Oy! Don't Snatch!

The pups and I enjoyed a lazy Sunday. Several chores completed leisurely underneath the big shade tree was about all the excitement had until later in the evening when the temps were better suited for play. For the most part we just wandered and explored the other-worldly happenings in the yard.

 Curiouser...

 and curiouser...

As evening came around it was time for barn chores and some interval training, farm style.

Apologies for the crappy quality due to upload restrictions. The h.264 version I tried first is pretty damn crisp for a cheesy point and shoot.

Video cleverly captured with the help of a Backcountry Research Weight Weenie belt and a rubber band.

Still Feeling Rad

Break time at one of the many scenic overlooks at FSF.

Morning came early but my giddy excitement had me up and at them with only a single alarm snooze session. Last nights Full Moon Ride by Bday boy Ivan had me home and in bed around 1:30 am but it was so very worth it. My flatlander city folk cohorts weren't expecting the climbs to be so climby, but the ride was chilled and thrilled. Especially with the beverages toted and provided by (shouldn't all birthday boys have to provide the others with frosty cold beverages?) Countrystrong Ivan which were enjoyed at a few points along the route. The band was back together and it felt good to be rolling along catching up. Long live summer nights. 

Out the drive 36 minutes late after cleaning up the mess JD enjoyed creating of baby diapers and assorted garbage under his hording tree. I made it to Parker's in time to get loaded up and bags inside before the deluge of rain hit. Rain? No worries, we were heading out to my happy place, the Magic Mountain. Rain affects it naught. 

The rain came down harder and harder until we got just South of Nashie where the rain gave way to blue skies and cooler temps. It was still hot, just not that beat down humidity hot we've been having. The day was looking up. Parker had wanted an epic day on the bike and several locations were tossed around but I pushed for the Mountain as it offered the remote backcountry-ness seeked, but also allowed me bail out options if the tummy turned South again. The distance was to be twice what I've been able to stomach (bad pun intended) and the effort more substantial. Testing of the proverbial waters.

5 became 3 before Parker snapped this photo.

We first hit Franklin State Forrest. This is where I cut my mountain bike teeth back in the day. To me this backcountry wreck of a trail is the epitome of mountain biking. I love it and couldn't wait to show it off to Parker and Will. We dipped into the slalom like start and made our way to the North Rim trail. This little small loop of a trail offers a good taste of things to come. I figured if they didn't enjoy this little loop we could make haste to the other trail system planned for the day. The first scenic overlook we stopped at I mentioned it was where I saw my first rattlesnake when we heard rattling and looked down upon a nest of 5 or 6 coiled up and pissed. Parker was the only one brave (read: stupid) enough to go back over and snap a photo. He caught the photo of the 3 above as they were dispersing back under the rock ledge.

Despite getting turned around trying to find the old falls (there are tons of new double track lanes cut running out to adjacent property all throughout that side now it's crazy), having to hike a bike over several downed and massive trees,  and several wrong turns, the guys were still digging the trail. It was a very PMBAR-esque feel to the ride. So I took us back to complete the loop and made for the main 20 mile loop.

Parker still feeling rad.

Several new bridges have been added to the trail thanks to some awesome maintainers.

We made our way around the trail and took advantage of the views offered. Then hightailed it back to the truck and over to Sewanee for a lap around the Perimeter. This is my favorite area trail. It has everything to offer and never ceases to cure what ails you. Unless what is ailing you is some sort of stomach condition that shuts down your ability to eat or drink. Yeah, it reared it's ugly head again 28 miles into the ride but I managed to make it out and complete the 35 miles planned for the day and not puke.

A cold coke at the truck and a swim in the lake had me feeling better but not hungry, but the guys were famished and off to Shenanigans we went to fill up. I managed to keep a burger down and eat some onion rings, but the ice cold coke was like heaven and I pretty much just drank my fill. While waiting for refill #3 the line inside had grown long and slow. Outside Parker and Will figured I was inside puking my guts out as it was taking forever until Parker found me in line still waiting for a refill with Dan and Amy who were in getting a beverage for the Ride For Reading movie night about to begin next door at Woody's.

Parker and Will taking in the views of the valley offered by the Mountain.

A quick stop on the way home for milkshakes from Russell Stover topped the tanks off perfectly and we settled in for the ride home. As we approached Nashville the heavy rain began again. Apparently the rain system was very slow moving, much like the system that brought the flood. 24/40 West came to a complete stop. We opted to head 40E to Briley. I looked over to Parker and told him this was exactly how "it" happened before. It being losing my car and cycling/camping gear in the flood.

He laughed and said it'd be fine and we pressed on. As we rounded Briley we noticed all the power was out to all the hotels, homes and businesses in the area and the road was flooding. Again I pointed out this was exactly how it happened last time. We pressed on, Parker reassuring that the truck would be able to withstand much deeper and tougher waters than the Mazda (Rest it's soul). Passing Gaylord hotel the water was deepening and the rain coming down torrentially. Again I pointed out the simularities: coming home on a rain soaked Briley Parkway from a great time off riding my bike, stomach ailment, bike on the back and all my gear inside, heavy rain and flooding roads.

Awesomely Epic or Epicly Awesome? Either way this setup rocks!

As we approached the exit of the dastardly tidal wave the rain began to halt. OK THIS is exactly how it went last time. I told Parker he might have to hold my hand. We passed the exit without incident (or holding hands) and made it safely over to West Nash to drop off them off. Truck unloaded I made my way back home to find the pups pissed off they weren't allowed along but still happy to have me home to feed them (and could I please feed them now?). Life is good.

Mooticus Grandeur. The future looks bright and clear, oh wait that's South. South looks bright and clear.

Unstitched and unleashed.

Tomorrow opens the door to JD getting out to run and swim. Stitches have been removed, wound has healed, and the go ahead to swim again has been given. Welcome back lil' buddy.

The Full Moonty

Oh Canardia!

Start location has changed to Ri'Chard's in Whites Creek (Corner of Whites Creek and OHB). Still 9PM depart. Be there or be elsewhere. Bring lights and a fun paced attitude.

Kiss Me On the Bus

Welcome to Summertime folks! Announcing another annual Full Moon Ride brought to you by Ivan "Countrystrong" Chester.

When: Friday 9PM
Where: The Farm & North Nashville hills of Joelton
Why: It's what he does and the roads are beautiful, even in the dark.
How:  Road bike preferred, all bikes welcome.

Bring a friend.  See ya then.

Phleboto Crush

I think I have a crush on my phlebotomist. It's not one based on physical appearance, it's more an attraction to the behavior of the event. The Christmas morning childhood anticipation of fabulous things glint in the eye as she approached me with the needle never taking her eye off the pinky tip sized vein in my right arm. The giddiness of her hearing she could pick either arm. The fact that this time she did go for the 14 and not the wussy 22. The slight licking of the lips in anticipation of the kill. The quiet deflating sigh from almost getting to forgo the tourniquet as it really wasn't needed for the vein but was some lame protocol usually required to even see a vein like object in her typical clientele. Yeah, it was pretty hot.

Then she handed me a cup to go collect my own urine.

In other deflating news, I received my final notice, which conveniently is also my first notice of a parking violation my car received the day it was flooded then stolen. Funny how during all the phone calls trying to track down the vehicle and the hour spent with police also checking for the vehicle this ticket was never brought up or even discovered. Did everyone whose car got stranded by the high waters of the flood also get parking tickets? What time was this ticket given? And why was it not reported and available when the cops were running my plates and my history?

Ironic also that it was revealed the morning I purchased my new-to-me car. Happy Monday.

Return of Iron Gut

Sir, we're approaching 85% power.

Two weeks out on the medical treatments and I'm finally starting to feel about 85% of my old self (not that I'm old, but self nonetheless). A repeat of a couple tests scheduled for tomorrow then hopefully in a few day's I'll get the report back on my scan and the status of my inferior human organs (Oh! My squeedily spooch!). I managed to maintain both eating and drinking whilst riding in the hot hot heat and humidity with the Raphaboy Saturday. It wasn't the most graceful of days on the bikes, but it sure was fun.

"I want one."

"No."

Weds Night Silver Bullet Classic

 Just have time for a short update. The first iteration of the Weds Night Silver Bullet Classic went off without a hitch. Much like our own GrassMoots'er gRant, who's hitch got up and went somewhere around lap 4. But bravo to him for getting out there. He managed well and kept the rubber side down and the smile side up.

Super D was flying. Nago was checking his nails and hammering the gaps. Lil' Max was kicking old man tail. Rico was rocking. And Neil was in like Flynn. I've got some good video footage I hope to have time to edit this weekend. Part of me wishes I'd gotten out of work in time to toe the line, but the rest of me enjoyed spectating and heckling.

 

 

 Gerst Fishbowls

Gerst Haus was the greasy spoon pup of choice post race which did a top notch job of bloating our bellies perfectly for the ride back through town towards home. Hopefully I'll be back to 90% by the next crit night and can get out for a little fun. Sure would be cooler if there were some barriers and run ups thrown in though. 

Heading home.

Jojo was a dog who thought he had no owner

Meet Jojo

Somewhere amidst yesterday's 11 hours of many mini Groundhog Day re-enactments, I got a brightening message asking if I wanted to help out on a little adventure. Danger? Running from the law? Escaping bad guys? Careering* around the turns of a parking garage only to have the chase end on the roof with no way out? Hell yeah, sign me up! 

*Careen vs Career, I'm a Career supporter (and prefer a Karine to a Careen)

Get back Loretta. Jojo and Biscuit chillin' in the Sylvan grass.

But alas, this adventure wasn't as adventuring as my mind's eye imagined (though not too far from it). Still a happy ending to the mind's eye movie of the week. Jojo has a new home with a yard, a Merle's door, and a new friend (Biscuit). And I learned that though my friend may have the week and feeble arms of a new born kitten, his heart grew 3 times bigger that day and it was already 2 sizes to big.

The city adventures continue tonight with the re-enactment the Coors Classic into a single night of fun.

• Stage 1: Race downtown to the Titan's stadium to catch the Weds Night Crit action.
• Stage 2: Crack the tops of a few Silver Rockets so we can be as cool as the Rockies.
• Stage 3: Ring some cowbell and cheer/jeer/heckle/bespeckle friends and racers.
• Stage 4: Meander through town until a suitable greasy spoon pub is decided upon.
• Stage 5: Race back uptown and head for home.

If'n you're local come on out and support the local scene. Racing starts at 5:45PM. Crits are spectator friendly, fast paced, action packed, and are almost as fun to watch as cross, but not really. We'll be on our ss mtb's and enjoying some urban action in between stops. I've got my sights set on the leaders jersey and my beer in a cold sack waiting in the fridge. Hope to see ya there.

Mostly Abandoned but Adaptable

My newest friend, Biscuit.

Plans were planned. The planned had co-email-mitted to the plan. After a long day at work eagerly anticipating plan time to arrive, at 6pm the plan was enacted. Upon arrival of the agreed upon destination, hopes and anticipation high, the plan was apparently abandoned without knowledge or consent of the few. The few were two. Improvisational deviation of the plan ensued. No more smokey greasy bar food and football, a leisurely ride through "scenic" and steamy sticky downtown for sushi (the Mayor Clay pre-Claypool place).  Dragon purchased and promptly eaten. It's no wonder girls aren't allowed dragons.

Night time rides through downtown are always rejuvenating. Especially through unknown neighborhoods or when the way is paved with girls girls girls in short shot shorts/babydoll dresses with their cowgirl boots. Dozens and dozens of them. Everywhere you looked. You couldn't throw a shoe (dorky horse reference) and not hit one. Me in my sandals with socks too. What a faux pas. How very Canardian of me.

That's how my abbreviated weekend started out.
 
Sunday was a cluster: I was running behind my estimated departure and the heat was quickly creeping up past oppressive on its way toward tyrannical. H. came home and discovered the puppy had a gash in his side which required some staples and also prevented him from getting to go run with me. As I pulled into the trail head, I suddenly had a vision of my socks and tools/mini pump still laying on the pool table where I'd put them. Damn. Luckily I somehow subconsciously remembered to grab them. It was as if the weekend and I were just out to mess with me.

Speaking of messing, MB is like Pisgah when you ride it backwards. It'd be really fun if there weren't so much climbing involved and you could ride everything.  Aside from the fun ride direction, the best part was no stomach issues! I was able to drink without issues even running a stupid-for-MB-let-alone-MB-backwards gearing in the murderous heat. Hope.

 Intestinal fortitude: Mexi-cokes contain real sugar, but where's the water from?

A text from the Raphaboy  "Hungry?"  was all that was needed to continue turning the day around. Off to the Raphpad only to find him hard at work e-wrestling with a mail server (Really, just the clock time? ).  We headed out to Local Taco, a local taco joint for him and a totally new dining experience for me. They had Mexican Coke which doesn't have high fructose corn syrup but actually uses real sugar. Second bonus was it's served in bottles just like the old days (now if only I could find a place that serves Green Rivers). Awesome. The tacos offered a unique spin on the standard fair and were delicious. Local Taco has been added to the "list". Good stuff. Though if you cycle there a mustache might be a prerequisite, I'm not certain so be sure to check with your local scene-ster.

 mmm rusting steel

Back to the Raphpad for some bike tune-up and promises of ice cream when the temp drops. Mmmm ice cream.  Wrenching on a friends bike and actually making it better than before is a pretty satisfying sensation. Just a little tlc and proper tool usage speckled with some ocd brake rotor tweeking and the KM was tip top. At least 2 of the 4 are operational now. 

Back at home H. handed me a letter. A letter from one Anita Break. Hmmm...

Hey postmaster, is that 86 Big Gravel Road, Old Gravel Road, or Little Gravel Road?

A familiar landmark for most Dirty Kanzanites.

Tag, you're it. The blasted money returns! Argh!!

"Those guys are sneaky..."

"They're up to somthin'..."

What guys you ask? Who is sneaky and up to something? The Kanza Indians that's who.

They're still there Scotty! Just sitting there. They're up to something...

Boys have Dragons

A spicy addition to the Moots. Thanks Salsa.

In my previous post about DK200, I briefly mentioned baskets and kids. Molly works part-time at a local cycling center and had an experience with a family that came in to look at a boys bike for their son. The son wanted a basket and the father was trying to nip it in the bud and said boy's bikes didn't have baskets. A few days later a mom and daughter were in and the mom was trying to convince the daughter, who didn't want a basket but rather a mountain bike, that girls bikes had baskets. That's a rough translation of the events, but you get the drift and it became a running joke throughout the weekend.

Dragon eyed dog and a dragon on my bar. Moots blue, natch.

Somewhere in between Check Point #1 and where I ended my day, gRant, Molly, and I were riding some gravel. gRant's bike was acting up and he said his front derailleur was dragging. Molly immediately piped up "I want a dragon!" To which I responded "boys have dragons, girls have baskets." Much to Molly's dismay. She protested that she wanted a dragon. gRant told her than girls got unicorns and that dragons were definitely reserved for boys. Molly huffed, but didn't puff like the magic dragon.

I got a dragon. Nanny nanny boo boo! Nya!

Well, some girls just don't listen. Despite the rules, H. went and got herself a dragon. Not to be out done, Molly has found one that she might capture and ride next year at Kanza. Better keep close watch on your dragons boys, else you just might lose it to a girl.

Medical update:

Contrary to my normal routine, I actually went to the doctor on Monday. Mostly by my choice (though cornered into it by both women in the house). It's not my normal doc, but rather an Ironman Triathlete. We figured he'd actually try to figure out the issue rather than just tell me to stop racing 100's of miles. It's hard to get a doctor to help you when you're healthier than most of the people they treat. Eleven vials of blood (I swear the phlebotomist was drooling as she stuck my vein and was visibly upset she had a measly 22 gauge catheter and not a 14. She actually said "what the hell are you doing here?" too, which was pretty funny to me) and one dark and smelly sample of urine have been sent off to the labs for testing with the remainder being sold on the black market to pro cyclists for use during the tour. An ultra sound is scheduled for next week to check the liver and gall bladder. Liver, thyroid, kidneys, and pancreas via the blood/urine. In the meantime I'm on a proton pump inhibitor in the event it's ulcer or H. Pylori caused ulcer issues (tainted Pisgah water?).

The H. Pylori is my hopes. It fits the time frame and the symptoms pretty well, but I'll not know until the results from all the tests are in.

I managed to sneak in 8 miles tonight with JD in the pit before my stomach started acting up, but the symptoms receded after taking my ppi, so maybe there's hope for a quick resolution.

The DK Photo Dump

gRant the migrant farmer picking Moots'.

Hello Kitties.

H. in the van, checking on the pup moments out of town.

Our tour guide and frequenter of wrong turns (directionally challenged) gRant.

Emily and Steven at the pre-race pasta feast.

Monster holding court while Molly and gRant look on puzzled.

Pre-race confidence in a can. It's like sputnik.

H. "Look a famous person!" Scotty won a cap.

GrassMoots' in the handi-van.

Me and Steven before the storm.

Probably the last time we were all together until the finish.

Steven and I get "coached" on the line by "coach" Jeffy "the Duke" Scott.

Made the big time.

And GO!

Zoom! Off like a herd of turtles.

Monster into the halfway point.

How ya feelin' Scotty? Ka-chow!

Steven is still all smiles at the halfway check point.

Molly motoring into the halfway point.

She's still all smiles too. Even after babysitting my haggard self.

Monster crosses the line first SS!

Time recorded by race directors Jim and Joel.

Steven crosses the line moments later.

His time recorded just a line below Monster.

A much deserved break.

The winning Moots Mooto-X Slider.

Emily finishes first place female!

Monster and his Moots on the SS seated podium.