You couldn't ask for a nicer weekend. Blue skys and temperatures in the 70's.
Tony Petrick tearing it up!
Jordan Creek was our closest race to home. Only about an hour away, in the Allentown area.
When we arrived, we were treated to nice, dry trails that started in fields, but then quickly went to single track. We had a nice ride/practice on Saturday. The high school track offered more challenge than the middle school version (typical) with the team experiencing its first real "Log over" challenges in a NICA course. All were very tight, and well designed, so the challeges were very "doable" to all. After everyone was used to them, I think I'm safe to say that most folks felt they were fun.
The course was punchy. No real sustained climbs, but instead more rollings as we road around, up out of, and down into the watershed of the Jordan Creek. Roots and winding trails provided most of the challenge of this really fun, really "ridable" course.
When we were done riding, we packed up most of our Pit Area supplies and stayed at a KOA camp ground in New Tripoli, PA. About a 25 minute ride, the campground fit our needs nicely. Tucked down in a valley, we had our own area, creekside, that offered us some picnic tables and fire rings. We forgot to bring firewood, and the store closed as we rolled in, so the kids had to forage for wood. Hatcheting the foraged wood provided plenty of worry for the parents, but everyone managed to survive.
Connie provided most all the food that evening. We were treated to a taco fiesta that seemed to satisfy everyone. Once everyone's stomaches were full, the kids self-organized some night rides, some "unNICAsanctioned games" and had a great time. As the evening wore on, people began to slip off to their tents and to sleep. A few energetic soles, hung around the campfire until around 11:00 telling stories of travel and jokes and activites.
The fire was needed, as temperatures dropped into the 40° range that night, and there was a damp, heavy dew. Morning came too soon, but we managed to get packed up, and on the road on time, and just about everyone arrived back at Jordan Creek Park in time for the Pre-ride that started at 8:00 a.m.