The Festival started out slow, but by 11:00 a healthy crowd gathered around the "Trials Demonstration". We all watched as gravity was teased and mocked by a human on a two wheeled beast. It was fun to watch, and I must admit that I was jealous. I have ridden on some of the most difficult trails in the Northeast but I still can't manage to bounce around on my rear wheel, while doing a wheelie. I rationalize being able to bounce around on the rear wheel of my bike is useless and has no place on the trail, but I think that it's pretty cool, and wish I could master it myself. Then I could consider it a skill!
I played bike limbo. I made all of five passes on my small Super-V, which turns out to not be small enough for the contest. Even riding while seated in the V of the frame wasn't of any help. After my final attempt, I resigned to the side lines, from which got to watch the young ones make a go of it!
Around noon the "Log Pull" took place, which I missed, I was coaxed by my friends to go for a ride, the trails were calling and so I had to go. The "Log Pull" involved the dragging of cement blocks behind your bike in an old baby carrier, for a measured distance. All those who completed the run got another try with an extra block. I heard that if you got up to five blocks, you received an honoree membership in the Local Cement Carting Union. I wish I was there for that event.
Next in the line up was the "Hickory & Tweed / Cannondale Bicycle Poker Rally" which was in support of the "United Cerebral Palsy of Westchester". For a $15 entry fee you got a cool t-shirt, a chance to win a Cannondale Super-V, go on a great ride and donate to a good cause. The bike was courtesy of "Hickory & Tweed" and "Cannondale". All things considered, not a bad deal.
