The Ride That Almost Didn't Happen...

Last Tuesdays ride, well, it seemed in jeopardy from the beginning.  As the blog sat idle, perhaps resting from such amazing blog blow outs from previous weeks, there were a few riders who didn't want to give up that easily.  With some texting and late blogging, the numbers seemed to be growing to four.  But then RG pulled quite the move and opted to hang with Peter to watch a season of Dr Quinn Medicine Women.  As I raced to pick up No Car, I was thinking we'd be a three pack for sure.  How surprised I was to see Buttons and Spawn!!! The stage was set.

As it was Fat Tuesday, and since Wing had an extended beer meeting in P Ville that left us without Hurricanes, we had to get some pre b r's.  And with diminished numbers, there were ample ride beers to join us.  As we kitted up, we were wondering what peter was doing with the rest of the group, and also got a firsthand report of the carnage that ensued at Sierra the previous weekend.  Finally it was time to get along the sweet dirt trails of Polly Wood.

I took to the rains and headed out the backdoor, past the cheering fire house, and over to B's chin.  The group was strong and staying together nicely.  As we worked our way across the second dam, we had to pause a moment to lighten our packs.  All that down time yielded an unplanned dam play attack, taking us to a reverse 8 loop climb to Flemming Medows parking lot, up MET to the yellow gate, and down the very awesome Up Skid and Skid Row trails.  It should be noted that it was very foggy at this point, and FT3 countered with another pack lightening session.  After a quick regroup, we continued over towards park creek via the lake loop and up through the campgrounds (thanks Spawn).  Then it was an especially great decent down Nap Time and the extension back to the beloved Knott Hole and tacos.

The taco bitties had lots to say, mostly negative and pertaining to our lack of planning regarding Hurricanes.  However, they showed mercy and shared some of theirs.