** Dark and Dirty Intro Ride Report 30 October 2008** by DeeKayotic _________________________________________
... it has been a while, hasn't it? ... they will still recognise me, won't they? Those were the thoughts going through my mind on what felt like going to my first D&D ride. The apprehension of the unknown darkness, the dodgy fitness levels, night-blindness, the lack of a front brake and a barely functional front derailleur all combined to make me a little bit anxious. That anxiety was dismissed in the first two minutes of the ride. With work and family life finally catching up with me, I hadn't been able to make regular appearances at these night rides. With each Thursday flying past with me knowing that I would once again "just go home", the guilt grew, the reasons and excuses too, until I could stand it no more. I was back home! So good to meet up with Eric, Clinton, Thursia, Carine, Frequent Flyer, Oupa Gert, Werner, new dude Bernard and some others... Since it was supposed to be an intro ride, we started with the normal "easy" loops, cruising really slowly, chatting, warming up, with a thin sliver of a moon smiling down on us, a warm evening perfectly utilised: on the bikes, content with life. As the ride progressed there were some sprints. My friends allowed me so feel better about myself by mock-complaining that "they can't keep the pace" on some of these sprints and let me go ahead of them, but nowhere near the front where rubber was being burnt. Sjoe some people are strong! There were some slow races waiting for punctures to be fixed. These mostly ended with people falling off their bikes. There were some fun to be had at Ecstasy Park. The fun was almost spoiled by the deep rut at the drop-off (can be even call it that?) but since it's so short (but deep), the front wheel rolls out of it before lack of turning becomes a real issue... Cruising, chatting, smiling, warm summer evening air, nice company. Bring it on! My favourite (short?) single-track was run "downhill", me in pursuit of Hardy, and Carine on my tail. What a pleasure to just "let go and flow" and not worry about the consequences, because we know the trail so well. Just go! Wow. Smiles all around. The summer rains quelled the dust clouds we have gotten accustomed to, but more importantly brought a couple of puddles (big kid magnets) on the route. Werner had a good snigger behind me when both of my bike's wheels slid around trying to get a grip, shortly before I heard slipping, sliding, abrupt stop of laughter, saw lights flashing in all directions, all this followed by a big "splash". Yes, Werner landed back first in a big old puddle of water and mud. He who laughs last... hiehiehie. The rest of the evening was a bit of a blur, since everything tends to blend in the mind into a single great big feeling of gratification. Gratification for such a beautiful country. For such good buddies. For a machine such as a mountain bike to facilitate those pleasures. For being able to (barely) see enough in the dark to have fun and feel safe. After a couple of short detours we were back at the Moo Mall, having hot choccies and good company. Not necessarily in that order... I salute all of you. One day we will think back at evenings like that, and we will be happy. Because we answered the call. Thank you! Donald Klopper This email and all content are subject to the following disclaimer: http://content.momentum.co.za/content/legal/disclaimer_email.htm --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "DarkAndDirty" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DarkAndDirty?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
