Speaking of pictures, I rode Bent Creek on Sunday with Andy, Russel and Megan (Russ' wife). It was nice riding somewhere new. Well, not really new, but I've only been there one other time. I meant to take my camera and have some pictures for today's blog, but the excitement of riding caused my memory to lapse and I forgot it. So you'll have to rely on my detailed/not-so-detailed recollection of the ride.

We departed from Meadowview Convention Center in Kingsport around 10 a.m. in a two-Element caravan, Russ and Meg in front and Andy and myself pulling up the rear. Gotta say, the more I ride in Elements, the more I wish I had bought one...who knows, I may get the chance soon. The hour ride down went pretty fast, we suited up and took off. We climbed a few fireroads and some double/singletrack to the top of the mtn and would pick a trail to bomb off of...that was the formula for the day. One thing I had a chance to ride, which I had heard many negative things about, was the new "rock features" of Greens Lick. If you haven't ridden Green's Lick, it's basically a bomber's paradise. It's fast, it's hardpack, it has burms, jumps, etc. etc. etc. The sign at the top of the trail vaguely detailed some new "rock features" on the trail, basically to slow riders down and to add some technical features so that beginners wouldn't crash. Well, if they intended to make the trail "safer" for beginners, they failed. Like I said, it's a very, very fast trail. The "rock features" were built to last and built very well and I would've thoroughly enjoyed them had they been on any other trail, preferably a flatter one.

Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it. There were a couple things there that I hadn't ridden before. One was a log ride on one section. As you came around a turn, there was a log to the right of the trail. Off to the left side of the log was the trail, to the right of the log was a huge hole the log crossed. Andy, Russ and myself decided that we would go back several yards and attempt to ride said log. I had found a good line to ride it, but my momentum carried me to the wrong side of life and life-flashing-before-my-eyes. As I came off the log into the hole, I pogoed my bike on the front wheel and crashed pretty hard. Why is it that the slowest crashes hurt the worst?

I did get to ride the other side of the Lower Sidehill trails which were also pretty fun. Maybe next time I go I can ride more stuff.

An update on the Twilight movie date Amanda and I went on. Amanda had been looking forward to this movie for a long time now, so on Friday I stopped by the theater to buy tickets for Saturday night. It was one of those movies where there were tons of high school kids there. One couple in particular who sat behind us decided to talk the whole time we're watching previews..and I dig movie previews. They also decided when the movie started that they should comment on every single line...for about ten minutes. Amanda had enough, turned around and said something like, "If you guys could not talk thru the f*(&^in' movie, that would be great". Not a word from them for the rest of the movie. Maybe I'll bring her to work to deal with clients.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!