Old

I'm getting old. I MUST be. Since I've been back to work I have typically hit a "nap patch" around 7:30 pm in front of the TV. Typically, after about a 30 minute battle I'm able to stay awake. 

Monday I lost the battle. HARD!  I think I fell asleep in the living room BEFORE 7. When I did come to I knew the battle was lost and I tucked my tail and slid into bed... for the night. 

Last night was our social ride. Except, with only 4 of us in the group the pace was a bit quicker than social. It was fun for sure. Food and beer afterwards was spot on. But that left me getting home right before bed time (10 pm). 

This morning I'm drinking a coke with my breakfast, posting from my smarty phone. 

That's it.

Sunday was a bright and early morning as my race start was 9 am and I had and hour and a half drive ahead of me to get to Dark Mountain.  I got there a little later than I wanted, and the conditions looked curious at best.

I was greeted by the other racers in my class as I had been MIA for a while now.  It was great catching up with them, but that of course ate into what little time I had before the start.  I got a quick warm up in and the course looked great, and dry.  Even the little run off that goes through the start area was dry!  Before the start all the fog burned off - conditions were great!

Having ridden here last week with the 18 (not race pace) I figured I'd be solid with the 20.  Maybe I would have, had my legs not exploded.

I don't know what happened.  Was it the fact that I destroyed my legs at the gym?  I went for a ride Saturday, but it wasn't anything demanding?  Maybe I shouldn't have stayed on the wheel of the guy in front of me off the start and let them go through the flatter stuff ahead of me?  Or maybe, just maybe, I've lost some from not racing in a bit?

Who knows what exactly attributed to it.  But all I can say is I didn't have it.

It wasn't until the second climb that my legs came back and I felt like I could put anything into them, or even stand and push on climbs.  By then it was too late.  The guys in the wave behind me were already catching me so I pulled off to let them go... and got stuck letting them all go as I didn't have time to get back and up to speed before the next guy - so I did a little running in the gaps.

There had been talk of a beer at the top of Snake... if there was beer, I was stopping to have one as this "race" was over for me.  (There was no beer...)  I rode the trail, had some fun, but wasn't able to keep pushing it like I should have been during a race.

So that's a wrap for the season.  It's also probably a wrap for racing for Blood Sweat Gears.  My buddy Sean (my connection to the shop) is out of racing for the foreseeable future due to an overuse injury to his hip.  He was ordered off the bike for over 2 months and is now only getting the ok to leisurely ride - but is told he won't be able to race again.  And Denver is just too far for me to maintain a relationship with the shop.  Of course I'll wear the kit out and about, but I think I'll be racing for someone else (myself) next season.

Some random thoughts about this season:
I need to ride more.
I need to do more focused training.
I don't get nervous at the start anymore because I've come to realize that I really am just racing myself.
Confirmed once again, mountain bikers (as a whole) are good people.
If your race involves a free t-shirt, I will most likely be there!

Oh, and I did manage to finish 5th in the season standings... so that's something I suppose.            

next year

Media Fridays

We'll post videos or photos that will hopefully inspire trail shredding weekends.

I missed it this year... but will do everything in my power to make it next year! 

Off season...

With the final race of the southern classic series coming up fast, it's time to start thinking about the off season... kind of. 

I still have the Southern Singlespeed Championships coming up in September.  Then of course, Snake Creek Gap TT in Jan, Feb, and March (not sure why March got spelled out while the others were abbreviated, but it just felt right). In any case, I'm starting to think ahead and try to plan out what I should be doing in the "off season" to prepare for a successful singlespeed season next year - in whatever form that takes on. 

So, I started back in the gym yesterday. When it comes to workouts, I'm a very regimented individual. I like to plan out workout days, pairing exercises in each workout for maximum benefit, all that good stuff. Yesterday, I went in blind. New gym, no real plan. 

Not good. I pieced together a string of exercises to "wake up" my muscles. Side note: I'm not a good stretcher. When it came time to squat I was planning on just hitting on my form and not pilling on the weight. I "stretched," but not enough. I could still feel it in my muscles but figured it was "good enough."

It wasn't. My first set was ok. Felt it in the back of my thighs but I was getting nice and low and figured it was just a stretch. I loosened up my legs a bit with more stretching before set 2. Set 2 was good. Form was great. Went in for set 3 and my legs screamed as I was getting into position. I stepped back, stretched, and tried again. My thighs protested and I paused, but did not listen. One rep and I was done. My legs were not happy with me and I was a bit concerned I'd done too much too quick. 

At home I sat watching TV with ice under my thighs. As the evening progressed I could still "feel it" in my legs but it felt more like the typical "burn" after a workout. This morning, I am feeling pretty good. I am eager to get on the bike to see how pedaling will feel. 

Lesson learned. STRETCH. It's been a long time, I've got to ease into this whole lifting deal again. 

* posted from my phone, so I apologize for no links and whatnot. 

Making friends

You may not know this about me, but I'm a pretty shy dude.  I'm not generally super outgoing, so if I don't know you I'm pretty laid back and reserved.  Once you get to know me, not so much.  Biking makes it easier though, gives a common ground to just be able to talk to random people in the parking lot, on the trail, in a shop, on the street, and wherever else bicycles might be found.  

Sometimes, I even make the types of friends I'd rather not have...

I hate spiders!  They creep me out.  No, I am not scared of spiders.  I am just not a fan of them on a ride.  I don't enjoy their webs in my mouth.  I don't like to think about the fact that a spider may now be on my back, or in my helmet because I just got draped with a big ass web as I'm flying down a trail.  I DO NOT like to feel them crawling on me.  And least of all, I do not enjoy them biting me.

I found this guy AFTER my ride crawling up my thigh... so he was on there for the long haul.  Thankfully he didn't molest me (at least to my knowledge) and was a silent passenger.  His white markings look kinda ominous though...  my limited search could not identify him... but he lives in Dark Mountain if you want to go find him.

I also met a father and his two sons while I was on the trail.  Much more pleasant interaction than with Mr. Spider... had a nice chat with them.  In the parking lot before the ride chatted with a family about the trail.  Between loops talked with two guys interested in how trail conditions were - gave them the run down: good, some puddles here and there, roots a bit slick, but good.

And then of course the "how are ya?"(s) and "thank you," "have a great day" whenever I met someone on the trial.  I like to be as courteous as can be when on the trail... people complain about bikers, so I want to give them as little as possible to complain about.  We are all ambassadors of mountain biking, whether we like it or not.  Be nice; we are all out to have fun - whether that is on foot, two wheels, or yes, even horseback.    

    

De-ja-puke

When I moved down to North Carolina last July I had already been off the bike as our lives were consumed with getting the condo ready to sell and then the move itself. My buddy Sean and I decided to dip our toes into the race scene down here by entering the final race of the summer series, Dark Mountain. 

I don't know if it was nerves, the heat, the fact that I chugged a Gatorade prior to the start, or a combination of all three but I puked during the race. Fun. After recovering, I quite enjoyed the course. 

Sunday I drove up to Dark Mountain to give the course a once over and test out how the trail would treat the Glow Worm. I could certainly let it go a bit more on the downhills with the HiFi, but the Glow Worm handled the footy goodness just fine. I was able to ride everything as is, but will likely make a gearing adjustment to account for traffic on the climbs. 

The thing about Dark Mountain is there is very little flat. You are either climbing or descending for the most part. So an easier gear should not be too much of a detriment... that is until the very end of the race when the course pours out onto a flat field, which we proceed to do a lap around. If anyone is close behind they will likely overtake me here.  

So I'll have to hit it hard off the start and put as much in as I can on the initial climbs. Let it go as much as I can on the downhills. And just pedal, pedal, pedal damnit the rest of the way. 

It's the last race of the series, I've got to be out of it on the overall standings, but I'm excited to be racing again. 

just amazing

Media Fridays

We'll post videos or photos that will hopefully inspire trail shredding weekends.

Ok... so this isn't bike related... but it is DAMN beautiful.  THIS is what mountain biking is all about... getting out and being.

Time in the Valley; Summer from John Woodside on Vimeo.

Enjoy the beauty around us... even better if you can do it from a bike!

working progress

Ok... so Team Dild's Grill has been kicking around the idea of putting a kit together for a while now.  We started designing a while back, but let things drop by the wayside.  Details such as cost and minimum order kinda put the damper on things.

Somewhat recently I met the man, the myth, the legend - D-Wayne.  He happens to do jerseys (amongst other things).  The Dild's Grill kit might have some life left in it.

To that end, I've been playing around with kit ideas.  D-Wayne, I will be in contact with you shortly about this.

If might want in, or want your name/company/product on our kit, get in contact with me.  Here are the first (VERY) rough sketches of Team Dild's Grill.

 
I'm also thinking of putting together a "special" kit just for the Glow Worm.

I already have plans for one "unofficial" sponsor - Southern Wheelworks.  Not so much as a sponsor, as I just support what Dustin is doing - and enjoying the wheels he built for me.

dry run

I'm already thinking about the 34 miles and 5000 ft of climbing that I will be enduring for the Snake Creek Gap TT.  I'm not dreading it, I'm thinking about it.  I'm roughing out a checklist of things i need to do/improve in order to make the event that much more... "manageable."  I could, of course, opt for the 17 miles course.  But no.  A belt buckle is on the line.  If you know me, you know that my world is rocked when I get a free t-shirt at a race.  The potential for a belt buckle, well, let's just say there is no way I'm not doing what I need to do to acquire said belt buckle.

This past weekend I did a "fitness test" of sorts.  I wanted to get a baseline so I can focus my...focus.  The big three things that I need to order are: hydration, food, and of course, fitness.  Historically I've been a "drink when you are dying of thirst" and "eat once you've bonked" kind of rider.  That's no good and should change just because.  It certainly has to change for a 34 mile race.  Then of course, I need to get my legs and lungs up to the challenge.

I hit up Lake Norman since I knew I could get miles in without getting all repeaty and bored.  On my first run I went out armed with water and some energy food stuffs.  I know that I will be utilizing Osmo Active for training and the race, but figured  I should get a ride in with just water so that I can monitor the added benefits of using Osmo.  I tried to regiment myself and drink a bottle in about 45 minutes and I also attempted to eat something every hour.  I did ok hitting both of those marks.  

Overall I felt ok on the ride.  I tried to hold back in the start and pace myself for the day.  I felt like I kept pretty good momentum throughout most of the ride.  Towards the end a combination of tiredness and rain/wet trails decreased my output and cut my ride short.  

According to my garmins I rode 23.4 miles and climbed 2129 ft.  Not race length, but  I didn't necessarily need to reach that goal this early.  First impressions?  

Be prepared.  I left my riding gloves back at the house and rode sans gloves.  I can NOT do that.  My hands were entirely too sweaty, and although I didn't crash or slip off the bars because of it, it was an annoyance and a worry throughout the ride.  So, I need my gloves.

I need to play with food... more so, how to access it during the ride.  Osmo has a whole list of cool food ideas with recipes and everything... so I'll try some of those out over the next couple of weeks and give reviews if you are so inclined to play with your own nutritional needs.  

       

I didn't cramp, but I was sore, and tired.  Not dead tired, but tired enough that I was secretly happy the the rain came and the trails were not great - "allowing" me to cut my ride short.  I probably only cut off 3-5 miles (if that) but still.

So the question, will Osmo Active provide a noticeable difference?  Probably?  But I'll go back out, maybe this weekend, and hit the same route armed with Osmo and let you know.

No excuses

One of the things that I love about riding singlespeed is it DRASTICALLY cuts down your opportunity to make excuses.

For me, it brings it all back to me and the trail.  Everything comes down to me.  Am I putting in enough effort, am I focused, have I (dare I say) trained?  If there was any less separating me, my performance, and the trail then I'd be trail running.

And, who wants to do that?

Perception

Rain has been a show stopper around here for a while now.  A bit too long if you ask a lot of local mountain bikers.  This, of course, has sparked debate arguments on the local bike forums.  When can you ride, how long should trails be shut down for, who is ultimately responsible for trail maintenance, etc.

Friday I was out riding up at Lake Norman, trying to beat the predicted (surprise, surprise) thunder storms of the day and the skies opened up.  I finished the main portion of my ride with one rain shower that did not seem to penetrate the trees on the trails I was riding.  Trails were the same when I left as when I arrived.

As I rolled back through the parking lot the skies looked good so I headed out to hit some more trail.  This time, the trails weren't looking so hot.  Not horrible, but certainly not the conditions I had started with.  True, it was a different trail, different elevation, possibly different soil type... but you could tell there had been rain in the past here.  It wasn't sloppy, and certainly wasn't unrideable... just a noticeable difference is all I'm saying.  As I was riding this loop, the skies opened up and the trail quickly began accumulating water.  Even with water on the trail, the tread itself did not feel soft.  I finished the loop and headed for the parking lot.

I paused.  Should I take the short trail back to the trailhead, or tackle the road - and hill?  I sat thinking, the rain stopping.  No one had come through to the close the trails.  Dilemma ensues.  If the park isn't closing their trails - and they are very "good" about closing the trails when they deem necessary,  can I/should I continue my ride.

I had a goal in mind that day, and I something was urging me to push on.  I was close to hitting all the trails and getting the mileage I wanted.  The rain stopped, the rangers hadn't closed the trail... I went for it.  This time, I was not pleased.  Again, the trails weren't HORRIBLE, but they also didn't need to be ridden.  My bike let me know about it as grit and grime piled in my brakes.  The trail was a constant puddle fest - yet still seemed to remain pretty solid.  Was I killing the trail, no.  Would it hurt the trail if a train of riders came through - maybe.

And that, my friends, is why trails close.  Sure, you - the individual - might weigh your impact and decide that you alone won't hurt the trail.  And you might be right.  But if 20,30,100 of us think the same way the trails might end up looking a little different.

I cut it short.  I didn't hit everything, and headed for the lot - taking the paved hill.  As I arrived there were a couple riders getting ready to go.  One rider, who I have raced with this year in the summer series, came up to ask about the trails - seeing my shins covered in mud.  I let him know which trails were a mess and noted that earlier some of the trails were looking good.  After giving my two cents, he decided to check out the trails I had hit earlier and ignore the ones I found water logged.  As I was putting the Glow Worm up I heard another group of riders gathering, a few describing the very same trails I felt could use a break as primo.  As I said, they were still firm... but covered in water.

So the question lies here... is it up to others to close the trails for us (rangers, the club, private land owners) or should we all be responsible for our own actions?  Like the next guy, I'm not thrilled about cutting a ride short, or NOT getting to ride, but if it means the trails remain in good solid shape and around for us to ride for years to come - what's one more day of waiting?

Miles

Media Fridays

We'll post videos or photos that will hopefully inspire trail shredding weekends.

My plan is to start working on upping trail mileage and saddle time in preparation for the Snake Creek Gap TT, and hopefully that starts today.  From looking over some Strava data it looks like 34(ish) miles with 5000+ ft of elevation. 

That being said, I will not be coming close to the guys and gals who ride the CTR.  But man, what beautiful country to be riding/surviving in!!

2013 Colorado Trail Race from Aaron Johnson on Vimeo.

It's in the details.

As I retold the epic tales of my life this past weekend, I forgot to include an important picture.  I think it speaks for itself.

TheMutt took this picture.  So TheMutt gets the photo credit.  TheMutt

Well, I hope it speaks for itself.  I'm not sure why exactly this was posted up on the Oskar Blues Brewery, but it was there.  And seemed important.  Well, more funny.  So TheMutt was kind enough to get me there reinforcing the "no straps" rule.

Ok... so to the point of todays edition - nutrition.  I don't know about you, but for me, nutrition seems like an important thing, but is widely ignored.  I typically bring water on rides.  And ignore it.  I'm horrible at staying ahead of the hydration curve.  And if I struggle with drinking water on a regular basis, where do you think I sit in the "consuming calories" ball field while riding?  You got it... I'm in the tunnels under the ballpark, LOST.

This is something that has to be addressed.  This will be especially true as my sites are now on The Snake Creek Gap Time Trial.  Luckily, I have some time to figure out the nutritional aspects of my riding... and get my legs and lungs in order!  I've never raced any long distances, so 34 will be a big one.  I've never raced anything with aid stations... so something tells me I should be drinking and consuming!  

I'm happy to say, that I at least have somewhere to start on this nutritional exploration.  Prior to heading out to Dupont I stopped in Uptown Cycles to pick up some extra tubes and get something in the area of nutrition as I wasn't sure how long/far we'd be riding.  The staff was great and hooked me up with some great products.  I still have some of the nutritional bars and whatnot left, since the ride was at a medium pace.  

But, I do have a pretty damn good idea what I'll be sipping on from here on out.  Osmo Active Hydration.  I wanted something that I could add to water while out on the trail, and wanted something that wasn't so sugary.  I was pointed in the direction of Osmo.  I was informed that it was a big seller, especially with the triathletes, and that Uptown was the only local dealer.  I chose to go with the blackberry flavor as I've never been a big fan of orange sports drinks.... long story.

Although the Dupont ride probably wasn't a great test for the effectiveness of the drink, I can say this: it tasted awesome!!  Awesome in the fact that the flavor wasn't overpowering, giving a nice faint hint of blackberry.  No nasty aftertaste.  Just crisp fresh blackberry infused water.  But with all the extra goodness to keep my legs turning those cranks.  

I will be going to pick up some more Osmo for sure and really testing it out on some harder training rides... I'll just have to work on actually drinking while riding instead of waiting until I'm already dying of thirst.  I'll keep you posted on it's performance as I get more rides in while drinking it.  

Where to get the beer?

After triumphing over the oppressive butterfly king I was thirsty.

A big thanks goes out to TheMutt for documenting my victory, now children will be told of my legend of ages to come!

But yes, the victor was thirsty... so where do you go when you are thirsty in Brevard?  Well, that is easy.  You go to the one place that has it all: The Pisgah Tavern, nestled right in the bosom of The Hub.  I'm now a card holding member... which means I can drink beers there.  I'm special.

As we were leaving I saw a sign, and it was GLORIOUS!

It was a sign... in an actual sign.... but there it was, calling out to me.  TheMutt put his foot down and decided there was more beer to be drunk in the area.  I reluctantly left my thrown, trusting that my minions would self rule with honor and dignity.

Next stop was the Oskar Blues Brewery right there in Brevard.  Our timing was impeccable and as we rolled in a tour was just starting, so we jumped in on that madness.  And madness it was, that brewery is a speed demon of an operation.  It's a pretty sweet facility, so if you are in the area check it out!  You can tell them Eastwood sent you... but I'm not sure what good that will really do for you.  Let me know how it goes for you anyway!

Truth be told, going into the brewery I wasn't a fan of Oskar Blues.  That is unfair, because I had only had Dale's Pale Ale before and was NOT a fan in the least bit.  I didn't know where to start once the tour was over so I did a little sampling.  TheMutt partook as well, although he went in reverse order (dark to light) - something about beer temperatures and other fancy sciency reasoning.  I wasn't really feeling Mama's Little Yella and the previously mentioned Dale's, but after that I was enjoying the selection.  So much that I knew I was getting myself a growler.

I won!

The decision on which to get was a difficult one.  Although I enjoyed the selection, which would be the lucky winner?  I eventually decided on going with Ten Fidy, their imperial stout (10.5 abv).  I mean, the growler alone was a thing of beauty... but it filled with Ten Fidy was magical.  WAS, cause it was empty by Monday.

I already know the growler can hold beer, like any good growler should.  But, the vacuum sealed lining of the container will keep the cold cold, and the hot hot... so I can bring soup, or such, to a cold winter race and bring cheer to those around me.... or I can fill it back up with Ten Fidy and drink the cold away... either way, WIN!

Dupont Double

Just a reminder of my disclosure from yesterday:

This won't make any sense right now, but it has to be said: there were butterflies!  This isn't said for really any purpose for today's post... or for this blog, necessarily.  But, throughout my adventures this weekend there was a situation where there were a number of butterflies flying around me for whatever reason... and it might come up over here... and if it does, and you see it, I just want you to know this one thing: there were butterflies!

 I have a feeling that it is important to remember that today.

I also have a feeling that those of you who follow both myself and TheMutt will be in for a double dose of our trip to Dupont.  Deal with it.  He'll say stuff I'll forget, and I'll mention stuff he'll forget... so really, it's just one more complete story with the two of us telling it.  So, you are welcome.  

Although we got hit up with a detour on the way to the trail, we did indeed make it there.  And I did, indeed, injure myself BEFORE the damn ride even started.  I didn't even know the extent of my injury until I got home later that night.

Walking out of the port-a-potty I slammed my head into the doorway... I shoulda just peed in the woods!

The group was a gnarly set of rigid singlespeeders (myself, TheMutt, and G3 or Good Guy Greg), Lunchbox, and we picked up a straggler in the parking lot, Jeff - from Myrtle Beach.  TheMutt put on his ride leader helmet (figure of speech, he doesn't actually have a special helmet) and led us on our trip through the woods, with the aid of his trusty map reading skills.  

We started off on a nice little climb that quickly separated the ss from the gears.  It also set the tone for the ride.  Just remember this one thing - when you ride in the mountains, there is only one more climb after this one.

We hit some trails I have ridden before, and some that I probably had not.  It was a fun ride, and really nice to be riding somewhere different and "new."  Ready for the picture tour?  I'm ready.  Let's go!

  

We took a wrong turn and ended up on a covered bridge.
I took a picture of some rushing water - it will become a theme.

Lunchbox watches as TheMutt fixes his flat for him.
It will become a theme.

As we were waiting on the fix, this monster of a bug bit me through my bibs

After the flat we continued on our quest to find a waterfall.... because, you know, there are so few in the area.  We climbed on some rocks and hung out for a bit.

I climbed out on a rock in the middle of the river/creek - downstream

Upstream

TheMutt and G3 sitting at the waters edge

upper fall

TheMutt put Lunchbox on "time out" for flatting.

Yes, I DID take pictures of butterflies...

I'm running out of time!!  We ended our ride on Ridgeline... like any good visit to Dupont should.  It was fun, but the trail was a bit washed out in sections.  That amazing and HUGE wall ride is a mess now, boo.  Oh, and guess what?

Lunchbox flatted on Ridgeline, and TheMutt fixed it again.
What a nice dad!

There is still more to this adventure, but I guess I'll have to share that tomorrow... sorry!

I'll start... somewhere

This won't make any sense right now, but it has to be said: there were butterflies!  This isn't said for really any purpose for today's post... or for this blog, necessarily.  But, throughout my adventures this weekend there was a situation where there were a number of butterflies flying around me for whatever reason... and it might come up over here... and if it does, and you see it, I just want you to know this one thing: there were butterflies!

Thursday I hit the Booty Loop for a quick spin and spent most of my time chasing people.

Moots rider, I was happy to follow him because he absolutely hammered the longer hill.

Thursday also marked the arrival of my EBB II from Niner.  I waited to install it until Friday, because that's how I roll.  I consulted with TheMutt and threw some Oateys on there, "just in case."  

While I was at it I also stole my XT pedals off the HiFi.

Now the HiFi sits sadly in the corner... naked.

Niner included a sweet little something something when they shipped me the EBB II.  I don't know if they even knew they sent it to me.

A cell phone bag!!  Now I can keep my cell phone dry while eating up mountain trail.  And that was the plan.  The Glow Worm was now ready, and hopefully slip free, for a ride out at Dupont.  The only question left was... could we get there?

But, I'll save the rest of that adventure for tomorrow.  I will say this - ZERO slippage with the EBB II installed.  I'm back to 100% singlespeed!! (I was down to about 98% singlespeed with the annoyances I was experiencing with the EBB slippage).  

Some day?

Media Fridays

We'll post videos or photos that will hopefully inspire trail shredding weekends.

This is one of the first "big" races I became aware of years back thanks to Thom P.  Its all the way on the other side of the country, and just seems to hold some sort of magical place in all that is mountain biking.   Will I ever ride it... who knows.  I think I should start with some of the other big guys in my back yard, ever hear of Pisgah?  

Anyway, the Breck Epic is coming... here's a little overview of the whole deal.

Gonna Make You Sweat

I forgot to mention something about my road ride the other day... yeah I know, most of us are mountain bikers and we don't really want to hear about (or in some cases, even ride) road rides, but just hold on for a second.

You know that awkward moment when you are climbing a hill and a car comes up from a street on the right ahead of you... and they pause, not knowing if they are going to make the left in front of you or wait?  And you are stuck either continuing at your pace KNOWING they should go... or forcing yourself to get up and hammer to pass in front at a quicker pace?

Yeah, I hate that.  Not because I'm worried about holding them up, I'm not... I typically just continue at whatever pace I was going - I'm not going to kill myself on a hill for a car - I'll kill myself on a hill for my own sadistic pleasure thank you very much.  No, I just dread the misjudgment of drivers who will wait until the last minute and THEN pull out and make the turn as you are in their intersection.

Anyway...

Thankfully, that didn't occur.  But, I did come up to two such situations, both of which paused just long enough for me to think they would be waiting (when they didn't have to) but then made the smart choice and went before I got to them.  In the first such situation the suv turned and I hit the cross section about 5-7 seconds later and could clearly smell the woman's perfume.

My first thought: DAAAAAMMMN she was wearing a lot of perfume.

Second thought: Middle school dance??

Some kids lucky enough to have their pictures out there on the internets...
for me to make fun of.

I have no idea what perfume she was wearing, but it seriously hit my brain like a freight train and memories came flooding in of middle school dances.  Whatever the scent was, it WAS the first perfume girls start wearing.  It was HILARIOUS!  I hadn't thought about or experienced that smell since that time.  Even in all my years of working with adolescents I seriously haven't smelled it since I was actually in middle school.  It must be some discontinued scent of a time past... but this woman had a stockpile and was bathing in it.

Although I could smell the perfume of the next woman who did the same thing, it was 2-3 seconds after she pulled out and it smelled like a "normal" soccer mom... kinda made me sad because it was just so AMAZING to have memories of being a teen hit me like that because of a smell on a road ride - which, as we all know is typically cow shit and road kill.

DANCE BREAK!