Festival 8

Ok, so had better planning been involved in my life, Festival 8 would have been witnessed. But 3 days of Phish is kinda hard to swing in mid career, but the download isn't. 3 Days of Phish playing all their best tunes, and then a hellacious attempt at playing the Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street from cover to cover.

So I downloaded all THREE days of Festival 8 and decided a huge ride was in store to listen to some of it. Yeah, thats right - you can't ride long enough to wear out a Phish download.

Trust me - download this and be amazed. There is on like Donkey Kong and there is on like the Crimson Tide. Phish was on, I mean seriously on.

But what made this even better was I caught on with a big Peloton and listened to the concerts.

I figured I'd ride with some heavy hitters and listen to my new tunes. What a way a day can play.

On the way out to Hesperus, I eyed the group and there was big, bad Marco Esqualondolas leading us west to run like antelopes, and the effervescent Harry Hood ready to lead us up the Steep, and a whole slew of others to lead us that steep climb west. There were some heavy hitters here for sure.

I followed Susie Greenberg's wheel, and little Susie with her head caved in showed a lot. She's got a strong pull, but climbing up that steep Hesperus Hill I found that Susie's about as clean as a slot machine. Pays off once in a while, but she will rob you clean.

We moved toward Mancos and it was cold, cold, cold, cold, cold! I mean it was like I stepped into a Freezer! I fell back and was riding with Uncle Ebenezer!

But Mancos brought on special treats!
I had heard of the place, but never had seen the face.
Apple Ginger Bar. By the grace of Rutherford The Brave and the holy 44x16, I arrived.
But this Peloton was wickedly fast. I caught the wheel of Runaway Jim as best I could, but then came the hard charging Mike and he taught us his song. We turned toward Breen, and it was time to listen to the Stones, I mean I never heard Tumbling Dice play that well. The Black Crowes, while not exactly a band I listen to, did show us a great cover a few years ago, but damn Phish just rocked this one in an extended version played out in American musical roots that the Stones only pretended to play.
Agriculture was abundant, but Wilson kept yaking in the group ride and, well I almost felt like punching him in the eye. The dude kept trying to control the Peloton! But out of the corner of my eye, I got distracted! I saw an Ocelot out prancing in the field!

He pranced about like he could hide in the herd and float with the flock.
By then it was back to town and I decided to head north to Dalton Ranch. Kids were playing soccer in the golf course and it was just beautiful, too scenic to even contemplate a picture. When one sees a photographic moment like this, one doesn't even think of grabbing a camera.

As we rolled back toward town, it was apparent that we were fighting the Squirming Coil of Sunlight. I caught Satan's wheel, but he was too busy catching a Ray and he soon slipped out of sight. But nothing to fear, I caught a man with a Torn and Frayed jacket that was so epic, I think Keith Richards shed a tear. Damn that tune brought me back into town and I thought it might be best to roll down 3rd Street and back up Guglein.

Wouldn't you know it, but David Bowie wanted to pull me up the hill! I rocked the extended Bowie riff up to the Hostel and by then it was time to listen to the Ghost. At 95-miles and almost home, his answer gave actions, but he never spoke a word. It was 100 we went for and got.

Just like we had been instructed from the Ocelot.

I mean it was like living in a Loving Cup. Just one drink and I fell down drunk. As I said goodbye to Mick and the Stones, we both nodded to the Phish, who gave us this 100.