Who would have...

Who would have thought that an incredible place to ride would be located here?  Hard packed trails flowed following contours of the eroded valleys through mixed hardwoods. 

 The berms, the berms were everywhere and awesome.  Not to mention that the
complementary soap at the cabins was perfect for all your washing needs. 

My only regret was leaving a day early because I am a broken old man. 

Smoked...

 Went to Castlewood last weekend and had a great time rolling around and watching people roll by me much faster.  Riding that place a few times a year with it mix of rolling terrain, rock, roots, smooth single track and ups and downs keeps me happy.

 The following week I went to another race and once again watched people roll by me much faster.  However, the trails were flowing, smooth and way better than mowing my yard.

When I got the ecamper I was pretty happy and felt it was my last vehicle.  Then I saw this. The dude driving it looked like Conan the Barbarian and, yes, he had the babe to match. I mean when was the last time you needed bulletproof glass? Last time I rode in Mid-Missouri. I am saving my pennies for one before the apocalypse.

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Coffee + Pancakes =

Coffee + pancakes = all day adventure. I tagged along with tour guide Crazy Nate and Pele who are training for this. Crazy Nate led us down gravel roads and trails to national forest.

The forest seemed tropical with dense undergrowth and thick moist air.  The trails were decent for not seeing lots of traffic.  Our guide (seen here waving while I cleared spider webs) said, "I do not remember this but it feels right."

No worries, spirits were high on the adventure. Then we got dumped out onto a splendid creek bottom and our guide pointed up stream and said "We just need to go down stream south." 

Pele said, "You have no idea where we are do you?"

Crazy Nate said, "Oh yeah we are in Callaway County."

I said, "That narrows it down."

Sometimes it really does not matter where you are if you are spending the day exploring and having fun with friends. I like to getting lost from time to time.  As the day wore on, swimming holes were found and eventually we all found our way home.

Where is your...

"Where is your favorite place to ride?"  Everyone gets this question, and I would just like to say that typically if I am riding, I am pretty stoked.  I have been on great rides around my block with the neighborhood grommets dropping me on BigWheels.  I have been on some loops 100's of times and am still really happy rolling around on them.  New epic trails? Yep, usually having fun. Rain, snow and sleet with Elvis, Jesus and Santa have yielded great rides. 

I first remember going to Landahl when suspension forks were filled with these.

Some sections of Landahl I have ridden a different line every time, even after 20+ times.  I never get sick of Landahl.

Unrelated: Ten years ago the grill was only worthy of cooking meat. Now it has progressed to tortillas, and I might never be the same again. Summer rocks.