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