bikebob@crocker.com

Thursday 6/4: Tonight's ride was a warm-up for the race on Saturday. I was joined by May Storrs, Sheri, Lynn F., John C., Rod Perez. CTD, Keith, Matt, Laura G., John Friends, Ken and Pat Heider and Matt S. We rode over to the Coke Plant on the ridge trail. When we arrived at the trailhead we split up into two groups. My group consisted of May, Sheri, Lynn, John C, Laura, with CTD and Rod following at a distance. Matt, Keith, Ken, Pat, and John F.made up the second group. I led the troop up the stream bed climb and then over to the power lines, while the others went in through the swamp.. We rode at a moderate pace for most of the ride and I used the time to evaluate the race course route for Saturday. It was a good opportunity for me to watch how the riders handled the route, and spot any difficulties that I might have to deal with. We rode through the woods that are just now blooming with spring flowers, and everyone enjoyed the beautiful pink Mountain Laurel as well as the Honeysuckle fragrance that filled the evening air. As we rode to the bottom of the hill Matt and his bunch caught up with us and we all rode together back to the shop.

Sunday 6/7: Our family ride for tonight was a small group due to the ominous clouds on the horizon. This hardy bunch of fools,  I mean, die hard's consisted of Pat, Tommy, Ken and Kathy Heider, CTD, Mike W., Matt and myself. We headed off to the Plains led by CTD and Matt. Ken immediately got his chain stuck in his chainsuck device so I stopped to help, while the others continued on. After a quick repair Ken took off with me following at a distance. Just as we got under way it started to rain, and I thought that the group would be high tailing out of the woods any minute, But no, I rode all the way out to the power lines where the group was waiting, only to hear Kathy say; "what do you think we are, wimps? Ride on, Big guy." What could I do, having been soundly set in my place. I had to lead our eager bunch into the tempest, for fear of earning a new moniker for myself. I sent Ken, Mike, Pat and Matt out to Willis Hill while I lead my crew on a loop out to the sand pit. We planned to meet there with the Ken's bunch but the rain got heavier and we were getting cold waiting, so CTD and I decided to head back to the cars. We rode down the power lines and were soon overtaken by Ken and his bunch, who were drag racing back to the start. We convinced them to slow down and we all rode back together. After our usual refreshments, we all headed home for warm showers.

Tuesday 6/9: Today I spent 6 hours riding with police officers from Chicopee, Bernardston, Agawam, Brimfield, as well as GCC security, so I was not quite up to my usual performance standards. When six o'clock arrived I was thinking of taking a nap rather than going for a ride, but since such a large group came I couldn't resist. I was pleased to have Laurie and Steve Daby join CTD, Matt S., Dave M., Ken and Pat Heider, May Storrs, Sheri, Gary, Alex Schimelpfenig and Rod Perez for a run over to the coke plant. We started out at a pretty good clip and soon we were split into two groups. Laurie took an early spill and hurt her hand slightly, so Steve and CTD rode with her, just to make sure she was OK. I took the rest of the crew up the race course to the water tower and then down to red rock. After we re-grouped we took a run down the chute and then up the "hill of doom". Almost everyone made it, but those who didn't gave it several more tries, and after about thirty minutes of that we decided to call it a night and move on. May was somewhat disappointed but she will be back on Thursday to try again. I have a feeling that she will make it. We rode up the F- - -ed Up trail and then did the "double death" climb (which I did not make). After we cheered the good efforts of Matt, Ken, Pat, and Dave we headed for the bottom of the hill where Gary and Matt did another loop. The rest of us headed back to the shop where CTD had our usual refreshments waiting. Waiting for us at the shop was Marcus P. Marcus, who happened to be out for a ride in his Jeep when he saw the group returning. a great time was had by all.

Thursday 6/11: Tonight our group consisted of Alex, Sheri, Matt, Bejorn, Dave M., CTD, Sean Rabbitt, and myself. As the appointed hour arrived, it was clear that I was not going to be ready, so I sent Matt and the crew out ahead, while I changed and closed the shop. Since the group had radio's it was easy for me to do two laps of the Coke Plant and still catch up with those slackers on their first lap. After we all gathered at the water tower we decided to make a run down to the "hill of doom" and see if Miss May could finally conquer her nemesis.  We rode over to the hill and I rode to the top and waited for the group to begin their assault. First to try was Sean, followed by Sheri, CTD, and then May, all of them falling (literally and figuratively) short of the goal. After several tries, we then headed for the F - - - ed-Up trail and finally "Double Death", which I again failed to make. We watched as CTD, May, and Matt moved a large log in the middle of the trail, and then hoofed it to the top. We then headed for the streambed and back out to Lillian St. We raced back to the shop where CTD provided us with the usual refreshments.

This weekend was a total washout. We had big thunderstorms and did not ride either day.

Tuesday 6/16: Tonight I was having computer problems so I asked MPM to lead the ride. He will get a report to me soon.

Thursday 6/18: Tonight's ride was our usual foray over to the coke plant. along for the trip was Miss May, Sheri, Rod, CTD, MPM, Ryan Conway, Lynn, John C., Sean, Matt, Pete, Ken H., and me. All started well but as soon as we got to the end of the ridge we encountered a lot of trees dropped across the trail, by a trail terrorist. This person caused Rod to lose his rear derailleur to a stick that was laid on the trail. Rod was forced to return to the shop to get repairs. The rest of us continued on to the Coke Plant. I was not up to the pace of Pete, Matt, and MPM, so I rode in the middle of the pack and tried to keep out of everyone's way. We headed up the streambed climb (which Lynn wants to be re-named mud bog hill). The mud was very difficult to ride through, and most of us got pretty whipped going up. After a rest by the water tower we continued over to the chute trail. Everyone wanted to try the "Hill of Doom" so we all headed down the chute and began the assault on Miss May's nemesis. Matt, Pete and MPM made several trips up the hill while myself and several others rode up once. Miss May and Sheri made a couple of very good tries but they didn't quite make it to the top. We all cheered as Sean, John, Ken and CTD made their tries. Ryan did very well for a 12 year old on his first ride out on these trails. After we finished on the hill we headed over to the "FU" trail for a quick ride up that brook. I made it on the second try and all the others did their best to get up that slippery slope as best as they could. Everyone wanted to do "Double Death" before going home, so off we went to try. I didn't make it up the hill, and many other riders got only part way as well. After I asked Miss May to lead us home, she rewarded us with a spectacular endo and crash at the bottom of the ditch. She was OK and we all made it back to the shop for the usual refreshments with no further incidents.

Sunday 6/21: I was expecting to have just a few people show up for today's ride as this week was pretty rainy and humid. So imagine my surprise when 19 people showed up at the shop for our usual "family ride". I cannot recall everyone,s exploits as the group split into several smaller "rides", so I will rely on some of the other riders to supply me with their reports. Along for the ride was Ken, Kathy, Pat, and Tom Heider, CTD and Maxine, Mike W., Dave M., Matt S. Dave Mulholland, MPM (whose report will follow), Seth Payson, Bjorn, Keith, Alex S., Matt Chickering, Steve D., Gary and myself. We rode up the Telephone pole trail to the power lines and regrouped.

Tuesday 6/23: A large group of riders showed up at the shop for our usual foray to the Coke Plant, but due to a software foul-up at the shop I was not able to attend. I'm hoping that someone who rode will report.

Thursday 6/25: I am not going to be a slave to that computer tonight. I have been looking forward to tonight as a way to get out of the shop and have some fun. This ride is my mental health night. We had another large group show up for our run to the Coke Plant. All together we had 23 riders,so I decided to split the group up for the trip. Up front was Marc, John C., Matt S.,and a host of other rabbits whom I instructed to head out to the ridge and then to wait for the rest of us to catch up at the "logs". Once we got to the logs I sent the faster bunch out to the swamp, while I took my group up the new trail to the water tower. I had been watching my bunch pretty closely, I was helping Rod Perez with his climbing techniques, and I was trying to get Miss May to pace herself for the assault on the "Hill of Doom". Once we got to the water tower  I sent the faster group ahead to the power lines and the "chute". I was feeling like I wanted to scare the Hell out of Matt, so I took a shortcut over to the red rock where I ran out in front of the little bugger as he came ripping down the power lines. I surprised him, and nearly fell off my bike laughing. I then rode to red rock to await the rest of the group. After quite a while had passed Rod Perez was still not with us I got worried and sent Marcus up the hill to see what had happened. When he returned he informed me that Rod had taken a dive on the rocks and was hurt, but was coming down the hill on his own. when he arrived a few minutes later it was apparent that he was pretty banged up. John Carney offered to take him back to the shop, and we continued on the trail to the "Hill Of Doom" and "Double Death". After several tries up the hills we all headed back to the shop to see how Rod was doing. He was already at the hospital so I will have to report later on his condition.

Ride Report 6/30/98:  A quick disclaimer, this report is being written 3 weeks after the fact, all info to follow is likely to be in error, read at your own risk!
      We had a large group for what was one of the first rides at The Plains since the prolonged period of rain. Among the riders were: The Heider's,Miss May, Shari, Lynn F., John C., Our Hero, Matt S., Seth"Splash" Payson, John F., Bjorn, and a few others I can't remember. We warmed up by heading out through the park by the Sawmill River. There the group had to cross the plank bridge, seeing as I was bringing up the rear I lost sight of the leaders, as we approached the bridge I yelled
to those ahead "be careful on the bridge" but it was too late. I came upon the scene and immediately noticed many bikes laying on the bridge and riders looking over the side. Not a good sign! As I joined the onlookers to see what was up I spotted Seth standing in the river soaked! It seems he stuck his wheel in between the boards which catapulted him off the bridge into the river! Now keep in mind this bridge is about 8-10 feet off the water. Fortunately the flexible youngster was unhurt, but he'll now carry the moniker "Splash" Payson, and the bridge will now be called "Payson's Plunge".
     After this episode the rest of the ride seemed tame in comparison. It was marked however by allot of water, mud and slippery rocks accounting for many falls, bumps and bruises except for "Our Hero" who danced through all the obstacles making it look easy.
     The ride ended with the usual refreshments.


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