Pizza Pie Hot, Pizza Pie Cold,....

Stella and mom, hooking dad up with homemade pizza for his big 4-o.

Sticky Floors.

A few weeks ago, I walked into a silent house. Thinking that everyone was sound asleep, I walked quietly through the kitchen, or at least tried to. It seems my feet were sticking with every step. Too large of an area for a juice spill,......nothing on the bottom of my feet,......hmmmmnnn???
I found this series of pics in our iPhoto. It seems Stella had a fun day of playing in the baking cabinet. She didn't find the corn starch, unbleached flour, whole wheat flour, and baking pans, or the oats, beans, rice, extracts, sealed molasses and old containers of unused Cytomax. However, she did managed to find a full 5 pound bag of sugar and mom just didn't feel like fighting it! Good for her!

Future Cupcakes.

Just like their elders......pick, pick, pick, cause that's just what cupcakes do! Happy 2nd B-day goes out to Hayden Ellicker.

A good day for going to market.

Looking forward to hitting the market tomorrow for several reasons.

• Getting my breakfast from Regina. Her cinnamon rolls could quite possibly be the most voluptuous of all time.
• Then, about an hour later, a big ice cream sammy from Hawks Hill Creamery.
• And last but not least, by any means, Dan Ashby on the acoustic covering some of our favorites from Dylan, Prine, Old Crow and much more.
• As always, there will be some good stuff on our table as well.

No title, just what looks good at the moment.

Its that Time.

It's hard to believe, that something much larger than us, just shined its light down directly on the equator yesterday and it just makes me regret everything I was worried about. As nature changes its suit and the sun drifts ever so much further towards that line of Capricorn, I know the dead season is on its way and my reclusive personality will take a stranglehold on my mental being. I'm not a skier unfortunately, but I can't sit still. I'll be looking for those long lasting pockets of fiddle head ferns and outcrops of faulted rocks protruding up out of these receding Michauxslovalikan ridge lines, exposing views that only bush-whackers will find and enjoy. I love this stuff! When all the hardwoods surrounding Virginia strip their leaves and have them standing naked in the wind......ooh what a view! Not quite as good as Vista, but not too shabby for my neck of the woods. But hell, there still plenty of good riding to do before you catch me with my back pack on.

Whoooz da Boss?????

So who is the Boss of the "Michauxslovakian Mafia" AKA the "Cupcakes"??
Could it be Uncle Jess????........
Or that Rat Fink Wink and his right-hand man Tomi Boy.....
Or maybe,.... just maybe, its the politically incorrect jackass here on the bottom??
Ring, da, ding-ding, ding-ding, ding-ding, ding......
Please don't anyone get offended! I had the pics and thought it was pretty funny and would lighten the mood.

The Nicest Surprise of the Race.

Jack and Stella made it up to the race on Sunday. They don't get a chance to come very often. As you can see by the photo, Jack was excited that there were Chipotle burritos for all 40 mile racers, volunteers, and wife and kids of volunteers. And Stella.....well.... she just thought it was rad to see all the Lycra clad mountain bikers rolling through the forest!
Stella had a great time throwing water, from the biggest mud puddle in the lot, all over herself. It was pretty funny......that is until she decided to throw a cup on the biggest guy in the food line!
At that point, mom carried her upside down by her toes to the car and declared it nap time.

Some of my favorite things to do.

• Riding the 96fitty.
• Driving the farm truck around picking people up with broken bikes, minds and bones (Get well Ray!). For the most part, it is actually a good time and people usually pay me with a good beer to throw in the cooler.
• Hanging out when everyone has left.....usually the funnest time of the event due to all the secret stashes of good brew that magically appear!
• Oh yeah, it wouldn't be a race if I didn't get to do my favorite thing of all......drop the trash off at Granite Hill Campground.

The Race is Done.

Breaking News!

All Tractor Trails are in the 40 miler!

Rumor has it.....

Yes....it seems the westerlies and high pressure has pushed that low right out to sea. The trails will have two full days to dry out and with Jess' good-natured throttle hand, they should be nice and tight regardless of any horse travels through the beginner loop. But the second half of the loop is where it is "game on". Even though some local favorites are not in this year's edition, there are still the classics and the infamous trails to deal with. However, with the a few straight days of sun, they too will be in ideal condition. Rocky Ridge, Mackey, and the long last climb from the bottom of Chicadee, to the top of Stooges and Stick is enough to put the hurt on anybody. Throw a high speed railing 13 mile beginner loop before it and well... you got yourself a Terror in Teaberry. Man, if local knowledge isn't everything for this race??? Race faces should look pretty disgruntled after RR and climbing up the power lines.....but then Mackey??? Holy____! If I can get relieved from duty for awhile, I'm gonna' be gettin' some shots of the Superheros and the Mortals, Cake's and MBM'ers suffering through that thing. Speaking of which, look for the Harlanator to take this one no matter who shows up. He's the one Superhero that has sessioned Mackey and well, everyone likes to claim him as their own, and he's a likable guy and all, but whether he likes it or not, he's an effin' Cupcake and he knows it! Just ask Ralph Rueben Rick! Also look out for Mkeeferkeefer, you know he's been pre-riding this thing during the early morning hours. He should be the first mortal/'cake in and look for him to beat a few of the faster guys out there. But then.....well.... there is one last name out there, if he just doesn't handicap himself......
Yes.... rumor has it that someone, not mentioning any names McMillar, is gettin' some feeling back in their legs. Look for the grumpy one on the top step of the SSer podium, if and only if, he doesn't show up with his fixie, and luggage, and a new 3 pound hub. As for the women, Churtle's got it in the bag!
Last race of the season and the best camping weather to boot! Bring beer, but if you forget, Larry's got some!

Ready for Market.

Making it look good, makes it look easy, but believe me when I tell you, Jack is working hard.

?

The "Hat Towel".

Directions:

1. Place "Hat Towel" on head.
2. Use lower "Hat Towel" to pat bum, belly, and bing-bang dry.
3. Remove hat towel and refuse diaper repeatedly!
4. Run around the house "nakers" and laughing until parents fall over from exhaustion.
   

Random Chard Pics.

September Highs.

You just have to love those September highs marking the end of yet another mid-latitude cyclone. It gives a slight counter-clockwise twist and pulls the cool, dry air down from the north. After two straight days of rain, I woke up to clear skies and a slight mist rolling across the garden. I just knew it would be a good day.
It was a typical start to a dysfunctional Cupcake ride, guests arrive early....we said "On the bikes by 9"...... Cupcakes show up late. ....However to his credit, Wink was there 5 minutes early, he just forgot everything he needed. On top of this we send some mountain bike legends up arguably one of the hardest climbs in the woods, telling them we would catch up, just to look at each other ten minutes later to quickly decide there was no way in hell we were riding up Stooges.....we took the road.
Speaking of the legends of the woods, how often do you see, let alone get to ride with those old timers. Jim Potts, Don Morning Star (He has got to be related to Ralph Reuben Rick Mouth Kline) and some talented old guy( Mike Eatough) on a fancy red bike that reads Chris Eatough across the top tube.
We did the typical Southy loop. Rocky Ridge, Virginia, Mackey, Rattle Dick, Deer Lick? Deer Lick Chute, and ended on Sucker Punch to get back to some cold beers and the best jerky in the world!
Ride highlights included but were not limited to;

• Riding with a lot of new people and enjoying every last minute of it.
• Having a little bit of time to session some things and actually snap a photo. I don't know how McMillar has done it for so long. Cupcakes are too impatient...especially me!
• Don Morningstar....that dudes a character!
• Watching Larry smooze the line on Virginia.
• Watching Todd not smooze the line on Virginia and still make it down okay. I can't wait to see this guy ride when he's got some space to move!
  
• Stumbling into Kent touring Corey and Stacey around.......while wearing his Ipod. Hmmmnn???
• Watching Jim Potts clean everything we were, and take falls, just as hard. How old is he?
• Having Mike Eatough join us on Sucker Punch after wanting to bail. We said we would only talk bad about him for a little bit! He then proceeded to grab the whole shot. You know, he's got a reputation to uphold.
• A giant get well goes out to Frank. You can just take one look at him and tell he'll be back for more. Did I mention the two cold beers and jerky left on my window when I got back to the car???

A Great Day in Southy.

After 3 hours in Southy, this is what I find on my car.
(Editor's Note; Click image to see condensation on the bottle, close your eyes, and imagine how happy I was upon my return.)

Larry showing the 'cakes how it's done.
Corey taking the safe way down. Wink....not so much.
(Editor's Note; Click image to see Corey's expression.)

Todd and Larry coming off of High Camp on Virginia. It doesn't look too steep until you realize, there is a twenty foot drop off the other side.....right in front of Larry's front wheel.
The friendliest face in the forest riding past Deer Lick Spring.

Frank....get well, the rocks aren't going anywhere. Thanks for the beer and jerky! I don't think I have ever described jerky as tender, but that was definitely the best I have ever tasted!

Oh that Smile.

The last time I saw a smile like that on Jack, she was about to axe a chicken......and asking me for a sharper blade! I almost feel sorry for that sweet, sweet, potato......almost.

A Lucky Shot.

Feeding the Chickens

Preride Revisited.

If anyone actually reads this stuff, there is a much better write-up, with much better pictures, with an animation with much better riders here.

A Cupcake Surprise!

A Cupcake surprise, 50-75 people show up for the pre-ride??? Wow, as a Weiser one would say, whowoudda thunk??? It's the first time I have ever seen the Cupcakes get quiet! Hell we didn't even know where to park!
Well that was okay because in typical Cupcake dysfunctional fashion, we rolled out, all in different directions of course, and then took off. Next thing I know, there is only about 10-15 and nobody knows what happened. I get back to the lot after doing the beginner loop, which I must say, was in incredible shape, and magically the parking lot is filled with people again.
A good group was gathering including the legendary Steve Nevada (could he be the next Shiny Colgan),...he wasn't intimidated. We managed to pick off a lot of riding. Thirteen miles of incredibly fast and cool beginner loop, Rocky Ridge, ?, Mackey, Rattle Dick, ?, and Sucker Punch until we, as a group, cried "Uncle". There would be no climbing of Stooges today.
Highlights of the day included but was not limited to;

• Watching The Philly boys (Harlan, Topher, and the other guy) do lines on Mackey I have never seen before and making it stick.
• Having Churtle drop me after riding from her house and doing everything listed above.
• Watching Todd do things on a SS I SHOULD be able to do,...but don't.
• Having Steve hold on until the end of RR. Did he know he was riding with the U.S. Rep for Marathon Worlds??
• As the Mule would say,..."It's Alllll Good."
• Riding home with Churtle. It's always good to share chamois in school stories.
  
• If you are still reading, the picture above is all I have to show for this ride,....so did it really happen?
• Time to go and make a difference again. But if your ever in Southy....
  

A walk through the garden with Stella.

So if you need any pumpkins.....

I'm hoping Jack will add to this entry. All I know is she showed up with a truck load of pumkins from her plot over at Lee's place and I got to unload them. Now we have a mountain of pumpkins just waiting for you to make them into....
• Baked Minature Pumpkins
• Baked Pumpkin Puree
• Baked Stuffed Pumpkin
• Blatschindas - Spiced Pumpkin Turnovers
• Cheesy Pumpkin Polenta
• Chicken in Green Pumpkinseed Sauce
• Cocoa Pumpkin Brownies
• Cranberry Pumpkin Waffles
• Crispy Crunchy Granola Munchies
• Elegant Stuffed Pumpkin
• Fluffy Pumpkin Dip
• Fried Pumpkin Blossoms
• Gingered Pumpkin Cheesecake
• How to Toast Pumpkin Seeds

The Terror of Teaberry is Coming,....So Dig Out Your Clown Suit!

Yes! Every September, just as the sun is making its way back across the equator, my favorite race takes place in Southern Michaux. If you know anything about the Michaux Endurance Series, the races get a bit harder as you head to the south. Southy just seems to have that illusive quality. Everyone knows about Rocky Ridge, Stooges, and maybe they have even heard of Mackey, but nobody ever really seems to ride there. Southy is tough! The terrain just doesn't allow for that sweet smooth, loamy, single track that you may encounter in other areas and has therefore protected it from the masses. The little bit of loam that does exist, just barely covers those fault lined ridges and the scree slopes off the sides. Rocky ridge, in case you haven't seen it lately, is probably in the best shape of its life,...that is until you get to the deer fences. Without the dual sport running through there this year, it's all blanketed with ferns that gives way to the tiniest of singletrack....... and then I heard through the grapevine that one of the original people responsible for Rocky Ridge and Stooges is back in the area. I need to meet him. I don't think he could ever realize the problems that have been solved, and the weight that has been lifted from my shoulders, on those countless hours spent hammering through those trails. In my humble opinion, Rocky Ridge and Stooges are still some of the best lines out there. Hats off to him. I can only hope, that if he stumbles upon Mackey, it upholds the reputation and standards set by those trails. If I learned anything through climbing, and countless months living out of the back of a car as a temporary resident, it was to respect the history, standards, and ethics of the people that were there before. So if you choose to race, enjoy those classic lines. And let me know what you think of Mackey. Don't let it get the best of you!
One final note,....I think I owe creds to McMillar for the photo of Michauxslovakia's Single Speed World Champion that the Cupcakes claim as one of their own!