Mountain bike ride
This Sunday, June 3rd, Team WRECK returns to the trails. Meet at Belmont Stumptown/Cowboy's Haus by 8:30 for a 9:00 (sharp) departure. As always the destination is decided by gas money contribution. $1 =1 vote. Possibilities include Brown's Camp, Scappoose, Bingen, Mary's Peak, 3 Corner Rock, Lewis River, Surveyor's Ridge, Fifteen Mile Creek, etc. If it's still hot we could work in a post ride swimming trip.
Team WRECK continued it's road biking ways this weekend with an epic ride over Lolo Pass.
My Vanilla had to spend the night alone in one of the unfinished condos that Mace and Junko are working on in Hood River.
Our first stop was just down the hill to 10 Speed Coffee where we had some weird, microwaved pita wrap things. A liberal application of Tapatio made them palatable. The 10 speed did offer comfy chairs and knowledgable staff. They had all ridden up the pass before and let us know their favorite routes.
It was a little breezy in the lower valley but the ride through the endless orchards was beautiful.
I'm looking forward to seeing Mace's photo of this old barn. He walked over to a better viewpoint and was probably shooting in black and white. (and holding the camera straight.)
Checking out the barn.
We did most of our miles on FR 1810, a one lane road that seemed more like a footpath at times.
I guess they were serious about that "road closed" sign. We clambered over but Dabby's support car had to turn around.
Taking a break on the washout.
Near the top the road turned to gravel and there was some snow.
After waiting for Mace at the pass we enjoyed an awesome 10 mile descent to Zigzag. We all had big smiles on our faces at the bottom but by this point my stupid camera batteries were dead. So no photos of the hilarity that ensued later that evening, and no proof that we witnessed that rarest of sights, a hornet decapitating a manatee.
Chevil's Grass Flat Track series continues tonight and every other Wednesday. May 30, June 13, June 27 etc. Meet at Amnesia on Mississippi by 7pm.
Video by Dabby. Not the most dynamic footage but I like it because it shows me in front. Though I'm sure that's exactly where Chevil wanted me to be at that moment.
Drew in Newberg.
Building Brady's bike. We got a late start (surprise!) in part because Brady showed up with a new bike in pieces, and they didn't all fit together. Eventually Brian had the bright idea that we should put the new bike on the car and assemble it at our leisure and Brady could ride his track bike down.
I suggested a Lemans start but no one was into it.
Following Peaches over the Hawthorne
Fixing another flat.
Brett and Mason in a heated discussion.
The Ringer and a field of clover.
This was a familiar view, Drew was at the front a lot. Note the pint of whisky in the jersey pocket.
That's me!
The wind made it a much harder ride than it should have been. Here we see Team World Courier utilizing the echelon formation.
Poor Natty was stuck in the car with Dabby all day.
Mason on the Wheatland Ferry.
Backward circles on the ferry.
A magical strech of road through Spring Valley.
Mason goes back to look for Tommy.
A pioneer graveyard on Oak Grove Rd.
Spooky.
"Where am I and how did they make this road?!?"
Mmmmm, corned beef.
Brady in repose.
Building Brady's bike, part 2.
Sensei and Grasshopper.
My boy Mace, a long time Team WRECK member, is throwing an event in Hood River May18-20. We're driving out Friday night for a party in HR then riding Saturday morning up the old Lolo Pass Road (which Mace is pretty sure is mostly paved) over Mt. Hood to a cabin near Welches. It's only about 45 miles but there may be some climbing involved. Everyone is welcome, let me know if you want to reserve a seat on the team bus.
UPDATE : It looks like Beefa might get the green light to accompany us this weekend so this could qualify as a Deathmarch...we'll see.
Update!
The Rickreall Open is officially under way. Well, at least Jaden and I are partying and more people are expected tomorrow. Unless Dee and Claire show up tonight, I haven't heard from them.
I have heard from the group leaving Friday at 1pm. Led by Disco, Beefa and Dabby, they have requested I procure for them $60 worth of cold beer and "food". I hope they save some of their money for poker as Jaden brought his new chip set that he picked up in Vegas. It's got a lock and he keeps the key tied to his belt loop. What a hustler.
I'm expecting the Polo Haus crew and the Yamhill crew to arrive Saturday afternoon. I hope they hurry as I want to get a few competitions out of the way.
If you're coming remember a flashlight and some mosquito repellent might be a good idea too, especially if you're sleeping without a tent.
The Rickreall Open : July 13-15
This will be the fourth Open and I plan to make it the best yet. Please bring a tent, sleeping bag, warm clothes, flashlight, food and drink or $$, a bike and a positive, wining attitude.
Events this year may or may not include bocce ball, bird watching, grass flat track, Uhaul Futsol, Red Ryder marksmanship, match sprints through the woods, fire jumping, speed scrabble, home run derby, wine tasting, storytelling, ditch style, poker, uphill TT, bird watching, etc. Points will be tallied and prizes given out Sunday afternoon. Anyone who rides down instead of driving gets 100 points right off the bat.
Here are two routes I've planned out that avoid Highway 99 for the most part.
The West valley route starts from the Hillsboro Max station and meanders on some beautiful country roads. It's an easy route apart from two short climbs and a few miles of gravel at the end.
The East valley route leaves town on 99, then follows the Willamette, crossing at the historic Wheatland ferry (free for bikes). It concludes with the steep but short ascent of Eagle Crest (L'Alpe d'Huez of Eastern Polk County), then a screaming descent straight down to the farm.
Here are pictures from 2005 and 2006
A view from the middle of the Timbers Army
There were several penalty kicks in the first half. The Timbers won 3-1 and we had a blast. I've got to print out some lyric sheets before the next game.
So Team WRECK didn't make it to the Mudslinger yesterday. Teammates offered various answers when asked if they would participate. Let's run them down.
Cowboy Mike : No
Dabby : Sure, but didn't have money for race fees or gas and he has a sprained ankle. He was showing off, trying to skid on my bag at the stoop and he grabbed the wrong brake lever. Ha ha.
Beefa aka El Torque : No
*note that Baby Beefa is displayed here. I found her more pleasant to look at.
Mary Lou : In Seattle with Tall Joe
T-Bone : working
Mace : In Hood River, plus his bike is too heavy
Timmy : In Canada for a polo tournament
There are some decent excuses up there but when it really comes down to it being a member of Team WRECK hinges on PARTICIPATION. I guess I must have overestimated my persuasive skills, (aka nagging) so now I am proposing a new concept : Sponsorship (aka bribery). Yes, that's right, I am so determined to be a directeur sportif that I am digging deep into my own pockets.
Here's the deal, the next two races I have targeted are the Falls City Firecracker and the NWSSC/Test of Endurance. Anyone showing up for either gets gas money for free, plus I'll kick in $10 towards the race fee. If you show up and start both races (no pulling a "brue") you get a full custom team jersey or t-shirt. These will only be available to teammates, just like the Stumptown t-shirts.
So here's your chance to experience something difficult and rewarding, and ride beautiful trails that are only open once a year. Sure you could sleep until 10:30, then amble down to Alberta park to drink beer and listen to the same old stories over and over again, or you could be out in the woods creating exciting new stories to tell next Sunday. As you struggle with this choice I want you to think about one of the founding members of Team WRECK. He helped bring us the championship in the first Westside polo tournament.
WWDDD. What would Dr. Doom do? He would race. He would ride hard and have fun and would be widely considered to be a badass.
Abby and I were chanting "Dave-y, Dave-y". I think he liked it.
Abby on the phone.
LP gets physical with the Sensei.
Grasshopper in the red zone. Nice D, Dabby.
Count it.
