After starting on rain wet roads, and traversing a "No Winter Maintinance" ice covered road sprinkled with limestone gravel(!), we learned just how much traction smooth road tires can have on ice!
As always, a good time riding with the boys... Rich Allen, Sam Morrison, Kirk Morrison, Ed Johnson, Turner Johnson and me!
After finding my headlights shot for good I had to hammer in between traffic surges on Rt 8 and I made it to HD's winded but in time for a beer! Unfortunately I gave him some shit about the hippy hair and was downgraded to Pony bottle. Lesson learned.
Soon Kirk arrived (wait - shouldn't he be writing the Captains Log?).
Finally KD rolled in looking somewhat overdressed for the occasion. Which begs the question, what would look more out of place at the Island Bar, Fluorescence Lycra pants and an elf hat, or a well tailored suit? I think the answer is obvious. So did Ken. He bowed out of the festivities. But having previously determined that a man in a a suit CAN get in and out of there without getting stabbed, he treated us to a round at the Brick House to get us started!
(Photo: 2007/2008 Repeat Champion Lutz, & new 2009 Champion Morrison) 
Thinking our next stop would be the Monroe Hotel we instead hosted an impromptu gathering of cylists in the middle of Cecelia and Locusts street intersection. It was 
...the first annual crossing of "Lookout Bridge". Lookout Bridge is the new name of the 45 foot long span once called (albeit unofficialy and sans signage) Monroe Street. Having been declared too dangerous to traverse, then reopened even though they did nothing to it, then closed again, I guess they felt a new name was needed so we'd know they actually DID do something to fix it this time. On the ascent of the bridge our team halted for a repair of Brewer’s chain performed by Seevers while illuminated by Morrison.
Other houses on our route showed promise, but no focus. The winner was again crowned with a carol, and we rolled across Butlers other new bridge...to The Island Bar.
This improbable corner bar always shows us a good time. Although our hostess failed to personally appear, she phoned in some free drink chips to her stand in. Many a beer, and a fuex fight with the bushes for old time sake.
We had a nice time there, but unfortunately left too late for Pizza. How it can EVER be too late for pizza is beyond me, but the Pie Heads shut us out.
We decided that the emptiness of our pizza hole could be adequately filled with BACON! So we rode up to main street and pointed our bikes north...
Photos by Mike Maher.
Ride Summary by Ray Sielski.
Great ride, but tough with rock gardens aplenty.
I did better than I thought I would and finished with a nice hill climb then decended into the mud pit of Gollum. A 29'r would have been nice as my bb was bottoming out on the rock trails.
Mike did a nice split when his tire found a groove in boards over a creek. This was covered by snow and caught him by surprise. Mike also fell off a boulder and was in a very precarious position, which could have been a bad 4 foot tumble.
Rich had tire troubles early but rebounded to have a nice day on the tech stuff. Good thing we practiced the tire fix drill earlier in the week.
------------------------------------------- 2:04 pm After Hill #8... Sam in 1st Place, leading steevo by 4 points ------------------------------------------- 2:40 pm Hill #9 - Canton. Sam forced into left line and the leaves. Steevo 1st. Sam 5th. Tied Overall. ------------------------------------------- 2:50 pm Big Field - Over 180 riders ------------------------------------------- 3:10 pm Hill #10 - Sam 1st. Steevo 2nd. ------------------------------------------- 3:32 pm Hill #11 - Steevo 2nd. Sam 3rd. Tied Again. ------------------------------------------- 3:50 pm Hill #12 - Steevo 1st. Sam 2nd. Chris Mayhew tops out the podium in 3rd.
WOW... what a battle!
Kirtland's claim to fame is The Amphitheatre of Pain!
Racing today were Rich Allen (7th Place Men's C)
Hanna Brewer (2nd Place Women's C)
Steve Brewer (2nd Place Men's C)
...and a gorgeous day it was for a Road Trip!
Upon our arrival, Steve broke out his latest in Team Warm-Wear... a fashion risk if ever we saw one!
The first race of the day was the Men's Cat 4... which is why we entered 4 riders :)
Steve Marlette...
Ray Sielski...
Rich Allen...
..and Mike Maher.
At the end of the race, Steve took 5th Place, and Mike took 4th Place ... after letting a rider pass him at the LAST moment because he thought there was one more lap to go ... gosh darn-it :)
Of course... we had to hear ALL ABOUT IT afterwards!!!
In the next race, the Men's B, my excuse was even weaker than Mike's ... as the Concrete Edge of Death and Destruction took me out with a flat in the FIRST LAP.... DNF for me :(
Soldiering on were Mike & Steve...
...cheeered on ALL OVER THE COURSE by the Ag3r Peanut Gallery!!!
...cheered on by all his fans!
