Dave and I hit the trails again last weekend. Met up off Hamburg road for a nice long ride. We headed out on the blue trail to do Salamander in reverse. Didn't get too far before we found a fellow rider with flat and no pump. Dave was his name. Dave was kind enough to let him use his pump. Dave was riding a KHS, so of course I had to ask him how he liked it. After learning he broke his previous frame from them, and after me mentioning I was considering a KHS to replace my Jamis I got hit by a barrage of words from Dave on "picking a cheap frame".

I soon learned that Dave thinks any frame that breaks is cheap. Heck, even his old Litespeed that I now own doesn't live up to his standards. ;) Then he admitted that it's all about he bike manufacturer and how they take care of their customers.

After the new Dave got his bike back up and running we 3 proceeded up Death March. Always fun to go up Death March; if you need a lung and leg check that's the hill to do it on. For me of course spending the two days prior in my pond tearing it apart to find the leak in the liner left my hamstrings feeling rather tight. And of course I felt them the whole way up death march.

New Dave finally made it to the top and decided to take an easier route. As our ride progressed Dave and I started having our own issues with rocks. Rain + rocks = slick rocks. And then we started feeding off each other. Evil slick rocks tainted a perfect run. Many curse words were spewed out. Thankfully there were no hikers with little kids out there to hear us.

We finally made it out to the upper lot on Gambril Park Road. As we entered back onto the trail my bike decided it wanted to become a fixie. Now as much interest I have in riding single speed, I have no interest in riding a fixie.

To my disappointment my rear cassette body decided to lock up on me. My options were limited and I decided to head back out to the parking lot where I met a fellow biker named Jim. He had just finished up his ride and was kind enough to give me a ride in his Freight Liner Panel work truck back to Hamburg Road. Nice guy; we've run into him several times out on the trail but I've never had an opportunity to talk to him.

I ended my ride with roughly 13 miles. Cheated by my stupid cassette it was the "perfect" end to a somewhat frustrating ride.

09 Leesburg Bakers Dozen

Another great race put on by the guys from Plum Grove Cyclery!!

I got to hang out with Dave, Shannon and Jason and the guys from Single Speed Outlaws.

Checked in on Friday, set up the tent and did a pre-ride with Jason. Had a blast during the race. Didn't help that I went into the race dehydrated (stupid me); and by the second lap I was feeling it. Quads started cramping up by the middle of the second lap. Good old endurolytes and Heed saved my butte so I could keep going. By the time started my 5th lap my legs started to feel alot better and I felt like I got my hydration to an exceptable level. Finished my 5th lap strong and in time to see Alex race in the kids race.

Both Gabby and Alex hung out for the day while Patty worked. He's been anxiously waiting for this race for weeks. While their dad raced they got to play with David K's kids and others on the rocks around the campsite. At 3:30 though, Alex's race started. Alex had a blast; guys at Plum Grove even put in a little obstacle for the kids to ride over. Look at that concentration.

After Patty, Gabby and Alex came back to the campsite to hang out for a bit while I went back out for some more laps. Having just over 2 hours to rest I felt pretty darn good hitting the trails again. Still had small issues with my legs cramping but I was able to push through to a 10 lap finish.

WATERSHED RIDE TODAY!!

My buddy Dave George and I decided to hit the watershed today for a longish ride.

Ride started off well, forgot some cold weather gear (a.k.a my tights) so decided to sport the rolled up jean look. I thought I looked great; but Dave thought differently.

We headed north to check out some new trails that were cut. Lots of fun and great scenery!

We climbed death march (always fun) then headed over to the new section from there. We ended up hitting it from the bottom; not as fun climbing up all the obstacles, next time we'll blast done hill instead. Dave picked the right line on this section after I dabbed:

After our break and on our way back to the cars we ran into our old friend Paul. Great guy, super nice and fun to ride with. Promised to hook up for a ride soon.

Ended up with 14 miles. Soggy mud made it seem like more; sucked the life right out of your legs. Felt great though, and as always had a blast riding with Dave.

Operation Beat Dave Kegleys son. The training has started. Took my son out yesterday around the 'hood for some hill and off road work. Last year my son came in second place in the kids race at Bakers Dozen; beat out by Dave K's son. This year we are taking home first place

Cyclocross......my new love. Found the sport 3 years ago after following a couple guys with cross bikes on their car to Ida Lee Park in Leesburg. After watching the race I decided to buy a cross bike. First year I put slicks on it and used it to train for MTB endurance races. Finally did a couple races and I'm infected with the bug. Raced this year only to be pulled out to have surgery for CTS. Too much riding!!!! All better now though. Can't wait for next season.

Hill repeats with my buddy Greg in Harpers Ferry, WV. Fun hill, somedays it seems like it never ends. Other days it's too short.