So its wednesday, the second non-raining wednesday in a row, and the forum is indecisive about where to ride.  PM didn't feel like waiting for those of us who have jobs to get out of work and took off on his own.  Sock Stuffer suggests either Middlesex or Walyworld, decides on Wallyworld, so a big group of three of us show up - Brick anxious to ride after two weeks off the bike (instead hiking in the Mtns of Colorado), me, Tony Hawk Male Prostitute, arriving early based on the promise of soccer moms (there were none) and Barbie who promised the soccer moms.

Brick suits up, hops on the bike and finds that his rear tire is flat.  Plenty of time for a repair - better bring a spare though, as his sidewall looks like its about to burst.  Barbie asks if I noticed his rear bobbing on the last ride - sorry, but I really wasn't watching.  Turns out he had the lockout engaged on his rear shock the entire ride at Salmon River last week.  Probably helped since that ride is all uphill.

We follow the 15 minute rule and wait 10 for SS then leave - on to the knife-edge ridge start.  Steep rocky ups, steep rocky downs.  I don't think any of us made all the ups (hey it was early in the ride) but Brick and Barbie both tear up the downs, Barbie loving that rear suspension, now that it works as advertised.  On to a twisty section, some uphill stuff I don't quite remember (I was busy watching the trail and thinking circles) until we run into another group.  Brick must have run one of them over, because as I pull up, I hear him getting a lecture from one guy saying "next time let me know you're coming."  Bet he's used that line before.  Through the next section we manage to pass everyone in their group (2 cute girls included - didn't have time to stop and chat though) and even pass a second group as well.  Good pace considering Brick hasn't ridden in a while, Barbies on a new bike and I'm just plain slow.

More missing footage here until we get to the double drop with the tree in the middle.  Brick first - nice and clean. I bail to the right and hear Barbie go flying past.  Off the first drop, nose wheelies up to the second and manages to get the back end down just in time to drop that one to!  Nice job!

Some downhill for a while (finally) then Brick flats.  The slow group passes us and Brick predicts we'll be passing them again ... soon.  Fixes the flat and sure enough, 50 feet up the trail, we pass them.  More uphill, more downhill, at some point up and over a nice bridge stunt and back to the car.  Epic 2.5 hour ride and finally its time for Smokey Bar.

Brick declines the invite to Smokey Bar - "I don't have any cash."  "Yeah, neither do we, but our credit's good there."  So just me and Barbie for carbo-loading.  The cute waitress I like is there, so Barbie finally finds out her name for us.  After a lengthy cost/benefit analysis, he decides I'm not leaving without handing her a bikerag busines card, more so that he can laugh at her reaction than anything else.  On the spot, I manage to to come up with "uhhh ... here ... you should check out this Web site ..." and then bail ... quickly.  Have to thank Barbie for forcing me - I'll get you back ... I mean I owe you one.

Good game, nice game, wish I had game, but whatever.

Rating:  A free half pitcher of Guinness (its good for you), grilled wet trail burger soaked in 95% deet to keep the bugs away, and both onion rings and fries on the side.

Good recap thmp, thanks..  Just wanted to say that the ASS   "American Sock Stuffer" had a valid excuse as the new teen american idol was on TV..  pm