash, our best trip, our best Blazing Saddles imitation).
     There was also talk of Pinkney this Saturday.  Email Mark.  Michigan game?  Next up for beer is Todd but he is flipping with Jim.  Don't worry Arthur, I keep track of it.  Also, there was talk about the lack of a blog the last 2 weeks......

Hot One!

   My car said 33 degrees at ride time.  Which might explain why so few of the hardend CRC riders showed up.  Ian, check.  Rob, check.  Dave, of course.  Jay, a surprise but check.  Ali, check.  Nothing much to say about the ride except that it was uneventful, unmotivating and hot.  The only thing we were looking forward to was having a cold one in Mark's pool.  Oh wait.  Mark was unavailable tonight so we had to settle for Ali's backyard.  Don't get me wrong.  Ali, I love you and hanging out in your backyard but on this night..... well, you spraying the hose on us just didn't suffice.   Good thing that I brought cold beer (Sol) on ice to ease the pain.  Next up for beer is Jay, Ali, Todd.  Todd?  Todd who?

Wild Weather

      What a crazy night of weather!  We started the ride with blazing hot temps.  An hour and a half in the trails got dark and it started to cool down.  As soon as we left the trails the rain started.  It was sideways rain and all of us got totally soaked.  However, we did get in a pretty good ride.

Some things to note from tonight's ride:

1.  Dave's perfect attendance is still intact

2.  Arthur's Daisy Dukes made another appearance.  You would think all the teasing he got last year.....

3.  No Mark or Ali!  Where to drink?

4.  Jay Lamb????  Enough said.

5.  Ian Ross????  Enough said.

     As for point #3.  Thanks Mark for use of your backyard.  However, in the future can you please ensure that your gazebo is rain proof.  Yes, we sat in the rain and drank beer.  Most of us were already soaked and it was hot.
     Lots of beer tonight as Ian, Jay and Arthur all brought.  Mark, leftovers in a cooler left by your garage.  Next up for beer is Arthur then Craig.

Should it Count?

 

   So some west side riders took advantage of scattered rain showers to sneak a ride on some of the east side riders.  Yes, all the riders on the east side of town were experiencing torrential rain while apparently South Windsor was basking in sunshine.  Did no one notice that no one from the east side showed up????  So the ride went ahead without us and they were all too quick to claim their attendance points.  Those riders that were not there are taking the high road and decided that you can have your attendance points this time.  

     That is everyone but Ali.  Ali is being docked a full attendance for 

                                1.  Not being ready at 6:30.  Knowing you have a flat is no excuse.  

                                2.  Not fixing a flat on your own.

   Next up for beer Ian and then Arthur.  

Dave's Night

    Unfortunately, Dave had to put down his 20-year old Shwinn this week.  It was a sad time for the entire CRC family, but it was really tough riding with Dave and seeing the sagging shocks that wouldn't hold any air, the squealing brakes, and the cracks in the frame.  In dog years, that Shwinn was about 140 years old.  The sad part is that I remember the very first ride that Dave and I did with that bike.

     On a positive note, congratulations to Dave for his new addition.  Yes, Dave purchased himself a sweet new bike, a Rocky Mountain 29er.  After congratulations and admiration in the pre-ride parking lot (Ali's driveway), discussion turned to how long it would take Dave to take a wipe out on the trail.  I put the over/under at 45 min.  

     Not a lot of guys out tonight.  I don't understand why.  Weather conditions were perfect.  Teachers were celebrating the start of their 9 weeks of vacation, which means hanging out at Ali and Marks house long after else has head home to bed.

     Dave and Arthur continue with perfect attendance.  Jay opted to attend his staff party and that put an end to his perfect attendance.  Jim H. made his first appearance of the season to get him on the attendance board.  Trails are in the best shape I have ever seen them, smooth and fast.   However, maybe they were a little too fast for one person riding a brand new 29er.  Yes, Dave wiped out.  Didn't see it but saw the aftermath :).  Dave's new ride wasn't done taking center stage tonight.  No, apparently his 29er decided to give new meaning to quick release.  As in, I am going to quick release my rear tire on the trail while my new rider is riding it.  

     You would think that Dave's night was done.  Nope.  Coincidentally it was his night for beer.  Apparently Dave spent all his money on his new bike because he somehow forgot to bring chips.  His excuse (that no one bought) was that he didn't know that if you brought the beer, you also brought the chips.  Apparently those chips he has been eating for the last 10 years just magically appeared in front of him.  However, some of CRC more elder members (he just celebrated a 50th birthday and his name rhymes with Bob, Hob, Knob) suggested that it would be in his best interest to

head to the nearest corner store for some chips.  

    AWOL ALERT!  Ian Ross.  Last scene checking out bikini-clad women on a cruise off the coast of Spain.  Normally we wouldn't care but he is up for beers next week.  Since he is AWOL, that means he probably is not reading the blog.  Arthur you are next so better be prepared just in case Ian lets us down.