over the bars club

Wow, we had the largest turnout ever.....five whole people. Maybe I should have applied with the parks service for an event permit. Honestly, you folks who are missing out on the training camps are......just that-pretty much missing out. The group left the shop at about 5:20 and headed north out to the bluffs . We rode a zigzag route that included a few dismounts and some nice sand running. Simon asked if we were up to a hike-a-bike into Wilder ranch. Everyone ignorantly said yes , so off we went. Famouse for his over the bars exploits, Larry did not let us down with a spectacular crash at a nasty double-ditch that was a lot deeper than it appeared. Fortunately ,Larry was largely unhurt and despite a slightly bent rear wheel able to proceed. Up we went into the hot dry waist-high weeds and indeed, it was a bit of hiking. By the time Larry and I made it to the top we were feeling every bit of our combined 101 years and decided to ride back. It was almost 7 p.m. so the house was calling. Larry was saying that as soon as we went uphill there were no rest spots...I told him that my rest spot was my couch. To me the hiking epitomized what we should be doing this summer......suffering and learning that running or even walking with a bike can be a real chore , but it is our chosen chore.If we are to excel at this chore we need to become used to it.