Bean FeSSt 2013

by Nick

The 10th annual (my first) Bean FeSSt!

What: Group ride (mostly singlespeed riders, hence the FeSSt) followed by a Mexican potluck feast – Wendy’s enchiladas are featured below.

Where: Buffalo Creek

If you can find me below you should win a prize! Beautiful late October day and if you notice, I was riding my first ever mountain bike which is still going…my old red Schwinn from my 16th birthday. Easily the oldest bike in the crowd!

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Chernobyl

by Nick
Entrance_Exlusion_zone
Entrance to the Chernobyl Exclusion zone.
Evacuated_village_names
Names of the villages evacuated forever.
Chernobyl_city2
Abandoned homes in Chernobyl city
sculpture
Sculpture
Kindergarten_plaque
Plaque in front of Chernobyl kindergarten
Chernobyl_city
Old abandoned homes in chernobyl city
Kindergarten
Creepy scenes inside the chernobyl kindergarten
remote_control_vehicles
Remote control vehicles brought in to clean up the most radioactive material from the roof of the Reactor. The vehicles eventually failed as the electrical systems succumbed to the extreme radiation. Soldiers were eventually brought in to finish the job on 10 minute shifts only. Most of them have since died or suffer from terminal illnesses.
Liquidators
Monument to the 28 firefighters who first responded to the explosion. They all died within 2 weeks due to the extreme radiation and the absence of any protective gear.
first_view
First view of Reactor #3 & #4
Reactor_monument
Monument in front of Reactor #3
Boris_Nick_reactor
Boris & I in front of Reactor #3. The sarcophagus is clearly seen – the steel structure built to contain the radiation.
Shell_with_workers
Workers atop the massive shell which – when complete – will be slid in place completely enclosing the plant.
Old_fence
Old fence in the trees. Beauty amid the tragedy.
old_bridge
Moss is taking over the old bridge leading to Prypat city.
Rec_center_Prypat
Old Prypat city – abandoned for 30 years.
Prypat
Our guide showing the glory of the old city of Prypat – built as a way to showcase the prosperity and quality of life believed available under communism. Abandoned to the forest for 30 years now.
tattered_book
Old tattered book inside the rec center.
movie_theater
The movie theater.
Gym
The gymnasium
Pool
The pool
rubble
Rubble inside Prypat city.
rides
Amusement park rides.
Bumper_cars
Bumper cars
Basketball_court
The basketball court

classroom

scan
Radiation scan at the last checkpoint. Pretty sure this is mostly for show…