Soil Saloon

Approximately 1 hour before the start of this recent event, there was an air of panic amongst the soil saloon designers.  Our course was larger than any GG park course before it, we had alloted almost no time to mark the whole course, and were pedaling amok, cell phones to ear, flour dispensers to ground, trying frantically to get things arranged into just enough semblance of organization that people would actually find their way through this fun, beautiful course that Golden Gate Park provides all San Francisco residents and visitors.

And somehow, it all worked out.  Somehow, everyone had a fantastic time.  Somehow, most people managed to stay on course.  Somehow, it all came together, regardless of how frantic I felt trying to put the last of the flour arrows down among the eucalyptus and sandy dirt that we know so well.

Speaking of this theme with a Dirty Sanchez after the race, I was reminded that what makes these events great is the gathering.  The shared excitement, the shared adventure, the sense of doing something, putting something together, to celebrate common interests, common community, and our enduring affection for bicycles, friends, bacchus, and sunshine.  Dirty Sanchez reminded me that it’s really about getting the family together.

I’d admit, perhaps I’m getting a bit sappy in this here post.  But you all made Sunday so beautiful.  What with the gold diggers finding any random scrap of gold foil in the park and calling it yours, even when we only placed one on purpose.  What with the unique experience of delivering the first soil saloon song ever.  What with a number of beautiful women congregating throughout the course and at the finish line.  What with amazing friends volunteering bag drop trucks, friends seeing a lack of beverage far to early, and being fleet of mind and foot, running for beer as the rest of us basked in the afternoon sun and cool breeze.

Thanks to everyone who came out, and a special thanks go to those who documented the event.  I spent the majority of my day at work today reliving the good times, remembering how wierd I look, and how beautiful everyone else looks, and enjoying the train video over, and over, and over again.

If y’all haven’t found the cache of images yet, here’s a couple Links:

Bici Girl

Cornerstonelife

scottypaz

These people have fine eyes…Sorry about the highly verbal post, but those of you with a visual bent, I highly recommend visiting these flickr pages.  And if anyone else has links, please do leave them in the comments for all to enjoy.   Thanks for being such a great family, family.

ps: if anyone found a set of xl fox digit gloves lying around- post a comment so I can get my 3 day old gloves back…I suffer from curse of the lost glove.

~ by Lonesome Hank on March 31, 2009.

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