A Month of Racing, Riding, and Fun!

"I don't know about you but I was put here to live and love. So, what if I don't do it like everyone else does. They say, I'm out on the edge, I"m too willing to risk every bone, every breath, they say, all I am is a crazy dream. Like it's a bad thing." Gary Allan

Wow, a month without posting.....guess I have been having too much fun! Let's see if this old dog can remember all those rides.....

Holly, Peter, Norie and I went to the Kingdom Trails on an absolutely beautiful Wednesday in early September. It was my first time up this year and they've done lots of work on the wet areas. We rode Tap and Dye and then climbed back up to do Tody's Tour.....and we still couldn't tell which was better! Peter, Norie and I also rode Sidewinder twice. Guess the Marathon Pro makes for easy climbing!

Over the Labor Day weekend, John, Norie, and I met Tammy at Killington to do some downhilling. I rode the GT Force. John and I actually rode to the top of the mountain (only ONCE, thank God!) and did sample some of the black diamond trails. I managed an endo on one that zapped my courage. Norie also went down hard on her head on the double blacks (she's an animal), so I think we're not planning a return trip any time soon!

On Labor Day John, Carl and I (the three members of the Bradbury Mt race team 4 Nuts and a Chipmunk) went to Millstone for some hard miles. Again the trails were stellar! We all did our best to keep up with each other!

John and I then met up with some NEMBA folks for a ride at Leominster the following weekend. We had a great ride until my flex bone on the GT broke while I was trying to impress some guys getting up a steep, long climb! Of course these things always break at the top of the climb! So I nursed the bike back down the hill and then took John's flex bone and put it on my bike. He was able to make one for his bike the next day at work, and then he worked with some wonderful folks at REI to get another shipped for the Bradbury race the following weekend.

Last weekend was Bradbury. As mentioned, we did a 3 person co-ed team, and we kicked ass! Carl had the fastest team time, but we all were able to get times in the mid-fifties. The course was dry and fast (and dusty!). This is always a great race and lots of fun for everyone who's done it. We shared a campsite with another 4 person team and Norie, who went solo and managed 7 laps! You go girl! I rode most laps with a stuffed chipmunk on my head, so I suspect I'll be seeing lots of pictures of me on the course.....it was a hit with the kids.

Next week is the Fort Rock Revenge and then NEMBAfest. I've been really busy getting this one organzied, but it's coming together nicely. Lots of people have stepped up to volunteer. Now we just need good weather!