Well we started 2 1/2 hours late. The trail was poorly marked for the first several miles.  Finally we guessed where to go and got lucky.  Who knows how much trail we missed to get to this point.  Since it was getting dark, we decided to take the short trail.  After the initial climb the short trail took an excellent decent to the river. Upon crossing the river we were treated to a flat, fast 2.5 mile BN then a shorter 1/4 mile BVN. Beer Very Near.  How clever.

I am so resolved that That will be the last time I ride alone like that.  Probably not.

Actually this was a great hash and unfortunately, I could not get to the start on time.  It was a great trail and of course you had to climb a bit to get started but then the down hill was rewarding and entertaining and fun. I will def go back and do the long too which climbed a bit more (2mi) and then descended the whole thing to the river. The 'short' descent that I did was fast, well groomed and just a treat.

It was disappointing to have a mechanical on trail but preparation is key and I had the right parts and pieces to recover and finish my ride. God bless mechanically inclined fingers.  I replaced a shredder derailleur hanger and took out some bent chain links.  I actually had another quick link in my pack but could not find it in my haste.  Fie on the stick that broke me down.  Probably I was going too slow and the stick saw this and took advantage.  Faster and it could not have caught me.  Curse you little stick. I'll get you next time with my knobbys.

It was funny that the trail was littered with brand spanking new bud light cans for it's entire length.  I think it was the horsey people but I could not prove it. If you can't keep the trail clean don't use it.

There were people at the ON IN who upon my arrival rejoiced that I did not spend the night in the cold alone on the mountain.  Then we drank a beer.

that pretty much sums it up.......... it was a great day. if only Beavis would learn to be time.  

Here are the specifics.  Ride # 274 was on the Iron Mountain train in North Georgia.  It was a beautiful trail that consisted of heart attack climbs up rocky hills that were rewarded with fast, down hill rollers and pants-soiling jumps.  The trails offered fantastic views from the mountainside and the fall leaves were unbelievable.   I measured the long at 14.5 miles and no body had an odo on the short.  The Hares were Service My Tool and Patrick Barry.  The FRB on the short was Coach Clit and GE on the long (no surprise).  Bevis took and the official DFL.  Coach took a jubilee for his 50th ride and Primer took one for 140!!  The Too Longs were Wine Ho, GE, and Squeals Like a Pig.  We had one virgin, Jacob and two visitors, Come On Down and Love Bug 69.  Justin and I took a Rule 6 for riding topless and then I took another for riding the last mile on a flat tire.  The virgin also dranck one for riding some department store bike that completely dismantled itself on trail.

As soon as I figure out how to post pictures I will put up the ones I took.

FYI. I did the short and also posted a 14.5 mile number on my oduhmeter.

I guess there is an advantage to being on time.  In retrospect I nearly found the ending while looking for the start.  Better luck next time.