Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1545994
thus it went throughout the morning, as the sec- ons got longer, the temps got higher, the smiles got bigger. I enjoy having no idea where I am on these events because it makes the world big again. As a brand new turkey run, this was all new for everybody and the smiles were everywhere. And although we all had route sheets and odometers, they were un- necessary. There were so many arrows posted that you really didn't need to look at the route sheet. I heard from a reliable source that 1100+ arrows had been used, and I believe it. Also, in the "today I learned" category, the original plan was for this to be a GPS-only ride. But then, someone alerted the Animals that NETRA rules require a route sheet and arrows for a turkey run. I did not know that was a rule. Live and learn, for sure. It felt like we were keeping a decent pace, but there were a number of waits while members of our group got recombobulated a er a spill, or taking refreshments at one of the many stands set up along the route by enthusias c local supporters. For about an hour, between warmed up and worn out, I was in my flow zone and it was a ball. Having no clue what's around the next corner is a treat. And then, about three hours in while traversing a hillside through some lovely laurels, the rear end slipped off the trail, and I dropped the bike. There was no rea- son for it, other than being red and sloppy. But you all know how it goes… errors beget redness, which beget sloppiness, which beget more errors, ad infini- tum. I had begun the dreaded downward spiral of spodliness. A er ge ng the bike back on the trail and the required amount of cursing and self-loathing, I con nued on. Only to slide off the trail to the le 200 yards later. There was no reason, no excuse. As I stood there, sucking wind and ques oning my life choices, Tim Gossom came along and said: "Hey Jim, let me get that back up on the trail for you". I was not inclined to protest and Tim quickly got my bike back up on the trail and he moved to the top of my Hero of The Day list. Thank you, Sir! Shortly a er this was a hero sec on which looked flowy and fun. At least the first 50 feet did. So I took it. It was flowy and it was fun, but I was not. For the rest of this sec on, I was somewhere between comfortable cruise and survival riding. Flow mode had le the chat. A er popping out on the asphalt, the route sheet 30 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com