Finally, pics from the ride. I've had trouble uploading them direct to blogger. Here's a link to my flikr account that should let you view them.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/rjmiche/sets/72157622537174647/

If you would like any let me know and I can email a few. The pics in the flikr site have been shrunk 25% so I could upload them.

rmichels20022002@yahoo.com for pic requests

Ray

A Couple Pics

Another year, another great Spud Ride. Big thanks to Paul for putting this thing together year after year and being able to watch it get bigger every time. You topped yourself this year!

I took the recycling out this morning and counted 88 beer bottles. I am sure they were thrilled when they got to my place. I don't know how many were left in Ray's car or how many were in other people coolers, but that is a tremendous amount of beer!

Here are a couple pics... Oh, and Rob. Come get your damn award.

Wear your T-Shirt with Pride!!!!

** Photo to the left is the Adventure I had in the Dark Side Tunnel... scary spud stuff

Thank you Paul and HOST Jeremy for making the 2009 Spud Ride AWESOME!!!
What made the ride ridiculously FUN was the Fine Group of people that gathered!!!
Everyone handled the Bee Stings, RAIN, Horse Sh*&^, Mud, Blistering Mountainside pace, our very own GUL :o) , mechanicals, and Scroggy's Burrito Butt beautifully.

It was all about SPUD all day.

My Highlights:
** Starting off at J's just put everything in perspective.
**The Knighthood of the Royal Spuds placed Paul, Jason and Scroggy permanently in The House of Spud.
** Ro -Burritos for lunch. and post ride...DE..LICIOUS
**Finishing the Ride wearing a garbage bag and wearing a ripped orange Spud skirt!!!
** Receiving the Pink Spud Bike for just being me.
** Wearing the 2009 Spud Ride T-shirt proudly to Toms Ride the next morning!!
Awesome.....
Spud On
Lindsay

WHAT A RIDE!

Thanks to everyone for making this years ride the best one yet! What a great day. Kinda cool running the route in reverse this year. Harder/Easier? Not sure. I felt good all day, maybe it was the Spudly cheer. Anyways, I usually post a ride sonopsis about the day but I thought maybe everyone could post their own comments in this post to help describe the day. My official comment: Spuds rule - and I couldn't ask for a better group of "real" mountainbikers to spend the day with, seriously! Thanks!

Post your comment on the day for all to enjoy.

Till next time - Spud Paul

A Spudly story

Five students of a Zen master were back from the market on their bicycles. As they dismounted, their master asked : Why are you riding your bicycles ?"
Each of them came up with different answers to their master's question.
The first student said "It is the bicycle that is carrying the sack of potatoes. I am glad that my back has escaped the pain of bearing the weight"
The master was glad and said : " You are a smart boy. When you become old you will be saved of a hunch back unlike me"
The second student had a different answer. " I love to see the trees and the sprawling fields as I go riding"
The teacher commended : "You have your eyes open and you see the world"
The third disciple came up with yet a different answer : " When I ride I am content to chant 'nam myoho renge kyo'"
The master spoke words of appreciation " Your mind will roll with ease like a newly trued wheel"
The fourth disciple said : "Riding my bicycle I live in perfect harmony of things"
The pleased master said " You are actually riding the golden path of non-harming or non violence"
The fifth student said " I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle"
The master walked up to him and sat at his feet and said "I am your disciple!"

See everyone at Jeremy's in the AM. The Spud Ride is a go!

4 Spuds training for Spud Ride or opening scene of a 70's porn shoot

Jeremy says....

"Please carpool or ride bike to my house because I don't have enough parking." Does that constitute as a "Whine"?

Not sure, but we all like Jeremy and he has been nice enough to let us use his crib as base camp. Address again:

2569 Wildon Dr, York, PA 17403

Pic of Jeremy after finishing dead last in the EWR sponsored "kids race" at Bear Creek. Don't worry Jeremy, the special olympics tryouts are coming up.

(No offense toward the mentally challenged - except Uncle Larry)

Spud Ride News!

Looks like the ride is shaping up nicely...People confirming, bikes being tuned/or not tuned, Burittos on order, Beer choices made, Ray "support guy" Michaels trained, many excited spuds and sprouts, weather looks to be good and awards and prizes on hand. Back to the weather - Check this blog site on Friday night to make sure the ride is still on if we get lots of rain in the next day or so. We cannot do the full spud ride if one or more of the parks is closed. I will make any drastic decisions to reschedule on Friday night. A few of us are going to go over and check out how bad the trails are at SV on friday afternoon, probably do some trimming and reconisance. If you are interested in helping post a comment and I will be in touch as to a time.

As always unanswered questions...here goes!

1. Do you mind if I bring a case of beer?

Stooooopuid question - Fuck no...bring it!

2. Is there a fee for the ride?

No...but I encourage donations for lunch and other goodies I supply out of the goodness of my heart. The Spud cup will be on hand for all your pennies.

3. Will Scroggy "really" sexually harrass me?

Fuck ye! He is the Scrogman. By the way he rode 27 miles sans seatpost to finish Teaberry 40 miler. That is some Spud Shit!

4. Will Spud Paul make fun of me and/or my bike?

YES

5. Will Matt Keller think that he is "all that" and try to show off that he is the King Spud '08?

Yes..of course...bragging is part of being a Spud.

6. Did Blake Chilson fly in from Colorado just to do the Spud Ride '09 and doesn't even care about visiting friends and family while he is in town?

Of couse...The spud ride is all that matters to him at this point in time.

7. Will several sprouts (first timers) whine and complain?

Yes...and they will be handled in the typical spudly manner.

Later,

Spud Paul

Spud Ride Update

Hey all,

We are getting close to the ride and I want to fill in some missing info.

Here goes:

1) What is the Spud Ride?

It is a 60-70 mile in York County, PA. It consists of trails, singletrack, paved roads, dirt roads and just about everything you can ride a bike on. We leave together and have stops to regroup along the way to shoot the bull, carry-on, eat, drink and make fun of each other. It is just a big fun group ride on some awesome trails!

2) Time and Place

7:00 am is weigh-in @ Jeremy Haag's house - 1 mile from Lake Redman

2569 Wildon Drive, York, PA 17403

Ride leaves around 8:00am

3) What should I bring?

Yourself, cool bike, bag of stuff you may need to finish the ride and some comfy clothes for afterwards. I will supply coke, gaterade and water for the ride and beer and food after.

4)email questions to: design2@formexinc.com or just ask them as a comment in the blog

5) Ray Michaels will be our support guy 2009 and will have room for bags, tools, food and a cooler will be in his vehicle. I will also have a bike stand in his truck with some spare parts.

Later,

Spud Paul

Spuds in training

Spuds laid it down at Bear Creek this past weekend taking many podiums and as usual making many friends! Lots of riders seen training for the Spud Ride. Got some pics of several training techniques.

Memories

Get that GAME face on!

The Scrogman has his game face on...always! I know he is ready for the Spud ride...are you? Scrog is one of only 3 Spuds to do all the Spud rides. I am the other and there is one more......Who is it???? Get those long rides in and show up prepared this year is going to be great. Looks like we have 18 commited at this point and I am sure more will follow.

Some unanswered questions:

1.) Is there camping available? Sure...In Jeremy's basement. It is finished but void of furniture. So bring a sleeping bag and crash inside in comfort. Just a warning, I am told Jeremy sleeps in an EWR racing flourescent green thong which he wears backwards. And he sleepwalks! YUK

2.) How long is the ride and do you think I can make it?
It is long and hard and long and I do not know if you can finish.

3.) Is there support? Yes, very good support. It will carry all your necessary food, drink, repair items, clothing and anything else. We will have at least 3 stops to regroup, bust balls and just have a good ol time.

4.) Will I get dropped?

Yes, if you suck.

5.) Will Scroggy sexually harrass me?

Yes.

6.) Will Uncle Larry drink beer at all the stops?

Yes.

7.) Will people complain?

Yes, but not when I am around...Only I am aloud to complain about how tired I am.

8.) Will Jason Yeager do the entire ride on a bike that has no business being at the Spud Ride?

Yes, and he will love every minute of it! Although this year I think he actually has a bike built that was made after the 1990's.

9.) Will Lindsey be the only female rider to finish 3 spud rides?
Yes. She has no other choice...She is a Spud.

10.) Who and what age is the oldest Spud finisher?
Ken Stadden - last year finisher at age 58!

Later,
Spud Paul

See poll to right!

Spud's are getting ready!

Since this years spud ride is going to be extra special I will be posting on a frequent basis just to make sure I can bust everyone's balls at one time or another. Feel free to bust mine back...if you can! Anyhows, looks like a good turnout is ramping up and the spuds seem to be excited about the new format. Rode with Blake Bricker last night and he said "I am going to ride in the back this year with the beer drinkers." I don't know about some of you but I take offense to that statement! What are you saying Blake...you think beer drinkers are slow? He is riding a SS this year and thinks he is so coool. Well guess what, its about time! No worries Blake you can ride with us in the back, but who will keep scroggy company? Tshirts have been ordered and every FINISHER will receive one. I will have various sizes on hand and not just 3xl's. Uncle Larry and I have been discussing post ride food options and the consensus seems to be something easy and ready to eat. I was thinking Robburito - Do they cator? Jason Yeager should know, I think he lives there. What say you Yeager? Can they drop off some burittos at Jeremy's for after the ride? Let me know and I can work out the fianances. I am hoping to see some missing spuds this year - ie: Dan Ness, Barry Rauhouser, Tammy Gantz, Mike Hoffman - somebody get them the word.

Saw Dan not to long ago but don't have his email, I think Barry R. is still hanging with Tom Bombadil down in the Shire enjoying some of the Gaffers homebrew. Tammy, where are you?

Mike H. - whats up? As I said, spread the word people, this is a "word of mouth" event and the more the merrier. Just make sure people know that it is a hard ride. Stops this year will be drasticly reduced in time. Keep posted for upcomming info and other important stuff.

Later, Spud Paul

Insescent Whinning!

Once again the spud ride reveals the pansies and wanna be mountainbikers among us. Looks like this year is starting off with a bang! I really don't care what all the talk is about - if you don't get IT by now, you never will.

On to some Spuddly News - Jason Yeager & Matt Orlando are doing Ole Bull on a tandem! THEY GET IT!

Spud Ride 09 t's

Whining already!!!!

Uncle Larry says do not say "free beer"... We may have the entire east coast show up. He is probably right. Anyhow, there will be beer at the finish. Complaints about the date in multitude...Sorry, I have tried to please everyone. This is the best I can do at this point. PLEASE, PLEASE do not ask me for a map or sonopsis of the route! It is long, it is hard, it is fun...period. Ask another spud finisher - they will fill you in. This guy finished last year and is still smiling!

Spud Ride 2009 blog site!

Yea Haw, the spud ride has gone web crazy. It has a blog site and is going into its 4th year! Pass the word around to all wanna be spuds that the ride is scheduled for Saturday, September26th. I am throwing in some twists this year.

1- The ride will begin and end at Jeremy Haags home. He lives about 1 mile from the lakes. I will post his address closer to the event date. The reason for this is twofold. One reason is to eliminate any legal ramifications brought upon us by the parks dept. and two is so after the ride we can parrrtee.

2- This year, beer is included with your participation. Thats right, free beer! However, donations are strongly encouraged. Scroggy will be supplying a large selection of tasty sippies. Like some good IPA's and other fine brews.

3- Year 4! WOW...Who can name the only riders to complete all previous 3 flee's?

4- Great awards at the post race pow wow. Including: The passing on of the King Spud trophy. Matt Keller will be scrutinizing all riders and making this most important decision. I will "knighting in" the 4 time spud finishers with a special ceremony.
WHO WILL BE THE SWET POTATOE 09?

5- So many questions and so few answers...plan on making it. This year will be special...I promise!

Keep checking in for updates and let me know if you want the user name so you can post your memories, ball busting or anything else. All you spuds are like family.
Later,
Spud Paul