The Rare Pond Turtle and the More Rare VDFT3

First, let's give thanks for the rain.

The rain provided the MTB equivalent 'powder day' conditions last Friday and over the weekend. Hero dirt provided opportunities for perfect rides, stolen KOMs, broken dreams. Rock God was able to clean the Rock Garden in the uphill direction. He pointed out the lovely sound of his tires gripping corners.

The un-Ft3er "Sheldon Street Wear" joined us. His smile at the bottom of every decent told the story, no need for words. As rare as this day was in the recent drought of good conditions, it was deemed extraordinary when we came upon the rare and endangered Western Pond Turtle, which was, wait for it... moving slowly across the trail. Luckily for the turtle, I was able to spot him before running straight over him, and I saved his life by gently moving him off the trail. We used to regularly discuss the seriousness of the pond turtle and its impacts on MTB races in the Pollywood area. In all the years since the big controversy and cancellation of the Sly Park 50, we have yet to see the rare species in the Pollywood area. And then, on this day, last Sunday, we saw him.

Western Pond Turtle More Critically Endangered Than Once Thought

New Research Splits Freshwater Turtle Native to California,
Oregon and Washington Into Two Species

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2014/western-pond-turtle-06-10-2014.html

He was at least two miles from water on a steep hill. We believe he was on an LRP of sorts. Or searching miles and miles for a mate. Proper young turtle, proper.


VDFT3 2015 Edition

And in other news, the calendars have flipped and the world has spun 'round enough times to land Tuesday November 10th on the day before Wednesday November 11th, which also happens to be Veterans Day. Many years ago there were some scouts who rode with us, Lars was still an FT3er, and FT3ers had fewer children. On that night we welcomed in Green Fro, who was not yet a regular, and rode miles and miles around Bonetti Ridge, somewhere else and back. Returning late, we were lucky to get tacos then we rolled to our campsite to tell stories of yore. Some of us rode to the Pine Lodge, all of us stayed up till the wee hours of the morning. And alas, it shall happen again. Mark your calendars.


And since I am blogging with one wheel in the grave I must go and tend to other duties that will continue to keep me away from FT3. I expect to make the VDFT3 event however. I also will continue attending Folsom Rodeo Cross on Wednesday nights if any of you would care to join me some time. Repping FT3 all over the Sac CX circuit - alone. Race #2 is this Sunday if any of you care to come off the couch and join me.

Peace out!