Too legit to quit.

Summer?
Perhaps, but let's not count our chickens just yet. There was still frost on the car this morning at 8 as I left for the morning romp in the bushes. It was cold. Damn cold. Still a bunch of snow buried in the far off reaches of what really isn't the Community Forest, but more or less is reffered to AS the Community Forest. Great ride, by the way. Have you been out?
The future looks bright. Hopefully that's what the sun will do for us, but that's not what I'm talking about. Legit (the word,) is awful. Most people can't say it without someone hating them for putting that song in their head. It's also got a negative vibe. Going legit is usually a recipe for stopping the fun, putting away the booze and following the rules. So much so that it could cause you to actually disappear forever. However remotely far off or daunting, going legit seems to have a few positive aspects. Following the rules generally does not result in you going to jail... other than in Nelson when we did follow the rules and DID go to jail. In true tangent form, congratulations to the polive everywhere for finding the crooks who actually DID do the crime. Back to the topic. Government groups don't fuck around. We've been dealing with a particular government body and a particular lady within said group who have been quite nice (tolerant) and very helpful.
Why? Because we love you. Most of you folks like what we (as a shop) do. We throw races, we have events, we have been known to participate in a bit of trail building and we stick our necks out to have fun on bikes. Eventually all this tom foolerly gets noticed by the proper people and begins the long process of getting processed and channeled through the proper channels. As it sits right now, if we want to continue down this beautiful path, we must pay the piper. Actually, there's no piper and we don't have to pay him. What there is, is a good solid list of rules and regulations and procedures.
So i suspect that you may be asking why I (of all people) have all of a sudden become interested in following anyone's rules and going legit with anything. Truthfully, and to begin with, I haven't got any choice. Things got big enough to require it. But a little futher into I've discovered that there is a lot more to be accomplished by doing this than to continue on in some rogue manner skirting the rules and avoiding the authorities. as much fun as that is...
Ramble ramble... get to the point.
All of our xc races are now put through an approval process that is closely monitored by the government and atleast one related society. We have hoops to jump through and rules we must follow to assure that things are done right. All of this (which causes you, the participant no extra work) assures everyone involved that our recreation areas will remain in great shape for more future events. Despite what you may (or may not think), these requirements and rules are very reasonable. RESPONSIBILITY. Oh my goodness, can we handle it.
Sunday, May 8th is our first xc race of the year. It takes place at Eager Hills at the Fraggle Rock parking lot at 10 am. This race is brought to you by Favorit Cycles... and approved by both the government recreation authority and the Cranbrook Community Forest Society. This is a big thing. This is also a test. We've got 5 more races planned before the Six In The Sticks and we will be able to do them if we all do our part and take responsibility.
The race will proceed in the same manner as last year. Infact, you won't be able to tell the difference. Participate in the manner that you have in the past and we'll be in great shape.
Show 'em you're a tiger. Show 'em what you can do.
Join the Community Forest Society. It's not what the forest can do for you, it's what you can do for the forest. Come see me at the shop for details. The Society is under new management. Time to show our interest. I WILL be calling on you cyclists to help with any work bees that come up. Please participate.
That's it for now.