Wow, what a send off...thank you to all who could make it. For those who could not be there, here is the summary:
Less than two weeks before I hit the long road to California, some of my mountain bike friends throw me a 'Farewell Ride n' Roast' that consisted of riding the short way through Sludge, straight through Umstead Park, then the hush-hush Trenton trail, then Hubcap right back to where we started. We drank a beer before we started and then another one or two along the way (or three if you were Ben or Chris) and then finished at Rally Point with food (mostly Ribs), more beer and a bit of a roast. Surprisingly people took it easy on me. David did not mention how much I talk while I ride, Chris did not bring up when I disregarded my map at PMBAR and just followed people, and no body brought up my former love-affair with 26ers.
Regardless, It was just fantastic to see so many people I have ridden with over the years...some who were there when I started with my first mtb in 2008, to those I have raced with over the years, to those who I have ridden quite frequently with on HTFU rides. I never imagined when I started riding that I would become part of a mountain bike community, but what can I say, I fell in love with the sport and wanted to be as much a part of it as I could. And if you are reading this, you already know that (besides the Dalai Lama) mtb'ers are the best people you will meet. To all my riding friends out there, you will be missed. Thank you for the encouragement, generosity and support along the way...I can only hope to find a group close to being as good as you in NorCal. Speaking of NorCal, hopefully some of you will decide you want to ride some new trails in the Auburn/Tahoe area, just look me up and I will hook you up.
Again, Thank you for all the memories. Now I had better stop before I shed a tear in my beer.
Thanks Vanessa and Cody for the pics.
Good -bye my friends, you will be missed.
