The RCST 2007 8th Annual Bike BASH (recap of the weekend)

   The weekend started off early for a record number of BASHers with approx. 50 people checking in on Thursday to take advantage of an extra day of riding. The weekend total was a record also topping the 150 limit.
   Friday the weather started out partly cloudy turning more overcast as the day  wore on. Many riders went out for small group rides during the morning and afternoon as the rain held off.
   During the well attended Chili Cookoff Friday Doug Pinkerton took the top honors with last year's winner , Don Olson, a close second. Next year I might just have to cook up a batch of my own chili, and I think we'll have one more Chili cook as Julean Thorpe's youngest son was asking questions about the contest, wanting to get in on the contest next year also.
   A light drizzle turned into a steady light rain through the night Friday. Thoughts of wet socks and shoes filled my head as I tried to sleep. We woke to blue skies and no rain Saturday morning for the start of the rides. The rides got about half hour late in part due to the wet conditions. However the trails were relatively dry and to my surprise our socks and shoes stayed dry all day.
  Gonder's Grubhouse did good again this year with all the chicken dinners showing up right around 6pm to a bunch of hungry bikers. After dinner we got the big prize drawing started after rounding up everyone from camp. And shortly after the band got going and played into the night. Finally packing it up around midnight. There were many small gatherings that went later into the night and a big bon fire in the field to gather around and try to keep warm on this unusually cold, clear night.
   Sunday morning dawned another blue sky day with some going out on rides and others gearing up for the Rock's Ridge contest. Robin Reinhart went way above expectations and made actual Rock's Ridge Crowns as the trophies for the lucky King and Queen of Rock's Ridge this year. It was a hard fought contest and many were in the running. Darin Kreiss won again this year with only 2 dabs but honorable mentions to Brad Doxtater with 9 and Walter Schramm with 12 who were both in it right to the end. Three women entered and while Jill Wiest won, it could have gone to any of the three with only 4 points separating the three after the dabs were tallied.
   Everyone said their last goodbyes as they left old and new friends with hopes of seeing everyone back again for the 2008 BASH next year.


Thanks again to everyone,
Hope to see you all next year,
RCST