Friday the Caddy and Subaru rolled in to the drive for the trip to the Kingdom Trails. This was our return visit. With Bobber getting out of work early. We had a well timed trip up,missing major traffic and letting us hit Long Trail Brewing, Harpoon and finally Trout River Brewing.

What a start to the trip. Dawn had co-ordinated the whole thing and we had half a house for the weekend. We hut the hay and left the light on for the late arrivals. Never heard them come in.

Morning found us at the Lyndonville Diner for a big "Vermont" breakfast. We picked up our trail passes and away we went. The objective was to hit some of the trails we didn't last fall. The Kingdom trails live up to the hype. Go there. Pay your money. Ride yourself into the ground.

This was George,Lorrie, John and Jims' first time there. High praise from them too. I may get this wrong but here goes. We did Harp to Coronary Bypass,River Run,Bemis,Tap and Die,back to River Run to Dry feet.(lots of new trail work in theses areas)West Branch to Old Web's. I did a Old Web's in both directions. I love that trail. It would be a great training loop or short race course. It challenges all your skills and rewards them dearly. We had lunch here. I was looking at the bikes. My weapon of choice this time was the Dillinger and nearby sat a Ti Lynsky 29'er. So i chatted him up. Turns out he's running a FIXED gear! Never owned a geared bike. He let me take it for a spin. Now that would take some getting used too. Your technique would have to be flawless.That bike was wicked light too. DUH, forgot to take a pic of it. Bob, Dawn and Lorrie decide to head back after lunch. John was in the "I want to ride all day mode" George and Jim were "let's do it". So we parted ways and hit Knob, VAST, East Branch,River Wood and Beat Bog.

A spin home and showered to head to Trout River Brewery and beat the crowd. Got a table quickly and had out waitress from last year. Gourmet pizzas abounded, The Scallepeno, Scampi. Magnifico. Beer flowed as we planned and plotted for the next day. We tried to get our"other" growlers filled. No go. So I turned up the charm and put Trout River Stickers on one and Isaac, said "That looks like on to me". So with two growlers of Nitro Stout and an IPA we went home.

Picked fresh berries while sipping stouts along the river and in the garden. Then we hit the Outback Pub. More beer flowed. The foosballs table beckoned some and it was "Game on". The rest of us fooled with Tavern puzzles. Easily amused or frustrated. You choose. Goodnight.

Another breakfast at the Lyndonville Diner and away we went. We repeated our ride and it flowed and we switched it up at mid point for Tody's Tour. More technical than Tap and Die. Lorrie had a new favorite. This time at the bottom we took Hogsback to the Sidewinder. Now we all had a new favorite. Half of it is built in a ravine. So it's like a giant steep half pipe. Go ride it. A new trail wended back up to the top. Again whoever builds thses trails does a huge amount of work. We hit Old Web's again and I did a race pace lap. This is the first time I've ever got both wheels of the Dillinger to drift,the berm brought me back. Shades of Bubba and Villipoto. Rocked that lap full tilt. My lunch highlight was Jim's idea of Whole wheat peanut butter and fresh blackberries sandwich. It had mushed itself enough by then to be almost fresh jam! Sweet.

The group split again. We took Jaw(Which turned into hike a bike) to Sugar hill,Bill McGill to Widowmaker. Last Year Dawn wasn't having anything of a trail named that. Turned out to be quite tame and a nice trail. From there we took the Pines,to Leatherwood, Beat bog to Vast and home on Kitchel. Then the road spin home. Back at the ranch we had a very tired group. Decisions were hard to come by. We had planned to cook fresh produce from the garden. None really wanted to move from the comfort of our chairs. Finally we decide to walk to the River Cafe,where we were greeted with "Do you have a reservation?" HUH? They could take us at 8. This town shuts down at 9pm we thought. Plan B, The Valley View or the new Chinese Buffet?

The buffet won out. We were tired and hungry. We could serve ourselves eat till we were stuffed and not deal with anyone. Beers were not seen at this meal. Does that say how tired we were?

Back at the ranch. George whipped up Margaritas. It was Night of the living Dead. We were all that tired. I even abstained form beer,despite all the tasty beers in the fridge. The old man was pondering a suspension fork in place of the carbon. As my hands had had enough. A dip in the hot tub. Brought a peaceful sleep.

Monday found up doing a quick ride. A quick breakfast sandwich. Then ride Worth it to Nose to Leatherwood,to Herbs. Herbs was more then Kitchel. Shower and pack. We stopped at Long Trail for lunch. Another fun trip filled with fun people and good times.

Ride your bike,drink good beer. Enjoy life. OGQ

Pointed the big Zook west again. This time cooler temps and no rain. Took the new route in,way better. Passing lanes seem to be better thought out going south than north. But truck traffic was light.

I got to "interface" with Vince's brother Mike and his new wife Cheryl and her two kids Matt ans Abby. A good time .all really nice people. Mike and I shared many musicals interests. Cheryl helped the Luddite get the Bluetooth going. The kids were both outgoing and friendly. Nice to meet them. Mike met Cheryl on the net too. So there's more proof it can work. "I like today".

We went to Dirty Harry's bike shop. They're always in Dirt Rag. The shop lived up to it's rep. A friendly outgoing staff. A well stocked shop. Picked up some tools etc. Then they recommended a brewpub down the street. Well I couldn't pass that up. It was wing night. 50 cent wings. I ordered FIRE, Vince got Asian. The cook brought them out and asked "Who got FIRE?" I did. He looked at me like, Are you nuts?. They were pretty much Durkees with extra butter. A nice tang,but FIRE? They were tasty we enjoyed a summer ale and left. Again way too many people in Pittsburgh smoke.

We hit a few bike trails in the area. Some leisurely riding along the river. Also did a local loop. Had a big downhill i it. I wanted to go up the hill. I will another day. Vince made the climb out of Tarentum for the first time. What a difference the new bike makes. A little coaching helps. Now to master those pedals. Confidence is the key.

The beer food tour continued. Friday found us at the Church Brew Works again. This time for "Geek Night". Todd organizes it. Well it held up to it's name. It was like being in a living Ralph Steadman illustration. I don't think one person had a straight spine. They were all either on their laptops or blackberry. Social skills were minimal. The free buffet had pizza,wings, chips and Spanish rice. Where did that come from? We had a couple beers and made our way to Fatheads.

This place gets a lot of press locally and nationally. Super beer list. We had a Belgian Trippel made for them. Yummy. The sandwiches were good too. Vinces tuna was a little overdone.

The next day we we enetertaing the girsl and went to PF Changs Chinese. Another excellent choice. Bloody Marys were the beverage du jour. When we got home we tried a dessert beer from Southern Tier Brewing Company. Their Creme Brulee. RUN out and buy a bottle. Share with friends. About two ounces in a snifter is all you need. Do it now.

Saturday night was Brew at the Zoo. Fifty beers and you could walk around the Zoo. Wev saw the baby elephants and worked the crowd. I swapped shirts again. This time a Long Trail Ale for a Berlin beer fest. Cool people. We hit the food court just in time. Our return down the hill met us with the masses and no more beer. There was beer at the main tent along with a HUGE crowd. We left.

Sunday night was supposed to be a free John Hiatt show. But we called to find out about the venue and found out he wouldn't be there. Bummer.

The trip home is always harder. No matter where you go. This time it took me three and a half hours to get to the 219and 86 junction. Too long. I was a little tired so that might have been it.

Then buzzing along in the endless construction of 86. I'd just throttled down and BOOM on goes the light show a trooper. I got nabbed in a work zone. More time wasted. Not guilty. Aren't we all? So we'll see what happens.

Going to Shindagin today. That will be way better than South Mountain. Shirking my duties? No. I'll get the painting done. But Shindagin is the best. Besides that's what summer is for.

Off to VT Friday to ride the Kingdom trails.

Movie review. Neil Young Heart of Gold. If you're a fan rent it. Good show. A little insight into Neil.

Enjoy life. I sure am. OGQ

Coming from a motocross background. I learned most people hate mud. I learned to turn this into an advantage. My biggest nemesis back then was there we no real systems(unlike roll offs today) to keep your goggles clean other than to grab the holeshot and run away with it.

Pops and I headed to The Highland Forest Classic. I would have loved to race the 29'er. But have found the Exiwolfs in a 2.5 really don't like the mud and I've never really fretted a tire choice. Find one that works and ride it. So I packed the Dillinger and Hooligan. As we neared the race site you could tell it had really rained there. The promoter was explaining course changes due to mud. The choice was simple. The Hooligan.

We warmed up and to be truthful,my training has taken a big hit along with my riding. I'm more of a A- rider now. I can hang at some club races,get dropped at others. I do my share of work and try to attack etc. So with a long road/doubletrack start I lined up on the front row of the 40/50+ took the holeshot and bumped it up near the rev limiter. About two thirds of the way up my team mate Gregg passed me in the steep part. I glued myself to him knowing he would have trouble with the mud. Sure enough,he went to move over and crashed. Now my goal was runaway and hide from the other 50+ guys. The course had lots of off cambers and was slippery. but this is mountain biking. A few climbs I had to run. So settled into a good rhythm. No one came up and started to catch the 30+. Same strategy for the next lap. Turns out I caught all the 30+ except the winner. The Hooligan rocked.

The promoters had Magic Hat and Orlio Organic brewing there. So they had samples and hooked me up with three six packs. I got a nice workstand for the win. The Ommegansters racked up two class wins and a 4th in the 30 plus.

One guy had the right idea. He brought his bike on his bike. Now I've toyed with this idea for awhile. But he approached it from the low tech end. It worked.

Jeff and Katina were there along with Jeff's ever supportive parents. How cool is that? Here you are in your 40's and your parents come and watch you race. They cheer for me too. Thanks. Good people. Katina got an earful about my life lately. Her friend was wide eyed as I described the ONEGEARQUEER BLOG to her. Now she said she had to approve of it.

She won her class too. Congrats.

Maybe a little fixed riding tonight. Clean the legs out.

Like the shirt says. "Mess with me and you mess with the whole trailer park".

Enjoy life, I sure am OGQ