Sac-Cronin FT3 Spotting CX Adventure

I was going to put this in the Wed. RR Hidden comment field, but since a quorum of FT3 riders were involved I felt it was worthy of it's own special post. When the call of duty to ride comes, there are always FT3 riders who are game. As ridiculous as some adventures may sound, there is always an FT3 rider or two who are down. Yesterday was one of those days. I floated a concept to ride from a meeting Sac to Salmon Falls to Cronin and Xteric and NoCar made the push to get involved. I departed downtown Sac just after 4:00pm, made a quick call to XTeric and NoCar who were planning the meet-up. Since they were already in route to Cronin via automobile, and I was in downtown Sac on a bike, I had some work to do to ensure my bro's weren't sitting around waiting on me, or worse riding the road to meet me on their MTBikes. Fortunately or unfortunately, I met up with 'David,' who was training for the Race Across America and 'humbly' offered that he was going to do 'about 20' (mph...clearly he has not read the rules) to Folsom. Of course, in spite of the fact that I was riding a CX bike, wearing baggies and toting a mighty bag, I was not to be dropped by 'humble David.' He had no mercy on me and I think we did about 28 mph for about 5 miles of the approximate 20 mile jaunt to Folsom. Right around Hazel, coming in the other direction, who could it be, but Rock God out secret training on his brand new power meter equipped full-carbon BMC. Yes, he really does have another brand new bike. Clearly he needed a bike with a power meter, I mean, who doesn't? He made the quick turnaround, boosted the watts, and bridged up to David and I. A bit later David bailed to ride with a real friend and RG and I continued our journey to Folsom. RG had to bail out for a yoga session and I had friends to meet to knock down some dirt trail! Once I made it to Green Valley Road I endured mental torture and anguish as I rode during rush hour alongside a roadway with one of the highest ADT's in the County (average daily traffic). At 6:00pm I dropped Salmon Falls Road, made a quick call to my bro's and they were making an excursion up the Salmon Falls trail. I then boosted my own watts yet again to make the meet up. At 6:30pm I met the FT3 kitted bros at the Salmon Falls Bridge. I busted out the super caffienated Italian coffee soda that B had given me, shared it with NoCar and we busted up the trail in route to Cronin. The new trail section is totally awesome, especially this time of year. Xteric was nice enough to take my heavy pack about a quarter of the way in and the ride become much more enjoyable (for me) from there. We rode straight out to the Pedro Hill lot where XTeric was parked and I wisely opted for the automobile ride home. Parking lot arrival time, 7:34pm. A nice commute indeed. Thanks to FT3 for helping make it epic.

Rock Blocked

Rock God tapped his watch, interrupting Cap'n's new bicycle discussion. We hopped in his truck and left Cap'n and B in the Mosquito Lot, knowing we would see B later at tacos.
Confusion turned to horror as we tried to park at the Knot Lot. EID hasn't blocked the entrance, but they have outlined a 13' wide lane between Sly Park Rd and the gate at the back of the Lot. We parked in the RV sites at the Knot Hole proper. Not so good for changing, hydrating, relieving, etc...
The next surprise was the appearance of a new applicant. [taco handle not confirmed] knew of FT3 from his affiliation with the Spoke.
So, we headed for the Qualifier. [T2?] dug deep to maintain a qualifying pace. Ride Leader Lars rewarded his efforts with additional climbing to the radio tower. (always wily, that ride leader Lars) After angering an old woman who was parked along the side of Park Creek by "scaring away the deer" we made the fast power line descent. Upon Bambi's prompting we picked up the new Boy Scout Camp loop and then dropped to the lake. When questioned if he was ready for a lake loop and more climbing [Spokey?] gave the hard man answer that he isn't one to quit.
Standing at the base of the lip, we couldn't help but notice the piles of downed trees. Stomachs growling and [TB?] showing signs of strain, we just rolled the rest of the lake. Of course, changing in front of the Knot Hole was not as much fun. And rolling on our bikes the thirty feet to the door felt silly.
Without a confirmed Handle, the merciless Taco Bitty dubbed our newest rider "Stinky", and he appeared somewhat nonplussed by the many by-laws involved in ordering food.
A little late (apparently B rides slower with one hand) B, Xteric and Councilman made a colorful entrance. They crushed their tacos as the PBR gods served up a couple aces.
Xteric and B chose to ride back to Placerville. Speculation ensued, "would they be drawn, like moths to a flame, by the glittering lights of the Pine Lodge?"; "Will NoHandle ever abandon the leafy new love nest he's building for Peter and ride with us?"

Good as it gets

Almost tuesday. Almost time to enjoy everyone's favorite past time: ridiculing friends in a public forum for having complex and meaningful lives that preclude them from a weekly mountain bike ride. Since attendance is inversely proportional to riding conditions, and tomorrow night's conditions should be fantastic, there should be ample opportunity for taunting those who have better things to do. Better than a fast decent with tires gripping banked turns, better than a spirited climb, better than savoring tacos and beers after a long ride.

ONE