Hey Red.. I'm sorry you couldn't make it.. The conditions were awesome, and had you made it up for the Saturday ride, you would have gotten to see me wipe out on several occasions! I think I may have won the worst crash award, but I don't know.. Eugene was under water up to his chest for one spill so..... he might get the submariner award for that one. I only hit a tree going about 20MPH and put my handlebar or a branch through my chest protector. I'll let Nathan write about that one as he saw the whole thing. Unfortunately, all I saw was the trail dropping out from under me at a very steep very unexpected decent (Much like the unexpected acent from the last trip!) and at the bottom where I was supposed to turn left, I went into an out of control straight shot into a tree waiting for me at the bottom. Fortunatley, the only real damage was to my pride, and my chest protector. That bike is gonna start hating me very soon I fear.
Lets see if I can remember everyones name... Steve, Eugene, Kevin...nice to meet you, awesome riding with you Saturday! Sorry to drop out on ya this moring, but had to get home to the birthday festivities. You guys missed it, but that last trail was a bit rough on me, I wiped about 5 times coming down before we got to the hummers. I'll call that trail the "Sea of rocks" lol I only wiped out twice coming up valley road too! Made it down without a fall though. Ran into Dan (Scooter on the way back and he was as usual, the buddy.. he took me back through one of the trails we rode Saturday but with a couple of cool hillclimbs and stuff. I'm convinced he's gonna get me comfortable with the hillclimb if it kills him! ;) Thanks Dan.. They were really fun. I'm starting to like this climbing thing! Jason, you sir, are a MADMAN! I can't believe you rode at least 20 Paragon miles Saturday on a flat front tire!!!
Nathan.. Thanks again bro.. You make even the toughest trail fun for me. I give you the credit for giving me the nerve and motivation to climb turtle trail. I probably would have wussed out if you didn't take the lead and show me the line. That is an awesome verticle and a great trail that I will definately do again. As for Valley road, I'm getting better but still don't like it much! I think it's your state of mind and your attitude Nathan, no mater how slow I'm going through my morning "slow ritual" , you stick back there with me and chug through the worst of it, then when my pace picks up in the afternoon, you stay with me and keep me in site. It's awesome for me. Thanks ! I really enjoy riding with ya. Looking forward to more rides like this one throughout the rest of this fall and into the winter.
Thanks again everyone for an awesome weekend!