Leominster State Forest, 4/13

[off piste]

Me and Slapheadmofo did a 2 hour ride today at Leo. Besides some minor wet spots, everything is in fine shape and eminently rideable.

We're planning a ride starting from the Rocky Pond parking area this Wednesday, 4/13, starting at 6PM. I can accomodate anyone wanting to start a bit earlier, and we plan on making a loop back to the parking area at least once for the folks who want to come later. Lights might be a good idea.

What a weekend -- I started by hiking Wachusett yesterday and skiing down on skinny XC skis, then went over to Crow Hill and rock climbed for a few hours. Today I mountain biked Me and Slapheadmofo did a 2 hour ride today at Leo. Besides some minor wet spots, everything is in fine shape and eminently rideable.

We're planning a ride starting from the Rocky Pond parking area this Wednesday, 4/13, starting at 6PM. I can accomodate anyone wanting to start a bit earlier, and we plan on making a loop back to the parking area at least once for the folks who want to come later. Lights might be a good idea.

What a weekend -- I started by hiking Wachusett yesterday and skiing down on skinny XC skis, then went over to Crow Hill and rock climbed for a few hours. Today I mountain biked ;D


Mark

[slapheadmofo]

Good ride today, the trails are in nice shape (though we stuck to higher ground mostly), weather was perfect and we didn't suck wind too horribly. ;D

I can likely come up with couple extra lights for Wed nite if anyone needs to borrow one.

[vinnycactus]

possiblity. would anyone be opposed to me bringing my dog if I can make it? wife is in school that night.

[off piste]

I've got no problem -- some of the best trail riders I've seen were dogs.

Mark

[slapheadmofo]

Right on - it would be awesome if you guys came. I think we should make it part of the official VC Farewell Tour and see if we can't get a good turnout. Waddaya think?

[EVIL BOTA]

possiblity. would anyone be opposed to me bringing my dog if I can make it? wife is in school that night.


Can I strap a rope to your dog so I can keep up lol!

[off piste]

possiblity. would anyone be opposed to me bringing my dog if I can make it? wife is in school that night.


Can I strap a rope to your dog so I can keep up lol!


This early in the season, the pace is pretty mellow.

[vinnycactus]

and pretty mellow since I ride a 40lb hardtail with a dc on it. we could definately make it part of the tour.

[nobody_special]

I also rode LSF on Friday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.
By Sunday the trails had dried out and firmed up significantly.

I'd like to join you guys if I can make it to the parking lot by 6.
I have a white Surly SS.

Thanks!

-Jason


Me and Slapheadmofo did a 2 hour ride today at Leo. Besides some minor wet spots, everything is in fine shape and eminently rideable.

We're planning a ride starting from the Rocky Pond parking area this Wednesday, 4/13, starting at 6PM. I can accomodate anyone wanting to start a bit earlier, and we plan on making a loop back to the parking area at least once for the folks who want to come later. Lights might be a good idea.

What a weekend -- I started by hiking Wachusett yesterday and skiing down on skinny XC skis, then went over to Crow Hill and rock climbed for a few hours. Today I mountain biked Me and Slapheadmofo did a 2 hour ride today at Leo. Besides some minor wet spots, everything is in fine shape and eminently rideable.

We're planning a ride starting from the Rocky Pond parking area this Wednesday, 4/13, starting at 6PM. I can accomodate anyone wanting to start a bit earlier, and we plan on making a loop back to the parking area at least once for the folks who want to come later. Lights might be a good idea.

What a weekend -- I started by hiking Wachusett yesterday and skiing down on skinny XC skis, then went over to Crow Hill and rock climbed for a few hours. Today I mountain biked ;D


Mark

[off piste]

Jason, if you can't make it for 6, we will loop back to the parking lot to accomodate folks. I can also start earlier, and we can join up with the others later.

Mark

[slapheadmofo]

I'll be there on a white FSR and likely with beer in hand.

[vinnycactus]

I'll be there on a black imperial and big yellow lab in tow or being towed.

[slapheadmofo]

Geez, I wonder if I should bring out my 'puppy' for his first ride - might be good for him to have a 'role model' on the trail. Have to think about it...

[EVIL BOTA]

Not to be the bad guy here. We once had a big discusion about dogs on rides. I'm a dog lover.I have a big old akita,but I for one would not bring a dog on a group ride. For one ,some people are just dead agaisnt it and some fear they my hit the dog or crash because of the dog. Then you can run into bad feelings because either you hurt the pooch or get hurt yourself.
If you wish to ride with your dog ,I feel you should do it on solo rides.

Just my 2ct

[vinnycactus]

kona would love it. i have to warn you though, he is quite dominant. not mean and aggtressive but very excitable with other dogs. but he does love to play.

[MTBME]

I hooked up with a large group last fall on several rides where Jenn would bring her big black lab. How tough can this ride be I thought as I pulled up to the group. That damn dog beat me to the rest stops 9 times out of 10. I was in no danger of running him over. I did notice after two hours he started to slow down. Then I made him eat my dirt. :) Mark, you were there for several of those rides. Remember?

[slapheadmofo]

Not to be the bad guy here. We once had a big discusion about dogs on rides. I'm a dog lover.I have a big old akita,but I for one would not bring a dog on a group ride. For one ,some people are just dead against it and some fear they my hit the dog or crash because of the dog. Then you can run into bad feelings because either you hurt the pooch or get hurt yourself.
If you wish to ride with your dog ,I feel you should do it on solo rides.

Just my 2ct


Not to come off as a wise-ass (again :-[), but who is anyone to tell a group of people that like to bring dogs along on a ride that they all should split up and ride solo? I'd turn that around and say if there's a group ride where the majority of people don't mind having a dog along and it's clear up front that there will be one (or more) present, then whoever has a problem with it can split off and go their own way if it's that big of a deal to them.

[off piste]

I hooked up with a large group last fall on several rides where Jenn would bring her big black lab. How tough can this ride be I thought as I pulled up to the group. That damn dog beat me to the rest stops 9 times out of 10. I was in no danger of running him over. I did notice after two hours he started to slow down. Then I made him eat my dirt. :) Mark, you were there for several of those rides. Remember?



Ooooh, yeah! Those NEBC offroad rides were epic! I think on that one we had something like 26 riders at the start, right? The guys ripping on cyclocross bikes through everything were amazing!

Looks like we'll have a pretty good group for tomorrow, should be fun. You coming, Norm?

Mark

[off piste]

Not to be the bad guy here. We once had a big discusion about dogs on rides. I'm a dog lover.I have a big old akita,but I for one would not bring a dog on a group ride. For one ,some people are just dead against it and some fear they my hit the dog or crash because of the dog. Then you can run into bad feelings because either you hurt the pooch or get hurt yourself.
If you wish to ride with your dog ,I feel you should do it on solo rides.

Just my 2ct



Not to come off as a wise-ass (again :-[), but who is anyone to tell a group of people that like to bring dogs along on a ride that they all should split up and ride solo? I'd turn that around and say if there's a group ride where the majority of people don't mind having a dog along and it's clear up front that there will be one (or more) present, then whoever has a problem with it can split off and go their own way if it's that big of a deal to them.



Besides, this is going to be a fairly easy-paced ride, perfect for a dog or two. I think anyone worried about riding with a trail dog could just space themselves out away from the dog. There'll be plenty of rests and checkpoints to keep everyone together more or less. OR just wait for a dog-less ride.

Mark

[MTBME]

"You coming, Norm?"

If I leave work right at 5 o'clock and head straight down there, I might be able to make it for 6... on some other night. I will be attending a Merrimack Valley Chapter meeting tomorrow night at 7 o'clock in Chelmsford. Man, that NEMBA stuff always seems to get in the way of riding. Go figure.

[EVIL BOTA]

OK One it started with one dog going(vinny asking if it was ok). If no one has problem than thats cool. I just wouldn't show up to a ride with my dog. I'm just saying I hate to see an incident with someone kicking a dog that cause him to crash. Or if it was my dog and someone kicked it because of the same thing your still gonna freak out on the guy even if it the dogs fault. Either take him on rides that dogs are welcome by all or leave him at home and take him out on a day when you plan to go solo. Now slap you are thinking about taking your dog on its first ride .That is not using good judgement. I'm no trying to be a jerk,just using common sense. I've been on a few rides with well trained dogs and been on one with a couple of labs that the owner claimed were well trained. I love dogs,but I wanted to punt the 2 because they kept running to close or in between riders. Like I said if everyones cool about .Then by all means bring the dog. Vinny did the right thing and asked if its OK. Now I would probley still go on that ride,but than you come in with bringing your new pup.. That would turn me away.
Just me.

[vinnycactus]

just to make everyone more comfortable kona likes to lead so most of the time is in front and like i said is dominant. EB I hear what you're saying. Its going to be a chill ride. If the dogs causes any problems during the ride, I don't mind breaking off since some people are uncomfortable riding with them. I just love my dog.

[MTBME]

I understand both sides of this conversation. I think if everybody is up front with what to expect, than people can decide for themselves. I won't have to worry about bringing my pug on ANY rides. I don't think he can make it out of the parking lot ;)

[EVIL BOTA]

Same here my dog is a 140 pig. He'd be more apt to eat your tires. Just don't try to come into my house and hes a baby!

http://www.teambota.com/botasig/evil/Family%20196.jpg

[off piste]

Same here my dog is a 140 pig. He'd be more apt to eat your tires. Just don't try to come into my house and hes a baby!

http://www.teambota.com/botasig/evil/Family%20196.jpg


Woah! This is MY couch!!!

LOL!

[vinnycactus]

here's what to expect.

http://bustedspoke.com/Photos/bs4605.jpg

he's vicious.

[slapheadmofo]

OK One it started with one dog going(vinny asking if it was ok). If no one has problem than thats cool. I just wouldn't show up to a ride with my dog. I'm just saying I hate to see an incident with someone kicking a dog that cause him to crash. Or if it was my dog and someone kicked it because of the same thing your still gonna freak out on the guy even if it the dogs fault. Either take him on rides that dogs are welcome by all or leave him at home and take him out on a day when you plan to go solo. Now slap you are thinking about taking your dog on its first ride .That is not using good judgement. I'm no trying to be a jerk,just using common sense. I've been on a few rides with well trained dogs and been on one with a couple of labs that the owner claimed were well trained. I love dogs,but I wanted to punt the 2 because they kept running to close or in between riders. Like I said if everyones cool about .Then by all means bring the dog. Vinny did the right thing and asked if its OK. Now I would probley still go on that ride,but than you come in with bringing your new pup.. That would turn me away.
Just me.


Sounds reasonable to me EB - for some reason I had it in my head that we'd end up doing a mellow ride with a small bunch of 'regulars', so it was considering taking the Cheif along. If the ride was me, vinny, the Stork and Mark, then I think it would be a good time to bring him (along with a couple cans of Guinness) If it turned out that we have more of a mixed group, no way. Maybe after he's got some proven trail manners, but even then I'd always do like vinny and ask first.
If you're planning on coming out, maybe we could all ride together for awhile and then some us can split off and cover a little extra ground and then meet back at the parking lot for a tasty beverage and some BS. Dunno if you're familiar with Leo, but there's some really nice trails there, and I haven't had a chance to hit many of them yet this year. Be great if you could make it.

[slapheadmofo]

Oh and as long as we're posting the doggie porn...here's my new guy. Had him since December; he's eight months now. He's gonna be one hell of a good dog if I can keep up with feeding him.

[EVIL BOTA]

Its a hard topic to bring up sometimes because you don't want to hurt anyones feelings. If I show up it would be just for BEER!. I tore a muscle in my upper back @ the gym yesterday.
Feels like somes putting a cork screw in my back..lol

I have been to Leo a couple of times with Knucklebusta(where has he been). His directional skillz need some work..lol

I've rode with Mark @ Dracut . Hes is a cool cat.

Have fun

[slapheadmofo]

kNUCK still makes regular appearances over in the Team420/Flying Polack Productions forum. I was laid off for the summer a couple years back and spent a lot of time getting lost in Leo for hours at a stretch; it finally paid off and I've got a pretty good idea of the lay of the land over there now. We ride there a lot on Wed nites - hope you can make it sometime. We also sometimes ride the Midstate from my house, where there's always a frosty keg of Country Ale waiting for us. ;)

[vinnycactus]

I think I actually rode with you before EVIL out in Leominster w/everyone's favorite hispanic Ed Mendoza.

[EVIL BOTA]

Yes the mad Dominican..lol OK. What were you riding?
Been out there twice with Juan.

[vinnycactus]

giant ac. this was two summers ago. you broke your derailleur had to hike out. you have to convince him to get back out. he's too into his motorcycle.

[EVIL BOTA]

AH how could I foget that day.Had to ride all the way out in the big ring..lol Juan seems to be more into road riding now..

I think he likes the spandex to much..lol

[vinnycactus]

AH how could I foget that day.Had to ride all the way out in the big ring..lol Juan seems to be more into road riding now..

I think he likes the spandex to much..lol


ask him to break out his one piece bib sometime. very unflattering.

[off piste]

Great ride last night everyone. Did Dave dry out yet?

[nobody_special]

Yes nice to meet you guys - Mark, Dave, Travis...
Storkie, Dennis, good to see you both again.

My legs were pretty wrecked after hustling across LSF to meet you guys by go time, then chasing you back in the other direction.

Sometime we should do a weekend ride on some of the other stuff I know out there.

Let's see the pics!


Great ride last night everyone. Did Dave dry out yet?