Seeing and being seen

Elver last night was like a who's who of skiing and biking. Among others JPE was there. I know he's going to read this but I still have to say that I think he spent the whole night chit chatting instead of skiing. He pulled into the parking lot just as I was putting on my skis. He and Lee caught me at the start of the bigger downhill (and what did Lee have on those skis-- sandpaper?? He couldn't even glide by me). Of course, they did pass me eventually (only after JPE took a dive into the snow when he got a bit off the groomed part and was trying to demonstrate his tele turn skills). But then I caught back up to them as they were pulled over chatting. Then they pass me back. Then I catch them as they're pulled over chatting. Then they pass me. Then I see them standing around chatting with some other bikers out for a ski. I just kept on skiing as they heckled me. When I'm all done skiing I notice that JPE's car is already gone and as I'm packing up the car Lee is standing around yacking with Bietler. It was like one big gossipy coffee klatch out there. It was the endurance athletes version of going clubbing - who might be there, what shall I wear, what wax will they have on, do these tights make my thighs look big, etc., etc.