Back at it...

DivaCamp broke yesterday @ 12:45.  We were rolling out @ 12:46!  Although the weekend was big fun, I was ready to kill the 5 hour drive back from Virginia!  Did it in 4:30.  I can neither conform, nor deny, that any traffic laws were broken. 
And I somehow came back to Columbia with more bikes than with which I left...

Slip gave me his new Helium frameset and SRAM Red (Black) group, and his Felt CX bike.  The CX bike will get beheaded, and the bars will go on the Helium.  Pics of these operations will follow.

As usual, Camp was a huge success.  It was a good mix of new campers, as well as those who had attended previous DivaCamps.  The talent levels were all over the board, but the levels of enthusiasm were universally high.  And ALL of the ladies made it up Potts Mountain this year!  As a matter of fact, they ALL made it up quite a bit faster than last year. 
The climb was so nice, I did it twice!!  I got to the top with one group, made sure they were okay at the support vehicle, then headed back down to ride with another group.  Nothing says loving like a 10km climb that averages 5.5%!  If nothing else, it's worth doing just for the descent.  Big looping turns, chicanes, a few long stretches...all punctuated with the fear, and knowledge, that if you miss a turn @ 70kmh, it'll be a long fall of the mountain! 

Again, I came home tired, both mentally and physically, but a bit renewed.  with all of the talk about Lance, doping, Strava, and myriad other bullshit that permeates our cycling lives, it was quite nice to be somewhere for 4 days, and be around people who just ENJOY riding their bicycles.  I am extremely proud, honored, and awed of the ladies who attended camp.  All had A+++ positive attitudes, and knocked down every challenge thrown at them with vigor, and great big smiles. 
The opportunity to be a part of TotalCyclist DivaCamp is one I do not take lightly.  I am very lucky...

 The main lodge is HUGE.  This section is the original cabin that was on the property when it was purchased. 

 Tom being Tom...

 Yeah, the views were terrible!!!

 The porch on the Main Lodge...

The crew! 

If you get a chance to ride in that part of the World, DO IT.  We stayed at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing.  It's rustic, yet completely home-y.  The food and staff are first class, and there's plenty to do, both on site, and in the surrounding area.  There are myriad hiking and mountain biking trails, and the Appalachian Trail is about 15 minutes away.  The REAL beauty?  No phone service, spotty wifi, and complete darkness and quiet at night.  Pretty damn brilliant...
Want to see the fun?  Go here...

Thanks for stopping by today.  We'll get back to the usual snark tomorrow!!!

Namaste...