My Kind of Party

Landers had a fish fry dinner last night.

Everyone big and small was taken care of.

The bike parts workbench was made into a bar...

Great home cooked food for all the friends...

And of course strong man competitions

When's the next one?

- b

Skirtless

Too warm still to use the new spray skirt.

Two days in a row of riding has put a hurting on my legs. I have to start all over with stretching, hydrating, blah, blah, blah.

Gretchen met her first snapping turtle today. By the way it latched onto her snout, it will probably be the last snapping turtle she meets.

I was afraid it would ruin her experience of the woods. Lately little things have been scaring her from doing things she otherwise likes. Within a minute, she found a rabbit to chase and all was back to normal in the realm of woods and dogs.

- b

Accessories

Who would have thought I'd have to teach a girl how to accessorize?

I suppose buying a spray skirt for your kayak isn't quite like buying matching shoes and purses.

In the store she protests. Once we get it home (for some things as late as in the water) and put it on, she instantly sees the benefits.

"Will it really keep my lap dry?"

"Not only dry, but warmer too."

"Wow! That's cool!"

"Uh-huh."

At least now I don't get quite as much grief when I say I need some new fangled thing to accessorize whatever whoosy-what-sit I'm playing with at the time.

- b

Harmony Hill

Took the dogs for a nice little hike this morning in the Harmony Hill Nature Area. For the old schoolers out there, these are more commonly known as the Downingtown Trails. This was the first time for both Jen and the dogs to check out the trails.

Though I've been there so many times, I saw a lot of things I hadn't noticed before. Like this for instance.

I can't tell you how many times I've ridden over this culvert, yet had no idea it was there.

We took a classic route in from Harmony Hill Rd, across Clay/Mark and up The Center. The treachery of Clay/Mark never phased Gretchen as she ran all over the hillside chasing Chipmunks.

CJ took the conservative route and followed the trail minding the wet and slippery roots. Back down near the bottom, between two trails, Gretchen found a mud bog to run through. Her paws were splayed out wide as she circled through the muck. She came out with what looked like little black socks up to her knees. Unfortunately she was moving too fast to get a good picture.

Shortly there-after she found the creek to wash off the crud.

Then we were back to the truck and heading home - saving the rest for another day.

- b

Agility

We've enrolled Gretchen in an agility class. Actually it's "pre-agility." Similar obstacles, but smaller and easier.

Not that she'd have any trouble with the obstacles. She does some pretty nutty stuff on the trails during our rides. The class is mostly for more discipline training, not that it's working or that she really needs it. Oh well. I supposed it's fun in some way.

Though probably not as fun as downhilling.

- b

Wednesday Night Ride

After a long (very 10 months long) absence, I finally made it back out for the Wednesday night ride.

I think I did pretty well.

I managed to keep the group in sight most of the night,

but only when they were stopped.

There were a lot of "that's gonna leave a mark" moments. I was so tired on one crash, I couldn't get back up. I laid there clawing at the dirt and roots trying to figure out why I couldn't get up. I just couldn't breath. My strength was gone. I had to stay down a minute and recoup.

It's funny riding D-Town after such an absence. I had no idea there were so many hills. It's all climbing. There was stuff I never even considered a hill before that was kicking my ass last night.

The new trails are awesome. I was so twisted up, I had no idea where I was or where I was going - at least I could tell it was up.

Next time I'll have to remember to hydrate with water the day of. Coffee all day doesn't cut it.

Maybe next time I'll pick a more mellow group too.

Speaking of riding, here's some movies from the weekend.

Me off drop


I know it's mostly waiting, but I don't have any video editing software (i.e. too lazy to download and learn it)

Ben steep drop


- b

Finally!

The arbitration for the accident in which I was involved back in January has finally taken place.

I won.

I get my full deductible back.

My car still sucks.

- b

Good Times

Now that was fun!

No real casualties either.

Unless you count the big gaping hole in our budget next year going toward the purchase of my own down hill bike.

- b

Hurricane Hero

"I drink beer and chase women, gamble, cuss," Jones said. "You can't call that religion. I'm either too good, the devil won't have me, or I'm so bad the Good Lord won't take me. That's a good toss-up."

Richard Jones, a shrimper who rode out Ike.

- b

Bone Cracker

Heading back to Seven Springs for a few hours of bike fun this weekend.

I borrowed this big rig just for the occasion.

It's a funny deal borrowing a bike: "You break it, you buy it better" Meaning if I bust the fork, I have to upgrade it to some double crown blingity bling.

It's a fair deal. It helps keep you in check when you start thinking about those no-handed table-tops.

Hmmm.

What happens when I break my collar bone? Do I get a titanium one?

Can't say that sounds all that bad.

- b

Sniff Sniff

Jen's started a new game with the dogs.

It's called Sniff Sniff. It's like Hide-n-Seek for dogs. You lock them in one room, then hide treats in another. You let them out and say "Sniff! Sniff!" while they run around trying to figure out what the hell's going on. Gretchen got it right away. CJ took a little longer. Now they're both pros. It's ridiculous to watch them try so hard. It really is amazing what you can teach them - even the old cantankerous ones.

- b

Every Sunrise

Is not the same Jen and I have realized. After a stretch of great sunrises, we started to take them for granted.

A couple of cloudy mornings and we realized our mistake.

Now the camera goes with us every morning.

This morning was extra special. Last night being a full moon, gave us a sunrise and a moon at the same time.

To the west, the moon was dropping down through the scattered clouds and into the trees.


To the east was the seemingly reluctant sun rolling up the horizon.

Too many clouds and you get nothing.

Not enough clouds and it's just white light.

This morning had just the right amount. The streaks were running north to south in various lengths, widths and colors. We took a total of 43 pictures. The majority before 6:15am.

Gretchen on the other hand, had other things on her mind - or nose. She was running off for every smelly thing she could get into. We put a stop to that and made her enjoy the sights instead. But none of that mattered to her. She was anxious to run and run she did. At the first watering hole, she laid down in the creek and didn't get up as quickly as she usually does. This morning was a little warmer then usual and the creek a little deeper.

Because of the heat, I kept the ride shorter. With a new squishy on my bike, we went more for style then endurance today. Log launches and berm surfing was this morning ride highlights. Doing such short and frequent rides, has honed my technical skills exceedingly well on the same repeated obstacles.

Back at the lake it was time for a finale cool off then load up the gear and head back home.

The end of the week marks the beginning of the hunting pre-season. Not exactly sure what we'll do. I've noticed the reflective dots going up on the trees along the trails. Maybe it's time to give up the early morning woods for someone elses adventure?


- b

Dog and Toad are Friends

Is it just my dogs? They chase and attack just about everything else smaller then them (not quite), but leave toads alone. CJ could care less. Gretchen cares only a little

Go figure?

- b

Sorry Charlie

What the hell?

- b

Das Boot

Jen's getting a new boat due to a manufacturers defect. She'd been telling me for a while how it tracked right no matter how she paddled. Finally she called L.L.Bean and they said "Yep. We'll send you out a new one. Free of charge."

You can sort of see from the red lines I've drawn the center divider (flotation device) is off-center.

With a straighter faster boat, we're going to need a bigger lake for our morning adventures.

- b

Coffee Emergency

We ran out of coffee.

On a Monday morning.

I can't wake up.

The Maxwell crap didn't even do enough to get me thinking well enough to hit the Starbucks on the way in.

So tired.

Office coffee is a joke.

So sleepy.

thpppt.

- b

Top Dead Center

Looks like another weekend of work for me. Unfortunately it's not fun work like finding the TDC (I particularly like the part about the bike cranks) of a new crank, which is what my dad is doing in this photo.

- b

The Taste of Summer

For a little taste of summer...

in the middle of winter, Jen canned some fresh peaches.

Almost makes me wish it was cold and dreary outside, so I could crack one open

- b

Bike Parts

I'm in a bike mood and I'm tired of seeing these things lying around my garage.

I did this race a few years back. Conditions were horrendous. It turns out I wore completely through the brake pad material and into the backing plate during the race. The bottom one gives you an idea of what the pads should look like.

Some say if you don't use your brakes too much, these kinds of things won't happen. I remember a point in the race telling myself that and trying it.

I washed out and went down in a huge freezing cold muddy puddle. From that point on, I didn't care what other people had to say.

Now maybe I can throw these things out.

- b

Juicy Fruit

So they're not fruit, but they are from our garden and they look tasty!

Late day edit: It's been brought to my attention, that peppers (i.e. capsicum) are actually fruit.

- b

Batting 1000

Monday I misplaced the key to unlock my bike from the rack once we got to the park, so I had to hike.

Today, my new wheel that I tried to make tubeless didn't really work out. I experienced a catastrophic inflation failure in the worst of places - off camber downhill section.

At least I got to test out my mini-pump.

We still got a decent ride in, but it's not a very nice way to start your day with liquid latex all over everything.

- b

Not so Very Bad Things

Went to Atlantic City for Kirch's bachelor party Saturday night.

Great idea! Let's head to the ocean as a tropical storm rolls in!?!?

Couldn't be helped. Plans were made too long ago.

The storm actually subsided early. This picture was taken about 8pm.

Up in a tower to the left (that you can't see) is where I paid for a room, I didn't sleep in. That's right. Two weekends in a row now I've stayed up the entire night on Saturday. Here's sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.

Four of us (Kirch, Jay, Jeff & Doug) made the sunrise. Can't say I made much of the rest of the day, but the sunrise on the beach was nice.

I was explicitly told not to have ANY pictures of the groom-to-be, so he's of course not included in this nice beach shot.

Instead we got pictures of this seagull devouring a sand shark - live.

Going!

Going!

Gone!

As if staying up all night wasn't enough to leave us stunned...

Though the three drunk girls swimming in the ocean in their pretty party dresses did a pretty good number on us as well.

On that note, goodnight - finally - again.

- b

Cabin Pictures

Continuing in the brief comment style, I got pictures up from our trip to the cabin back in July.

Check them out here.

- b

Another Day, Another Sunrise

I borrowed a light, since mine isn't working. It's amazing how much faster you can go when you can see!

It was a muggier morning then as of late. Gretchen spent more time in the water cooling off then out and chasing things.

There was a time she couldn't stand the towel. You would think we were torturing her. Somehow now she realizes the benefits (swim == cooled off == towel == dry).

Playtime is over. Time for another cup of coffee and work.

- b

Seven Springs

All the photos (that I have) are now up. 

See previous link.

Sorry for the brief comments, but that's all the time I have.

Might actually be a trend. It's the only way I see to get all the pictures up from this summer.

- b

Preggers

Come April my sister will be a mommy.

Cool.

Congrats!

- b

Some Pictures

I got some of the pictures up from this weekend at Seven Springs. You can find them here.

- b

Samiches

My wife made me turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches today for lunch.

They're awesome.

She's the best.

- b

11 Hours Later

It's time to get out of bed and get back to the real world.

Rockstar vacation is over.

It's coffee with breakfast this morning - not beer.

Chores and responsibilities are the priorities.

Eh, I'm tired already. Is it nap time yet?

- b

Mission Accomplished

The weekend went perfectly. Ben did better then expected. Not only was his opponent defeated, he got 4th overall in the solo category. That's 4th out of sixteen competitors and if anyone's counting - first on a single speed.

I did better then I expected too. Like Lemmings to a cliff, my brain cells died off in droves.

Ouch.

Time to sleep.

- b