Silver Style

It's about being good enough to take a fall I think. Lindsey fell and still placed 2nd. Not too bad in a sport where it wouldn't have been true gold if she hadn't used her 3 second advantage to add style.

Take Shaun Palmer, a guy who pioneered snowboard cross. He was on the downhill mountain bike circuit for years, and I saw him up close in the 1997 World Cup downhill race at Massanutten, VA. Susan and I stood at this steep, narley part of the course watching the racers. Shaun barreled down that mountain at a ridiculous speed and crashed right at our feet. He tumbled and was battered between rocks and trees for probably 20 feet. He sprung up, remounted and proceeded down on a blown tire.

His 29th place was more impressive to me than first place--sure don't remember who won first. Maybe 1st place winner's speed was more conservative, but Shaun always pushed downhill mt biking (and all his sports) to new levels. That's what Lindsey just did. 2010 gold winner will have no choice but to add style.

Lindsey can be sure the footage and the talk will propel her to a place that even gold can't touch. (photo source: nbcolympics.com)

Flagpole Knob

(at right, Beneline descends from Flagpole Knob on some of VA's best singletrack.)

Superbowl Sunday ride highlights:

1--Riding with Nick who was visiting from England.
2--Being in a slugfest with Sally and Carol to reach the top of the mountain. Sally crowned queen of mountain.
3--Heading down a black diamond descent with hands that couldn't feel brakes.
4--Alan's battery operated shoe heaters and Sally's everlasting hand warmers and Carol's ancient handwarming methods.
5--Photo op with Sue Haywood, professional mountain biker.
6--Finally meeting Mike, the guy who collided with a black bear last summer.
7--The sun, the wind, the trees and no ice!

(below l-r, Paul, Nick, Liz, Carol and Sally stay low at Flagpole Knob, highest point in Rockingham County, VA.)






Photos from Shenandoah Mt Bike Club

Broke Bolt Mountain Saddle

This post is inspired by John who has dissected several bikes on his blog. Here is my sheared mountain bike saddle bolt. I was JRA and BOOM! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I thought I had been shot but then I realized the back end was collapsing, so I figured the noise was an exploded rim. Instead the seat bolt had snapped. Robert used to own the bike (same saddle and seat post) so I told him most likely the years of his hind parts stressing it made it finally give up. He said it was never engineered to take the load I put on it. Not sure who is right but I will say I never knew a bolt breaking could be so LOUD.