Church of Tim - Enjoying the Ride

The soul cleansing was abundant at the Church of Tim ride this morning at Brighton Recreation Area. The church choir in the form of my music player was belting out some beautiful organ playing via Petty, J. Geils, Black Bob Seger, Steve Winwood singing like Ray Charles and some Allman Brothers for good measure. Some fine holy wine after the ride as well. 

I was raised in the Catholic faith but my parents didn't push the religion once we were of age; which I am happy for. It was time to make our own decisions. With that, the kneeling, standing, sitting, standing again, kneeling again, sitting again were fine and all but besides a rare sermon that gave me pause to think about this wacky existence we have, it seemed those who promoted/pushed the faith the most in public were the biggest sinners in private. With that, you probably won't see me in the pews on Sundays but will continue to love my fellow human and thank whomever has created this funky world each night. 

Thank you. 

Trail Head

First Pedal

A great start to the riding season tonight as east-sider Eddie P. battled through the 275/96/696 corridor for a pedal with this scribe tonight at Island Lake. The trail was in outstanding condition. Post ride events involved Eddie and I comparing the stretches we do (via physical therapy sessions as once you hit 40, sign yourself up) to be able to do the activities we do. It's like the Seinfeld bit when he says we exercise just so we can be in shape to exercise some more. In other words, why do we do it? For me, the endorphin release does the trick.

Trail Head

Eddie. P. on the yellow loop

Will you sign my yearbook?

It's getting close to that time of the year in the schools; the signing of the yearbook ritual. Why did we do it? And do kids still do it?    

I dug up my junior high books as there is no better slice of the culture than what a bunch of 12-13-14 year-olds have to say.   

We start our journey with the 1979 Highland Junior High yearbook, my 6th grade year. The names have been removed to protect the innocent; and the illiterate. 

Besides some rhymes, not a whole lot to say in 1979. Some of my favorites:

• "To a weirdo."
• "To a great singer; just kidding."
• "To a good friend I've nown (not my grammar) for 2 years."
• "Tim, you're a little weird but who care (not my grammar)."
• "The crowd was silent, the curtain arose, there stood Tim just picking his nose; just kidding."

The "just kidding" comment becomes common in the junior high scribes; similar to the emoticon smiley faces of the texting world today.

On to 1980 and 7th grade; a bit more trash talking with some more "just kidding" comments. 

Some favorites:

• "To a cool kid who is my friend and ooooo I'm mad at you; just kidding."
• "To a big jerk; just kidding."
• "To a dumb stuped (not my grammar) jerk who was never my friend."
• "For us cool kids." 
• "To a so so kid; just kidding."
• "Cooper's room was really great, wasn't it (ha ha). I'm surprised she hasn't had a nervous breakdown."

Nervous breakdown? Too much sugar in that scribe. 

On to 1981 when yours truly was in 8th grade; big man on campus!!! This is the year when half the school was headed to Milford and the other to Lakeland so the trash talk began. Along with the trash talking, however, were some phone numbers!!!  Too bad I was terrified of speaking to women at the time so those numbers were a nice to have but unfortunately not used.

Some favorites:

• "To (not my grammar) bad your leading in home runs for left handers because I'm going to hit 2 homers in the big game if we get there." (reference to Friday wiffle ball in Lifetime Activities class; great class)
• "Tim, you're so shy I don't really know you that well but you seem nice."
• "Tim, To a real cute kid with a great smile who's going to Milford of course. All people cool are going to Milford."
• "Hi Tim. I would write have a good summer, hope to see you next year, but I live down the street."
• "To a real stud that I'm glad I met. And maybe some day you'll be has maucho (not my grammar) as me."
• "To a real athletic kid and a real bad hurdler. And weird smile."
• "To a so so hurdler; an ok long jumper."
• "To a really nice guy. And funny too. Sometimes. Well I'm glad I met you this year. And I'm not an airhead!"
• "Tim, you're a really foxy friend I'm glad you were in my gym class cause I love pullin down your shorts! Hope we can have a few classes together at Milford. Good luck in everything as if you needed it. Stay cute and strange!"
• "Your a real cool guy. And kinda cute (you'd be cuter if you could open your eyes; just kidding)"
• "To one of the toughest dudes I know."
• "To (not my grammar) bad you have to go to Milford. Lakeland #1  Your pretty cool."
• "To a real bomb person"

Pedal 2016

Yep, time again to hit the trails and get a good laugh at the trailhead scene visuals:

• first time riders with the shiniest bikes and the matching outfits....that will never be seen again after that first ride
• blue jean riders
• riders with baby seats attached; no baby (rode with someone with that setup a few years back; she rocked it)
• riders re-creating their entire ride for the whole parking lot to hear   "That fifth turn over that rock....." Yep, remember that.
• The same rider talking about how he almost knocked five seconds off his time if it wasn't for that big-headed kid with the music player slowing him down. Yep, I am that big-headed kid so sorry if I don't hear your "on your right" call as I am listening to some Petty and enjoying the view. 
• German/foreign riders (employed in the States for work programs) talking their native language in the parking lot; probably saying the same stuff from the previously noted bullets, but in German.  
• OCD rider who will need to put his cycle up on a stand and re-build it part by part after the ride; extra analyzing included
• dudes with matching unitard spandex outfits; guys in spandex, let alone with matching spandex, ummm.....no
• The pink bike rack rider;who has not been seen in recent years.
• The heavy metal rider who must have his song volume at '11' in the parking lot for all to hear. Sorry, but not everyone has your passion for rocking some Poison buddy.
• horses coming through the parking lot at Highland Recreation Area with beers strapped to the saddles
• raccoons that trash can dive at Pontiac Lake 

I'm sure there are many more that I'm missing but with that, here is the riding schedule:

April 14 - Island Lake

young Trail Head - Tucson, AZ (believe 1976)

April 21 - Brighton
April 28 - Pontiac Lake
May 5   - Highland
May 12 - Milford
May 19 - Island Lake
May 26  - Brighton
June 2   - Pontiac Lake
June 9   - Highland
June 16 - Maybury
June 23 - Island Lake
June 30 - Brighton
July 7    - Lakeshore Park
July 14  - Highland
July 21  - Pontiac Lake
July 28  - Island Lake
August 4 - Brighton
August 11 - Pontiac Lake
August 18 - Highland
August 25 - Hickory Glen
September 1 - Island Lake
September 8 - Brighton
September  15 - Pontiac Lake
September 22 - Milford
September 29 - banquet, location TBD

Trailhead meeting time is 6 pm. Times, dates, and locations are subject to change. Non-riders are, as always, welcome to join in for post ride hanging. Sunday morning riding (the Church of Tim) will again commence this year at various locations throughout the area. Hope to see you all out there on the trails or in the parking lot.

Trail Head