Trans-Sylvania MTB Epic 2011

Its official...

For those of you who don't already know, I plan on doing a 7 day mountain bike stage race, the Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic(TSE) May 29-June 4.

Brett is the best husband/training partner and I'm looking forward to riding with him in the many hours I will spend training for the race.

This race is a goal I have set for myself for 2011 to stay healthy and in shape. Some people have gym memberships, I sign up for races---it keeps me focused. It also helps that one of my favorite teammates, Jill Wiest, AKA Chili, is doing it with me---it will be summer camp all over again!

If you would like to volunteer or just come up and camp, check out the website and register yourself!

If you'd like to put in some miles with me, I'd LOVE the company!

Solstice Eclipse Ride!

Frank said this about the plan:

"Let me be the first to say "Y'all are crazy!"
But in a good way."

Good thing there is still some crazy left in this world. Sheena and Zach are apparently in that group, since they joined us for a 3:00 am mountain bike ride to watch the eclipse!

Hit the sack at 6:30 the night before but slept like a kid before Christmas--kept waking up and peering out to make sure the moon was still out--smiling and falling back to sleep each time. The alarm went off at 2-dark o'clock and we crawled out to make coffee and stoke the fire. Still clear and you could already see the Earth's shadow taking a bite out of the moon. Woo!

We only expected Z to show but the first arrival was a pleasant surprise--Sheena! Now there were four nut-jobs for the eclipse ride! We geared up and rolled out--the eclipse had already entered totality, and it was dark out there! Really cool how many stars could be seen with a fool moon hanging above.

The clouds cooperated impeccably--we saw pretty much the whole eclipse before the sky was blotted out.

Got to see the eclipse go through its phases, got to have a sweet ride in the wee hours of the morning, got to share the experience with a couple other brave(?) stupid(?) insane(?) definitely awesome souls.

Of course, we listened to some Pink Floyd on the way to work.

Makes you remember there's a heck of a lot more out there than the 9-5, societal bickering, this here interwebs, and the insides of boxes. The year has turned! The Sun is starting its long journey back. Yes, Winter's ahead, but the days get longer for the next six months. Treasure the daylight AND the moonlight!

A Full Lunar Eclipse on the Solstice? Sweet!

Yeah, how often does it land right on the Winter Solstice? I'm sure pagans everywhere will be rejoicing. The year turns, the moon goes red, armageddon is nigh! Begin the slaughter! Oh, wait, maybe not.

DOOOOOOOOM!

Anyway, this one will be completely visible from start to finish in our neck of the woods....if the clouds cooperate. Keep your fingers crossed! It starts 1:33 am EST, with totality starting at 2:41 am and lasting 72 minutes. TOTAL TOTALITY is at 3:17 am. So, if you like sleeping, wake up around then to see the Moon of Doom!

Info and pics yanked from NASA!

Maybe we should do an early morn Solstice Eclipse FOOL DOOOM MOON ride...

Better Late than Never

I found my perfect hunting season riding outfit. Alas, it'll have to wait for next year.

Thanks to Wondermark for this pic!

Hey, What are you doing there?!

Rothrock

We introduced Chillie to Rothrock on Sunday. She wanted to see what the terrain would be for the Trans Sylvania TV Epic next May and she'd never been to Rothrock? We told her to be ready to climb. And climb. And climb some more. We did a modified section of one of the stages that included Tussey Ridge Trail. Donna wanted redemption on it since her first foray didn't go so well. She got it! Had a lot more fun this time. For me, it was nice to get back there and remember some really great people and rides from college.

Jill really enjoyed the ride and said she needed to get out more. I can relate. Riding the same-old, same-old all the time tends to dull the senses and blunt the desire to swing a leg over the bike. The trips we've been doing this fall are helping to fan the flame again.

Pine Grove Fall Furnace Fest

Images from this past weekend, mostly from our volunteer post as greeters.