I did my slightly longer nazi ride tonight pcad, and I must warn you that while you may be 30-35 lbs less than me, I feel good about my chances on just about any ride with you. I am really feeling good this year. We will see how the state RR chamionship goes next weekend.

As far as mtbing in the mud. I always decide depending on how muddy it is (example: if it is actually pouring out I don't go). It was a bright and sunny day so the trails weren't that sloppy I really didn't expect them to be muddy at all when I got there). I have also heard there is a lot of research saying mtbs don't harm the trails nearly as much as originally thought (though this may be limited to dry trails, I know they are using these studies to try to get more trails open to bikes that were previously banned because of "trail wear").

as far as weight I am still 20 lbs away from hitting a "normal" BMI so there is still work to be done. As a side note I would need to lose close to 70 lbs to become underweight...could you imagine me 70lbs lighter? even assuming a worst case 25% bf that would require losing all my fat in my body then 20 lbs of something else.

Pcad, My deck may not be quite as nice as yours, but I did it for under $650 so I at least count as very thirfty I will get a pic up soon for comparisions sake.