It's on!

Media Fridays

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

So I pre-posted this before I left... so hopefully everything is going to plan and we are still alive and well.  We will just go with that...

Anyway, tomorrow we'll be racing/riding out at Copper Harbor for SSUSA.  If you haven't already checked out a video of their trails... here is one to wet your appetite.  It seems they made some last minute changes to the course on Wednesday... reversing a lot of trails... making it sound like much climbing.  Whatever, it will be fun!

So here is just a little of what we'll probably be hitting, enjoy the video, I will enjoy the actual trails tomorrow.  Go get your bike on yourself!!

Copper Harbor Trails July 2014 from mgsugar on Vimeo.

Are you ready for this?

You know if you read the title this song probably popped in your head... so here you go!

But, the more appropriate questions is am I ready for this?

SSUSA is only a few days away, so I am hitting the road tomorrow morning.  Yes, the road.  1200 miles and 19 hours.  And on Sunday we'll turn around and do the whole thing over again... in one day.  Hey, did you catch that I said "we" there?  Originally a bunch of people were going.  Then it was me in the pterodactyl all alone.  Then Dicky got tipsy and really excited about it and was in.  Then he wasn't.  Then, just a few days ago another local Faster Muastache-er jumped on board.  Now Zac and myself will tackle this beast of a trip.  Here is the itinerary as it stands.

Thursday morning we bogey the heck out of Charlotte and head north, for about 13 hours and some change (which should get us to Mackinaw Michigan) to a sweet free camping spot I found on the internerds.  Legit.  There is a whole site for finding free camping!!  Some of it is for our RV friends, but some works for us mortals with tents and whatnot.  Check it out.  The site gets a little wonky sometimes, but it's finding free stuff, so relax already!

The next morning we'll get up, head over the bridge and drive a little over 3 hours to Marquette where we will hit up the South Marquette Trails.  From there we only have 2 hours and 45ish minutes to Copper Harbor!!  Unfortunately... we don't get to go straight to Copper Harbor.  You see, it's a tiny little town and there are no places left to stay... camping sites, motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts (well, I wasn't getting that fancy) are all booked.  So the closest open place was a hotel in Calumet Michigan - 34 miles south of Copper Harbor.  Not too bad - the map says it will take anywhere from 45-60 minutes to drive up in the morning for the race.  There wasn't much in the way of forests (at least on the map) for covert camping closer to the race, but it's all good.  

Saturday we race (starts at 10) and then the festivities ensue.  I'm really not feeling the long haul on Sunday, so our plan is to enjoy ourselves but not go too crazy on Saturday (we shall see...) and head out of town Saturday evening heading towards home about 2.5 hours to another freeish (maybe a $5 donation) camping site.  I figure 2.5 hours isn't solo bad of a drive Saturday evening (if we are in shape to do it) and it will make some - even if it's small - impact on the drive back Sunday.

Monday morning, bright and early, it's back to work for me.  Teacher's workday.  If all hell breaks lose and something happens that we don't make it through Sunday back home it's "ok."  I could take the day if I need it.  But I would rather not as we have a new counselor starting this year and I'd like to be there to help her get settled... while I fall asleep at my desk.

Oh, and then last night TheMutt texts me... meeting at the Kickstand tonight... trivia, shenanigans, and beers.... exactly what I don't need tonight.  Apparently Niner Mike is bringing his little kiddos so he promises an "early night."  I'm not exactly sure if that's possible, but we will see.

Committed

2014 is already starting to take shape with events. So far I'm looking at events that will be pushing my limits. And by the looks of things, it won't just be my legs putting in the miles. I have 4 events (6 if you consider each Snake Creek Gap TT as a separate event, and I suppose I should since it covers three consecutive months!) in 4 different states!

First up, the Snake. And the Snake is coming fast!  January, February, and March I will be driving down to Georgia 5 1/2 hours each way/each time... yikes!  I think this is the first time I actually looked at how long it would take. That is a bear!  The positive: each race is on Saturday so I have Sunday to recover. I might have to look at taking the Friday before off so I'm not so tired at the start from driving down after work... We'll see. There is a belt buckle on the line after all!

Next up is the Dragon's Tale in Virginia. I just added this yesterday when D-Wayne invited me, so I know nothing about it. From talking with him it sounds like the area has trails right up my alley so I'm jumping in with blind faith, but I'll do more research soon. Just checked and it's 3 1/2 hours away. After I  told the facebooks that I was going Dicky posts up this gem. 

Great... what did I just get myself into?

Next up is SSUSA. I missed last year because school started around the weekend of the event so I couldn't take the time for the road trip, but this year I'm good to go!  Where is it this year?  Michigan. But not just "Michigan," Upper Peninsula Michigan... 19-20 hours away!!  D-Wayne has committed, TheMutt is doing the hokie pokie over there and hasn't officially put his foot in the ring here... but in any event this will be a road trip. It will be broken down with ride stops on the way there/back - so who knows how long/how many rides will be included in this adventure?  I just have to make sure I'm back for work on Tuesday August 12... hopefully we can manage that.

And my final event on the docket so far... the Brunswick Brawl. I got to see how my body handled a 6 hour event and had a blast doing it this year, so of course I'll be back!  I'm looking forward to improving my performance and enjoying those fun trails again!  So far it's my only race right here in North Carolina and it's only 3 1/2 hours away.... 

Good lord the pterodactyl will be pilling on the miles this year!

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! 

POOP

Media Fridays

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

So of course, in my excitement at the opportunity (and permissions!!) to go to SSUSA I didn't really look at the dates involved.

SSUSA: August 17th

First day of school: August 15th

No rode trip for Eastwood... BOOOO!!!

Well, for those of you that are going, or just wish you are going, here is a little race that the 29nSNGL put on a couple years back.  I think I may have already posted this video, so deal with it.

This just gives you a small idea of what SSUSA might be under their direction.

Enjoy.

Nonsense

Media Fridays

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

I don't know if you saw this, but TheMutt was talking some crazy talk over on his side of the internerds yesterday.  My prediction, no gears.  

Why do I think that?  

Because this is how excited TheMutt looked to be riding his squishy/shifty (the wrong kind of ss) bike on our group ride on Tuesday.

So, to remind TheMutt of the glory of singlespeeding... I present this for all to enjoy.  And by "this," I mean two vidoes.

The first is a bunch of singlespeeders going fast!  Check out Charlie before the start with the 2 numberplate.  

This next one TheMutt should remember.  We also get to see George for the 2nd time, and the great and wonderful ThomP makes an appearance in there (a 
couple of times)

Oh, and if everyone could do me a favor... ride some trails this weekend while I'm moving heavy shit.  Thanks.