Not necessarily in that order according to Topher...
When it comes to mountain biking, camping and beer seem to go hand in hand. Maybe it's from years of conditioning; driving hours and hours to bike races and camping at the venue. Maybe it's driving across country to camp and ride the mountains of Colorado or camping at the edge of the Grand Canyon after a days ride. Perhaps it's the mandatory beer guzzle at Belmont Plateau training races or even slamming the occasional beer before NORBA downhill races when they held us just a little too long a the top. Whatever the case may be, fond memories and good times with friends resonate in my mind.
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| No need to hurry |
This past weekend was the yearly assault on Raystown Lake for Dirtfest. Like hungry lions, friends arrive early and stake their claim on Ridge Camp Loop. We already know the riding is awesome. But let's not forget about how much fun the camping is too. Dutch oven competitions, tales of the days rides, and stories around the campfire. And beer. And a Jager surprise. Who knew?
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| Fire! |
I grew up in the city surrounded by concrete walls and urban animals like pigeons and rats. If you consider living along the polluted Delaware amongst nature, so be it. My favorite book as a child was "My Side of the Mountain" in which a little boy runs off to the Catskills to live and hunt in the wild. A tomboy (I use the offensive term loosely) at heart, longing for a different kind of wild. I often daydreamed about the adventures I could have, eating berries and sleeping under the stars. After all, chasing bums and prostitutes for entertainment gets old after a while.
It wasn't until I started mountain biking that I had the opportunity to connect with nature. We traveled extensively to ride all the hot spots like Crested Butte, Moab and Joshua Tree. Whether it was for leisure or bike racing, we camped. When I say we, I mean the Philly contingency. There could be upwards of 20 of us camping at one time. Upon arrival, there was the frenzy of finding a good spot and setting up tents and gear. It was not uncommon for a roast to be tossed in the DO, ready for the mornings breakfast. If we arrived late, we threw our sleeping bags on the grass like ducks in a row and snuggled up for the night under a blanket of stars.
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| Quack Quack |
As time wears on, I realize I have beat myself up pretty hard biking. Sleeping on the ground has its pluses, but mostly I wake up stiff, sore and not well rested. So last May, after camping in the pouring rain with a puking child in the tent, we decided it was time to upgrade to this:
Taunt all you will. Now I sleep like a baby...
My friend in crime, prefers this option:
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| Donna's Digs | | |
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How cool is this? A sleep pod and a box of wine is life according to Donna. In fact, I don't think that is morning tea in her cup. A word to the wise; when hanging between trees, be sure there are no poison ivy vines running up it.
Camping is all about the process. Setting up, cooking on fire, hanging out, riding and enjoying being outside. Most of all, it's the time spent with friends. Whether near or far, or if we haven't seen each other in years, there is a comfort that simmers and wafts through the air. We pick up where we left off with an ease that warms me almost as much as Donna's box of wine.
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| Ain't Misbehavin' |
Some of the cooking highlights were Penne Rustica and Mexican Lasagna in the DO. The big treat was Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll Ups
(recipe) in the DO for dessert. I was amazed (but not surprised) how all the single guys flocked for dinner and treats fresh from the flames. Bellies full and beers flying...happy campers indeed.
Oh yes, and the riding was fantastic as always!
