How was your weekend?
I had some family in town, so about the only two-wheeled action I had was a walk around downtown. I had my camera so I snapped a few shots of the new Zoobomb pile, the bikes outside of Powell’s and this neat shot of a pink and blue bike and matching chalk outside of PNCA.
Despite the end of summer, there was still a lot of bike action to be had.
I heard that 5-600 people showed up for the Harvest Century, the last big organized ride of the year (sniff, sniff).
And then there was cyclocross. A race out at Barlow High in Gresham gave some racers their first taste of mud all year. I ran into PSU’s Kevin Hedahl after the race and he said it was a challenging course, with one muddy, railroad tie run-up that he could hardly make it over.
Kevin also said that about 60 people showed up for the PSU Cycling Club’s free screening of Pure Sweet Hell.
Eugene hosted two big events over the weekend; the Fox Hollow ‘Cross Race and a biking and walking summit. Did anyone make it down south for either of those?
Other events included the World Exotica Dance Party, a volunteer day at the BTA and of course the weekly Zoobomb.
Feel free to share your weekend adventures…links to your photos, websites and blogs are encouraged.
Thanks for reading.
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I was at the Harvest Century, and there probably were 500-600 people there. I saw about 200-250 at registration when I was there shortly after they opened.
For me, the ride was a mixed bag. I intended to do the 102 mile loop, but during the ride I suffered 3 flats, a broken spoke and a bent chainring. The guys from Performance Bicycle providing mechanical support took care of the spoke and chainring for me (they didn’t have a spoke, but I always carry spares), and I fixed 2 of my flats myself. The third flat happened less than a mile from the finish, and since I had no more spare tubes, I pumped it up 3 times and rode it while the air leaked back out.
We had about 3 hours of rain during the ride, and my 2nd tube was changed in the rain. Thankfully, SAG showed up with a real pump while I was starting to pump the tube up.
For those who showed up this morning at Common Grounds looking for me to lead the early work commute – my profuse apologies. My bike is currently laid up in the garage in the middle of mounting my new tires and tubes, and I was tired enough when I got home that I didn’t finish the job and forgot to email / post that I wouldn’t make it over to Common Grounds. The 7am meet & ride will happen as scheduled next Monday, and I am very sorry about the surprise and inconvenience.
I almost crash twice at Zoobomb. It was wet out and I have slicks on my 1952 Schwinn Cruiser. The first one, someone crashed in front of me, so I locked up the coaster brake, got sideways, then about 2 feet from hitting the person while sliding sideways I let the brake go and the bike snapped itself back straight. The second time was on the “bobsled” path which I hit a little too fast and while braking hit a bump, locking the rear wheel and sending me into a fishtail. Subsequent bumps knocked both feet off the pedals and moved my sprung saddle as I smashed my stuff on the seat. Releasing the brake snapped the bike back straight I continued on my merry way, a little slower.
First time was skill, second time was sheer luck.
I too rode the Harvest Century – ended up with 104 miles. It was a great ride though it started to pour after mile 65. Luckily though I didn’t have any flats or mechanical problems.
This was my first actual century and boy did my knees feel it.
Thanks to the ladies that put the ride together.
I rode the Furnace Creek 508. It was good.
Yes – thank you everyone who put the ride together, and special thanks to the tireless SAG crew.
Though I “survived” the Harvest Century rather than enjoyed it, I intend to return next year, hopefully with stronger legs and fewer mechanical problems.
Michael – Dude, that totally rocks! Respectable time, too. Only 2 recumbents in that ultra-ride?
I think you get the award for “most work” this past weekend.
Michael – I am indeed impressed! And it makes me feel all the more guilty for my weekend, which was spent on a quest to eat every beignet in New Orleans. I did LOOK at a bike path while I was there, though; that should count for something. . .
i made it back in town to do the cyclocross race out at barlow. i loved it. it was my first race, ever. i can’t wait for more. thanks veloce.
Howdy y’all- Here is the feedback that I sent to the Harvest Century organizers:
Thank you for orchestrating such a stellar event! The weather may have pulled a “fast one” on us, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Harvest experience nonetheless, thanks to your impeccable planning and the friendly spirit of fellow participants.
Highlights:
• Asking people to pay the parking fee at Champoeg State Park in singles was smart. It kept the line of incoming cars moving quickly. Nice foresight!
• The course was so well marked that I think I could have ridden sans map. The Dan Henrys were plentiful and bright- or maybe we should call them Jack-o-Henrys. Good stuff!
• The rest stops were frequent and bountiful. The food was great, and the volunteers were kind. I especially enjoyed the Al’s Garden Supply rest stop. The people at Al’s were wonderful and welcoming.
• The Canby Ferry ride was a nice touch. I got some good photos from the ferry vantage point.
• Sadly, I didn’t stay long for the much-anticipated bluegrass hoedown, because my feet needed to thaw (even Smart Wool socks didn’t save them from the chilly downpour that accompanied our final 20 miles. Note to self: dress for rain in Oregon, even when meteorologists say that there is no chance!). The hoedown was a fun, creative way to end the day. Again, nice job!
Congratulations on pulling off a seamless event, despite the unpredicted rain. It was the best-supported ride that I’ve been on yet, and I’ll look forward to participating again next year.
Thank you!
Erin G
Yep, 2 ‘bents on the 508 this year. Werewolf did it last year, which makes me I think the 8th rider ever to finish this race on a recumbent.
The time would have been even better, but there was a railroad siding that straddled a road in Kelso. I had to wait 80 minutes for that damn freight train to clear.
the folks at midtown put on a great ‘cross race at fox hollow. some good single track, plenty of climbing to kill the legs, and double-high barriers to get across. still, some desalvo guy was hopping them (very pro). no rain, but still a section with a little remnant mud. good warm-up for barlow- which, kevin was right- it was great. even a little rain to make it finally feel like cx season.
I went down to Black Rock, outside of Falls City, to go Mt. Biking.
It is advertised as a fre ride area, with xc and downhill trails too.
While the jumps and features were built to spec, and looked great, this riding area has very little to offer a xc mt biker, and especially less to offer a fast, singlespeed rigid Mt. Biker.
This is hyped as the first oregon mt biker/ forest service collaboration, and, as nice as that sounds, The true nature of mountain biking has been left out of this area.
I rode up a firelane 6 miles twice, in order to ride almost 15 minutes of trails, which do not much more than drop you back at the bottom of the hill again. Trails which are barely maintained enough for for suspension, and certainly
not xc trails.
I would think that the only mt bike trails to be associated with the forest service would accomadate all types of mt biking, instead of shuttle riding.
I was horribly dissapointed.
On a more positive note, I rode a number of skateparks in the valley in two days, Newburg, McMinnville, Donald, Aumsville, Carlton, Tualitin, and even crappy Salem..
This saved my weekend.
I would like to put a shout out to BRMBR, for builiding those trails, and also to beg them to put in some cross country loops, to accomadate actual hard, sweat inducing Mt. Biking.
Dabby