I had intentions to put in some major miles out at ArrowHead today. The trail was just too wet. I ended up walking part of the trail looking for deadfall. Also walked around over in the section across the road with Mark D, Monte, Stan, and Grant. Monte flagged off a route to tie that section in with the rest of the course. It's quite a bit of new trail that has to be cut in as well as a bridge to be built, but it is doable. I had suggested that if we were going to cut in that much trail we should just do it on the same side of the road as the rest of the trail and get rid of the pavement travel in that loop. They are adement about tieing the 1.5 mile of existing trail across the main road into the 5 mile loop. I'm all in for what the group decides. I will put in some long hours next weekend to help make this new trail happen.

Last weekend during my 50+ miles of the IDIDARIDE my new T.H.E. Grips started pealing. The top layer of rubber started separating from the rest of the grip. I called up VSI PRODUCTS who makes the grips. Dude was very helpful; all I had to do was take a picture of my grips that were pealing up and e-mail it to him. He sent me a new set "Priority Mail" That day. Great customer service, I just hope this new set does not come apart too.

Great Weekend! Mark D and I left Perry at 12:00 noon on Friday bound for Stephen Foster State Park in White Springs, Florida. We got there in time to set up camp, register, and pre-ride the first 7 miles of the IDIDARIDE. Shane, Diana, and Jessie were arriving as we got back. We hung out at their campsite Friday night, Mark D provided a Spagetti Dinner. Chip, Bill, and Alina showed up later and set up camp at our site. I woke up Saturday morning at 5:30 am to a Hissing sound. I felt my air matress slowly deflating. I guess that was my que to get up and get started! Got the coffee going before I went over to take a shower. The tempurature was ~38 F. I was plesently suprised at the showering facilities there. Clean, Roomy, and had a Heat Lamp over each shower! After several cups of Coffee and lubing up the chain It was time to roll down to the the Start. There was a Pancake and sausage breakfast provided. I rolled up a plain Pancake and stuffed it down before the masses convereged on the Suwannee River trails. Had I known any better I would have put a couple in my pocket for later. I had filled my water bottle with Perpetuem and also had several Power Gel packs that were a life saver later in the ride when my legs began to cramp. Before we reached the Halfway point I boosted my Trail Karma by fixing someone's broken chain who was about to walk out. He (Ted from Pensecola) ended up finishing before I did. At the Half way Stop there was lunch provided, I had some yummy Chicken and Rice made with Saffron Rice. After refilling my Camel Bak and washing my face I continued on. There were open, fire road, double track and tight Saw Palmetto lined single track. The pack was more spread out by now so I rode many miles by myself. I finally made it to the last rest stop where there was Cheese, sausage, and Wine provided. I was not planning to stay long but ended up having to change a tube out for someone before getting back out on the trail. I'm glad I brought all my tools and three extra tubes. I even handed out 6 of the 10 gel packs I had brought with me to various people cramping along the way. I was feeling ok after I left the last rest stop and had no Idea how much further I had to go. My GPS had been loseing reception in places with Heavy Canopy Cover (Trees) and I was not real sure just how far I had been. I decided that I better stop and take a rest and eat somthing along the trail cause I was really weak. I stopped ate a couple granola bars, drank some water, and stretched out for over 10 minutes. Little did I know I was only about a Mile and A half away from the Finish. At the finish there was a huge meal prepared, Chicken, potatoes, salad, green beans, and rolls. After a Hot shower we grilled some Itailian sausages and bratwurst for an evening snack. I didn't even mind that I was going to sleep on the ground with no air mattress. The next mornin Mark D cooked up some scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast before we bolted. A perfect weekend of great riding, food, and friends. If you did not attend this year I would highly recommend putting it on your calander for next year.

ALL PHOTOS

Ididaride 2007 WhiteSprings, FLA

Thomson Day was a huge success. I've heard and read great reviews of the weekends events. I spent most of the weekend there helping out and didn't even take a bike.

But speaking of my bike, I finally finished all the maintenance and upgrades. Last night I put the new brake pads on my Hayes Nine Hydros and installed my new T.H.E. lock on handelbar grips. Cassidy and I went on a long ride around town today. We stopped by Chic-fil-a for lunch halfway through. It was an Epic ride for her. She hung in there and made it without complaining. We rode to the Wellston Greenway Trail and back. We stopped at Dry Lake Park and she played at the playground before we headed back twards home. See our Route in the GPS Data link below.

Today's Ride: Around Town - 12.04 mi, 8.1 mph avg, 2 hrs 33 min

GPS DATA

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Thursday January 11, 2007

Had time tonight after work to install my new parts on the HARO. It was much more easy to do than I had planned. I still may need to take anouther link out of the chain. I only took one link out before installing. When I get time I'm going to put the steps and photos I took to acomplish this on my Trail Tips page. Now I'm waiting for my new brake Pads and Grips to arrive.

Yesterday I met Mark D, Bill D, and Ralph out at Hood Pallet Supply. Bill D brought a Dump Truck and huge Trailer. We were able to get a Ton of Wood over to Thomson. No, I mean Literally "A TON"! I have to get the Bails of Wheat Straw delivered tomorrow.

ALL PHOTOS HERE

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Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Still waiting anxiously to recieve my new parts for the HARO. They should be here tomorrow. It seems like I always kick myself for not paying a little extra to get 2nd day delivery. Today I went ahead and ordered a couple more things from Cambria Bicycle. I ordered some new grips. T.H.E. Vice Grips, I have been riding the same grips that came with the bike and they are worn out. I also ordered some new sintered metallic brake pads for my Hayes Nine Hydro brakes. These items should be here next week.

I will be out at Thomson tomorrow gathering wood for Thomson Day. We should get there close to 5:00 after picking up a load of wood from Hood Pallet Supply in Byron, GA. Also, I got permission to borrow the large Coffee maker from work for this weekends event. I will be grinding some Jittery Joe's Whole Bean Sumatran-mandheling on site early Saturday Mornin.

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Monday, January 1, 2007

I'm diggin my new GPS unit! The Girls and I went for a fun ride around town today. Click here for Our Route and Stats.

The information I uploaded from my Garmin ETREX Legend GPS includes Temperature and wind speeds. You can click on "Map Player" on the upper right of the map to follow our path and see the Stats all along the way like speed & elevation.

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