another day, another year.
Jan 1 2008 and again another chance at getting it right this year, same thing I think every year when the calanders change and I begin the slow process of training my brain to remember to add another digit to the year column when I write a check. The night before had been a late one with people lingering about the house long after midnight, I had hoped to be in bed by 1:00 but that didn't happen and I finally was able to call it a night around 2:30. However 7:00 AM came with all the subtleness of a head on collision at high speeds and I fought to free myself from the comfort and warmth of my bed to go ride in the cold of the mountains. I made it over to Speedy's place almost at exactly the time I said I'd be there (minus 5 minutes) and we made it up to Ellijay way ahead of schedule and met BODfather and Carl at the Burger King just inside of town. I had slept for the better part of the trip up there and was greeted with the harsh reality of just how cold this day was going to be once I rolled my window down.
Once onto Gates Chapel Road we joined into the crowd of folks getting ready, saying hello to one another and generally all around complaining about how cold it was. Once layered up and dressed to go Bruce (the mouf o' da souf) DICKman got us going, and 10 minutes early from the posted start time I might add. Up the service road towards Bear Creek, I settled in towards the back already having resigned myself to behaving for the day and doing my best to stay in my base zones even if it meant walking and taking breaks. I should note that I hate stopping on rides, I don't mind the occassional regroup, but the ride for a half hour stop for a half hour to socialize thing kills me. I get cold, my knees get stiff and starting up again is both frustrating and painful. I'd much rather just keep moving. Thankfully though at the pace I was keeping myself to, I was able to miss most of the standing around and waiting on folks, b/c I was one of the ones being waited on! Anyway, as soon as we hit the Bear Creek trail we made a left onto Pinhoti 1, kinda dissapointing b/c I was hoping to see the overlook since it was such a clear day with great visibility, however it's hard to be upset when you're riding on the Pinhoti trail. Every inch of that trail just flows and is so consistantly great, it's no wonder it's still my favorite trail system. The trails were in great shape, very litttle mud overall and somewhat leaf covered, but not to the point where you lost the trail. A few downed trees made for some interesting sections, but as usual Pinhoti delivered on being some great riding. The descent down Pinhoti 2 was a blast, the bike felt great and thankfully the brakes worked as intended (otherwise I would have had a tree to handlebar meeting at one point) and the climb back up Pinhoti 2 made for some great bonus miles. Ride highlights for the day included choosing exactly the right amount of layers to keep me warm all day and then watching Bruce talk smack right before his little off trail excursion, what was that about skills Bruce?
Once back onto Gates Chapel rd, Mama http://biken4fun.blogspot.com/ who had been taking pics as our own personal photog all day long broke out the New Years Day chocolate straight from her own kitchen. For those that don't know Mama has her tour card in chocolate and can bake some of the best and tastiest chocolate creations ever dreamed up. After we said our goodbyes shared a few beers and loaded up the cars, Speedy Rusy and I headed south to my parents place in Canton who treated us to a New Years day dinner of chicken collards (for money) and black eyed peas (for luck) along with other trimmings. It was really nice to have a dinner w/ family and friends there to share it with, I wish others could have joined us.
So here's to a new year, better than the last. Hope to see all of you out there.
POAS,
Matt-
btw check this guy out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mEqEe-PIC8&feature=related
Once onto Gates Chapel Road we joined into the crowd of folks getting ready, saying hello to one another and generally all around complaining about how cold it was. Once layered up and dressed to go Bruce (the mouf o' da souf) DICKman got us going, and 10 minutes early from the posted start time I might add. Up the service road towards Bear Creek, I settled in towards the back already having resigned myself to behaving for the day and doing my best to stay in my base zones even if it meant walking and taking breaks. I should note that I hate stopping on rides, I don't mind the occassional regroup, but the ride for a half hour stop for a half hour to socialize thing kills me. I get cold, my knees get stiff and starting up again is both frustrating and painful. I'd much rather just keep moving. Thankfully though at the pace I was keeping myself to, I was able to miss most of the standing around and waiting on folks, b/c I was one of the ones being waited on! Anyway, as soon as we hit the Bear Creek trail we made a left onto Pinhoti 1, kinda dissapointing b/c I was hoping to see the overlook since it was such a clear day with great visibility, however it's hard to be upset when you're riding on the Pinhoti trail. Every inch of that trail just flows and is so consistantly great, it's no wonder it's still my favorite trail system. The trails were in great shape, very litttle mud overall and somewhat leaf covered, but not to the point where you lost the trail. A few downed trees made for some interesting sections, but as usual Pinhoti delivered on being some great riding. The descent down Pinhoti 2 was a blast, the bike felt great and thankfully the brakes worked as intended (otherwise I would have had a tree to handlebar meeting at one point) and the climb back up Pinhoti 2 made for some great bonus miles. Ride highlights for the day included choosing exactly the right amount of layers to keep me warm all day and then watching Bruce talk smack right before his little off trail excursion, what was that about skills Bruce?
Once back onto Gates Chapel rd, Mama http://biken4fun.blogspot.com/ who had been taking pics as our own personal photog all day long broke out the New Years Day chocolate straight from her own kitchen. For those that don't know Mama has her tour card in chocolate and can bake some of the best and tastiest chocolate creations ever dreamed up. After we said our goodbyes shared a few beers and loaded up the cars, Speedy Rusy and I headed south to my parents place in Canton who treated us to a New Years day dinner of chicken collards (for money) and black eyed peas (for luck) along with other trimmings. It was really nice to have a dinner w/ family and friends there to share it with, I wish others could have joined us.
So here's to a new year, better than the last. Hope to see all of you out there.
POAS,
Matt-
btw check this guy out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mEqEe-PIC8&feature=related
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