bikebob@crocker.com

 Our Hero: Totally Buff !

 Week of 1/04/98:

Monday :
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday: New Year's day. Today we scheduled a ride for 1:00 to give the party goers a little longer to sleep. As it turns out most of our party people are also not inclined to ride in the cold. So I along with Jack, Dave, Doug, Paul, Jimbo, Matt Sawin, Andy Senna, Don Sadler set out for a rather cold trip to the Montague Plains. It was only 15 degrees when we left the shop and the wind was really blowing so it felt like 20 below. I headed out following the younger kids with Doug and Paul behind me. As soon as I got to the trail I realized that Doug and Paul were not coming. Since they were not in sight I decided to go without them, hoping they would find us. We rode the trail out to the base of Willis Hill on mostly snow packed trails. The was however a fair amount of frozen puddles that we had to negotiate. I bet the kids they couldn't ride across a particularly long section of ice, and would give $5.00 to each who made it. Andy and Jimbo did and are now into me for a fin each. We rode around the base of the hill and then started back as it was really cold and starting to get dark. All of us made it back safely and when I arrived at the shop Doug and Paul were waiting. It seems that Paul got so cold in the first half mile they bagged it for a trip over to the El Sombrero restaurant.
Saturday:  Our Hero called at 10:00 this morning to inform me of his intention to lead the ride today. He asked for the faithful to meet at La Casa del Sokoloski at 1:00 sharp. He mentioned something about "fresh horses for the men" and then the conversation trailed off. Not knowing what to expect I arrived with Puddle Duck, Pete and Dave, and Uncle Mic in my van.  When we arrived we were greeted by CTD, Ken H.,and Gary, who rode up from the shop on his bike. It was an unseasonably warm day with not much wind so we all had to dress down for the occasion. He led us out from his yard on what we would later call a tour de back roads of Franklin County.We rode at a fairly brisk pace with Our Hero directing the group to the Ten Mile Bridge. It was there that we decided it would be easier to take West Leyden Rd. instead of Colrain Rd. Big mistake! West Leyden Rd is a 2 1/2 mile climb up one of the steepest hills to be found anywhere. (That hill will kill you if you are not careful.) Once on the top we decided to send Puddle Duck to the town hall to wait. CTD volunteered to ride down the hill to his house and get the van to pick him up.  The rest of us headed to Frizzle Hill, yet another steep climb. Ken decided that after seeing the first part of the climb he would head back to town on Greenfield Rd, discretion being the better part of valor. The rest of us fools flogged our way to the top of Frizzle Hill and then headed back to CTD's house for some refreshments. I, for one, am going to be sore for a while after that ride! Uncle Mic took some photo's along the way and I will publish them as soon as the are available.
Sunday: Today's ride was scheduled to meet at the shop and we would pick our destination after everyone arrived. Obviously I have not regained my senses, because I agreed to let Our Hero decide the location for today's adventure. He said that the Plains would be good because of the frozen base and the fact that he went over there this morning and it looked good.
Suckered into coming along was Ken H., Dave, and  Hughes. After we unloaded the bikes next to the lake that normally serves as our parking lot, most of us got the feeling that we had stepped in deep this time. Our Hero, undaunted by the obvious, led us down the usual trail that leads to Willis Hill. We found the trails to be mostly water covered ice or deep slushy snow. Needless to say the going was pretty slow (probably what he had in mind anyway). We spent about an hour getting to the base of the hill.  Then just as we started to climb the hill it started to rain. Well that was it for me. I announced that I was heading back to the van by the shortest route possible. Everyone agreed and followed me straight through the woods. I made my own trail as I went. We rode down a raging brook to one of the cross roads that lead to the power lines. We were all pretty wet as we exited that road, but to make sure he was not outdone, Hughes did a swan dive into a rather large puddle near the end. I directed the crew down the middle of the power lines, but Our Hero decided that it would be fun to race me from the side trail. Well needless to say we were waiting at the van when the "pocket rocket" arrived with a glib remark about us taking the easy route. Another day in the life. Much fun and good companionship!

Week of 1/11/98:
Tuesday: Tonight was a warm foggy night so I expected everyone to come out for a chance to ride in shorts in January. I mean how many times can you ride on bare ground in January in New England? I'm at the shop and 6:00 rolls around,so I eagerly prepare for a huge turnout. I know CTD will be there because he likes the warm weather, and the rest of the regulars will come for the novelty of it. I wait; it's 6:05 and Dave Minor arrives along with James West from the East. We wait; it's 6:15 and no one else shows up. Whatsupwiththat? We decide that the wimps are staying home because of the fog, so this hearty trio heads out for a trip to the Coke Plant. We had a wonderful time sprinting around the course in record time. The trails were in perfect condition and the moon came out about half way around to make it a perfect night all together. Dave Minor mentioned that only the truly talented would be found out on a night like this, and I have to agree. We are the gods of the sport!

Saturday: Most of the week was a washout due to heavy rain and cool temperatures, but today was a day for the books. I put the call out last night, with the help of CTD, for a ride today at 11:00 am. It was a warm sunny day, and for the middle (almost) of January, that's rare around here. So I was expecting a few riders to show up for a spin to the Coke Plant. Well eleven people showed up for what has to be one of the better rides of the year. We had myself, CTD, Dave M., Ted, Doug C., Marc, Steve D., Ken H., Jack, Keith, and Todd A.  gathered at the shop. We left in a group and headed over to the trails and what we found was the best trail conditions we've ever had for this time of the year. Sure, there was some water running down the hill and there were a few puddles to be ridden through, but the overall ride was dry. I was allowed to be the point man down the chute and up the f_ _ _ed-up trail, which gave the faithful plenty of chuckles as I biffed both of them. CTD was his usual confounding self. He managed to beat us to every meeting point and ride over all of the obstacles without a dab. I still want to find out what he has for breakfast. Everyone had a wonderful time and we all made it back to the shop without mishap. CTD had the usual refreshments waiting for us as we all took turns washing the mud off of our bikes. It don't get any better than this!!!!

Sunday: I spent today riding with  my former team mate from the Road Masters. We rode the trails in Franklin, Ma. in the woods around their water supply area. It was nice to talk about the old days and what racing was like 15 years ago. We rode in some pretty nice woods, but frankly, their land is not nearly as clean or as well maintained as what we have here. I had a good ride on a beautiful sunny day. I will try to find out what  everyone else did and report here ASAP.

BOB,
YOU MISSED A GREAT RIDE. THE RIDE WAS LED BY CRAIG AND IT WAS A BLAST.THE RIDE WAS IN NORTHFIELD AND STARTED FROM THE BARN ON THE NORTHFIELD MOUNT HERMAN CAMPUS. WE WENT TO BIRCH POINT THEN DOWN THE POTATO CHIP FACTORY TO THE HIGH TENSION LINES TO WARWICK RD. THEN BACK TO THE BARN. I AM AMAZED AT THE WAY THESE MOUNTAIN BIKES CAN PLOW THROUGH MUD,SNOW WATER AND FLY OVER ICE. SPEAKING OF ICE, I DIDN'T FALL DOWN, I WAS SIMPLY TESTING THE THICKNESS OF THE ICE IN TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT SPOTS. STEVE D. AND DAVE M, FELL IN FRONT OF ME ON THE WAY OUT WHICH MADE ME FEEL BETTER ABOUT MY ICE TESTING PROCEDURE. I TRIED T0 HELP JACK R, FALL DOWN BUT HE WOULD NOT CO-OPERATE. I WANT TO THANK HUGHES FOR WARNING ME ABOUT THE R0TWEILER THAT WANTED TO USE ME FOR A CHEW TOY.
I WANT TO THANK HUGHES AND CRAIG FOR HAVING US UP TO NORTHFIELD FOR A GREAT RIDE. IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE STEVE BACK RIDING.
CTD DOES NOT RULE, MOUNTAIN BIKING DOES.(CTD)

Week of 1/18/98:

Tuesday: No ride tonight due to rain.

Thursday: Tonight's ride was a desperation event. With heavy snow predicted for the next couple of days, I decided to hold tonight ride anyway. Along for the ride was Doug, Marc, Jack and myself. It had started to snow just before we left and about a half an inch had accumulated. I warned everyone about the hazards of riding on snow covered ice and was pretty sure the message had gotten through. So off we go, headed to the Coke Plant. We ride about a mile and I'm Yakin at everyone to be careful of this and that section, when I see Marc go sliding around a corner. We all got a chuckle out of that as Marc brushes off the snow, and we get going with Doug in front and me behind him. I'm reminding him of the upcoming ice patch that I know is waiting around the next corner, as we approach the bottom of a little hill. I no sooner got those words out of my mouth when I see Doug start to slide. It looks like he's going to be OK, but at the last second before he is back on dirt, the wheels come out from under him and he slams flat on his back on the ice. The back of his head hit the ice and makes a sound like a dropped pumpkin on concrete. I'm thinking: Boy is this going to be hard to explain to Linda. But miraculously he starts to move and groan. Good sign! He gets up and mumbles something about a chiropractor and off we go, to continue our trek. Now, I'm not the cautious type, but I decide I'm going to  ride at a snails pace just in case. We get over to the trails and Jack bails because of the ice. We ride one loop around the track and I start to have problems with my cassette. Doug tells me I should try to find a good mechanic as this is the second ride that I've had this problem. I tell him that I do my own work; and he mumbles something like: no wonder. Yuk-Yuk, we ride over to the swamp and just as I am about to lead the charge out , my freehub s_ _ _ s the bed. I am now forced to rely on Doug and Marc to tow me out. Oh, the humiliation! We make it back to the shop and promise to do this again!!

Sunday: Our ride was moved to 11:00 am so we could ride on the snowmobile trails when they were still hard. We met at the shop and drove over to the Plains because "Lucky Ed" said that the trails would be great. We rode over to the telephone trail and Joe, Doug and myself tried to ride up to the power lines. We got about 50 feet in and we sunk down to the ice and just spun out, so we turned around and headed for the road. Since we had the radios we sent Joe and Doug on to Northfield Rd. and I followed with Dave, Steve, Duck, Jimbo and CTD. When we all arrived at the power lines we agreed to stick to the back roads and ride out to Millers Falls and then back to the Vans. When we regrouped at Rt. 63  everyone was there except   Duck and CTD. I sent Dave, Steve, Doug and Joe on and myself and Jimbo went back to look for the Duck and "Our Hero". We found the two of them standing at the side of the road fixing a flat for the Duck. When I arrived a comment was made about how lucky they were to have a mechanic along. After I got the tire repaired (thanks to "Our Hero's" ingenious tire repair kit) we decided to make our way back to the Van. Jimbo was cold so I gave him my gloves, and we were somehow passed by the Duck who had about a four minute lead until he flatted again. We all managed to make it back safely, and after a round of refreshments we headed for home. A grand time was had by all.  (bob)

Week of 1/25/98:

Tuesday: OK, I know that it isn't exactly June out there, but it is better than twenty below. Tonight I was forced to ride with Madison, because no one else showed up. (Doug and Dave M. called but I told them that the ride would be on the small side so they stayed home.) She kept up a pretty good pace on the flats but dogged it on the hills. We stayed out for about an hour, but she had to keep stopping to pee, so I really didn't get that much of a workout. I will have to go out with her more often so her endurance increases.

Sunday: Our ride was scheduled for 1:00 and seven hardy souls showed up for a trip to the Plains. We have had about six inches of snow, followed by rain, since Thursday. I was pretty optimistic about the ride since I went out with Madison early today and the trails were great. When we left for the trail I said that I was going to try to ride the telephone pole trail. Steve D., Marc, and Dave came with me and Duck,CTD and Jimbo went on the road to the power lines. We found the trails to be great in the shade , but the snow turned to mush where the sun got at it in the open.  We decided to press on and things went pretty well until we got a couple of miles into the woods and the trails turned into ice covered rivers. From there on out it was just a game to see who would be less wet when we got back. Marc and I took turns trying to find a way out. Everyone else got to watch us splashing through the trails. When we got back to the power lines we split in three directions trying to find the driest and fastest way back. Dave won, even though he took the longest route. Marc did manage to take some pictures and I will post them here as soon as I get them.

Week of 1/31/98:

Tuesday: Tonight's ride was a return trip to the Montague Plains. We had so much fun that we couldn't wait to go back. Well really, there isn't a whole lot of trails that are rideable after the last storm, so I decided to try again on the Plains. The freezing temperatures for the last couple of days should make the snowmobile trails pretty good. I was joined by Doug, Marc, Dave, Mick, and Matt Sawin. The trails were just as good as I had thought, firm but a little icy. We made good time out to the base of Willis Hill where Mick and I took a detour. Most of the guys went over the hill with no difficulty, but Mick and I ended up walking down the trail that was a river on Sunday. We all met at the sand pit for the ride out. We were out for about two hours. It looks like we will be able to schedule rides as long as the snow stays in this condition.