THE LAST MAY WEEKEND

Well Folks, what a weekend!  We pretty much went from Winter to Summer overnight and with that here is the abbreviated report of the weekend rides.

Last Friday, a handful of brave souls decided to ride 100+ miles to Moab.  Greg was kind enough to play support and off we went.  

Rick, Narcis, Becca, Oz and Amie

We couldn't have picked a better day, but unfortunately Rick and I had to get back to town for legitimate reasons, like work and children, so we rode with the other trio to Norwood. As usual, Rick made a point to drive the paceline relentlessly.  I swear the guy never tires...When Oz tried to take a turn, the switch turned into a dog fight for who will lead the train.  I sat back quietly focused on my left side tan.

Check out who's leading.... yep, the never tiring Rick

All went well, and to Norwood we got.  There, I kissed my wife, and Rick and I headed east and they west.  As we were pedaling back to Placerville where thankfully Rick had his car, we chatted away, laughed and enjoyed the fine piece of day we were eating up.  As most of you know, the gentleman I was riding with, possesses some serious power, so I did my best to stay with him.  The rolling contours and false uphill are a bit up my alley, so I had no excuse and I buried myself, because Rick, with each pedal stomp was digging the grave of my demise.  I didn't want to be laid in my resting place so I reached deep within, stayed on, and together we made it to Placerville and to Rick's car.  Thank Goodness!

We made it home, where I took a nap (others may say I passed out on the couch in my chamois), woke up in time to grab my kiddo from her Rock Climbing Class, then loaded the truck and headed to Moab to meet the riders for Din-Din.  

I met the group at the Moab Brewery which comprised of Oz, Becca, Amie, Greg the Support, and Lucas.  We ate,  filling ourselves with the eatables and libations laid before us, along with the narrated tales of the group's ride.  Spirits were high and even the waitress referred to us as the "Trouble from Telluride".  Goodness how ridiculous... but that's what you get when you have Oz and two hammer gals giving the breakdown of the ride while lacing it with a good dose of smack talk; quite entertaining indeed.

After a while it got dark so we headed to our camp where all of us (they more than me) being a bit tired figured out the sleeping configurations.  But typical to this loud bunch, we got our second wind in the shape of the late night giggles and laughed along about a number of different cycling topics which no doubt overflowed the barriers of our campsite and filled the surrounding sites with a good dose of Telluride sarcasm.  All good things come to an end and eventually, as the campfire slowly expired so did we and that was that for the night.

THEN TODAY...

Last night feeling a bit ashamed that I didn't attain to the personal reward that the Moab riders were basking in, I sent out a text to a few folks, regarding a Sunday ride.  I wanted to ride with Travis since as a shop owner he is not able to join us very often.  Well, wouldn't you know it, we ended up with a high caliber group that ventured to Rico and back.  In no specific order, here are some pics and personalities.

Travis, John, Rick, Tim and Buster.  Buster is from Florida and rode stronger than most of us.

Another gentleman jumped on at Mountain Village, then Kam joined us at the top of Lizardhead; it was that kind of day.

Regrouping (or waiting for me).  Look at all these guys on bicycles...

Most gals are a bit intimidated to meddle in the affairs of 9 solid caliber riders, but Kam jumped in the pace line, took her turns at the front and killed it all the way to Rico.

Paceline to Rico

The fearless Kam!!!

We hung out a bit Rico to get some water, snacks and go over the highlight reel of the first portion of the ride.  Time came to mount the steeds, so we picked up Jim who had arrived earlier and was loitering at the Coffee Shack. The weather was turning, so the prudent thing was to start the flog back.  I was already pretty empty and as usual I popped spectacularly. The nice group waited for me at the top of Lizardhead, but ungrateful I blew through and descended as fast as possible as though to make up for being dropped.  I eventually got caught up Ophir Hill, screamed at the group out of frustration (I really don't like being dropped repeatedly), but they continued on as by now it was raining.  Folks pulled off towards their respective homes, with the remnants of John, Rick, Buster, Travis and I rolling into town under heavy skies.  

Another great ride and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to ride with such a high caliber of locals.  Well done boys but today's MVP goes to Kam!  Nice job lady!

This week looks perfect.  See you Tuesday evening.