Bike Camping - Round One...

So I found this place a while back and either late spring rains, or an already busy week have kept me from attempting my first ever weekday bike camping adventure.  But yesterday and last nite seemed as good a time as any.  As far as my history goes, there is no place I feel more at home than in that little orange and tan tent that I thoughtfully stole from Amy so long ago.  The trail is a local mountain bike haunt, and there are some overlooked bluffs along a fast stretch of single track, complete with a freaky carved tree trunk gnome, a few remnants of teenage drinking activities, and a KILLER south facing view.

racing the sunset

under this and up the hill!

you can always find water at the church

downvalley Faenza

follow the signs under this blockage

glorious singletrack

the tree lined bluff overlook (through amber lenses)

my bike camping Gog...he needs a name

Ive said it before...find me a better place to live...

playing with the camera at night...should have been doing yoga...

morning....

...wood

another water stop and down the hill to the bike path into Faenza, then farm roads back to The Farm.

"POWERED BY MOKADOR"

There will be regular installments of "bike Camping" I can assure you.  A sub-12 hour bike camping trip on a weekday to fuel the rest of the week's adventures on and off the bike.  A night in my tent to inspire poetry, calm, and reflections on the past.  Even the teens with flashlights, beers and a dog were respectful and moved to another spot when they knew a guy was sleeping in a tent.  Not a bad way to spend the night away from the Farm.

S.

I cant seem to find my Summer Mayhem...

The month of June is more than half way done and I cannot believe it!  Seriously, from weekends on the bike exploring remote beaches, to lounging around the Farm in the summer heat with the cool breeze rocking a hammock, this month has had absolutely everything!  And those of you who followed the stories from last year know what a TREMENDOUS difference that is from last year.  I don't know if its fewer rental deliveries, or the new software that is streamlining our bike prep production, but I have consistently had weekends off in this early part of summer.  Which has allowed me to do more during the week too.  I don't think I have completely unpacked from the bike ride to Marche evem, and that was two weeks ago!  At the advice of Anna Blue Eyes - "Dont! just go on another trip."  I think I'll do just that!

For now, I'll be sporting Bermuda trunks and gently swinging in a hammock with a book I have wanted to read for years, recovering from a LOOOOONG day and night of cooking for Franny Two Hands, aka Francesca Fabri, aka DICK Volpaccino's surprise birthday aperativo-turned-epic-dinner last night.  If you are in the neighborhood and want a bucket of wine, stop by...there's still some left...

the first of 4 group mt bike rides nearby, turnout was "not strong" as one person said, with only 56 people!  Thats a HUGE group dirt ride!

this is a picture of riders coming up a super steep hill in the wind.  What I captured is the amount of shit blowing in the wind.  allergy much?

they meet and ride for a few hours, then find a festival to eat and drink beer at...totally american style!

Saturday, up early to the store, after a capuccino of course, and started prepping food at 11.30 am....

thats what 2KG of cooked pasta looks like

my idea, to blanch the ruccola and then puree it WITH the squakerelli cheese for mini Piadinis

and then this guy showed up.  When your chef friends compliment you on the cleanliness of the kitchen, and ask again for a recipe of something you created, well you cant feel more content with your kitchen wizardry than that can you...

Insalata TERREMOTO!  Its baby greens, almonds, pears, and parmesean cheese from the epicenter of the recent siesmic activity.

the REAL chef hard at work.

this is the recipe in question, and Mirobelo wants it! Spicy Green Cury carote dip, with goat cheese and paprika salt crostini...droool....

Mirobelo is a wizard at deserts...Peaches with white chocolate cream, lemon yogurt,crushed almonds and lavender flowers...

Not quite the birthday yet, and unlucky to celebrate early in Italy, so it was dubbed, Franny Two Hands Appreciation Day

Ale took a quick nap, then shot out of his chair to start eating and drinking again!

cold enough to don a sweatshirt...finally!  A very "glowing" Livia Fagnocchi

aftermath this am.

 

anyone want to stop by for a glass of vino, ther is a little left...