Mother Cup 2015 - Seadog Reign is Over (until next year)

eagle

Yep, the flag has been passed. The Sons of Liberty took honors this weekend in the annual (can't recall what number we're on; 20th?) Mother Cup on Lake Skegemog. My hat goes off to the team as there wasn't one individual carrying them; they all pitched in for the effort. I think it was a tribute to Mother Cup founding father Champ who couldn't make the trip north this year. There was legitimate focus from the Liberty team. As far as us Seadogs, I knew the mojo was going wrong when our A-players were cranking out monster fish in the pre-session outings. Those never seem to carry over to when it counts; and that seemed to be the deal this year. While I still don't understand the weigh-in process with the new five fish per boat limit as it impacts personal totals, I somehow had the second most pounds for the weekend so...hip hip hooray for the new rule! The new rule also produced the closest team competition as long as I can remember. The difference between the teams was less than a pound for the two sessions. That six inch rock bass that most of us shrug our shoulders about putting in the live well was the difference.

Non-fishing time was spent around the fire pit with multiple (read: whole lotta) guitar pluckers, well... plucking. Those of us who weren't plucking were solving the world's problems; granted we had a few beverages in us at the time but the ideas sure sound good at the time. 

Thanks, as always, to Judy and Dave for once again allowing us to enjoy their beautiful home on the water.

Trail Head

loon

Seadogs took the golf scramble Friday morning

professional photo bomber Al

 

SOL up 15-12 after first session

home base

Sunday morning

Sunday morning

final sheet - SOL's take it by less than a pound

most fish pounds for Doke

most fish pounds for Doke

big fish award for Tommy

Mother Cup 2015 - Pre-festivities

The troops are slowing showing up here in Williamsburg, Michigan. Until the festivities start Friday morning, it's time to see this beautiful part of the State. Al and Doke hit the Elk Rapids area this morning and caught their fare share while I took to the woods. The Glacier Hills Pathway is now one of my favorite north mountain biking trails (along with Arcadia Dunes). The doppler is saying the rain is going to come tonight; until then, Mother Cup on!

Trail Head

VASA Trail - east of Traverse City

Glacier Hills Pathway

VASA Trail

yep - think the umbrella is going to come out eventually

Bellaire - Shorts Brewing Company

Bellaire - Shorts Brewing Company

Motor City Mountain Biking Association Fundraiser

We came, we pedaled, I fell (going to be a serious thigh bruise in a few days), I got back up again, and then Mark's chain broke. That pretty much sums up the day yesterday at the Milford Trail Challenge fundraiser for the local mountain bike trails. 

After pedaling the Milford Trail with fellow riders Joe, the other Joe and Scott (fast riders - had the heart rate up pretty quickly at 9 AM), I met up with Mark C. with intentions of doing the Milford Trail, into Proud Lake and looping back through Kensington and into Milford via the paved path. That was the plan at least. About three quarters through the Milford Trail, my front tire caught something and....down goes Frazier!!! I have some scrapes on my left shin which drew a little blood but the worst of the fall is my right thigh that took a good blow from my handlebar end. The bruise is just starting to appear today and it's going to be a beauty when the blue appears. Waaaaa.... Nothing was broken (that I know of) and the bike was fine so pedal on we did on this picture perfect day. After that loop, we pedaled over to Proud Lake to the trails that besides this event, really don't get much mountain bike activity. You share the trails with the horses so the ground is usually beat up and look out for the horse dung!!! About half way through the first loop, I hear a call from the back from Mark. Chain broke. So two mechanically DE-clined individuals set out to fix the chain. I am happy to report that the blind squirrel found the nut as we got the chain together just enough for Mark to pedal back into downtown Milford. The chain broke again but we were close enough to home base at that point.
Post ride was enjoyable hanging with fellow riders, listening to a good band and sipping on some cold beverages. A great showing for the event.
Trail Head

Milford Trail

funky bike racks

Milford Trail

yours truly through Proud Lake

second time for the chain off - luckily not too far from home base

yep, I fell - this is minor compared to what my right thigh is going to look like in a few days - waaaa

good band - had a Johnny Cash twang to them