Y'all are...

[wooglin-at-home]

...mighty quiet in here. Who's been to a festival (I haven't )? What's missing that you'd like to see? If you haven't been, what might entice you to go?

A nice little skills park?
WOMBATS and other exotic creatures?
Bike stuff actually made by women for women?
More beer?

[Divscotty]

Well I am doing my first entry ride this weekend. Altitude varies between 5,550 and 6,000 (I believe) and it is 40 miles of trail. My goat is to finish. On a mt trail I've only done 26 before.:( I am going finish! Then there is a festival all weekend with lots of bike activities. First one of those I've been to also.

[Rotifer]

Then there is a festival all weekend with lots of bike activities.
Where? I went to Willamette, I have fond memories of Salem. Ahh.. late evenings on the grounds of the capital...

[mohaka]

Diva,
Bring some apple cores, celery stalk, carrot greens. Goats love that stuff! It'll finish for sure.

[Divscotty]

Great Typo huh? ! Lol well I smelled like a goat when it was over.

I don't know quite what their plan was but they lengthened the course to 47 miles and didn't tell anybody (not even mentioned in the pre ride briefing). I was really really looking for the finish about 40 miles into it and it took another 7 miles to find it. I suspected something was amis - because after one particular long 3 mile climb I looked over the country and I knew where I was and I knew where Sisters was and it sure wasn't 3 miles away. Out of the ones that finished I was next to last. I peddled 6 hours and 6 minutes. Embarrsing for some I'm sure but I am feeling pretty good about it. Some parts of me are not feeling so good about it but it will heal. LOL:D

[mohaka]

Diva,
47 miles! Right on.
Over 6 hours! You've got to be pretty proud of yourself for finishing.
Do you feel gnarly?

[Divscotty]

Why Yes I do. I feel good about finishing . That was my goal. Looking around everybody was at least half my age. I sure accumulated a rotten poker hand an 8, Q, 6, 4, and a 9 (Better stay away from Vegas) but I got a prize anyway specilized sox, tire tube and a specilized bike pump. I sure could use new tires though. I tried to talk to some people but they are pretty serious about themselves. I must admit they looked good.;)

[mohaka]

Diva,
At least you got some free schwag!
What do you mean by accumulating a bad hand? Was that a drawing at the race?

I used to avoid "serious" looking bikers like the plague because they seemed so stuck on themselves. Funny what lycra goes to some people.

[thanita]

47 miles in 6 hours riding trail is awesome. What are you talking about? Congrats!
Festivals are fun - it's cool to go to different ones throughout the country and ride new trail, new terrain - I'd suggest it any change you get. Lots of times there are races too, if you're into that - my main suggestion for camping festivals - earplugs. I love mine.
Divs - is a 24 hour race in your future? Moab coming up, DR will be there!

How do you make a dancing banana? Kindof annoying, kindof impressive. Like many things . . .:rolleyes:

[thanita]

That would be, any chance you get (you'll probably need some change, for some of the further ones). No goats involved.

[Rotifer]

Kindof annoying, kindof impressive.

Well, it was that or the monkey. And the banana is so ...
happy, though in a rather manic way. I just imagine eating him on a hard ride.

[Divscotty]

The Ride was a Poker ride and if you made the checks stops you got a playing card. And the top 12 poker hands won prizes. It is a nice way to give everybody a chance to win prizes just not the fastest ones. I just thought if I could pedal for six hours I could draw cards better than a Q, 6, 4, 9, and a 8. But aparently not. :rolleyes:

Now regarding a 24 hour race - hmmm that seems mighty huge right now. mighty huge.

[mohaka]

Oooooh. Poker race.
Gotcha.
Never heard of one, pretty cool.
Maybe a 12 hour race?

Rotifer!
You are kiling me over here. All I have is a charity-Yoda that you gave to me
First a dancing banana. Now a dancing monkey. Where do you get these things?