Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Transmission restored

We now return to our previously scheduled program. But keep this channel handy just in case things go south again. Explanation coming soon, but I'll leave you with this thought: Fuck you spammers.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Contingency Plan

In case you haven't noticed, the SSO web site is down and technical support seems to be neither technical nor supportive. In fact, they appear to be MIA. I may be pissed, but you've got to roll with the punches. So until they get things sorted with the real site, this is going to be the temporary club house. Like a spare tube and an extra chain link, a back up plan is a good thing to have. If it wasn't for my bike, I might just go insane.

Spent a bunch of time of the road aboard the fixed Crosscheck this week. Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day, more along the lines of late fall than the middle of August. Tried to scare up some riding partners but a few were headed to WV to do the Wild 100 race where you take any route possible, navigation is entirely up to you. The rest of the crew had their lycra at the dry cleaners or something. Debated what to do. Rolled out solo and decided to test the route I put together for version 2 of the 1903 Adventure ride. Rolling hill through the countryside, then up to the mountains for climbing and gravel roads. Some big steep hills, ones I could barely turn the cranks on. Wanted to bail early once or twice but kept pushing on. Went out fully stocked since I didn't know if I'd pass anywhere to resupply. Didn't realize I'd be passing the Liquor and Candyland, one of my favorite all time signs.

Candyland and Liquors

Put the head down and pushed through it, tunes on the MP3 player helped and incredible views didn't hurt. Stopped less than 5 minutes total I'd estimate, just long enough to whip out the camera for pictures a couple of times and to pee in the woods. Finished off with 70 miles in the bank.

View from Buck Lantz road

Sunday did a recovery ride up on the Catoctin ridge line, did a few of the gravel roads from the day before. Maiden voyage for my wife's new Crosscheck and we met up with John and Jay (just coming off of a broken c-bone). Weather had changed to gray and misty, a little chilly but still nice. Plenty more hills on this day and lots of fun gravel. We got rained on for a good bit of the ride but no one seemed to mind. Another great day to be in the saddle.

Gravel roads on the Catoctin Mountain ride

Hard rains came in later that day, kept up off and on through the week. Hit more gravel on dueling Crosschecks on Wednesday. Weekend is here, time for some MTB again. Plans are pretty much finalized for SSWC, less than one week until we take off.

Stay tuned to this channel until further notice. When the dipshits at the hosting company get their act together and things are back online I'll post here so we can all move back to familiar surroundings. Thanks for the patience.