Triple Trail Challenge 2010
Yet another TTC, my sixth I believe and finally some people I know are coming out. Other than of course Michael and Frank, whom I always run into. My friend Scott and one of his friends Andrey “The Russian” came out to prep for Iceman. we also met a guy in the parking lot, who joined our group. And so the 4 of us headed out for a “leisure” 50 mile ride. The ride is a fun ride and all proceeds benefit the local MMBA(Michigan Mountain Bike Association) chapter.
The day was good weather wise(at least to start) and the companionship was awesome. The typical guy humor started about 5 minutes in and didn’t stop until we left the party afterwards. I will say this, Andrey the crazy Russian was hilarious. Talk about guy who had story after story. He compared the traction of his tires to a porcupine…doesn’t sound that funny but the Russian accent added some humor. 😉
The ride was good up until the rain started…and it rained heavily. It was supposed to hold off until later, but apparently decided to show up early. I think after 5 minutes shifting stopped working for the most part and many of the dirt roads were just slick. I guess those porcupine tires would have been helpful…
At he break point in Gregory the rain had stopped, but we were soaked. We started riding again, but I swear it was ten below and I was cold as can be. The sun though decided to grace us with it’s presence and we dried out after about two miles on the rails to trails path.
After some time our group slowly split up as my legs started cramping, but I rode with another guy we picked up somewhere along the way. It is probably the best thing about this ride, you meet new people! I even helped some guy with his broken chain link who was 5 miles out and planned on walking out. He thanked me times again and even at the party. I told him just pay it forward and we rode onwards. We hit an already eroded hill in Poto and three guys in front of me all fell and just slid all the way down this hill taking us all out essentially. Good times!!!
The party afterwards, put on by Tree Fort Bikes was just awesome as usual after of course taking a dip int he lake…I was just too full of mud not too! Many guys were too busy giving their bike a bath, but I left mine dirty until I got home. I did lose a lot of mud on the trip home, but I can only imagine the part I will have to replace after next season. Back to the party, and truly one of the main reasons to do this fun ride, there is free beer to food. Craig @ Tree Fort makes a mean Chili and this year they had a ton along with grilled corn! Did i mention the free BEER? The beer is provided by the Ann Arbor Brewing company, good stuff! I am already looking forward to next years ride and the year after…it just seems to always get bigger and better.