XP overnighter highlights

To accompany B's narrative-in-photos below, here's a bullet-pointed recap of last Friday's ride:

• B fixed burritos back in the extra-cab on the drive up, made from pre-cooked seasoned Brazilian rainforest beef and Mini-Babybel cheese rounds wrapped in flour tortillas. Surprisingly satisfying. 
• After finding an appropriate parking zone off the highway near the Sand Flat area, we packed up, tuned up, and then upon departure PC commenced to ride 20 yards without his helmet on. Went back to fetch it in the bed of Cappy's truck thinking, "Oh, it's going to be a good ride . . . ."
• Over eager, we rocketed up the quite lovely dirt road for about 10 minutes until B was heard groaning "hang on, this isn't right." Well-worn map splayed in the dirt, it quickly became clear that our junction with the XP trail was in fact back where we had started - just beyond the gate at the bottom of the hill. None of us felt the least disappointment, as the climb was beautiful and the descent titillating. Onward. 
• The Pony Express Trail - XP - is friggin' awesome. Dude . . . . . So good! 
• PC's hub broke halfway to Strawberry. First it started to make loud noises when he tried to coast, so he tried to not coast. Then the freehub simply seized up, and he couldn't coast without threatening to suck the chain, derailleur, and everything else into oblivion. So he just pedaled. 
• We finally made it to Strawberry, deep into the evening. 
• It appeared to be ladies' night at the Strawberry Lodge. As the bartender seemed to be predisposed, one patron took matters into her own hands, delivering fresh-drawn pints of Dead Guy into ours. That's good stuff right there. 
• Here's a picture of some bad-ass goats: 
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• After some friendly banter with the locals (ok, they were from Placerville too), we remounted steeds and headed up the road to Cody Lake. A stop was necessary to add nutriment, as burritos were well behind us and we were running on fumes. Cappy found a fungus with a markedly phallic appearance. 
• We made it to Cody lake, where more burritos were assembled and resting places staked out. PC chose the hard, cold ground while Cappy and B snuggled up on the wooden deck of some boarded-up scout cabin. We hoisted our food against bear intrusion. Sleep came swiftly, as the hour was turning from late to early. 
• Woke up to a duo of bow hunters wandering through our camp. We scared them more than they scared us. 
• Eventually, we wriggled from our down encasings and unfurled our weary limbs as sun emerged, pumped lake water for instant coffee and enjoyed Cappy's long-awaited peanut butter, honey, and bacon english muffins as a welcome breakfast. Meditated on Pyramid Peak reflecting in the still water. 
• PC took the pavement back down the road while the remainder dropped the rad technical descent. Deciding it would be too slow getting back and feeling that the thrill was gone, PC settled in with broken bike at Strawberry Station while B and Cappy flowed down the XP back to the truck. 
• Back in Placerville just after noon, the trio bid one another adieu and drifted dreamily into their respective weekends, already in progress . . .