Shonndiffic Memorial Day Weekend

I've taken some new roles and responsibilities at work, which means even less computer time to update the blog. I miss my updates, some of you may too, others probably don't even notice. C'est la vie. Good news is I have time now so enjoy this random photo dump of my past week. 

The full moon was over the weekend, so the nights leading up to it were bright and clear. We managed to get out for two weekday post work rides: our normal one and a special request via new job Lo. We've been riding every Wednesday night for over a year now with only one or two postponed due to icy dark roads or illness. It's been a grand time. The culmination of normal routes and exploratory jaunts made for probably the best 2 routes of the Wednesday night rides. Scenic, flowy,  a little bit of gravel, and a whole lot of fun. Long live Wednesday Night Worlds.

The shop I work for sponsors many events in the Mid-South region. A vast number really. I'm just beginning to get a grip on the depth of these events as I've acquired an events manager role. The last 3 weekends have had us out supporting multiple events as well as trying to man and run 3 store locations. It's been hectic to say the least. Luckily the long hours have paid dividends in some great rides. One of our rules is to play as hard as we work, and we've been working hard. 

The holiday weekend found us out supporting a local off-road triathlon that brought X-terra pros from across the world. It meant several extra hours on the clock while others were off enjoying the holiday, but it was well worth it. I was able to meet another one of my mountain biking heroes and yet again I'm impressed with how cool and down to earth they are. Even if they are technically a triathlete now (Hah! That was for you Farkas).

The best part of our time at the off-road tri was getting a chance to hang out with a friend and his fantastic family all weekend. The triathlon took place on a park that takes up a peninsula on one of the lakes around Nashville. The mid 80 degree sunny weather and full moon made for a pristine weekend to be out on the lake. Especially when surrounded by mountain bike trails. Ryan and his family live a block away from the park and hung out, entertained, and fed us nearly all weekened. We also managed to squeak in 2 full evenings of night riding. Baller. Thanks for the hospitality Ryan.

Wrapping up by 1pm on Sunday, I raced out and over to Clarkvegas for one of my 3 favorite holiday traditions: The Day Before Memorial Day Cookout at Uncle Chris's Farm. Nothing breaks the day to day monotony of farm life than a farmcation to another family farm. There are ponds to play in and around, trails and roads to explore, an old cemetery, and great food. Oh and a hammock. Gotta love a good hammock. It was good to mix it up for once.

Monday brought in time to catch up on chores. Lots and lots of grass cutting, weed eating, and tree clearing. All in all about 7 hours were spent clearing and prepping our trails for summer. With the ground finally drying up from all of winter and spring's rain, I was finally able to get all the trails cleared and rideable. Just in time for early morning summer riding. I've only gotten minor poison ivy outbreaks from the weed eater splashing urushiol all over my legs and arms. Damn. I can't stop scratching. Now if only I could find time to clean the damn house...

I even managed to sneak a commute into work Wednesday morning before Wednesday Night Worlds. It was a double decker day. Another shining example of playing as hard as we work. Speaking of shining examples, check out the super model horse of the barn "Primm". She's the Marilyn Monroe of the Equine glamor girls.

Super Sunday

A lot has happened since my last post. Cedarcross, several early morning mountain bike rides, gorgeous sunset night rides, and a marathon day of mowing. We've had multiple events going on that the shop has supported and much of my free time has been taken up by setup and tear down of these events. Many late nights and 4:30 am mornings. 

All of which made today a super Sunday. After a lazy morning of coffee, waffles, and Says You, I scooted out to Lascassas after barn chores to meet up with some of the shop guys for a road ride around some of the premier roads in Middle Tennessee. 

 

It was hot and muggy. Something none of us are well prepared to be riding hard in. 18 miles in of a heavy clip had us melting. We headed into Woodbury for a water refill but when we arrived the town traffic was at a standstill due to all the roads being closed off for a parade honoring a vet injured in Afghanistan and finally returning after a long stint at Walter Reed Hospital. So we waited out the parade by grabbing a sandwich. 

55 miles of fun and sun and even a few rain showers during the gravel stretches. It was a real treat to have no schedule, no set route, and good friends to share the day. 

Post ride pizza and beer was thoroughly enjoyed on the porch out in the cool breeze brought in by the wet weather. Perfect end to a perfect ride. 

Then it was off to the farm before sunset to fulfill my only remaining obligation: helping H. start Primm under saddle. 

Obligation fulfilled, now it is time to vegge out on the couch and rest up before the new week kicks into high gear.  Several more events kick off this weekend and we still have a lot of groundwork to cover. 

Savory Classics

May has arrived and brought with it rain, sun, and 70 degree temps. It's starting to feel like spring and it has been nice not needing any additional layers outside of a jersey and shorts for our night rides. Although we've had a very wet spring so far, the past few sunny days have dried out most of the saturated fields and the flooded rivers & creeks have all began their retreat to their banks.

So it's May, it's been in the 70's and sure, we've had to deal with a lot of rain, but what the hell is snow doing in the forecast for the weekend?! Don't freak Nashvegans, it's not here. It's there. Where I'll be racing 120 miles of gravel, dirt, and fields in apparently snow, sleet, and rain. I've packed the RemsenBrand Embrocation and a whole lot of "Belgium the F-up" with extra mayo and frites.

I'm not really ready for spring. I'm still stuck in classics mode. Cold, wet, muddy, and maybe a little snow. It'll be hot, humid, and horrible soon enough. I'll savor it while I can get it.