I had a few interviews today. I think the in person on went really well. I have a follow on next week. I have two more interviews tomorrow afternoon and another one tomorrow morning. I’m actually pretty excited about both of the interviews Thursday afternoon. I’ve had a few more ‘no degree’ rejections. Par for the course.

Tim got to see me all spiffed up in a suit yesterday before our ride. I should of had him take a picture so you all can see how well I clean up. At least I’ve lost enough weight that my suits fit! I got to ride with Tim and Tracie yesterday evening. There are these really fun and nice trails just north of Penasquitas Canyon. We founds some new areas down there. I also got to break my lycra cherry. In all the years of riding my mountain bike I’ve never NOT worn baggies over the bike shorts. But, I forgot to pack them. One thing I discovered when you don’t wear baggies over your riding shorts, is when you go through water you end up with serious soggy bottom. I always have a great time riding with them (and my other friends). I really enjoy their company. Looking back, the best thing that came out of DivX for me was the friends.

On the way home from riding, I got a call from Morgan (Different Morgan) who works at Bicycle Warehouse to see if I wanted to join them for one of their night rides. I happened to have my super light in my gear bag. (I know, no shorts but I have a light!) I figured ‘why not?’ We met up off Mast Blvd at Mission Trails around 7:45. Morgan, intimidated by my awesome physique (In the lycra shorts) told me I needed to wear an extra pair of his baggies. By 8 PM we had our bikes all ready and we were geared up.

They’ve talked about these rides before and how they are pretty easy and I shouldn’t have a problem. NOT! They murdered me. We must have pedaled up hill for about 45 minutes. Then, we got to the top of this hill, and turned around and rode most of the way back down it in 8 minutes, to then, pedal uphill again for another 35 minutes. Riding at night in the dark is an interesting experience. You can only see what your light shows you. A few times riding up the trail it felt like I was riding through the abyss. I didn’t know if there were cliffs off to the side or man eating rocks around the next turn.

At one point along the ride we heard a pack of wild coyotes off to our left howling and yelping. I can only guess they were saying “Yes! Slow dude about to die on the way!” Their dinner, breakfast, and lunch for tomorrow would be secured. Fortunately I out rode the coyotes at my blazing 3 mph uphill speed! The downhills are fun if not scary at night. I was definitely slow going up and going down. As we got back near the truck we hit a fire road which is apparently owned by Bob the Skunk. This little guy would not leave the fire road. He just kept trotting down the road right in front of us. We kept our distance, but I couldn’t withhold playing a joke on those guys. As they got closer to the skunk, it raised its tail. I said “You know those things have a 20 meter range?” They skidded to a stop so fast that I almost ran right into them. I got Jeff again while we stretching by the cars in the dark. He tried to scare me right after the skunk by yelling “He’s right there!” I was too tired to care. But, while were on the ground, I said in a quiet voice “Hey Jeff, that skunk, its right behind you.” He bolted upright so fast he almost fell right back on his ass again. It was hilarious.

As I stated before, they murdered me. These guys are in great shape and for them the ride was no big deal. They’d get ahead and hide in the bushes to jump out at ya. They’d climb stuff that I’m like “Uh, yeah, bwahahahaha.” I’m looking forward to riding with them again though. I’ll only get better by going with them, and besides, they are in great enough shape to carry my dead body out should I perish on one of their death rides.

I wrote this post the morning after. Indeed, I got whooped. My legs, hate me. My back, hates me. Regardless, I’d do it again. Nice side effect, today was the first day I’ve slept in since I’ve been out of work!