Phlat Chance

[JD]

Sometimes you just gotta go for it. Sunday was definitely one of those
days.

Greg and I met at his new digs, not in any hurry to get going. After a
cup of java, some map study and a little pre-ride BS, we headed up into
the San Gabriels, ready for a great day of riding.

The sky was much bluer above the prevalent marine layer/smog mix that
resides in the LA Basin. It's no wonder Drake called Santa Monica
Bay the Bay of Smokes. The temperatures from bottom to top were pretty
consistent with the usual when gaining elevation, dropping about two
degrees for every thousand feet gained. The parking area was bustling
with activity, not from the many eager outdoorsy types I expected, but
with a strange array of motorcyclists, tree-hugging hikers and a huge
gathering of neo-hippies who were engaged in some sort of new age
gathering, complete with handcrafted hippy items for sale and strange
flute music that sounded like Ian Anderson on a handful of Quaaludes.
It was all very entertaining and I'm sure the people-watching
throughout the gathering would have been as epic as our intended route
for the day.

The route was carefully hand-selected and approved by all parties in
attendance. Our initial section was intended to bypass a few miles of
very busy mountain highway. It was to be singletrack, to relatively
unused singletrack, to primitive doubletrack, to a gated/paved road.
That said, it started out on a well-used and popular singletrack route,
which was really nice as well as a perfect grade for my 2:1
singlespeed. The grade on the climb was just about as perfect for the
conditions as one could hop for. The oak-shaded sections were
especially nice, as the Sun was starting to warm things up a bit.

As the main trail took a steep turn up, our route turned into the
relatively unused singletrack. That turned out to be a bit of an
understatement, but still seemed a lot better than the prospect of an
acne-addled 20-something on an overpowered rice rocket careening into
us on the road. There was a little walking to be done and riding
in-between, but the initial part was not too bad. Things slowly but
surely worsened as we got deeper into the primitive and unkempt trail.
The almost impassable rockfalls became more frequent as did the young
yucca plants, the latter spiking us in the legs from time to time while
riding or portaging by them. Eventually, the dastardly spikes at the
end of the yucca leaves took their toll on our tires as well, rendering
our hike/ride into just a hike.

With both bikes double-flatted, we pressed on, agreeing to fix the
tires as soon as we broke free of the spiky confines riddled throughout
the chosen route. The brush was so thick in some places it pushed us
out to the edge of the sidecut, giving us only inches to make our way.
Some of the rockfalls were somewhat perilous as well, leaving us to
boulder-hop with sidehill exposure. I was glad to have the 23 pound
singlespeed and was a bit concerned for Greg because he was lugging his
5 Spot through the same stuff. We both made it out ok in due time,
especially when we recognized the flat that the primitive doubletrack
we were headed for ran across.

Once on the doubletack, it was time to find some shade and get to fixin
flats. I had one spare tube and Greg had two, so we had a good start.
Greg had a total of twelve Rema patches and I had five no-glue type
patches, so we knew we would be riding out. I suggested that we assess
the tubes to see which had the fewest holes so we didn't waste
patches on the tubes that had the most punctures. So, we began to pull
wheels off and see if we could count the spikes in our tires before and
after pulling the tubes out. The multi-pliers got a workout, being the
best tool available for pulling the dreaded spikes out. My front tire
had about six and back had about eight that were the most readily
apparent. Greg counted about eight per tire, but after running my
do-rag through the inside of the tubes, I found a few more spikes in
his tires as well as in my tires. It was the worst pincuhsioning of
bicycle tires that I have ever witnessed in my 38 years of cycling,
which that includes a few goathead patch incidents. My front tube had
only four readily apparent holes, two of which were close enough
together to use the one super-sized Rema patch, so I dropped that one
in the front wheel and put the new spare in the rear wheel. Greg
attempted to patch one of his pincushions, but was not successful, even
after using eight patches on it, so he finally conceded to dropping
both of his new spare tubes into his wheels.

Finally back on the trail, it was time to ride a little. The first bit
was on the dirt and it was really nice to be rolling again. The route
took us through what appeared to be an old CCC camp that was being used
by the forest circus for something or another. We hit a gate and
started dropping down a worn pavement road that had a strange alligator
skin pattern to it from lack of a fresh macadam cap for about the last
ten years or so. It was very cool looking...for pavement. It wasn't
long before we found ourselves back on the highway, using it to jog
over to the much anticipated singletrack drop that was the highlight of
the route. We luckily had enough shoulder to ride on and little
traffic to contend with on the road, which was a pleasant surprise.

The singletrack drop started out very steep and loose, which wasn't
much of a problem because we both run big tires (when they're not
flat). The switchbacks were very tight and we both would have had to
been completely on top of our game to clean them, so the dabs happened.
After the trail hit a fire road, it commenced with the steepness,
though not as much, but still with some very tight switchbacks. The
switchbacks weren't huge technical as much as they were tight
technical, requiring complete precision and a definite "A-Game" to
clean them. As the trail flattened out a little, the exposure
increased, though the switchbacks now opened up a bit. I stopped to
snap one photo of Greg turning a rocky and exposed corner, jumping back
on the bike and pedaling on to catch up. It didn't take long because
when I turned the corner, Greg was issuing an expletive to his rear
tire as it was flatting from another spiking, obviously caused by an
increase in yuccas this particular section.

There was no debate. It was time to wave the white flag because all we
had left was five no-glue patches and we were both now running low on
water as well. Greg walked the trip back up to the highway and I rode
here and there, gauging lines on a few of the switchbacks and even
giving a couple of them a second whirl. That was until I noticed my
front tire going a little flat, apparently from a very slow leak I
missed on the initial patch-o-rama. All that took was a quick pump-up
and hope for it to really be a very slow leak. It turned out that Greg
got spiked two more times and the no-glues were applied within a few
minutes and it was time to hit the highway for a few miles.

The highway ride was more uneventful than we could have hoped, only
getting buzzed by one car that was of course a mid-life crisis driving
a Corvette. Back at the parking lot, the Ian Anderson wannabe was
still at it, sounding like a second fistful of 'ludes had been
dropped and chased with a gallon of Ripple. Needless to say, we
skedaddled rather quickly and headed down into the haze.

Looking back, I would not have changed a thing about that ride. Sure,
it was sketchy at times, as well as a bummer that we didn't get to
ride the whole route. The fact of the matter is that we were out
there, took the chance to have an adventure, and made it out in one
piece, thanks to a combination of skill, experience and common sense.
It sure beats a typical American male Sunday of sitting n the couch,
gorging oneself and watching a bunch of overpaid athletes try to kill
each other in vain because there is too much plastic armor on any of
them to really do the job.

JD

[Dave W]

"JD" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Sometimes you just gotta go for it. Sunday was definitely one of those
> days.
>
> Greg and I met at his new digs, not in any hurry to get going. After a
> cup of java, some map study and a little pre-ride BS, we headed up into
> the San Gabriels, ready for a great day of riding.
>
> The sky was much bluer above the prevalent marine layer/smog mix that
> resides in the LA Basin. It's no wonder Drake called Santa Monica
> Bay the Bay of Smokes. The temperatures from bottom to top were pretty
> consistent with the usual when gaining elevation, dropping about two
> degrees for every thousand feet gained. The parking area was bustling
> with activity, not from the many eager outdoorsy types I expected, but
> with a strange array of motorcyclists, tree-hugging hikers and a huge
> gathering of neo-hippies who were engaged in some sort of new age
> gathering, complete with handcrafted hippy items for sale and strange
> flute music that sounded like Ian Anderson on a handful of Quaaludes.
> It was all very entertaining and I'm sure the people-watching
> throughout the gathering would have been as epic as our intended route
> for the day.
>
> The route was carefully hand-selected and approved by all parties in
> attendance. Our initial section was intended to bypass a few miles of
> very busy mountain highway. It was to be singletrack, to relatively
> unused singletrack, to primitive doubletrack, to a gated/paved road.
> That said, it started out on a well-used and popular singletrack route,
> which was really nice as well as a perfect grade for my 2:1
> singlespeed. The grade on the climb was just about as perfect for the
> conditions as one could hop for. The oak-shaded sections were
> especially nice, as the Sun was starting to warm things up a bit.
>
> As the main trail took a steep turn up, our route turned into the
> relatively unused singletrack. That turned out to be a bit of an
> understatement, but still seemed a lot better than the prospect of an
> acne-addled 20-something on an overpowered rice rocket careening into
> us on the road. There was a little walking to be done and riding
> in-between, but the initial part was not too bad. Things slowly but
> surely worsened as we got deeper into the primitive and unkempt trail.
> The almost impassable rockfalls became more frequent as did the young
> yucca plants, the latter spiking us in the legs from time to time while
> riding or portaging by them. Eventually, the dastardly spikes at the
> end of the yucca leaves took their toll on our tires as well, rendering
> our hike/ride into just a hike.
>
> With both bikes double-flatted, we pressed on, agreeing to fix the
> tires as soon as we broke free of the spiky confines riddled throughout
> the chosen route. The brush was so thick in some places it pushed us
> out to the edge of the sidecut, giving us only inches to make our way.
> Some of the rockfalls were somewhat perilous as well, leaving us to
> boulder-hop with sidehill exposure. I was glad to have the 23 pound
> singlespeed and was a bit concerned for Greg because he was lugging his
> 5 Spot through the same stuff. We both made it out ok in due time,
> especially when we recognized the flat that the primitive doubletrack
> we were headed for ran across.
>
> Once on the doubletack, it was time to find some shade and get to fixin
> flats. I had one spare tube and Greg had two, so we had a good start.
> Greg had a total of twelve Rema patches and I had five no-glue type
> patches, so we knew we would be riding out. I suggested that we assess
> the tubes to see which had the fewest holes so we didn't waste
> patches on the tubes that had the most punctures. So, we began to pull
> wheels off and see if we could count the spikes in our tires before and
> after pulling the tubes out. The multi-pliers got a workout, being the
> best tool available for pulling the dreaded spikes out. My front tire
> had about six and back had about eight that were the most readily
> apparent. Greg counted about eight per tire, but after running my
> do-rag through the inside of the tubes, I found a few more spikes in
> his tires as well as in my tires. It was the worst pincuhsioning of
> bicycle tires that I have ever witnessed in my 38 years of cycling,
> which that includes a few goathead patch incidents. My front tube had
> only four readily apparent holes, two of which were close enough
> together to use the one super-sized Rema patch, so I dropped that one
> in the front wheel and put the new spare in the rear wheel. Greg
> attempted to patch one of his pincushions, but was not successful, even
> after using eight patches on it, so he finally conceded to dropping
> both of his new spare tubes into his wheels.
>
> Finally back on the trail, it was time to ride a little. The first bit
> was on the dirt and it was really nice to be rolling again. The route
> took us through what appeared to be an old CCC camp that was being used
> by the forest circus for something or another. We hit a gate and
> started dropping down a worn pavement road that had a strange alligator
> skin pattern to it from lack of a fresh macadam cap for about the last
> ten years or so. It was very cool looking...for pavement. It wasn't
> long before we found ourselves back on the highway, using it to jog
> over to the much anticipated singletrack drop that was the highlight of
> the route. We luckily had enough shoulder to ride on and little
> traffic to contend with on the road, which was a pleasant surprise.
>
> The singletrack drop started out very steep and loose, which wasn't
> much of a problem because we both run big tires (when they're not
> flat). The switchbacks were very tight and we both would have had to
> been completely on top of our game to clean them, so the dabs happened.
> After the trail hit a fire road, it commenced with the steepness,
> though not as much, but still with some very tight switchbacks. The
> switchbacks weren't huge technical as much as they were tight
> technical, requiring complete precision and a definite "A-Game" to
> clean them. As the trail flattened out a little, the exposure
> increased, though the switchbacks now opened up a bit. I stopped to
> snap one photo of Greg turning a rocky and exposed corner, jumping back
> on the bike and pedaling on to catch up. It didn't take long because
> when I turned the corner, Greg was issuing an expletive to his rear
> tire as it was flatting from another spiking, obviously caused by an
> increase in yuccas this particular section.
>
> There was no debate. It was time to wave the white flag because all we
> had left was five no-glue patches and we were both now running low on
> water as well. Greg walked the trip back up to the highway and I rode
> here and there, gauging lines on a few of the switchbacks and even
> giving a couple of them a second whirl. That was until I noticed my
> front tire going a little flat, apparently from a very slow leak I
> missed on the initial patch-o-rama. All that took was a quick pump-up
> and hope for it to really be a very slow leak. It turned out that Greg
> got spiked two more times and the no-glues were applied within a few
> minutes and it was time to hit the highway for a few miles.
>
> The highway ride was more uneventful than we could have hoped, only
> getting buzzed by one car that was of course a mid-life crisis driving
> a Corvette. Back at the parking lot, the Ian Anderson wannabe was
> still at it, sounding like a second fistful of 'ludes had been
> dropped and chased with a gallon of Ripple. Needless to say, we
> skedaddled rather quickly and headed down into the haze.
>
> Looking back, I would not have changed a thing about that ride. Sure,
> it was sketchy at times, as well as a bummer that we didn't get to
> ride the whole route.

<snip> (RR should've ended here...) no need in the bringing out the preacher
man!!

[Bill Wheeler]

On 26 Sep 2005 08:00:40 -0700, "JD" > wrote:

>Sometimes you just gotta go for it.

yep.

>The parking area was bustling
>with activity, not from the many eager outdoorsy types I expected, but
>with a strange array of motorcyclists, tree-hugging hikers and a huge
>gathering of neo-hippies who were engaged in some sort of new age
>gathering, complete with handcrafted hippy items for sale and strange
>flute music that sounded like Ian Anderson on a handful of Quaaludes.

damn, there's a drug you don't hear much talk about anymore.

> Eventually, the dastardly spikes at the
>end of the yucca leaves took their toll on our tires as well, rendering
>our hike/ride into just a hike.

what the hell are yuccas...they sound and must feel brutal!
>It was the worst pincuhsioning of
>bicycle tires that I have ever witnessed in my 38 years of cycling,

at least you and Greg were prepared...


>There was no debate. It was time to wave the white flag because all we
>had left was five no-glue patches and we were both now running low on
>water as well.

...holy cr@p JD and Original Prankster waving the white! what has the
world come to?

>Back at the parking lot, the Ian Anderson wannabe was
>still at it, sounding like a second fistful of 'ludes had been
>dropped and chased with a gallon of Ripple.

....ida luv'd 2 c that 1...


>It sure beats a typical American male Sunday of sitting n the couch,
>gorging oneself and watching a bunch of overpaid athletes try to kill
>each other in vain because there is too much plastic armor on any of
>them to really do the job.

DK's Jock-O-Rama...

>
>JD

I'm not sure who's version is better Greg's or yours.

nice,
bill


The First law, Inertia: Unless acted upon by an outside force,
a body at rest tends to stay at rest,
and a body in motion tends to stay in motion.
Sir Isaac Newton

[G.T.]

"Bill Wheeler" > wrote in message
...
> On 26 Sep 2005 08:00:40 -0700, "JD" > wrote:
>
>
> > Eventually, the dastardly spikes at the
> >end of the yucca leaves took their toll on our tires as well, rendering
> >our hike/ride into just a hike.
>
> what the hell are yuccas...they sound and must feel brutal!

http://www.infomotions.com/gallery/heart-of-texas/Pages/DSCN0337.shtml

When they're that size the edges of the blades are like hacksaws and the
needles aren't very sharp. But when they're only 12" to 18" tall the
needles are like the needles they use at the doctor's office to get a blood
sample. I felt one sliding into me and by the time I stopped walking it
must have penetrated 2" next to my shinbone. Thankfully they're not barbed
so I backed up and it slid right back out. But a couple of minutes later I
had a golf ball size lump where it had punctured my leg. My legs and feet
are covered with dozens of puncture wounds. I have a feeling I'm going to
sprout into a yucca one of these days.

Greg

[JD]

G.T. wrote:
> "Bill Wheeler" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On 26 Sep 2005 08:00:40 -0700, "JD" > wrote:
> >
> >
> > > Eventually, the dastardly spikes at the
> > >end of the yucca leaves took their toll on our tires as well, rendering
> > >our hike/ride into just a hike.
> >
> > what the hell are yuccas...they sound and must feel brutal!
>
> http://www.infomotions.com/gallery/heart-of-texas/Pages/DSCN0337.shtml
>
> When they're that size the edges of the blades are like hacksaws and the
> needles aren't very sharp. But when they're only 12" to 18" tall the
> needles are like the needles they use at the doctor's office to get a blood
> sample. I felt one sliding into me and by the time I stopped walking it
> must have penetrated 2" next to my shinbone. Thankfully they're not barbed
> so I backed up and it slid right back out. But a couple of minutes later I
> had a golf ball size lump where it had punctured my leg. My legs and feet
> are covered with dozens of puncture wounds. I have a feeling I'm going to
> sprout into a yucca one of these days.
>
> Greg


As a kid, I knew the small yuccas without the stalk in the middle as
"******* bushes" because those little *******s hurt when they stuck
you.

I just read Greg's account and a fine depiction it was. I'm ready to
go hit that drop-in we didn't get to finish. After starting a new yob
last week and getting new digs this week, I'll be ready to hit the
dusty trail the weekend after next on Saturday and Sunday. For
weeknights, it's time to charge the light...

JD bicycle commuting again!

[Bill Sornson]

JD wrote:
> I just read Greg's account and a fine depiction it was.

My server must have dropped it? Never saw it (or any replies).

Must say, you guys sure attract your share of pricks! (My "tubless slime"
seems to be working; had one hole leak and squooged some more in there; held
ever since.)

Bill "I hate flats" S.

[MattB]

Bill Sornson wrote:
> JD wrote:
>
>>I just read Greg's account and a fine depiction it was.
>

I liked both accounts.

>
> My server must have dropped it? Never saw it (or any replies).
>
> Must say, you guys sure attract your share of pricks! (My "tubless slime"
> seems to be working; had one hole leak and squooged some more in there; held
> ever since.)
>
> Bill "I hate flats" S.
>
>

We get smaller yuccas here that still hurt like hell when you get poked,
but usually don;t puncture tires. Those and prickly pears are the
sharpest things (besides shot up glass from the rednecks) I typically
encounter on the trail. A tire full of prickly pear spines is a huge PIA
because you have to find and pull them all out or any new tubes will go
flat. They can be really hard to find and I've retired tires early
because of them.

Matt

[Ride-A-Lot]

MattB wrote:
> Bill Sornson wrote:
>
>> JD wrote:
>>
>>> I just read Greg's account and a fine depiction it was.
>>
>>
>
> I liked both accounts.
>
>>
>> My server must have dropped it? Never saw it (or any replies).
>>
>> Must say, you guys sure attract your share of pricks! (My "tubless
>> slime" seems to be working; had one hole leak and squooged some more
>> in there; held ever since.)
>>
>> Bill "I hate flats" S.
>>
>
> We get smaller yuccas here that still hurt like hell when you get poked,
> but usually don;t puncture tires. Those and prickly pears are the
> sharpest things (besides shot up glass from the rednecks) I typically
> encounter on the trail. A tire full of prickly pear spines is a huge PIA
> because you have to find and pull them all out or any new tubes will go
> flat. They can be really hard to find and I've retired tires early
> because of them.
>
> Matt

We get hypodermic needles, broken bottles, and assorted shanks here.
Does that count?

:)

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

[[email protected]]

G.T. wrote:
> "Bill Wheeler" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On 26 Sep 2005 08:00:40 -0700, "JD" > wrote:
> >
> >
> > > Eventually, the dastardly spikes at the
> > >end of the yucca leaves took their toll on our tires as well, rendering
> > >our hike/ride into just a hike.
> >
> > what the hell are yuccas...they sound and must feel brutal!
>
> http://www.infomotions.com/gallery/heart-of-texas/Pages/DSCN0337.shtml
>
> When they're that size the edges of the blades are like hacksaws and the
> needles aren't very sharp. But when they're only 12" to 18" tall the
> needles are like the needles they use at the doctor's office to get a blood
> sample. I felt one sliding into me and by the time I stopped walking it
> must have penetrated 2" next to my shinbone. Thankfully they're not barbed
> so I backed up and it slid right back out. But a couple of minutes later I
> had a golf ball size lump where it had punctured my leg. My legs and feet
> are covered with dozens of puncture wounds. I have a feeling I'm going to
> sprout into a yucca one of these days.
>
> Greg

Madre!
Shoulda dropped some ludes and mellowed out in the parking lot, man.

/s

[JD]

Bill Sornson wrote:
> JD wrote:
> > I just read Greg's account and a fine depiction it was.
>
> My server must have dropped it? Never saw it (or any replies).
>
> Must say, you guys sure attract your share of pricks! (My "tubless slime"
> seems to be working; had one hole leak and squooged some more in there; held
> ever since.)
>
> Bill "I hate flats" S.


So, when are you coming up North to ride? We promise to not kill you
or your tires...

JD

[Bill Sornson]

JD wrote:
> Bill Sornson wrote:
>> JD wrote:
>>> I just read Greg's account and a fine depiction it was.
>>
>> My server must have dropped it? Never saw it (or any replies).
>>
>> Must say, you guys sure attract your share of pricks! (My "tubless
>> slime" seems to be working; had one hole leak and squooged some more
>> in there; held ever since.)
>>
>> Bill "I hate flats" S.
>
>
> So, when are you coming up North to ride? We promise to not kill you
> or your tires...

Shoot me an invite the next time you two "go epic" and I'll try to make it!
(How far north are we talkin', anyway?)

Bill "losing already minimal skills" S.

[G.T.]

"Bill Sornson" > wrote in message
...
> JD wrote:
> > Bill Sornson wrote:
> >> JD wrote:
> >>> I just read Greg's account and a fine depiction it was.
> >>
> >> My server must have dropped it? Never saw it (or any replies).
> >>
> >> Must say, you guys sure attract your share of pricks! (My "tubless
> >> slime" seems to be working; had one hole leak and squooged some more
> >> in there; held ever since.)
> >>
> >> Bill "I hate flats" S.
> >
> >
> > So, when are you coming up North to ride? We promise to not kill you
> > or your tires...
>
> Shoot me an invite the next time you two "go epic" and I'll try to make
it!
> (How far north are we talkin', anyway?)
>

Oh, McKenzie River Trail this weekend. We're taking my private jet early
Sat morning to Bend, OR. We'll ride McKenzie on Sat, and some Bend area
trails on Sun before flying home. Just meet us at Burbank Airport Sat
morning.....

.....damn, waking up after a dream is very disappointing.

Anyway, since anywhere in California is north to you we have plenty of
options.

Greg

[small change]

"G.T." > wrote in message
...
>
>> Oh, McKenzie River Trail this weekend. We're taking my private jet early
> Sat morning to Bend, OR. We'll ride McKenzie on Sat, and some Bend area
> trails on Sun before flying home. Just meet us at Burbank Airport Sat
> morning.....

what, and you didn't invite me and Gab??

Funny MRT story. We did it last year, with Mr Jerry Bone as our tour guide.
This was a good thing, as at the bottom of Clear Lake, the trail sign points
the wrong way. It points right, but that takes you back up the other side of
the lake to where you came from.
Hubby of my good friend went down there with his buddiess, and I told them "
Go the other way at the sign, you need to left and not right". Well, did
they pay any attention to me? Of course not. The wife, my good friend let it
out that she had to give them an I told you so.


>
> ....damn, waking up after a dream is very disappointing.

it was a good one. Better than my nightmare about people stealing my
shopping cart at the supermarket...


penny

[JD]

Bill Sornson wrote:
> JD wrote:
> > Bill Sornson wrote:
> >> JD wrote:
> >>> I just read Greg's account and a fine depiction it was.
> >>
> >> My server must have dropped it? Never saw it (or any replies).
> >>
> >> Must say, you guys sure attract your share of pricks! (My "tubless
> >> slime" seems to be working; had one hole leak and squooged some more
> >> in there; held ever since.)
> >>
> >> Bill "I hate flats" S.
> >
> >
> > So, when are you coming up North to ride? We promise to not kill you
> > or your tires...
>
> Shoot me an invite the next time you two "go epic" and I'll try to make it!
> (How far north are we talkin', anyway?)
>
> Bill "losing already minimal skills" S.


Maybe we should plan for something good for the 7th or 8th of Oct? I'd
kinda like to hit one of the more difficult trails in the Santa Anas on
my pig bike. It's all fireroad climb and almost all of the descent is
singletrack.

JD

JD

[G.T.]

"JD" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> Bill Sornson wrote:
> > JD wrote:
> > > Bill Sornson wrote:
> > >> JD wrote:
> > >>> I just read Greg's account and a fine depiction it was.
> > >>
> > >> My server must have dropped it? Never saw it (or any replies).
> > >>
> > >> Must say, you guys sure attract your share of pricks! (My "tubless
> > >> slime" seems to be working; had one hole leak and squooged some more
> > >> in there; held ever since.)
> > >>
> > >> Bill "I hate flats" S.
> > >
> > >
> > > So, when are you coming up North to ride? We promise to not kill you
> > > or your tires...
> >
> > Shoot me an invite the next time you two "go epic" and I'll try to make
it!
> > (How far north are we talkin', anyway?)
> >
> > Bill "losing already minimal skills" S.
>
>
> Maybe we should plan for something good for the 7th or 8th of Oct? I'd
> kinda like to hit one of the more difficult trails in the Santa Anas on
> my pig bike. It's all fireroad climb and almost all of the descent is
> singletrack.
>

Sounds good to me. Joplin?

Although I just saw this:

"The autonomous robotic vehicles began competing Wednesday in the first of a
series of qualifying rounds at the California Speedway. Half will advance to
the Oct. 8 starting line of the so-called Grand Challenge. The grueling,
weeklong semifinals are designed to test the vehicles' ability to cover a
roughly 2-mile stretch of the track without a human driver or remote
control. Participants ranging from souped-up SUVs to military behemoths will
be graded on how well they can self-drive on rough road, make sharp turns
and avoid obstacles _ hay bales, trash cans, wrecked cars _ while relying on
GPS navigation and sensors, radar, lasers and cameras that feed information
to computers."

I may head out to the Slash X Ranch for a desert ride on the 8th and to
watch the carnage. My bro spectated last year and this year it sounds to be
even more entertaining.

Greg

[Marty]

"JD" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Sometimes you just gotta go for it. Sunday was definitely one of those
> days.
>

Jerry,

Cool stuff. I've had experiences like the one you guys hooked into. You
start out with a good plan and good
friends then at some point on the journey you realize you may have made
smarter choices in your life! By the time
you're finally finished you realize you've created some outstanding memories
and now have even BETTER
friends!

Marty

[[email protected]]

The kind that need no special rims Slime it tubeless
tires.

[JohnH]

> <snip> (RR should've ended here...) no need in the bringing out the
> preacher man!!


To each their own I suppose. I couldn't imagine wasting an afternoon
watching men play with each other on TV. Sounds kinda gay when you think
about it.

[MattB]

JohnH wrote:
>><snip> (RR should've ended here...) no need in the bringing out the
>>preacher man!!
>
>
>
> To each their own I suppose. I couldn't imagine wasting an afternoon
> watching men play with each other on TV. Sounds kinda gay when you think
> about it.
>
>

Amen.

Matt

[Dave W]

"JohnH" > wrote in message
...
>> <snip> (RR should've ended here...) no need in the bringing out the
>> preacher man!!
>
>
> To each their own I suppose. I couldn't imagine wasting an afternoon
> watching men play with each other on TV. Sounds kinda gay when you think
> about it.

I wouldn't know, I don't get many homosexual thoughts....

perhaps a couple guys playing around with themselves and their worn out
rubbers out on the trail sounds pretty gay too....

I guess it's all in how you word it, huh?


>
>

[Dave W]

"MattB" > wrote in message
...
> JohnH wrote:
>>><snip> (RR should've ended here...) no need in the bringing out the
>>>preacher man!!
>>
>>
>>
>> To each their own I suppose. I couldn't imagine wasting an afternoon
>> watching men play with each other on TV. Sounds kinda gay when you think
>> about it.
>
> Amen.
>
> Matt

and pass the plate....

[MattB]

Dave W wrote:
> "JohnH" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>><snip> (RR should've ended here...) no need in the bringing out the
>>>preacher man!!
>>
>>
>>To each their own I suppose. I couldn't imagine wasting an afternoon
>>watching men play with each other on TV. Sounds kinda gay when you think
>>about it.
>
>
> I wouldn't know, I don't get many homosexual thoughts....
>
> perhaps a couple guys playing around with themselves and their worn out
> rubbers out on the trail sounds pretty gay too....
>
> I guess it's all in how you word it, huh?
>

I usually do that alone, actually.

[JohnH]

> perhaps a couple guys playing around with themselves and their worn
> out rubbers out on the trail sounds pretty gay too....
>
> I guess it's all in how you word it, huh?

The way I word it is "I ride with my wife". You can play with a couple guys
on the trails with worn out rubbers all you want - "not that there's
anything wrong with it", of course.