Fall Riding

The final month of mud race for the year was held on Sunday morning in Ohiopyle.  We had ridden our bicycles to the same race last year and had fun, so a couple months ago, decided we would do so again.

Saturday morning, our trip began.  Five of us met in the city and before departing, ate lots and lots of tasty food and even got some extra breakfast to go.

The day was super beautiful and the leaves still vibrant, hanging on to a few more weeks of life.  As the mileposts rolled by, we'd fill ourselves with the fall air and take in all the season had left to offer.  It's sad that hours go by just as fast on days like these.

Ryan, TJ & Ry

We got some rain as we passed through Connellsville.  About four miles later, it rained harder.  When we got to Ohiopyle, there wasn't a whole lot of arguing over the idea of getting a room.  We were sort-of happy to have gotten to use the rain gear we packed, since the tents and bags we carried so far along would go unused.

All cleaned up and extra hungry, we made our way to Falls City Pub behind Wilderness Voyageurs.  Just as crowded with racers as it was the year before, we were still able to snag a table pretty quick after walking in.  We ordered an abundance of food and were joined by our friend and Ohiopyle resident, Montana.  We ate a lot, drank a lot and talked a lot.  Before we knew it, we were the last ones there, so soon after, we called it a night and parted ways.

The next morning, our ride began with a climb up Sugarloaf in an effort to watch the race from a much more entertaining and down-hilly spot.  It didn't take too long to finish the climb up, but it was definitely consuming in some sections trying to keep the weight of full panniers in motion.

TJ volunteered to be a course marshal.  We volunteered to be the ones to convince racers to avoid the go-around and instead, take the more difficult line.  We were successful.

A local laughing heartily.  TJ looking stoic.

We watched many of our friends race through, cheering them all along the way.  Satisfied with our efforts, we descended back to town and caught up with all those who had already crossed the finish line.

We didn't depart Ohiopyle until after 1:00 in the afternoon, so we knew we'd be cutting it a little close on daylight hours.  The day was just as nice as it was on Saturday, and despite being rushed, we were still able to enjoy it.

In the end, maybe the hours did slow down for us just a bit, as we were happy to have had some time to spare.

Month of Muddddd

Month of Mud starts this weekend.

There had been a many-year streak of Moraine being the venue for the last race in the series.  Now, it's the first.  Ohiopyle - the sort of new venue and home to many locals that failed to out-dance j-pok, is now the caboose.

Ryanne signed up for Moraine.  I hope her summer training will pay off and earn her a third women's expert series.

Hill repeats.

Intervals.

We'll see.  She'll have her hands full.

Last year, Gotch, Jason and I were joined by some others and rode down to Ohiopyle the day before the race.  We're planning to do so again this year.  Breakfast on the Southside, ride down the GAP, eat more food, then heckle racers on Sugarloaf the next morning.  We lived large last year and even picked up an extra roommate / dance party partner along the way.  Anyone who wants to make the trip with us, should.

The last Michaux race for the year is also this weekend.  Extra special luck to that extra special someone - TJ. And of course to anyone else from Western PA making the trip.

Haunted house season is coming up.