The trip didn’t start out too well, what with the ambulances and all. I sat quietly in my seat with my book keeping the aisles clear and being otherwise obedient and had visions of them hauling some 18 year old off the plane who’d crapped his pants in a drunken stupor, but it was apparently just someone who needed a wee tank of oxygen to help them through the trip. I’m going to hell.

I need plenty of leg room when I travel, because I’m such a ginormous individual. Luckily, Delta was able to accommodate me, and I slept almost all the way to Texas. End day .5

Begin day 1
Let me just say that I’ve never been anywhere that goes as far overboard with flair as Texas. Witness this not-unique spectacle. Good googlymoogly.

Lunch at the Roadhouse was tasty as all gittup (with cute young waitresses who actually did their jobs WELL and with a smile!), but I’ll admit I was disappointed Patrick Swayze didn’t pop in for an old fashioned ass kicking or two.

Cats and kittens here ride on with festive flair.

Maybe losing the elections had something to do with their headquarters? I’m just sayin’. Plus, that’s enough for day 1.

Begin day 2.

We met The Jesus, Cockneck and TLG for dinner. En route, we walked So Co and took in the sights.

And one for my homey

And finally, a sampling of the iDiots…doing I’m not sure what.

End day 2

Begin day 3

The morning I left we had brunch at a place I can’t remember the name of (!!!!??!!!) where the sodas are in mason jars as big as your head and the flair is not offensive.

And then I came home. The End.

When I decided to bring my bike with me on my mini-vacation to Atlanta to visit Maigh, I had no real plan for riding; I thought about getting a map and maybe asking some shops for some scenic routes. Enter the legendary guys from APB who would welcome me and let me tag along on some of their rides.

Along the way I’ve been learning some things, namely they’re very active listeners and when you’re the guy from Alaska, you need to stay on your toes to try and anticipate their unspoken sprinting points.

I’ve finished each ride with a smile that lasted into the late evening hours and their generosity and hospitality got me thinking about the rides I would take them on if they ever came up to The Last Frontier. I’d have them bring their mountain bike and roll part or all of the epic Soggy Bottom course with the 18 mile downhill from Devils Pass to Hope or have ‘em come up to shred the Fireweed 400…or even the long shot of having them up to show them what winter cycling is about.

What it really boils down to is that when people share their time with me and I benefit by having amazing experiences, I want to reciprocate and share my little space on Earth with them. So with that, the invitation is wide open for any of the APB guys to come and visit me in Los Anchorage to ride with me and my bro’s.

Thanks to Darren, Ed, Marv, Jason, and the entire APB crew for your time. I hope to roll with you a few more times before I check out Sunday afternoon, and good luck in Gainsville!

(Editors note…Kev is dipping his toes in the bloggosphere, give him a word of encouragement or at least a short visit: http://bosskat.blogspot.com)