tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55020770834996548102024-03-13T03:17:08.289-07:00Pacific Northwest ProjectSnakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-27550570208313267602014-11-21T04:13:00.000-08:002014-11-21T04:13:00.697-08:00Must See<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a must see video (only about 8 minutes long - watch it.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/111603629" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/111603629">Paddle to DC: A Quest for Clean Water</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/savethebwca">Save The BWCA</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span><br />
Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-70608878246992298032014-11-17T03:23:00.000-08:002014-11-17T03:23:00.714-08:00License To Calculate<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the past several years I've been a licensed engineer in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Ohio. These states are exactly in close proximity to me and vice versa.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About a month ago my Minnesota license was up for renewal. I didn't. At the end of December my North Dakota and Ohio licenses will be up for renewal. They won't be. Of the five, I'll only keep my South Dakota registration current and active. It's my home state and my first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo5D1bRQFbg/VGlckgSrSFI/AAAAAAAAEHw/zkuIYNYqBUk/s1600/Jimmy_buffet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo5D1bRQFbg/VGlckgSrSFI/AAAAAAAAEHw/zkuIYNYqBUk/s1600/Jimmy_buffet.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order to keep options open I've made application for engineering license in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. I was thinking I might do a little engineering on the side during the wetter, less daylight months. This would be extra cabbage for travel, gear, bikes, and maybe even the retirement fund. Like I said, a dude's got to keep his options open.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-89732513146489288082014-11-10T03:44:00.000-08:002014-11-10T03:44:00.095-08:00Cool Video Number Two<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watch it.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xPgeqHgE_ww" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-82157442813378385692014-11-07T09:27:00.000-08:002014-11-07T09:27:02.113-08:00Must See Video<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feast your eyes on this:</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lYyVCyRQXho" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, go outside and do something!</span></div>
Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-54869741922669390182014-10-27T03:29:00.000-07:002014-10-27T03:29:00.360-07:00Movie Night<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday some the tribe and I met in North Bend, WA at the North Bend Bar and Grill. The game plan was to chow down and then attend a movie. Here's what we saw:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/o86TpaSBcWw" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this part of Washington, we're entering "monsoon" season. The upside - it was a fun movie to see. The downside - it made us want to go climbing. Like <i>now</i> go climbing. Crap.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-75212665419646458002014-10-26T08:28:00.001-07:002014-10-26T08:28:38.727-07:00Where I've Been<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a while since I've updated, new posted, anything here. It's not that I've not been doing anything, it's pretty much because I'm lazy, I guess.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The reality is I really haven't been doing that much in the way of exciting. I did do a ride on the John Wayne Pioneer / Iron Horse trail. A rails-to-trails trail so no tech and gradual grades.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JC3RrveY9Io/VE0HS6eFrAI/AAAAAAAAEFY/alQT6fRx49w/s1600/IMG_2318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JC3RrveY9Io/VE0HS6eFrAI/AAAAAAAAEFY/alQT6fRx49w/s1600/IMG_2318.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though there were some pretty dangerous areas - not. There was zero snow and the risk of avalanche and/or rock slides was pretty minimal - as in none.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHw4ONN53wI/VE0HUtKTndI/AAAAAAAAEFk/g_Yg0iHkkS8/s1600/IMG_2328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHw4ONN53wI/VE0HUtKTndI/AAAAAAAAEFk/g_Yg0iHkkS8/s1600/IMG_2328.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe we'd see some blasting!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6EL-akIQUs/VE0HSAhxpLI/AAAAAAAAEFU/F97DliLhdDU/s1600/IMG_2332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6EL-akIQUs/VE0HSAhxpLI/AAAAAAAAEFU/F97DliLhdDU/s1600/IMG_2332.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was no blasting. Just 5/8 of the lake sort of gone. Judging from a ride to this lake last year, my guess is the level was down about 30 feet. I expect this is the case each and every late summer.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JaQcA0b-BYI/VE0HWku7grI/AAAAAAAAEFs/ECEKUeau_dA/s1600/IMG_2333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JaQcA0b-BYI/VE0HWku7grI/AAAAAAAAEFs/ECEKUeau_dA/s1600/IMG_2333.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For example, these rock cairns will be under water come spring.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cRZNm9fpibw/VE0Iu06X1xI/AAAAAAAAEGA/-3gsjrCmfqE/s1600/IMG_2335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cRZNm9fpibw/VE0Iu06X1xI/AAAAAAAAEGA/-3gsjrCmfqE/s1600/IMG_2335.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did ride through the Snoqualmie Pass tunnel. At 2.3, or 2.7 - I can't remember for sure, miles long, it is quite cool (even cold) inside. And, it's as dark as the inside of a cow. Lights needed.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XL2wu3WDS9M/VE0HYDR8xUI/AAAAAAAAEF0/cOZfVt916vk/s1600/IMG_2349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XL2wu3WDS9M/VE0HYDR8xUI/AAAAAAAAEF0/cOZfVt916vk/s1600/IMG_2349.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of weekends ago some of the usual tribe and I headed in the direction of Leavenworth, WA for some mountain biking and Octoberfest attending. Since Tiger Mountain was on the way, we had our mountain bikes (obviously), we had to stop and ride Tiger. The view from the top was its usual great.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uu3B-RCAZiM/VE0JSqIvukI/AAAAAAAAEGI/9b4ywGCxqRM/s1600/IMG_2356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uu3B-RCAZiM/VE0JSqIvukI/AAAAAAAAEGI/9b4ywGCxqRM/s1600/IMG_2356.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doug, one of our group, did some research and suggest we ride a "secret" trail right outside Roslyn, WA called Rat Pack. Per this weekend's norm, we got out of the car, on the bike, and then grunted uphill for hours. Though the trail is secret, it is totally legit. And, there's a giant Spam can near the trailhead (if you know where to look).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1NjAiJO8RY/VE0JUH-o7OI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/nSvZgoUk6yA/s1600/IMG_2368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1NjAiJO8RY/VE0JUH-o7OI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/nSvZgoUk6yA/s1600/IMG_2368.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Post ride we were into Roslyn to eat and drink at The Brick. Of course, one can't go to Roslyn without taking a photo of the mural. You who know the TV show <i>Northern Exposure</i> can appreciate.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iv2Qowhrgs0/VE0KuN-DsXI/AAAAAAAAEG8/WJ1112TEDK0/s1600/IMG_2369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iv2Qowhrgs0/VE0KuN-DsXI/AAAAAAAAEG8/WJ1112TEDK0/s1600/IMG_2369.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our crew had rented a house near Leavenworth. With enough people it was very affordable, very private, and had all the amenities a mountain biker could want. Some of our group went to Octoberfest Friday night. The report - stupid expensive and too many drunks crowded into a confined space. We bought our beverages at the grocery store. We rode hard all day and partied hard each night at the rental property.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O0djY2oRgG8/VE0JVpliEUI/AAAAAAAAEGY/vzhf1USuRcc/s1600/IMG_2377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O0djY2oRgG8/VE0JVpliEUI/AAAAAAAAEGY/vzhf1USuRcc/s1600/IMG_2377.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Leavenworth area has some pretty fun trails. We rode Devil's Gulch, after riding up a gravel road for hours, on Sunday. Saturday was a mixture of looking for a trailhead and bad weather. No riding Saturday.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQuZb-Tt0Sc/VE0JYXVEs5I/AAAAAAAAEGg/JAZuQHTm30k/s1600/IMG_2399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQuZb-Tt0Sc/VE0JYXVEs5I/AAAAAAAAEGg/JAZuQHTm30k/s1600/IMG_2399.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday we did what we did every day, drive to the trail, climb for hours, and then bomb down a trail. The trail for Monday was Xanadu. Xanadu is a (mostly) downhill type trail right on the spine of a ridge.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kq7w9x260as/VE0Jad-rUsI/AAAAAAAAEGo/kTKdfSCXwqU/s1600/IMG_2433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kq7w9x260as/VE0Jad-rUsI/AAAAAAAAEGo/kTKdfSCXwqU/s1600/IMG_2433.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At times the trail is technical, other times is very fast, some of it is VERY exposed either right on a knife edge or just off the knife edge on loose, rocky terrain. There pictures were not the hard parts.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dC1csFQkmnI/VE0JdK8isoI/AAAAAAAAEGw/i13_qFq8Vmw/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dC1csFQkmnI/VE0JdK8isoI/AAAAAAAAEGw/i13_qFq8Vmw/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xanadu was a tough trail to ride. But, it was great fun! My adrenaline levels went through the roof at times. There are sections of this trail we all walked. They were ride-able, it was just mistakes would have had dire consequences. I thinking I'll be back next year to ride this trail. However, I'd like to have a bike that's for sure "all mountain" and pushing toward "downhill" for this trail. Also, I'll have body armor and a full face helmet. This trail has much to offer if one has the right equipment.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-47084027410931054462014-09-12T09:53:00.003-07:002014-09-12T09:53:30.591-07:00Look What's Coming!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found a movie trailer that I wanted to share. This looks amazeballs.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/o86TpaSBcWw" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-21240395020804574112014-09-03T03:02:00.000-07:002014-09-03T03:02:00.038-07:00Road Trip Oregon<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 205 mile weekend on a fully loaded touring bike did not reveal Thee Meaning of Life. So, what to do? Road trip!</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past Labour Day weekend was a four day-er for me. What better way to celebrate it than loading the vehicle with some camping gear, some food, some liquor, and a mountain bike and hitting the road for Oregon?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I planned on riding some trails in the Oakridge, OR area. But when I got there, as depicted by the photo below (that's not fog), forest fire smoke was everywhere. Since I didn't know the area, was solo, and not sure of the conditions, I opted to not bike the Oakridge area trails.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4OGXGYVwiU/VAUwaQQxlsI/AAAAAAAAECk/Mvq98kxGyAQ/s1600/IMG_2223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4OGXGYVwiU/VAUwaQQxlsI/AAAAAAAAECk/Mvq98kxGyAQ/s1600/IMG_2223.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead I headed for Crater Lake National Park. As I entered the park and worked my way toward the lake, I crossed the Pumice Desert.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWTdfz_Uy08/VAUwcvhu2gI/AAAAAAAAECw/_wbv7ePoCkI/s1600/IMG_2225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWTdfz_Uy08/VAUwcvhu2gI/AAAAAAAAECw/_wbv7ePoCkI/s1600/IMG_2225.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few miles farther on and I reached the lake proper.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e23CYTt07VU/VAUwcLwJepI/AAAAAAAAECo/eVgMtymcapk/s1600/IMG_2232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e23CYTt07VU/VAUwcLwJepI/AAAAAAAAECo/eVgMtymcapk/s1600/IMG_2232.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_OT8f0mTD8I/VAUweFnr99I/AAAAAAAAEC8/P9EP2_AZ5WQ/s1600/IMG_2233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_OT8f0mTD8I/VAUweFnr99I/AAAAAAAAEC8/P9EP2_AZ5WQ/s1600/IMG_2233.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After I'd seen enough of Crater Lake I made my way to Medford, OR where I obtained a spot at the KOA campground. I had a shady spot and access to a hot shower.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day I drove to Bend, OR. I wanted to get back to the Phil's trailhead trails I'd ridden earlier this year. I made my way up Ben's</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfsCfoTTVEQ/VAUwiK5H8wI/AAAAAAAAEDE/UMfQSwIzJ9w/s1600/IMG_2250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfsCfoTTVEQ/VAUwiK5H8wI/AAAAAAAAEDE/UMfQSwIzJ9w/s1600/IMG_2250.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">until I got to Lower Whoops.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bPAzGuWg2N8/VAUwnGvb6EI/AAAAAAAAEDU/QwLsZwgEpsA/s1600/IMG_2252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bPAzGuWg2N8/VAUwnGvb6EI/AAAAAAAAEDU/QwLsZwgEpsA/s1600/IMG_2252.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made three laps on Lower Whoops before heading back down Phil's</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-68nJqoM2kV4/VAUwlCOHREI/AAAAAAAAEDM/3zV_8Dv24oc/s1600/IMG_2253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-68nJqoM2kV4/VAUwlCOHREI/AAAAAAAAEDM/3zV_8Dv24oc/s1600/IMG_2253.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">where I stopped to take a picture of the swan sculpture thing.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KbNZnbLUll8/VAUwpN1b_GI/AAAAAAAAEDc/OZMyveAo8sg/s1600/IMG_2255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KbNZnbLUll8/VAUwpN1b_GI/AAAAAAAAEDc/OZMyveAo8sg/s1600/IMG_2255.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No trip to this trailhead would be complete without playing on the jumps and pump track a bit.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dAwknEQjBg/VAUwriyNFNI/AAAAAAAAEDk/5tyxLkONfiI/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dAwknEQjBg/VAUwriyNFNI/AAAAAAAAEDk/5tyxLkONfiI/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After chatting with some cyclocross riders, there to train, I made my way to Sisters, OR and to the campsite I'd used in during my earlier in the year visit this direction. No crowds, free camping, and great location!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNYomFXGo0c/VAUwwp5yqKI/AAAAAAAAEDw/VXO2Oe0iTH4/s1600/IMG_2261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNYomFXGo0c/VAUwwp5yqKI/AAAAAAAAEDw/VXO2Oe0iTH4/s1600/IMG_2261.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day I wanted to visit Eugene, OR. I left Sisters via the Old McKenzie Highway and found lots of lava.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8U3g83U_oE/VAUwwUBhk4I/AAAAAAAAEDs/q6oQwggf8w0/s1600/IMG_2267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8U3g83U_oE/VAUwwUBhk4I/AAAAAAAAEDs/q6oQwggf8w0/s1600/IMG_2267.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reico9O1210/VAUwxvz0GvI/AAAAAAAAED4/7sLPgN3Q9So/s1600/IMG_2285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reico9O1210/VAUwxvz0GvI/AAAAAAAAED4/7sLPgN3Q9So/s1600/IMG_2285.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a great time in Oregon. I stopped at a Rogue Brewery Public House in Eugene to eat and buy some of their finest. I've still not found Thee Meaning of Life, or what I'm supposed to do with mine, but I had fun, and really, that's what it's all about.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the pictures can be found <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/snakebite/sets/72157646726025568/">HERE</a>.</span></div>
Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-16804717008894884942014-08-29T03:23:00.000-07:002014-08-29T03:23:00.308-07:00Gigantic Bicycle Festival Recap<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the short version - because I'm pressed for time and more on that later.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Friday I loaded up the Surly Long Haul Trucker with food, tools, camping stuff including a tent, and clothes. My destination for Friday was Seattle. 25 miles later I was at the hotel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday I was taking part in the Gigantic Bicycle Festival (Google it. I'm not going to hot link it). Though the organizer dude tried to dissuade co-worker Dan and I from riding the 100 mile option (it was either that or 77 miles) fully loaded ("We have a truck to haul your gear!"), riding the 100 mile route fully loaded is what we did. Every once in a while, masochistic is the way to go. It's therapeutic - really.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made it to Snoqualmie OK. It was good to get off the bike and shower, though. We did so, found some food, we found some beers, and then listened to some of the live music.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday we walked across the street to the golf course for breakfast. The Modified Lumberjack (sized) was awesome!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Supposedly we had 31 miles to bike back to the ferry. A wrong turn, a misplaced trail, and/or road construction later and we added a few extra miles. I should have ended up with 44 miles for the day. Instead it was 76. If my math is correct that means we rode 205 miles on fully loaded touring bikes last weekend. Even if my math is wrong, that is how many miles my bike computer says we rode.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, for the Twin Peaks fans out there, you should recognize this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PjYvpVgExnk/U__jpjp3YeI/AAAAAAAAECQ/xqanWFGdiVA/s1600/IMG_2208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PjYvpVgExnk/U__jpjp3YeI/AAAAAAAAECQ/xqanWFGdiVA/s1600/IMG_2208.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was too busy riding and such to take too many pictures. The ones I did take are <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/snakebite/sets/72157646963083971/">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've today off work and Monday is Labour Day. For those keeping score - four day weekend! I'm off to Oregon for some mountain biking and some looking around. A lot more pictures and full recap (that will put this one to shame) early next week.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-76001406868513611832014-08-22T07:50:00.000-07:002014-08-22T07:50:26.340-07:00Bike Fest<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Greetings, Earthlings!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I make my way to Seattle via Surly Long Haul Trucker touring bike. I'll over-night there and then head to Snoqualmie on Saturday for the <a href="http://giganticbicyclefestival.org/">Gigantic Bike Festival</a>. Though there's supposed to be transport for one's crap, I'm going to do this ride loaded. There's a 77 mile and 100 mile option.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once in Snoqualmie, I'll set up camp and then hit the festival. <a href="http://giganticbicyclefestival.org/#section_lineup">There are bands and such</a>. To use the vernacular of people who are not mine, "It should be a hoot!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A recap complete with pictures to follow - probably on Monday.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-57799404943398684022014-08-16T08:03:00.000-07:002014-08-16T08:03:01.633-07:00Slow Motion<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's not much out of the ordinary going on since my return from Canada. There's been work and, or course, the Tuesday Night Mountain Bike Ride.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starting later today family is visiting for about a week. That means touristy type stuff. Maybe I'll have some pictures to share.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking forward, the tentative plan is to do a four day tour of Oregon over Labor Day Weekend. There's some trails I want to explore. Also, I want to have a good look around at all Oregon has to offer. I'll definitely have pictures to post if this trip happens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Updates will happen this coming week but certainly no need to hold your breath for Amazing Adventure. That's not coming up for a week or two.....</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-78286163178361802112014-08-09T10:11:00.000-07:002014-08-09T10:11:30.462-07:00The Great White North<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The week before this past I was traveling to Michigan for work. I left very early that Monday morning and was due back fairly late Thursday night. I drove to a park and shuttle type lot near SeaTac airport with the vehicle pre-loaded with bike stuff, clothes, and my passport. I was going to drive direct to Whistler from the airport upon my return from Michigan. Then my flight from Michigan was delayed in leaving.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The chain reaction was in motion. My late Michigan departure meant I missed my connection in Chicago. My late departure from Chicago put my back to Seattle much later than originally thought. The silver lining in this traveling dark cloud is there was zero waiting in line at the Canadian border. Welcome to <a href="http://youtu.be/OJE3EgTGg9k">The Great White North</a>!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pulled into my hotel in Whistler at 4:15 AM on Friday. I was in bed at 4:30 AM but was up at 8:30 AM. The bike rental place opened at 9. I picked up the bike</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sdl874qNRVs/U-ZH-CPKBSI/AAAAAAAAD_4/5Vt3k5FriPI/s1600/IMG_2080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sdl874qNRVs/U-ZH-CPKBSI/AAAAAAAAD_4/5Vt3k5FriPI/s1600/IMG_2080.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and headed south to Squamish. I'd heard great things about the Half Nelson trail there.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PlryfErymaY/U-ZIOpyFAxI/AAAAAAAAEAA/DF6dr6EmHxg/s1600/IMG_2079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PlryfErymaY/U-ZIOpyFAxI/AAAAAAAAEAA/DF6dr6EmHxg/s1600/IMG_2079.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NiMT1LHk6_s/U-ZIUr86VKI/AAAAAAAAEAI/hTmFofXe5LU/s1600/IMG_2078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NiMT1LHk6_s/U-ZIUr86VKI/AAAAAAAAEAI/hTmFofXe5LU/s1600/IMG_2078.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Half Nelson trail is a very wide, pretty much all downhill, super flowy, mountain bike trail. You have to grunt ride up a gravel road to get to the trailhead. Vehicles are not allowed past a certain point - not that I had anyone I could shuttle with anyway.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bike I choose was a Trek Session 9.9. It is carbon fiber with eight inches of travel. It is the only bike of that type, slack head tube angle, lots of travel, that I've ever ridden. Therefore I can't say it is the best bike ever or the worst bike ever. What I can say is I thought it a good bike and it served me very well.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A word about bikes like this - they don't climb well. As in they <i>resist</i> climbing. The gravel road was steep at times. Where I would have just geared down and spun up it on my cross country bike, I found myself walking sections with this bike. The other side of the story - coming down was FUN!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd3GjcrltD8/U-ZJgXFJRNI/AAAAAAAAEAU/cU-2ktdOEcY/s1600/IMG_2081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd3GjcrltD8/U-ZJgXFJRNI/AAAAAAAAEAU/cU-2ktdOEcY/s1600/IMG_2081.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3qqW2ONnm_c/U-ZJnr2X5WI/AAAAAAAAEAc/yeg4gOh_5_E/s1600/IMG_2077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3qqW2ONnm_c/U-ZJnr2X5WI/AAAAAAAAEAc/yeg4gOh_5_E/s1600/IMG_2077.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-suXjq8veLhI/U-ZJuwOSmBI/AAAAAAAAEAk/ckGynR6GgKo/s1600/IMG_2082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-suXjq8veLhI/U-ZJuwOSmBI/AAAAAAAAEAk/ckGynR6GgKo/s1600/IMG_2082.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I rode three laps. I could have stayed all day. The trail was great! I thought it prudent to save my legs for the next two days for the bike camp at Whistler.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the trails at Whistler are smooth, wide, and about any bike will do. However, many are quite a bit more extreme. I'd rented a full set of body armour and a full face helmet for this camp.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kb-3ZYy-ev4/U-ZNwiPDW0I/AAAAAAAAEAw/evX2Aq4os1Q/s1600/IMG_2084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kb-3ZYy-ev4/U-ZNwiPDW0I/AAAAAAAAEAw/evX2Aq4os1Q/s1600/IMG_2084.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were divided up into groups of no more than five riders based on a combination of ability and experience with bike park riding. After a brief lesson on how to get your bike on the chair lift, we headed up. Some of the first things we passed were the jumps and structures for Crankworx. That was supposed to start at the end of the following week.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFGOmyydCNU/U-ZOiC-E2fI/AAAAAAAAEBE/dKsMamLg45w/s1600/IMG_2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFGOmyydCNU/U-ZOiC-E2fI/AAAAAAAAEBE/dKsMamLg45w/s1600/IMG_2091.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bniif61fUxQ/U-ZOdgqToEI/AAAAAAAAEA4/LK2l-WB-d2U/s1600/IMG_2092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bniif61fUxQ/U-ZOdgqToEI/AAAAAAAAEA4/LK2l-WB-d2U/s1600/IMG_2092.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-evjiJ_0cFjY/U-ZOhfUGwGI/AAAAAAAAEBA/6PAuiveu1l8/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-evjiJ_0cFjY/U-ZOhfUGwGI/AAAAAAAAEBA/6PAuiveu1l8/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2vnjMmy3ws/U-ZOlTxFxMI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/yoUudG5sz2Y/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2vnjMmy3ws/U-ZOlTxFxMI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/yoUudG5sz2Y/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bE25WE-j59A/U-ZOpz9doUI/AAAAAAAAEBY/2qvM6YUXXtM/s1600/IMG_2096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bE25WE-j59A/U-ZOpz9doUI/AAAAAAAAEBY/2qvM6YUXXtM/s1600/IMG_2096.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IsRIaGboX0E/U-ZOqaeG9iI/AAAAAAAAEBg/uV3SytMmf_o/s1600/IMG_2097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IsRIaGboX0E/U-ZOqaeG9iI/AAAAAAAAEBg/uV3SytMmf_o/s1600/IMG_2097.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ulauJMsfkLE/U-ZOr9nDosI/AAAAAAAAEBo/2V52pNz7vUk/s1600/IMG_2098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ulauJMsfkLE/U-ZOr9nDosI/AAAAAAAAEBo/2V52pNz7vUk/s1600/IMG_2098.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The two day camp consisted of learning to corner better, riding technical stuff, and how to execute drops properly. The drops stuff was prep for learning to land jumps well.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first day was a blast and very educational. The second day we went up and came down some easier stuff to get warmed up and allow everyone to remember what they'd learned the previous day. We were bombing down a trail where we were to roll off a wood drop followed closely by a table-top jump. For pretty much all the camp I was right behind the instructor and others fell into line based on ability and speed. I cleaned the drop and jump. I heard the rider behind me land the drop and then the hard crash at the jump. He hit very hard and went over the bars. He hit hard enough he wasn't sure how old he was and asked several times if he landed where we moved him. Concussion. He was done. His girlfriend was then done, too, as she was going with him for medical treatment. Five students became three.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finished the run and head back up again. We rode down a bit and then the instructor told the two other dudes to take this very easy trail down and around and to meet him and me at "the sign." "The sign" being an actual sign we'd stopped at many times before. The instructor took me down a very technical, double black diamond, trail.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before we took off, he explained the trail. His explanation included how to negotiate a particular section. He told me there was a tree root of about four inches in diameter that curled from right to left. He said it best to ride the root with the front wheel as it pointed to bike in the proper direction for the next section. The root cantilevered out over the three foot vertical drop we need to ride down.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He said, "Ready?" and I said "Yep!" and we were off. It is truly amazing how these slack head tube angle bikes roll very gnarly sections with bg drops. If I were to try this on either of the two mountain bikes I own, this would probably be a hike-a-bike section. We made it half way down with no problems and came to the curved root section. The instructor headed down, got his wheel in the wrong position at the drop, the front tire washed out and he was down. Meanwhile, I've got the front wheel on the root as I was told and was doing fine. He crashed, I looked at him, my front wheel washed out, and I was down. The body armour did its job. I knobbed my knee a bit but knobbed my left hip more. I got up, dusted off, and we rode the rest of the way down this trail. That's when the call came over the radio. One of the two other dudes in my group crashed hard and had to be hauled off the mountain. Now there was me and the dude who'd only taken up mountain biking the previous week.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was lunch break by then. We split up, had lunch, and then reconvened for the finale ride. The last ride of the entire trip was taking the gondola up</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PopMprgrfe0/U-ZS8jfLBdI/AAAAAAAAEB0/7bbyXdvP9Mk/s1600/IMG_2102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PopMprgrfe0/U-ZS8jfLBdI/AAAAAAAAEB0/7bbyXdvP9Mk/s1600/IMG_2102.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as far as it would go. From there it was a short ride to the chair lift to take us to the very top of Whistler.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fLQRd_vE9SA/U-ZTOGl0CQI/AAAAAAAAEB8/ZSAjkCnXwlk/s1600/IMG_2108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fLQRd_vE9SA/U-ZTOGl0CQI/AAAAAAAAEB8/ZSAjkCnXwlk/s1600/IMG_2108.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ride from the very top all the way to the bottom is called Top of the World. It starts with some double black diamond sections, goes to black diamond sections, and has over 5000 vertical feet of descent. Since I was the orphan, I was thrown into the next higher ability group. I was very pleased to be riding at the very front of that pack my the third section of this ride. I was having a blast and riding as hard as I could for the end of three days of hard riding.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did see five bears while at Whistler including a mom and two cubs. The bears are very chill. They don't mess with the humans and the humans don't mess with them accept to take pictures. Everyone gets along very well.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do have some very bad news. I'm going to have to buy an eight-inch travel bike. Riding at Whistler is so amazing that I'll be back several times. Oh, the whole set of pictures is <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/snakebite/sets/72157646311153525/">HERE</a>.</span></div>
Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-8554363456428702232014-08-06T03:45:00.000-07:002014-08-06T03:45:00.273-07:00Important Knowledge<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm still working on the full-blown Whistler mountain biking recap. But in the mean time, learn something very important.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Boj33DVSILQ" width="560"></iframe></span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-29349148274837791452014-08-04T19:33:00.000-07:002014-08-04T19:33:28.870-07:00Whistler Recap Abridged<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm back from three days of mountain biking at Squamish and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. The short version - amazing! A full recap probably Wednesday complete with pictures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw five of these.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A0EWv93RZSA/U-BCOMhj-nI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/QE196pV9o54/s1600/IMG_2129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A0EWv93RZSA/U-BCOMhj-nI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/QE196pV9o54/s1600/IMG_2129.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-86777208814143682362014-07-28T03:51:00.000-07:002014-07-28T03:51:00.435-07:00Crystal Mountain Recap Unabbridged<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a week late but better late than never, right? OK! The ground rules are the same. I've uploaded pictures, I type up some recap in between the pictures that may or may not be applicable to the picture it is near, clicking the pictures makes them bigger, and a link to all the pictures is somewhere in here.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday July 18th I loaded up my stuff and Matt's stuff. We were bound from the Crystal Mountain area, just East and a bit South of Mt. Rainier, for some camping and mountain biking. Various others would be camping the entire time while others would come and go as their time allowed.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deciding visual clues would help others find the campsite, Matt began drawing the visual clues while I drove.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mfYPEFUafnE/U9WfWRfSHYI/AAAAAAAAD74/BhvA1kNQcBk/s1600/IMG_1990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mfYPEFUafnE/U9WfWRfSHYI/AAAAAAAAD74/BhvA1kNQcBk/s1600/IMG_1990.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He made up a bunch of paper plates signs, each with a bike, and each with an up, right, or left arrow. As we got nearer</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-cCZqOZqd8/U9WfRr7kfaI/AAAAAAAAD7o/ToQKhNgcDV8/s1600/2014-07-18_08-57-55_219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-cCZqOZqd8/U9WfRr7kfaI/AAAAAAAAD7o/ToQKhNgcDV8/s1600/2014-07-18_08-57-55_219.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the paper plate visual finder aides were taped to various things.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcT__KioSo8/U9WfaRlxl9I/AAAAAAAAD8I/9pNEQhWcSs0/s1600/IMG_1992.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We arrived and set up camp. I found a nice level spot and put up my tent.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-361By96eQOY/U9WfetPGzaI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/WpBtyKumjys/s1600/IMG_1995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-361By96eQOY/U9WfetPGzaI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/WpBtyKumjys/s1600/IMG_1995.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The campsite was immediately adjacent to Ranger Creek airstrip. This dude did two fly-by's but this was a close to touching terra firma as he got.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMX4-UtL_D0/U9WfSptitfI/AAAAAAAAD7w/nxIUWRQob0I/s1600/2014-07-20_08-20-39_368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMX4-UtL_D0/U9WfSptitfI/AAAAAAAAD7w/nxIUWRQob0I/s1600/2014-07-20_08-20-39_368.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the core group arrived we all changed into biking apparrel and were off to ride. Friday's ride was to shuttle to the top of Suntop Mountain and then bomb down to the campsite, have a beer, and then head down Skookum Flats trail to the waiting cars. On the way up Suntop there were excellent views of Mt. Rainier.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--A-YU3ubJrA/U9WfdUGPt8I/AAAAAAAAD8Q/mLf9joKNgMI/s1600/IMG_1998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--A-YU3ubJrA/U9WfdUGPt8I/AAAAAAAAD8Q/mLf9joKNgMI/s1600/IMG_1998.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the top of Suntop was a working fire lookout. We chatted with the fire watcher dude,</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--W2gHsIgMWw/U9WfgrFMCnI/AAAAAAAAD8g/WfCJHiC4z7c/s1600/IMG_1999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--W2gHsIgMWw/U9WfgrFMCnI/AAAAAAAAD8g/WfCJHiC4z7c/s1600/IMG_1999.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">signed the logbook</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IT68X5f94ho/U9WfirHdbcI/AAAAAAAAD8o/lLnjBhLPLzU/s1600/IMG_2000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IT68X5f94ho/U9WfirHdbcI/AAAAAAAAD8o/lLnjBhLPLzU/s1600/IMG_2000.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and then did the day's ride. It was not without incident. Rider Scott had some crashes. One of which smashed his sunglasses into the bridge of his nose cutting him and the same tree punched him in the face hard enough he received a nasty cut a bit above an eyebrow. Unfortunately, he was then done for the weekend and ended up going in to get three stitches to close the gash.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv_4S1B9nB0/U9Wfk7ugkSI/AAAAAAAAD8w/b-Mi0qgjrcY/s1600/IMG_2004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv_4S1B9nB0/U9Wfk7ugkSI/AAAAAAAAD8w/b-Mi0qgjrcY/s1600/IMG_2004.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday was a ride up Palisades Trail. Below is a picture of the top of Palisades at the top of the rocks. The picture was taken from the campsite near the airstrip.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWnz96M95fU/U9WfzijJvAI/AAAAAAAAD9g/D-viHceWSxc/s1600/IMG_2046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWnz96M95fU/U9WfzijJvAI/AAAAAAAAD9g/D-viHceWSxc/s1600/IMG_2046.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once on top, we could see the airstrip below as shown by the picture below.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWtO-q_JGcQ/U9Wf04OCliI/AAAAAAAAD9o/wfJX6z1BwgU/s1600/IMG_2034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWtO-q_JGcQ/U9Wf04OCliI/AAAAAAAAD9o/wfJX6z1BwgU/s1600/IMG_2034.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About 1/2 of Palisades, if one chooses to go up it, is hike-a-bike.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjA1TUSpHPc/U9WfmgN5JeI/AAAAAAAAD84/kO8GXn6Hp3c/s1600/IMG_2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjA1TUSpHPc/U9WfmgN5JeI/AAAAAAAAD84/kO8GXn6Hp3c/s1600/IMG_2017.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The riding parts provided incredible views.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTsiy-NqBq8/U9WfqXKRiYI/AAAAAAAAD9A/-ftaHJlUhfU/s1600/IMG_2024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTsiy-NqBq8/U9WfqXKRiYI/AAAAAAAAD9A/-ftaHJlUhfU/s1600/IMG_2024.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the picture below, on the side of the mountain, there's a part where the trees are noticeably shorter. That was a logging clear cut area from a few years back. It has filled in nicely.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WjliEunKjp4/U9WfqkjA5MI/AAAAAAAAD9E/hJm04L-4ztE/s1600/IMG_2025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WjliEunKjp4/U9WfqkjA5MI/AAAAAAAAD9E/hJm04L-4ztE/s1600/IMG_2025.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get to the top, have someone else take a picture of me and the Ellsworth!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4xigxst0IX8/U9Wfvsx2pdI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/dt4Wd4mm3ik/s1600/IMG_2037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4xigxst0IX8/U9Wfvsx2pdI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/dt4Wd4mm3ik/s1600/IMG_2037.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'd had enough climbing where Palisades Trail intersected with Ranger Creek Trail. At the cabin/shelter thing we Clif barred and then began the bomb down Ranger.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTgOmjKJm7M/U9WfwIjMPhI/AAAAAAAAD9U/nRtBnYuBO3w/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTgOmjKJm7M/U9WfwIjMPhI/AAAAAAAAD9U/nRtBnYuBO3w/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were almost done. We could see the road into our campsite from the trail. The options were to ride a very steep, loose section, cross the highway, and be back, or, ride down Ranger another 200 yards, ride the highway back 200 yards, and be back. Matt took off down the steep stuff. I followed. He attempted to stop. I attempted to stop and gracefully dismount. One very ungraceful dismount later and I had an ouch.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KC_Z9f5cDdk/U9WfXToCFeI/AAAAAAAAD8A/GqSZqSrOybg/s1600/2014-07-19_14-27-11_697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KC_Z9f5cDdk/U9WfXToCFeI/AAAAAAAAD8A/GqSZqSrOybg/s1600/2014-07-19_14-27-11_697.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Tis but a flesh wound! It was scrubbed out, beer was consumed, and then we determined Sunday's plan.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n9RKn3S3wxI/U9Wf1bb_NOI/AAAAAAAAD9s/H5KnIAZI4Pk/s1600/IMG_2044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n9RKn3S3wxI/U9Wf1bb_NOI/AAAAAAAAD9s/H5KnIAZI4Pk/s1600/IMG_2044.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's planning without a wee bit of rain? Boring, that's what.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uopxr59gNuI/U9Wf4Lr3VbI/AAAAAAAAD94/4FyYg1lto70/s1600/IMG_2047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uopxr59gNuI/U9Wf4Lr3VbI/AAAAAAAAD94/4FyYg1lto70/s1600/IMG_2047.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday the clouds were flying low. Sunday's ride was to be up one side of Crystal Mountain and down another. It didn't take too long and we ascended into the clouds. We stayed in the clouds all day and did get out of them until back to the cars and were driving back down the final portion.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j8r-Ula5Rzw/U9Wf6SLFrDI/AAAAAAAAD-A/uTiSlVoAdmQ/s1600/IMG_2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j8r-Ula5Rzw/U9Wf6SLFrDI/AAAAAAAAD-A/uTiSlVoAdmQ/s1600/IMG_2055.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The vertical climb for the day was approximately 2800 feet. We topped out and found a handy sign and clock.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6sCblntAG4/U9Wf7LslGDI/AAAAAAAAD-I/u4ywBy48qGU/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6sCblntAG4/U9Wf7LslGDI/AAAAAAAAD-I/u4ywBy48qGU/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not having your picture taken by a sign and clock is as bad forgetting to bring beer on the three-day trip.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v41BaM79k4Q/U9Wf-hDqFwI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/BAslE61Oigw/s1600/IMG_2067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v41BaM79k4Q/U9Wf-hDqFwI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/BAslE61Oigw/s1600/IMG_2067.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The group was glad to be done with the major climbing of the trip.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9w20-oyKMUA/U9Wf_i4JmyI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/gnxSKBXODXk/s1600/IMG_2065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9w20-oyKMUA/U9Wf_i4JmyI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/gnxSKBXODXk/s1600/IMG_2065.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The top portion of Crystal mountain makes for sketchy riding. The good news - fast down hilling. The bad news - coming around a curve to find yourself on a scree field. Fortunately, no one went down on the scree. The other good news - riding on snow!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xQd-RE74nS0/U9WgAvd8uTI/AAAAAAAAD-g/NNe3vxGGhUo/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xQd-RE74nS0/U9WgAvd8uTI/AAAAAAAAD-g/NNe3vxGGhUo/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'd made it about half way down when we rounded a curve and found a mine shaft. Three of the five of us went in. It had a narrow gauge ore cart rails and was an average of 5 1/2 feet high. More than once my bike helmet saved me from another ouch.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSp9vhZBScw/U9WgEICHRUI/AAAAAAAAD-o/wJzhaz1yYgc/s1600/IMG_2072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSp9vhZBScw/U9WgEICHRUI/AAAAAAAAD-o/wJzhaz1yYgc/s1600/IMG_2072.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We estimated we followed the shaft in about 200 yards. The shaft kept going. Our riding partners not in the mine shaft were outside doing mortal battle with the mosquitoes. We elected to head back out and finish our ride.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epuzySdCVsQ/U9WgENFEtmI/AAAAAAAAD-s/0JkXvqxP6es/s1600/IMG_2074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epuzySdCVsQ/U9WgENFEtmI/AAAAAAAAD-s/0JkXvqxP6es/s1600/IMG_2074.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a great three-day weekend. We climbed, we down-hilled, we had many beers and campfires. We did remember to retrieve our paper plate visual aides on the way back. The link to the whole set of pictures is <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/snakebite/sets/72157645960202461/">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm traveling for work starting today. I arrive back at Seattle Tacoma airport Thursday evening. From there I head directly to Whistler, B.C. for three days of more mountain biking adventure. Pictures and recap of that when I get back.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-55826032498256815022014-07-23T04:01:00.000-07:002014-07-23T04:01:00.208-07:00Not Quite Recap<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm back from my three-day weekend mountain biking/camping thing near Crystal Mountain. I've still pictures to download. Once that is done (maybe tomorrow), I'll post the full recap.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The short version - great riding, beers consumed, flesh wounds from crashes, and beer consumed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In other news, last night's Tuesday Night ride at Stottlemeyer was bitchin' as usual. What's even better is the grilled burgers we ate after driving over to Hood Canal Brewery. Yes, beers consumed.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-26150794522252726342014-07-18T03:26:00.000-07:002014-07-18T03:26:00.176-07:00Campin' & Bikin'<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a few hours another dude and I will depart for the Crystal Mountain area of Washington. There we'll meet up with some others for three days worth of camping and mountain biking. Some of the crew will be repeats from the Bend, OR trip.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday we'll head over. It's about a two hour drive. We'll set up camp and then go ride. Saturday we're going to do an all-day type of ride by linking some trails together. Sunday it will be whatever the group is up for.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trail descriptions, from those that have rode them before, sound wonderful. I'll be sporting my camera and will attempt to get some pictures. Recap either Monday or Wednesday next week.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-14605682812622700842014-07-16T03:12:00.000-07:002014-07-16T03:12:00.757-07:00Damnation<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past weekend I drove up just west of Port Angeles to Olympic Raft & Kayak to attend a screening of the movie<a href="http://damnationfilm.com/"> Damnation</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RBIkOXKgip4/U8LXza3CAoI/AAAAAAAAD6k/cXtYDpUd2ho/s1600/IMG_1985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RBIkOXKgip4/U8LXza3CAoI/AAAAAAAAD6k/cXtYDpUd2ho/s1600/IMG_1985.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Damnation is a movie about removing obsolete dams to let rivers run free and restore fishery habitat. The salmon habitat has been severely harmed by dams.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/89928979" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The evening started with beers and live music. Not too long after I arrived the food was made available. Smoked salmon - yum!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TDrddzJkAm8/U8LXzUsFCXI/AAAAAAAAD6s/HJ_TOoazPXk/s1600/IMG_1983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TDrddzJkAm8/U8LXzUsFCXI/AAAAAAAAD6s/HJ_TOoazPXk/s1600/IMG_1983.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The venue was a grass spot at Olympic Raft & Kayak.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0K0yR5ByX6A/U8LXzVUQOSI/AAAAAAAAD6o/rkd4wSzsECg/s1600/IMG_1984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0K0yR5ByX6A/U8LXzVUQOSI/AAAAAAAAD6o/rkd4wSzsECg/s1600/IMG_1984.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The shelter roof thing that contained the band had a flip down screen.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OiTsGfuZnXo/U8LX3DPRuSI/AAAAAAAAD68/HqvFNykxD1s/s1600/IMG_1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OiTsGfuZnXo/U8LX3DPRuSI/AAAAAAAAD68/HqvFNykxD1s/s1600/IMG_1986.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">where the movie was to be shown.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DTFPMupEY3I/U8LX4frqo-I/AAAAAAAAD7I/WfBiUncWHjQ/s1600/IMG_1987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DTFPMupEY3I/U8LX4frqo-I/AAAAAAAAD7I/WfBiUncWHjQ/s1600/IMG_1987.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It worked quite well, actually. I suppose there were about 100 people in attendance. Included were the producer of the movie and several of the people in the movie.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5eNd6OCo9Q/U8LX35edGyI/AAAAAAAAD7A/3UcGTToldQM/s1600/IMG_1988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5eNd6OCo9Q/U8LX35edGyI/AAAAAAAAD7A/3UcGTToldQM/s1600/IMG_1988.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What made this extra cool as the location of the movie is very close to the location of where a dam was recently removed from the Elwha river. The movie people and some from Olympic Raft & Kayak</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6zc5mtWfKM/U8LX6LUxj9I/AAAAAAAAD7Q/jb5jU-JsUh8/s1600/IMG_1989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6zc5mtWfKM/U8LX6LUxj9I/AAAAAAAAD7Q/jb5jU-JsUh8/s1600/IMG_1989.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">floated the area earlier that day. If you haven't already, watch the movie trailer up above. And, if you haven't already, find a screening and attend. The movie is very well made and the content very important.</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-76839807294578370802014-07-14T03:45:00.000-07:002014-07-14T03:45:00.129-07:00Midwestern Trip<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the recap from my trip back to the Midwest to visit relatives. A bit overdue, I know, but I've been busy.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I caught a ride to the ferry that transported me from Bremerton to Seattle. From there it was a short walk to the Amtrak station.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4l977yuygKQ/U8LUd3UaA5I/AAAAAAAAD5o/q_SZ6Uhu0P8/s1600/IMG_1963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4l977yuygKQ/U8LUd3UaA5I/AAAAAAAAD5o/q_SZ6Uhu0P8/s1600/IMG_1963.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8f3P8uIQbsM/U8LUducSDHI/AAAAAAAAD5k/hJOgCKvsWNA/s1600/IMG_1964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8f3P8uIQbsM/U8LUducSDHI/AAAAAAAAD5k/hJOgCKvsWNA/s1600/IMG_1964.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They called boarding and I went on to find a seat. Here's some really cool things about train travel - no TSA crap to go through, the coach seats are as big as first class seats on airlines but with even more leg room, no need to be seated pretty much at all so you're free to walk up and down the train to stretch your legs or pee or whatever, the food is infinitely better.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Yt5G4FwIbo/U8LUbXRjawI/AAAAAAAAD5c/uW2Q76F6AxE/s1600/IMG_1965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Yt5G4FwIbo/U8LUbXRjawI/AAAAAAAAD5c/uW2Q76F6AxE/s1600/IMG_1965.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The downsides - it is slower to get where you're going. The coach seats have a leg support flipper upper thing and they recline back, but, they are still not that comfortable to sleep in.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bOJ-JjOaZqM/U8LUhX67KVI/AAAAAAAAD50/nPJErPeoZHY/s1600/IMG_1971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bOJ-JjOaZqM/U8LUhX67KVI/AAAAAAAAD50/nPJErPeoZHY/s1600/IMG_1971.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The train rolled through Washington, across northern Idaho, through Montana, and I got off in the </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6J9IHhePmk/U8LUjKUsZUI/AAAAAAAAD6I/ppW3dieyc_w/s1600/IMG_1973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6J9IHhePmk/U8LUjKUsZUI/AAAAAAAAD6I/ppW3dieyc_w/s1600/IMG_1973.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">land of oil - North Dakota. Specifically, Fargo. That was the closest stop to my final destination.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5r59la1ODDM/U8LUhpziX5I/AAAAAAAAD54/ncys2zlbKgM/s1600/IMG_1979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5r59la1ODDM/U8LUhpziX5I/AAAAAAAAD54/ncys2zlbKgM/s1600/IMG_1979.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The game plan was to visit family and then take the train back. However, upon arrival, I found out the pickup truck I was going to get was done and ready. I cancelled the second half of the train ticket, rented a U-Haul truck and car transport, and was planning on bring back some furniture and the pickup.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iHWEJ5D7IcM/U8LWXHX7reI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/Y6eOpeU_LEs/s1600/IMG_1982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iHWEJ5D7IcM/U8LWXHX7reI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/Y6eOpeU_LEs/s1600/IMG_1982.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It turned out the pickup developed some glitches so I left it. I U-Hauled it back over two days. This included an overnight west of Billings, MT at a rest stop sleeping in the Hotel U-Haul. I made it back fine, unload the truck, and turned it in.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was good to see family and to get the last of my crap less the pickup. Another time, another trip. It's not like I <i>need</i> it anyway.</span></div>
Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-32146238889980137312014-06-30T03:43:00.000-07:002014-06-30T03:43:00.905-07:00Semi Booked Up<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was looking at the calendar and noticed I'm sort of booked up. There's plenty of things happening between now and September.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">June 30 - July 7 Visiting family</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">July 18 - July 20 A three day mountain bike adventure near Crystal Mountain, WA. Trails we'll be hitting include <a href="http://trails.evergreenmtb.org/wiki/Trail:Palisades">Palisades</a>, <a href="http://trails.evergreenmtb.org/wiki/Trail:Noble_Knob">Noble Knob</a>, <a href="http://trails.evergreenmtb.org/wiki/Trail:Ranger_Creek">Ranger Creek</a>, <a href="http://trails.evergreenmtb.org/wiki/Trail:Skookum_Flats">Skookum Flats</a>, and <a href="http://trails.evergreenmtb.org/wiki/Trail:White_River">White River</a>. I've not ridden any of these. There will be a group of us camping and riding on these dates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">July 31 - August 3 Mountain biking trip to Whistler, British Columbia, Canada</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August 15 - August 21 Family visiting me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August 22 - August 25 Gigantic Bicycle Festival, Snoqualmie, WA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another thing I've noticed is I've not yet, nor have planned, and camping outings. I'd like to work this is, too.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-18022126263204758792014-06-27T03:20:00.000-07:002014-06-27T03:20:00.071-07:00Travel Time<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I leave tomorrow to visit family. Typically I fly there. Last Christmas/New Year's I drove. This time I'm doing this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bu-SHea-V48/U6dzDWxcJOI/AAAAAAAAD5E/110-7hD0DB4/s1600/Amtrak.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bu-SHea-V48/U6dzDWxcJOI/AAAAAAAAD5E/110-7hD0DB4/s1600/Amtrak.gif" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's going to take a bit longer but it costs about half of an airfare. I've not traveled cross country by train since I was nine (I think). Amtrak is not known for the punctuality but it will be OK. I'm taking books. This will give me a chance to catch up with my reading.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get back mid afternoon July 7th. Posts to resume sometime about then. Maybe I'll have some good pictures to share.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-88193429101965236742014-06-25T03:56:00.000-07:002014-06-25T03:56:00.019-07:00Need Inspiration?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look no further than here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/94614809" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/94614809">A Tribute to Discomfort: Cory Richards</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/bluechalk">Blue Chalk</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click the thing and make it full screen.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-39872514000479204812014-06-23T03:38:00.000-07:002014-06-23T03:38:00.048-07:00Going To Camp<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was looking at the <a href="http://bike.whistlerblackcomb.com/">Whistler, BC mountain bike park website</a> and noticed they're having a two-day mountain bike camp August 2nd and 3rd. Since those are days I was planning to go, I signed up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I signed up for the Elevation Camp. From the website:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Whether you are an intermediate wanting to learn to jump or master technical trails or the advanced rider wanting to refine your skills and progress further, our guides can show you how it’s done. Over two fun days of coaching and guiding you will improve and take your game to the next level. All camps include optional bike set up tech session, access to the Top of the World, Whistler Blackcomb’s best pro coaches, oh and of course après at the GLC on Saturday night.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The webpage for the camp is <a href="http://bike.whistlerblackcomb.com/camps-lessons/camps/elevation-camp.aspx">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was thinking, as long as I'm headed up there and riding at Whistler, why not rent and try a bitchin' bike with lots of travel? I found a rental for this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_T4EWk1ZEc/U6Ry229tgrI/AAAAAAAAD40/1TqbyKXXfCY/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_T4EWk1ZEc/U6Ry229tgrI/AAAAAAAAD40/1TqbyKXXfCY/s1600/Capture.JPG" height="177" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the Trek Session 9.9, carbon fiber, 8 inch travel, fun machine. All the info can be found <a href="http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/gravity/session/session_9_9/#">HERE</a>. My rental included the bike and body armor. It was not inexpensive, but WTF, I don't think I can justify, even by stretching huge, an eight inch travel bike. All of a sudden my trip to British Columbia is becoming big.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-60483092912650379212014-06-20T08:55:00.002-07:002014-06-20T08:55:57.280-07:00Things<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is Friday and my every-other-Friday-off. What am I going to do? Yard work. Yuck.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From there, things only look up. Tonight it is sounding like Thai food and maybe following that up with a trip to the drive-in movie theater for a double <s>header</s> feature. We'll see. Saturday I'll step it up some notches. I'm planning on what is becoming one of my favorite bike rides. Issaquah, WA to hop on the Grand Ridge Trail ending up, and playing at, Duthie Hill. I might even do that again on Sunday. I'm trying to develop my jumping.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm trying to develop <s>my</s> some jumping skills because the longer range game plan is to head to Canada with a mountain bike to hit a few places. I found a campground at Lake Squamish. Near Squamish is the Half Nelson mountain bike trail. Video (not by me) here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IluYSoiP36A" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />My tentative plan is leave here right after work on July 31st and then ride August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. I'd come back on the 3rd as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What would a trip to North of Vancouver, BC be without a trip to <a href="http://bike.whistlerblackcomb.com/">Whistler Mountain Bike Park</a>? If you said, "A wasted trip." I'd agree. The maps for Whistler are <a href="http://bike.whistlerblackcomb.com/~/media/9e0de87113b044d7a9b4209e919ff4aa.pdf">HERE</a>. Yes, we've all heard of the A Line Trail.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OCvU57zOaMM" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">....but there's much more than that. I do think investing in a full-face helmet and some knee and elbow pads might be wise. I think this will not necessarily be a "try-not-to-die" experience. My greatest fear is I'll love it so much I'll end up needing/buying another bike. One with more beef and travel.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502077083499654810.post-31527832739046988432014-06-17T03:20:00.000-07:002014-06-17T03:20:00.223-07:00Tuesday Night Ride<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a dues paying, card carrying member of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, I get word of rides. The West Sound Chapter does a Tuesday night ride every week at Stottlemeyer / Port Gamble Tree farm. I've joined in the festivities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpvUjp5h3d4/U5-lGhxak-I/AAAAAAAAD4k/exB3K6ke81w/s1600/10257392_668628569858187_6902719267272397924_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpvUjp5h3d4/U5-lGhxak-I/AAAAAAAAD4k/exB3K6ke81w/s1600/10257392_668628569858187_6902719267272397924_o.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo from the West Sound Chapter Book of Faces weblinkpagething.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some nights there's 50 riders. Almost all nights the masses are divided into fast, medium, and slower groups. This keeps things fun, and within skill levels, for everyone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight I'll be back at it. I'll be sporting the Surly Karate Monkey single speed. I love this bike and haven't had a chance to ride it much lately. Presto change-o! I'll be riding it tonight. I'll launch with the Medium group and see how it goes. I can always graduate up to the Fast group at another Tuesday ride.</span>Snakebitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16879428992616238833noreply@blogger.com0