After spending the last three months idling in the surf of his private Polynesian island, Rock God returned to the FT3 fold. To resume his dominant place in the pack, he claimed Ride Leader status while everyone else stared at their feet trying to avoid nomination.
We dropped straight to the lake, headed right, crossed MET to the horse trail, dropped, back up the switch backs, CCW Fleming, to Redneck Rising, dropped the lip, and, without succumbing to the democratic process that leads to short rides, continued CCW around the lake. Somewhere on Fleming RG took a spill (his third downhill crash in FT3 history) that left him bleeding through his kit and tore a hole in his twelve panel knee warmer.
With the late season draw down, normally submerged lake bed is dry and ready for riding. This new terrain offers cobbled technical sections, smooth rolling slick rock, boggy deposits of sediment and a little bushwhacking for good measure. While all riders tested the lake bed, the off-camber pitch and loose rock sent most climbing back up to the trail. Among the bold, B and Xteric rolled the lake to the bitter end, which was especially bitter for Xteric who pulled yet another off-bike crash. This time he managed to get himself wedged between tree roots exposed from bank erosion. Apparently, he was unable to remove himself and had to wait for B’s fit of laughter to pass before he could be extracted.
Tacos were a jubilant affair. With the bar packed and the weather warm we got a fire raging and sat outside. NoHandle was celebrating his 35th birthday (in dog years) and was fortunate enough to have a designated driver show up to take him home. Cap’n rolled up in his khakis and flip flops. RG made a sauce offering that brought those who tried it to sweat, cry, and hiccup.
A full calendar of FT3 events are slated for this weekend. Saturday: Ghostrider (so named for how he disappeared from FT3) has proposed a dirty road ride from Coloma, Cap’n will be racing ‘cross in Folsom and anyone who rides to the Folsom race in time to watch Cappy’s kids will earn free beers and a ride back up. Sunday: the former Xtera racer turned golf pro Putter will be hitting the links and shuttle parasite nocar is clamoring for an all-day mountain ride.
Thanks for the CX callout however, alas, I am going to a wedding this weekend. The Folsom race weekend extravaganza is November 5 and 6. And yes indeed, I will be looking for FT3 riders to assist with kid watching during at least one of those races. More details to come on that!! Great evening of FT3 by the fire, too bad I missed the ride!
ReplyDeleteA generous ride report indeed. I took RL duties in order to pick the route (Xterric would have picked a leg burner), then get a gap on the Horse Trail down hill so I could pace myself up to MET. After the roll up to Fleming proper I let the FT3 Long Riders by and they were quickly out of sight. With most of the big climbs out of the way it was hang on mode from there on out.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what happened on the downhill and uphill crashes, I'd like to blame the extra lumens and traction, but that won't fly. I topped it off with a three'fer by scratching the bumper on the Tundra on a bonehead back up maneuver - Done with that chapter.
Good to be out enjoying Those Pollywood Nights again.
Thanks nocar for the RR and the weekend information. Do you have detailed plans for an all day Sunday ride? I spoke to Droptail (DT) today when I stopped by the showroom and if a SLT ride is in order, DT offered to be ride leader.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware of all the mayhem on this past ride. That's what I get for trailing in the rear: didn't see anyone go down and thought it was just the perfect ride. With 8 riders strong, it was sure fun!
If not, perhaps I'll try to make it out to another SF roll out. Here's a video of our typical SF ride:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZRRE0aR7pM