Met up with M L and M J for a ride at Skaggs. Fir to Methuselah to North Leaf.

At the bottom. The most M J has ever seen the creek flowing.

Actually, this is where I first mountain biked like ever, golly it is years ago now, on a rented Santa Cruz Tallboy fated to lose the rear derailleur to a passing branch.

It was another good time and great to get together.

Breakfast included bacon, like from a pig. I was still full over an hour later, nearing the meet up spot to start the ride. Is this what the high fat plans strive for? Too long for my taste.

I met with the body shop that is going to remediate the rust and then put together the cage for the water tank. The plan: add some metal to shore up the areas weakened by rust; spray on the rust remediation stuff; enamel paint; drill and weld on bolts to hold everything; make a cage for the tank lined with what keeps windshields from direct contact with the frame to help avoid abrasions; wrap the tank in some heatproof wrap; and then sandwich it in between some super strut metal. Starting tomorrow at 10 AM!!!

Well I’ve certainly gone back and forth on paying for these services. What settled the matter is seeing structural rust issues, the expediency and overall higher quality product that a pro brings, and the ability to focus on other things while the work is being performed.