Forget Toyota United.

We are HUP United--New England.

Twenty-plus folks rolled out to New Hampshire to spend some time together doing what we like to do best--eating and riding. In that order.

We descended onto the mild-mannered abode of Matt, his wife Carrie and their three little girls. When I got there, it was obvious this was going to be a weekend of hardcore riding. All the neighborhood kiddies were riding circles around Matt’s house, including the killer drop-off in the backyard. Eventually, the little ones affected the DH way of thinking and stopped riding the full circle, and instead just pushed their bikes up the hill in order to rip the DH.

Everyone was all smiles at HUP Camp. How could you not be all smiles when you look this goooooooooooooood.

Zank is so smooooooooooth when he pedals a bike, it was a joy to ride behind him.

Tom, the proud new poppa, still manages to hang loose.

Mattison--so darn genuine. Jimbo in the back brought the wifey’s tasty vittles to feed us.

Matt, our host, and Josh Jr, the 88 lb wu23nderkid.

First we saddled up to ride in the dirt.

Then we divided up the goodies.

Once the DJ got set up, Yash strutted the catwalk to model our new kits. Ooooo Yash, you are verrrrry angry. Give me anger. Yes, yes, you are are a tiger. Grrrrowllll for me.

Then  CTodd made us moviestars.

And we watched JP race the Euros and thought maybe this time we watched it, he would win. . .

Kerry and I left the boys to fart among themselves, and we enjoyed a comfortable evening at a local hotel.

We, of course, had the mandatory pillow fight in our skinsuits, and gave each other pedicures.

Saturday we re-assembled with the boys for pancakes and coffee, then headed out for a Beligianesque ride in the rain.

The group worked hard to stick together twenty-five strong, and that’s tough when we had never ridden together before, but the taskmasters and the pacemakers did a great job to keep us in line. And I will admit to being a particularly large pain in the ass. I’m sorry. Most groups I ride with have learned to go juuuuuuust fast enough so that I can’t talk. It makes for a more enjoyable ride for all parties involved. . .

The NE Huppers are a group of good souls with big hearts. I’m so pleased to be involved with these folks. It’s nice to know they’ve got your back in the tough times, and that they’ll punch you in the arm, hard, when you make senseless attack off-road in too big a gear. Right Josh?

xoxo my Hup Brothers and Sisters!!

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