of waterfalls

I topped a wonderful weekend (riding bikes with the family to the Grand Floral Parade, celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary) by going on a nice solo ride at Siouxson Creek. The kids were at my inlaws house until the afternoon, so I took advantage of the free afternoon by heading out of town. It was an 80+ degree day, so doing a ride along side a creek was a great idea.

Siouxson Creek is a great ride that is relatively close to town (actually it's over an hour away, but I *thought* it was closer). It's one of those perfect trails that has a little bit of everything - buffed out singletrack, rocky technical areas, a good climb and descent. Plus most of the trail parallels Siouxson Creek and a multitude of waterfalls.

I arrived at the trailhead and got my gear together. I chatted with 3 guys that were also starting out. They were starting at the parking area while my plan was to ride back up the hill for 3 miles to take advantage of the 3 mile down hill prior to starting the 'real trail'.

I raced up the hill and after about 15 -20 minutes of fast climbing I was at the start of the downhill.

The start of the trail

I personally like starting a ride with a climb as it warms up my legs and body prior to hitting the technical stuff. Anyway, I raced down the trail hitting the buffed out corners and jumping as many things as possible. Loving the way the Titus performed. A few minutes later I connected to the main trail and passed a couple of other riders as I continued to zig & zag along the trail.

One of the great things about this trail is how scenic it is. I'm trying to make a point of taking more pictures when I ride - usually I just hammer from point A to B. This trail has so many beautiful waterfalls that you just have to stop.

Waterfall #1

Waterfall #2

Yet another waterfall...

It's almost boring how many falls there are on this trail. Almost

There were quite a few riders out today. Alot of girls out on the trail which was good to see. I think there must have been an organized 'women's ride' of some sorts. Also lots of hikers. Some were friendly, some were cranky. Oh well. I tried to be courteous with 'hellos' and 'thank yous'. Little do most of the hikers know that PUMP actually maintains this trail. I be willing to bet most hikers have never done an ounce of maintenance. Oh well.

I did catch up with the 3 guys from the parking area resting which is funny because they had about a 6 mile headstart on me.

Prerequisite bike picture. Isn't she pretty?

I ended the ride and loaded up the car before heading back into town, but not before trying out my 'dirtworker' which allowed me to get my bike all clean again prior go loading it onto the rack. I'll have a full review of this cool new piece of 'must have' equiptment soon.

Pain is weakness leaving the body...

The 2006 Mt. Tabor series began with an exciting start as the fixed gear field kicked the competition off. The Mt. Tabor race series is a Portland institution that goes back over 50 years. It is one of the best and most popular weekly series in the state. It consists of a 1.3 mile technical, hilly, rollercoaster like loop around the upper reservoir of Mt. Tabor Park in SE Portland.

USGS map of Mt. Tabor Park

This park is actually an extinct volcanic cinder cone, a small mountain in the city. Miles of trails and roadways wind through the tall trees and well-maintained landscape. The top of the park (where I proposed to my wife btw) rewards the biker/hiker/etc with breathtaking views of downtown and the West Hills from one side, Mount Hood and the outer Eastside from the other.

I left work at 5:15 and rode the 5 miles from downtown Portland to Mt Tabor arriving at around 5:45 (traffic). The ride there makes a good warmup for the race as most of the way there is uphill.

The course starts & finishes on a straight away that is mid way up the uphill portion of the course.

Just after the start of the race: The pact riding up the first hill

With a bang the fixed gear riders were off. A contingent of about 5-6 riders (including myself) sprinted off the front to get the first climb out of the way before hitting the long downhill with speeds of about 34MPH (really fast on a fixie). At the bottom of the hill the course takes a sharp right hand turn and the riders are 'treated' to about a 1/4 mile straight away that cruises between 2 of the reservoirs before starting the climb back up to the completion of the first lap. At this point I was hanging on to the lead group at about 6th place. The front 2 riders did a breakway and were not seen from again. The next 3 riders followed suite. I tried to hang on and bridge the gap as much as I could. I managed to close the gap in the 3rd lap. Unfortunately my 42 x 17 gearing wasn't enough to keep up on the downhill and straight away and I could not maintain my speed. I ended the 4th & final lap in the 6th place I had maintained the whole race. Not as spectacular as the 2nd and 3rd place finishes last season, however I'm not particularly upset as the field was larger and alot more competitive.

Trying to close the gap

As always, the race was a hoot, but hard as hell (I can't wait until the next 0ne). Unfortunately, I'll be missing next week, but fired up and ready to roll the following.

The start of the final lap... all alone on the climb

Giving Back

I did my first bit of trail maintenance for the year this past Saturday (June 3rd - National Trails Day). I'd have rather been riding, but once in awhile you need to "give back".

The work was done out at Hagg lake. I helped a team of 15+ PUMP/mtb volunteers put in a combined total of 75 hours of trail time cutting new trail to a new bridge that was being constructed by a kid working on his Eagle Scout badge/certification/whatever (he was also a rider). Basically, we constructed 90 feet of trail. moved two dozen ferns and primed the old trail for quick closure and restoration. In addition, a Kona rep was on hand to let folks demo bikes (including their new road bikes which are hydroformed and pretty sweet). I won a cool t-shirt in the raffle for my efforts. I wish I could have stuck around after for a ride around the lake, but since I brought the family and the kidlets were getting antsy, I felt it best to head on home.

On a side note, Tabor starts tomorrow…

Peace.

It's a sad day

My Kelly, Sans Knobbies

I just found out that Chris Kelly of Kelly Bikes is shutting his doors and closing down production of his so fine high quality steel bikes. I for one am riding a Kelly Knobby X. This is a sweet steel bike that has treated me really really well both on and off road. I don't know why they are closing shop, but whatever the reason, it bums me out.

Giting er done

Swan Island Criterium
Portland, OR
May 21, 2006

The Swan Island Criterium took place in the Swan Island industrial park. The road is flat and in good condition. Two wide right hand turns and a sweeping arc returns racers to the start/finish. It was a full day of racing with a full list of road categories- including the fixed gear group which was a motley crew of 25 plus racers that included roadies, trackies, messengers and those of us freaks that just prefer it fixed. What's the cliche?: "If it's not fixed, it's broken."

Overcast skies met racers and spectators at the Swan Island Criterium on Sunday May 21, 2006. The clouds broke occasionally for some hot Oregon (is that an oxymoron?) spring sunshine. For the most part it could not have been better race weather.

I raced the fixed gear category with a 42 x 15 gear ratio (I rode out to the course with a 42 x 17 and smartly flipped it 20 minutes before the start (thanks to my fixed/fixed flip flop hub).

The race was a 30 minute + a lap affair that started at 12:30 pm. The first and only crash of the race took place 50 feet after the start. Thankfully I made it through unscathed. The rest of the race was fast (21 -28 mph... fast for fixed gear) and smooth. My first race of the season jitters eased off after a lap or two.

Coming around the corner in the pack

There was a breakaway by a single rider after the first couple of laps. He rode about 1/8 lap up from the front group for the next 4 or 5 laps as the guys in the front group seamingly refused to exert any extra energy to work together to catch him. I took off the front to chase him down mid way through lap 7 and closed the gap only to have the group come around me for the first prime. I did manage to keep my momentum going and I hung on to the tail of the lead group to rest. I took my turn at the front a few more times through out the afternoon up until the last 2 laps which turned into a full sprint to the finish with the 'lazy' (or maybe 'smart?) guys from the back of the lead group coming around the leaders.

Leading the pack for a lap or two

I was able to mostly hang on to the lead riders and ended up in 7th place. I cracked the top 10, so I am happy with myself for my first race of the season. Especially since this is on of my first flat fast crits. I did have a bit of a photo finish with a guy that tried to pass me on the line. I beat him by less than a wheel length.

Just past the start/finish line. Note the bozo that tried to pass me...

Post race shot. Note the pain

This was a really well organized raced. We are blessed here in Oregon for our bike friendliness and our wonderful bike promoters as well as the overarching race organization - OBRA.
BTW: The best part of the race was probably having my own cheering section - My wife, daughter and son were there to cheer me on each lap. There is nothing else like it.

Photo credits: Megan Porter

Riding in the Rain

Yes, that is a bone(!) up in the tree.








It was 94 and Sunny on Monday, 85 on Tuesday, 84 on Wednesday, 85 on Thursday and 60 degees and raining on Friday... Unfortunately, Friday was the day I decided to take off work a few hours early to hit the twisty turny trails out in Scappoose with my friend Bryan. It was his first time out there, so I had a good time showing him the trails.

Scappoose is a sweet trail system that was originally built (and still maintained by) an older Scappoose local who got permission from the land owners (Longview Fibre) to build. Full on grassroots mountain bike advocacy at its roots. The trails have gotten quite a bit more popular since I first rode there a few years ago... Now others have started building - teeter toters, ladders, skinnies, drops, gap jumps, etc... It's a fun time and I enjoyed showing the various stunts to Bryan though I am to chicken to ride a big percentage of them. Maybe later in the summer.

Anyway, long story short, we agreed to meet at the trail head at on Friday afternoon earlier in the week when the weather was nice. It started raining HARD around noon and didn't stop. Thankfully the trails clear water pretty well and the deep tree cover does a fairly good job of protection from the elements. I meant to take pics, but the rain (and the fun) kept me from taking many.

For those of you doubters out there, I do get my new bike dirty:

Not 1, not 2, but 12 bikers...

Just had to make a quick post... Not sure if it is the beautiful weather we are having or if it is the +$3/gallon gas, but we are starting to see "biker congestion" at the stop lights here in Portland... On my way into work today coming off of the broadway bridge I counted 12 (including me) guys and girls of all shapes sizes and styles riding. This doesn't include the stop lights ahead of us or the ones behind us which had even more. Crazy - I think that at the light more bikes were lined up than cars... Go BTA!..

peace

Part 2: "Politicians: You can't live with em, you can't live without em"

BikePortland.org � Blog Archive � Blumenauer on the Colbert Report

Seriously - How cool is it to have one of your congressman be such a bike advocate. God I do love Portland!

I was just riding along...

My wife and I went on a good fun ride with some friends of ours yesterday. I forgot my camera so no pics to post. Anyway Bill & I both rode single speed while Megan & Sam road their geared bikes. I haven't rode SS or hardtail for awhile as I usually only ride SS on the street (running errands, pulling my daughter on the trail-a-bike, commuting to work, etc.). However the SS is really a great equalizer for my wife and I so it makes the outing more fun + Bill was riding his.

Luckily I remembered to switch tires the night before - I've been running Maxxis Hookworks on the bike and they would not be particularly appropriate for a mid spring ride here in Oregon.

Funny thing I have to mention. This is first time I have ever ridden with Bill - He is the owner of my favorite shop (Cyclepath)and he & Joshua always treat me really well. (I'll be wearing their shop colors this year if Joshua (are you reading this?) finishes the design...

Well anyway, a few months back when trying to get the Cyclepath guys to go on a ride I joked with them about how I only wanted them to ride because then I would have a ridalong mechanic. Hahaha. (I was totally joking). Anyway at the trailhead on Sunday, I referred to the comment and Bill joked back with me. Funny thing is, before we even got on the actual trail, Megan was having trouble with her shifters (maybe she should go SS?)and Bill went ahead and got her going. About a 1/2 mile into the trail my brake started rubbing and boom - Bill disassembles my brake and readjusts my pads.

I'm really pretty competient when it comes to bike maintenance. I just find it funny that Bill totally did what I was joking about (and what I never expected him to.)

Oh, starting to get freaked out about the start of the Tabor series... I guess that is a good thing... Been riding up there once a week already - I probably need to ramp it up...

ride on
-Sprocket

A few bikey things that I really like.

I've found that the hardest thing about keeping a regular (or semi regular) blog is not necessarily finding the time to write or determining a subject to write on. Instead its that I have 2 many ideas - many of which are admittedly sucky. However at the same time I get a bad case of writers block and end up not writing anything.

Soma Morning Rush as mounted on my fixie:

Anyway, It was recently my birthday and I received a bunch of bike related giftsvfrom my whole family. While I can always depend on receiving extremely thoughtful presents, this year I really got some nify bike related ones. Cool mock tattoo armwarmers and socks (normally I'm not a big fan of Primalwear, however these things are cool!) from my kids, some more socks & a subscription to Dirt Rag (yippee!) from my mom and socks (you can never have to many cycling socks btw), a new blinky light and a Soma Morning Rush. (get your own from Cyclepath)

On top of that, the day before my birthday, I received an eagerly awaited package from Twin Six, a new apparel company that I am riding for this year (check out my bio on their site)

And finally, I just picked up (also from Cyclepath) a pair of Hypnotic Designs Hankster Messanger knickers. I think I got the last pair in the country and the only reason I did was because Joshua of Cyclepath ordered them for himself and they didn't fit him... Plus I got them for a really, really good deal. Lucky me I guess. These things are sweet! I just need to get me a little mini U lock to stick in my back pocket while I ride my fixie... Actually, I'm not cool enough for that.

Peace.

Bike Junkie

You know you have a problem when you have so many bikes in your garage that you can't park your car in it.



The garage roster:
Mine:
Full Suspension Mountain bike
Single speed Mountain bike
Cyclocross bike
Fixed Gear bike
Cruiser

Wifes
Mountain bike
Road bike
commuter
cruiser

daughter & son
bike and trike

Misc:
Burley
Trail a Bike

2005 race results

2005 race results (fixed gear & 'cross)

Mt Tabor

Fixed Gear - 4 laps
Race # 1:
3rd Place (9 riders)

Mt Tabor
Fixed Gear - 4 laps
Race # 2:
3rd Place (12 riders)

Mt Tabor
Fixed Gear - 4 laps
Race # 4:
2nd Place (9 riders)

Mt Tabor
Fixed Gear - 4 laps
Race # 5:
3rd Place (11 riders)

Cyclocross - Class B

Veloshop 2005 Season Opener (Hood River)
September 24
8th place (47 riders) - (8 laps)

Cross Crusade #1:
October 2, 2005: Hillsboro Stadium
9th place (62 riders)

Cross Crusade #2
October 8, 2005: Alpenrose Dairy
DNF (mechanical/flat tire)

Veloshop #2
October 16, 2005; Portland International Raceway
23rd  (65 riders)

Cross Crusade #3
October 23; Scouters Mountain
12th   (61 Riders)

Cross Crusade #5
November 13; Barton Park
16th   (56 Riders)

Cross Crusade #6
November 20; Estacade Timber Bowl
8th (48 riders)

11th overall in 2005 series.

It's been awhile...

2004 Cross Nationals -PDX

My poor blog has been orphaned. I'm going to try to post a few 'catch up' postings.

first: My 2004 race results.

Fixed Gear

Mt Tabor
Fixed Gear
Race # 2:
4th place (10 riders)

Mt Tabor
Fixed Gear
Race #3
4th (11 riders)

Mt Tabor
Fixed Gear
Race #6
5th (11 riders)

Cyclocross - Masters 30+ B  (I was 30 at the time)



2004 Crosscrusade:
Masters 30+ B
Crusade # 1: Bluelake Park  October 3, 2004
13th - 55 riders

Crusade #3 PIR October 17, 2004
8th - 62 riders

Crusade #4: Johnson Farm
1st Place-  67 riders

Crusade #5: Barton Park
11th - 51 Riders

Crusade #6: Estacada Timber Park
5th - 59 riders

2004 Overall Series - Best 5 out of 7
(I only raced 5) : 7th Place




 

What's hot, what's not...

Hot:
How cool would it be to have Lance Armstrong show up at your local race? Not only does he show up, he also beats the field (including 3 Santa Clauses). (http://www.cyclocrossworld.com/News.cfm?Action=Edit&MenuKey=260&theKey=260)

Not:
Look at the attendance for the race...Is it really that low, or do the promoters just do a poor job of keeping track of all racers?

Here in Portland, the races are full sometimes having ~100 plus riders (On Decemeber 12th Nationals were held here and most of the fields maxed out at 120...) The promoters ( the Cross Crusaders) are also very diligent about recording every racers place. www.crosscrusade.com.

It's great to live in Portland and be a Cyclocrosser!!!

-sprocket

Politicians, can't live with em, can't live without em.

Let's hear it for the honorable Earl Blumenhauer, once again coming through for cyclists.

Here is his speech touting mountain biking & kids.
http://www.imba.com/resources/kids/r480_speech.html#blum

Love it!

What are you, invisible?

So I'm riding along today, minding my own business. I stop at the stop light and you ride up behind me, then around me, the through the red light ignoring the cars that have to stop to avoid crushing the life out of you.

The light turns green, and I easily catch up with you (on my fixed gear no less), pass you (slowpoke) and make it to the next light which I then also stop at. Once again, you ride up behind me, then around me and through the RED light...

Don't you people understand that we will never get respect from others on the road if we don't obey the rules of the road? Are you really surprised that you get yelled at by drivers, that they throw things at you, that they honk and shake their fists?

I don't agree with their behavior, however I also understand what makes them so irritated. Not only do we as cyclists (collectively) totally disregard traffic laws, they are stuck (typically in traffic) for hours at a time.

Be glad that you have been release from the metal cocoon, free to feel the air, the sun and even the rain. Your legs are getting stronger while their asses are getting fatter. Isn't that enough?

Don't get run over or at least not in front of me.

Things to do in the mud, and other nonsense

I raced my second "crosscrusade" (www.crosscrusade.com) this past weekend. It is actually the 3rd in the series, but I had to miss the 2nd due to a family commitment (in Vegas... yeah baby)

This past weekend's race was more of a traditional cross race (slippery, slimey mud, rainy, windy, cold, perfect...). This weeks field was larger (62 racers) and more competitive. Surprisingly I did even better - 8th place!

I was able to adjust my brakes this time around so that I could actually slow the bike down when I needed to. God I hate cantilevers. I now remember why v-brakes are so popular and why I love the disk brakes on my mtn bike.

The course was relatively flat with one large climb which I managed to ride (vs carry). I was admittedly more conservative in other areas and opted to dismount/carry earlier than some other riders, I think it actually served me well though as I was able to pass many riders on the running climbs. In addition, I added toe spikes to my shoes which really helped with the grip - unfortunately, the mud was so gummy that I had a hard time clicking back in. Oh well.

I went down once on the 2nd or 3rd lap and managed to push my left shifter/brake combo to about a 90 degree angle on the handle bars - thankfully they were loose enough to not break off. After the big puddle (an axle deep muddy water) there was a paved stretch which enabled me to "hammer it back into place" with my fist. It must have been funny to see me pedaling away wacking my handlebars and almost knocking myself over as I passed the officials table!

Once again, an extremely successful effort by the promotors.

Damn, cyclocross is fun

I was a bit skeptical of what the course would be like since I had only been at the park on one previous occassion (for a company picnic) and could not for the life of me see how a cross race could be held there... (I had no idea the park was so big or diverse!).

Anyway, my fears were alleviated by a great course. This was my first cross race in 3 years. (In the mean time, I've had 2 kids and been doing Dad duty). Now my kids are old enough (3 & 1) to come to the races and cheer on Dad.

I raced the "Dad class" as I have termed the "Masters 30+ B" group based upon all the kids on the play structure (my kids included) near the sand trap.
I debated between racing regular Bs (which I raced at prior to my racing hiatus) and the 30+ Bs and ended up opting for the 30+ Bs - mostly because of the timing of the races. I think I made the correct choice (13th place). Anyway, I didn't get a very good starting position so I had to battle my way up to where I ended up for much of the race (Note to self: be at starting line earlier to get better starting position). Not sure if that mattered though as many of the guys I passed early on in the race came back and passed me on the last laps like I was standing still.
Thankfully I managed to keep my bike upright for the race, though my brakes did stop working prior to the race starting - after my warm up lap...

All in all, this was a great race. Thank you Promoters & OBRA. I can't wait for the next one (which for me will be PIR).