I will start off by apologizing for the length

This was an awesome weekend! Friday got TWO mountain bike rides in. Rode Pine Loop down and back to warm up for the NT Connector (well, hiked and rode - there is a steep section with big roots), and rode part of the NT Loop. Then it was off to Limekiln for my reward...and a vampire tree drew a LOT of blood. Nothing broken, didn't even hit the ground, but I had no idea that bark can be so abrasive. Arm is still swollen a bit but don't think anything will get infected. Free beer Friday night from the Backwoods Brewing Company while relaxing with old and new friends. Saturday I rode Limekiln again and had a great time.

Weather was perfect all weekend! Saturday started cool, but the sun came up and the demos all went well. Felt, Giant and Trek all had demo trucks, SRAM and a few others were also set up. Two Pedals Photography (the official photographer for all Sub-9 events) was there all weekend taking pictures and doing pre-sales for photo collections. Check out thewebsite for some of the awesome work - I can't link to it because our filter appears to think it is an alcohol related site...

My volunteer work started Saturday afternoon with a 3 hour session at the sign-in table and I had fun with that. That evening saw two great bluegrass bands and more free beer from both Upland and Flat 12. The music was still going on as I hit my cot and sleeping bag as I had a 5:15 alarm for the big day.

Sunday morning was much cooler, or it seemed that way at least. It was still pitch black at 6am when we were ready to start taking registrations and signing in pre-registered people. Shortly after dawn I was at the Hesitation Point SAG, spent much of the afternoon at the Secret Cabin SAG just outside of the Hoosier National Forest.

It was an awesome weekend with around 600 mountain bikers, perhaps more. Had a great time checking out all of the great bikes and different types of tents! I love my new tent, and I found that I like using my cot far better than the air mattress. The cot really changed how the tent worked for me and made it seem even bigger than it is. Great combination.

So it was all good, great riding, I expanding my riding horizons, and good times with new and old friends. I am already looking forward to next year...when I will ride the shortest option. That is my goal at least, and I've a long way to go but I've a year to prepare