RR AMB-ID ( 2¢ from 1¢)

Since I came home to a dead modem, the assumption is that you've already read a couple of versions
of this great weekend. Here's a few observations from my notebook:

(note, got the new modem but I can't believe I am the first one to post anything!!)There is way more
to this story that what I have to tell..

Herding the group on Sat was like watching molasses flow; a 9 am start somehow turned into a post
noon start in the heat of the day by the time we got the shuttle all done. But it was gorgeous out
and the company was good so I do not have any right to complain. I get all ansty to get going on
these things. As I explained to Craig ( Mr. Penny) "think of it like how you feel on the morning of
a powder day". HIs reply.. yeah but powder goes quickly; the trail's not going anywhere!! "

www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb02.jpg Penny and Gab hanging out
www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb01.jpg Adam ( Paladin's friend) Paladin and Gman.

Riding, I was in between the fast and slow groupings... a great place to be because I rode alone a
lot, but I always knew there'd be folks behind me.

Omigod.. the Willow Basket windy portion of the Sat trail is awesome, beautiful and a whole lot of
fun. It goes through an old burn and meadow just twisting and winding up and down and around. I
really like how the trail surface was sandy, just like home. www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/ruby.jpg

Gman had a flat so we all took a break in what little shade we could find.
www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/cdb.jpg Paladin www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/nap.jpg Mr. Penny taking
a snooze www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/bobjd.jpg The freak and a spider.
www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb04.jpg yours truly

Then, a little bit of climbing over the next rise to Loon Lake, where we had another long break:
lunch, swimming and some folks hiked over to see the WWII bomber under water that crashed into the
lake years ago.

www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/gman.jpg Gman feeling good www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb03.jpg
Gman again www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/group.jpg There is a trail that goes around the lake, back
up the valley and over the

pass in the back of the photo. Anyone up for that? It's theorectically do-able<g> By the time we
added up AMB-ers, friends and kids we had a group of 14. The couple reading quietly by the lake at
the "spot" probably didn't appreciate the invasion, but if they really wanted seclusion they could
have chosen something other than THE most accessible backcountry lake in the area. We saw lots of
folks all day long.

The rest of the ride was down into the Secesh River canyon, and then a wonderful rolling canyon
trail out to the campground. It was much easier this year than last year. Gabrielle did awesome on
the switchbacks... go grrl!!!

Here's where I segue into Craig's epic adventure. He's a white water fanatic if y'all remember, and
this river is on his to-do list. He decided ( with my OK) to go south when we hit the river trail,
instead of north, the way we all went. This would give him a chance to scout the river. I agreed to
pick him up later, which involved a 30 mile drive up a different road once we got back. Keep in mind
that this trail is marked on the map, but no one had ever ridden this section of it.

Later that same evening: I don't even stop to eat or change as I hurry to go pick up him up. Somehow
I hadn't connected that this was 30 miles of backcountry road, not good FS road. As I crested the
Lick Creek summit... 7000+ feet of above timberline rock piles and avalanche debris, my mental state
alternated between being extremely annoyed at agreeing to this, to the "what-if's" of his 12 mile
ride through uncharted MB territory. A black bear cub and a herd of elk crossed the road as I headed
to the rendezvous point.

I assumed that he'd knock off the 12 miles with relative ease based on the condition of the know
section of trail. So did he. Well.... what an adventure. He was there, bathing in the river when I
got there. I haven't seen him so thrashed in many years. The trail was unused, unmaintained, and
unrideable. Up and down the canyon, no section rideable for more that 50-100 feet. Poor guy... and
he wonders why I refuse to go on trails that I know **nothing** about....He says he's not sorry he
did it, he just wished the trail had been better.

We made it back to the BBQ a little late. Homemade apple pie courtesy Spider, (yummy!) fresh caught
and smoked salmon, burgers, chips, dips and beverages of your choice. After dinner entertainment was
PF videos played in a DVD player with surround sound.

Sunday's plan was lift serve biking at Brundage mountain. The freak bailed, he had very
legitimate reasons but I think it's because he didn't want photo evidence of himself on a
chairlift with a bike...

That was tons of fun, whether we were screaming down the green trail or on the DH course. I rode a
goodly portion of the DH course, pat myself on the back. There was no hope keeping up with Gman on
any of it.

www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb06.jpg

www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb05.jpg Craig

www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb07.jpg Penny

Most farklempt moment: Adam presented me with a lift pass as a prize. "most improved rider from last
year". sniff. "over 100% improved". sniff sniff.

Most failed Kumbayah moment... Spider tried to thank me for convincing him to come, and I bite his
head off... this was Sat night, after retrieving my hubby from his epic, before I'd had enough food
or drink to calm my nerves. Sorry for being such a b****, Bob!!

Most deliciously evil moment: Screaming down the (green) Elk Trail at Brundage. This is a trail that
families and beginners tootle along on: or nuts like us pedal and go fast. We got in one last run
here - I had all my armor on after riding the DH course, just flying and I come up on two beginner
large ladies going about 3 mph as I"m screaming down the trail "rider!! I'd like to pass when you
can let me by". I promise, I didn't crowd them, but it sure did feel good to fly by being extremely
happy I was

me and not them.

Pennys' best bonehead move... and no one but my hubby saw it. Finishing up the last run at the ski
hill, I bomb off the end of the trail into the public area right by the lift load... catch my front
tire on the edge of the cement pad and go flying off the bike and sliding across the load platform
in my armor...in front of everyone. Too bad you missed it, eh?

until next year.

Penny

On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 12:27:09 -0700, Penny S. wrote:

> Too bad you missed it, eh?

Yeah. Sounds like you guys had a blast!

Its a really good thing I declined, though. About 1am on Saturday, I woke with extreme bouts of
vomiting and diarhea, which went on for about 8 hours. Apparently food poisoning doesn't always kick
in right away, and I'd picked up a really nasty case last week.

I'm almost better now. I'm REALLY looking forward to getting back on dirt.

--
-BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

Penny S. wrote:

> until next year.

Excellent, and some great pics.

Have to see if I can make it across one year (if you'll have me).

"Penny S." <pennydeletes@invalidcet.com> wrote in message news:vh8lcdihrt0cbc@corp.supernews.com...
> Since I came home to a dead modem, the assumption is that you've already read a couple of versions
> of this great weekend. Here's a few
observations
> from my notebook:
>
<snip fun trip>

Sounds like a blast. Wish I could have been there. Maybe next year...

Matt

On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 12:27:09 -0700, "Penny S." <pennydeletes@invalidcet.com> wrote:

|After dinner entertainment was PF videos played in a DVD |player with surround sound.

My attorneys will be talking to JD's attorneys.

Somehow "camping" and "DVD player with surround sound" don't seem to go together.

P e t e F a g e r l i n scribbled :
> On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 12:27:09 -0700, "Penny S." <pennydeletes@invalidcet.com> wrote:
>
>> After dinner entertainment was PF videos played in a DVD player with surround sound.
>
> My attorneys will be talking to JD's attorneys.
>
> Somehow "camping" and "DVD player with surround sound" don't seem to go together.

who said we were camping?

penny

On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 12:27:09 -0700, "Penny S." <pennydeletes@invalidcet.com> wrote:

[snip really nice RR]

Penny thanks for posting, it was good to see a some of the folks in this NG. Do their personalities
match their new group personas?

>until next year.
>
>Penny

Thanks again peace, Bill The mind serves properly as a window glass rather than as a reflector, that
is, the mind should give an immediate view instead of an interpretation of the world.
:-]

Bill Wheeler scribbled :
> On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 12:27:09 -0700, "Penny S." <pennydeletes@invalidcet.com> wrote:
>
> [snip really nice RR]
>
> Penny thanks for posting, it was good to see a some of the folks in this NG. Do their
> personalities match their new group personas?
>

Fricking JD was ragging on my Kona all weekend long.

Penny

On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 12:27:09 -0700, Penny S. wrote:

> (note, got the new modem but I can't believe I am the first one to post anything!!)There is way
> more to this story that what I have to tell..

I'm still trying to come up with a good title.

> www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb02.jpg Penny and Gab hanging out

> Riding, I was in between the fast and slow groupings... a great place to be because I rode alone
> a lot, but I always knew there'd be folks behind me.

I ended up ridin' sweep halfway through. Because I <cough> like riding sweep.

> Gman had a flat so we all took a break in what little shade we could
> www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/bobjd.jpg The freak and a spider.
Looks like JD was the only shade the Spider could find.

> A black bear cub and a herd of elk crossed the road as I headed to the rendezvous point.

Cool...hadn't heard that part of the story! I hope a bear wasn't what kept sniffing around my tent
every night. =

> That was tons of fun, whether we were screaming down the green trail or on the DH course.

As much as I hate to admit it, the lift serve thing was very fun and very educational. I am a lot
more comfortable with how fast my bike can go now, and I really let 'er rip on Post Canyon this
morning. Well, it was "rippin' " for me, which is probably about 10mph.

> There was no hope keeping up with Gman on any of it.

No kidding! I got to the bottom of my _first run_ on Elk, saw you guys going back up, barely had
time to say "I'll wait and ride up with Gman...oh, there he is now" and he was back from his 2nd
(3rd?) run! I be slow like mole-asses.

> Pennys' best bonehead move...

I can't believe my only "real" injury was taking that switchback ("tight squeeze",
nudgenudgewinkwink) too fast and doing a slide through the pine needles. Stings a bit more than
gravel but there's not as much debris to pick out. That and the new tattoo I gave myself with a
charcoaled branch I didn't see, but that will probably fade.

What a great weekend. Paladin did an excellent job pulling it together.

le gab

"Penny S." <pennydeletes@invalidcet.com> wrote in message
news:<vh8lcdihrt0cbc@corp.supernews.com>...
> Since I came home to a dead modem, the assumption is that you've already read a couple of versions
> of this great weekend. Here's a few observations from my notebook:
>
> (note, got the new modem but I can't believe I am the first one to post anything!!)There is way
> more to this story that what I have to tell..
>
> Herding the group on Sat was like watching molasses flow; a 9 am start somehow turned into a post
> noon start in the heat of the day by the time we got the shuttle all done. But it was gorgeous out
> and the company was good so I do not have any right to complain. I get all ansty to get going on
> these things. As I explained to Craig ( Mr. Penny) "think of it like how you feel on the morning
> of a powder day". HIs reply.. yeah but powder goes quickly; the trail's not going anywhere!! " Too
> bad you missed it, eh?
>
> until next year.
>
> Penny

Very nice job, Iron Penny. You disappointed me quite a bit, though, as I didn't see a single
show-stopping signature biff this time like the ones you did last year. What gives?

And that hubby of yours? Heart like a lion.

Thanks to all for making the effort to come down/up again.

You'll hear more from me when I get my pictures ready to post.

Paladin better looking in person. really. o well, don't believe it then. ;~P

Gab says:

<snip excellent retorts to excellent 1-center RR>

>le gab

Should that not be "la" gab? (nudge-nudge-wink-wink?)

Steve

<snip>

> Sunday's plan was lift serve biking at Brundage mountain. The freak bailed, he had very
> legitimate reasons but I think it's because he didn't want photo evidence of himself on a
> chairlift with a bike...

It's ok to be a grown man and scared.

> That was tons of fun, whether we were screaming down the green trail or on the DH course. I rode a
> goodly portion of the DH course, pat myself on the back. There was no hope keeping up with Gman on
> any of it.
>
> www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb06.jpg
>
> www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb05.jpg Craig
>
> www.specialtyoutdoors.com/amb/amb07.jpg Penny
>
> Most deliciously evil moment: Screaming down the (green) Elk Trail at Brundage. This is a trail
> that families and beginners tootle along on: or nuts like us pedal and go fast. We got in one last
> run here - I had all my armor on after riding the DH course, just flying and I come up on two
> beginner large ladies going about 3 mph as I"m screaming down the trail "rider!! I'd like to pass
> when you can let me by". I promise, I didn't crowd them, but it sure did feel good to fly by being
> extremely happy I was
>
> me and not them.

Ahhh, I see the transformation has occurred. Next stop = "Get the hell outta my way...I'm a ripping
frig'n DH'er you idiots!"

> Penny

Excellent RR and pix!!!
--
Slacker

On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 19:45:40 -0400, Bill Wheeler <billwheeler@mtbingrocks.net> wrote:

>On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 12:27:09 -0700, "Penny S." <pennydeletes@invalidcet.com> wrote:
>
>[snip really nice RR]
>
>Penny thanks for posting, it was good to see a some of the folks in this NG. Do their personalities
>match their new group personas?

Yeah, some of em, are as goofy looking as I thought they were....

and thanks for posting Penny.
>
>
>>until next year.
>>
>>Penny
>
>Thanks again peace, Bill The mind serves properly as a window glass rather than as a reflector,
>that is, the mind should give an immediate view instead of an interpretation of the world.
>:-]

On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 16:55:56 -0700, "Penny S." <pennydeletes@invalidcet.com> wrote:

>Bill Wheeler scribbled :
>> On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 12:27:09 -0700, "Penny S." <pennydeletes@invalidcet.com> wrote:
>>
>> [snip really nice RR]
>>
>> Penny thanks for posting, it was good to see a some of the folks in this NG. Do their
>> personalities match their new group personas?
>>
>
>Fricking JD was ragging on my Kona all weekend long.
>
>Penny

I was gonna ask how long did it take for that to occur. A KONA, and a Cannodale, bet that was
fun....NOT!

"Penny S." <pennydeletes@invalidcet.com> wrote in message news:vh8lcdihrt0cbc@corp.supernews.com...
> Since I came home to a dead modem, the assumption is that you've already read a couple of versions
> of this great weekend. Here's a few
observations
> from my notebook:

Snip

> Too bad you missed it, eh?
>
> until next year.
>
> Penny
>

Thanks penny, great pictures and RR. My lasting impression is- 'kin 'ell you lot are organized.

Steve.