Last Ride of 2007....

Since I have to hit the road early tomorrow and head to the Gator Bowl, I figured I'd take my last official ride of 2007 this morning. The weatherman called for rain all day, and as I headed out to load up my gear, it was beginning to sprinkle already. I stopped and pondered my options...stay home and be bored out of my skull, or hit the trails, mud and all...

Blue Clay road is notorious for mud, thick mud that seems to take on a life of it's own, however today the trail was almost perfect. As I started the ride, I was thinking about the post that Sir Bikes-a-lot posted last night of a virgin trail they had worked on yesterday, and I couldn't wait to ride it. The older section of trail was great, a little slick in some places, but the mud was easily avoidable so that I didn't rut up the trail.

I was almost to the very end of my lap, and I could see the beginning of the virgin trail. these guys had done a great job... After I completed what I thought to be the entire new section, and was heading out I saw to my right what looked to be the beginnings of yet another new section. It had been raked out and partially cleared, and was just waiting for someone to follow it to the end....and what a perfect way to spend my last ride of 2007, just me and my Cannondale....


Part of the virgin trail, and my Cannondale Prophet 3





part of the new trail


part of the new trail


part of the new trail, yes that's sand at blue clay


IRC Kujo DH tires are the best! These bad boys grip!


All loaded up and heading for the house before the rain sets in... What a great way to end 2007.

Happy New Years!

Dirt Jumper!!!

Thanks to Shawn, the owner of Bike Cycles here in Wilmington, I finally have a dirt jumper. I talked with him a while back, and he found me a 2008 P1 Long. I spent all afternoon yesterday playing on this bike. I felt like I was 13 years old again riding my old Hutch BMX. There are a few things that I will upgrade, like the brakes, and get a Thompson seat post, but other than that, this bike is fantastic....

Christmas Parade 2007 - Cape Fear Cyclists

I know I'm running a few days late, but here's more pictures from the 2007 Christmas Parade here in Wilmington NC. This was the first time that the Cape Fear Cyclist took part in the parade, and we won Third place!



Sir Toots, Mary Ann, and Nancy


Sir Lamm-hammer and Josh showing off their skill on the "big bikes"


Not a great picture, but Sir Bikes-a-lot, Sir Toots, and myself in front of our bicycle pulled float... We won third place!


Sir Launch-a-lot and his wife Sherry (That's John in the background, check out his boots)


Last shot, Sir Lamm-Hammer sitting aboard his decorated tall-bike.

What a great turn out, we had so much fun, and so many people commented on us during the parade. I hope to see 10X as many people riding in next year's parade. I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas!

Let's Ride!

After a go around with the flu, and several weeks on the road that kept me hopping from Oxford Mississippi, to Gainesville Florida and finally winding up in New Hampshire, I am finally home, and on vacation, and on my bike! The first few rides were so-so, but I am finally feeling my legs begin to get back to where they were a month or so ago, and it's nice to just pedal.

I also made it home just in time for a few events that I didn't want to miss. The first was a ride with the other club that I belong to, the Down East Cyclist from Jacksonville NC. We are hosting one of the Winter Series Races this year, and these guys have not rode Blue Clay yet. So, this past Sunday, several of their members came down to ride... Here's a few pictures.


As you can see, the parking lot was packed! it stays that way on the weekends


Luke from DEC on his Santa Cruz Nomad...


John from DEC hammering the whooptie-section...

All in all, it was a great turn out, and everyone seemed to like the trails. Unfortunately the Wilmington Christmas parade was the same day, and several of us had to leave early to take part in that which was the other event that I didn't want to miss. Here's a couple pictures and I will do a follow up post on the parade.


My Prophet showing some Holiday cheer.


My wife JJ and me along with the bicycle pulled float and other riders...

until next time... see you in the trails...