Turkey Day Ride 2017

Thursday, of course, was Thanksgiving Day which means eating way too much food and feeling like an overstuffed tick for the remainder of the day. Around here it also means the annual Turkey Day Ride.



As it has become a bit of a tradition now, I whipped up a back of the dark chocolate, jalapeno bacon for the event. Making the bacon, leaving it alone in the fridge over night, covering it in chocolate the next day and then leaving it overnight in the fridge again is almost impossible to do without sampling some of it, purely for Quality Assurance purposes of course. The entire house smells like bacon for days.


I have been doing the rides for the last 5 years and this year we had a really big group, had to be one of the bigger years. Then again when the forecast for the day is near 60 degrees rather than below freezing, it tends to attract more people.









Trails were in perfect shape, it's really been a pretty mild fall thus far and I for one am not complaining too much although a decent smattering of snow this winter would be nice as well.


Rode out to the CVO tree and clearing as the halfway point and regroup.





By the time we made it out to the halfway point I swear we picked up a few more riders along the way, I'm not sure if there was an official head count but I would guess we had somewhere around 25-30 people enjoying the day.




Of course riding and then standing around in the heat and sun tends to make one thirsty, it's a good think that most cyclists I know are well prepared to stave off that thirst.





Since it was Thanksgiving and several people had commitments they needed to get to, we didn't dawdle too long out there, the group split into two or maybe three groups at that point. Some heading back on the single track, some back on the limestone and some heading home which ever way was quickest for them.



There were still plenty of folks who made it all the way back to Kyle's house where we were greeted by a life sized piece of bacon. And a foggy camera.




Food, as always, was bacon themed and delicious. Although not pictured the beermosas were good too and it was such a mild day out that several of us ate outside. Can't hardly complain about being able to ride in non winter clothing at the end of November, especially when surrounded by good friends. Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving Holiday, two more rides and blogs to follow from the weekend that I hope to knock out by Tuesday at the latest.