My Precioussss...

The Stormtrooper is ready for action.   Now let's see some snow...

Arrowhead

I'm in...

Moonshine Metric Photos

Courtesy of Kurt Stephens.  Now you get to see how un-photogenic I am when I'm not picking and choosing the pics I post...

Moonshine Metric Wrapup

The inaugural Moonshine Metric is in the books.  Eight of us took the start and five of us finished.  Three folks decided to call it a night at Sutliff while the rest of us rode on into the dark.  Turned out to be the best conditions I've had all year for an organized race/ride.  Other than being a little chilly, we had mostly clear skies, a near full moon and virtually no wind.  The gravel and B roads were in great shape despite heavy rains earlier in the week, and a little bit of rogue bridgework tamed a wheel-eating beast.  We did underestimate the chill, though, and all that finished ended up with cold hands and/or feet.  That brings us to our tip of the day:  Apparently rubber gloves make for a decent makeshift toe cover.

By the time we got back my lady and her son had the fire going, the food warm and the beer cold.  Gluttony ensued, drink was had and the last of us hung out around the fire til 3am.  Thanks to all that came out.  I had a good time out there and I hope everyone else did as well.  Big thanks to Deb and Josh for helping with the setup and dinner, and Courtney for helping me undo my bridge mods the next day.  I'm looking forward to doing this again next year.

Now, pics...

  

Moonshine Metric Update: Food, Start Location, Etc.

Couple small updates regarding the Moonshine Metric...

First off, where are we all going to meet?  Good question.  The short answer is my house.  However, since I don't want my home address floating around the wild and untamed internets (any more than it already is) I'll be sending an email out this week to everyone who has signed up telling you all where we're starting from. 

Next item of business, lodging.  I've had a couple people ask about hotels in the area.  There are two in town, and both are about a mile from my house.  Here's the links for those that are interested.  As mentioned before, you're also welcome to camp out at my place.
- Sleep Inn
- Mount Vernon Motel

Alright, on to food.  Pre and post ride food will be available.  Not sure what I'll have brewing for you yet, but the post ride food will be something warm.  I'm leaning towards taco/burrito/fajita type stuff but that's not a guarantee. I know there's at least one vegan on the list so I'll have a vegan alternative as well. 

Lastly, I should probably come up with a deadline for those that are on the fence about signing up.  Let's make it noon on the 14th.  Of course, earlier is always better...

Getting Lost

Enjoying the fall colors.

Yesterday I decided to head out and explore some new roads that I'd never ridden before.  I had two goals on the day:  
1)  Rack up another century for the Cup O' Dirt
2)  Get lost and find my way back without the aid of maps or outside help.

Mission accomplished on both counts.  Along the way I found a handful of new B roads, rolled through some towns I hadn't been in before, passed the bar I once watched midget wrestling at, got a little bit of night riding in, and all around just enjoyed some great fall weather.

Pictures?  You betcha!

Wasn't sure if I was trespassing at this point.  That's a park on the left.

Abbe Hills road.  This is the first B road we hit on the Moonshine Metric.

 Working on the winter beard.  BTW, that helmet used to be red.

 

Winding down.

That's it, folks.