After a short, but steep climb into the park, rewarded with a nice view of the Cascades. Once you're up there, the trails are fairly flat. One of the reasons why picked the area for today. Just do some fun cruising.
Area consists of roads - really gravel/rock doubletrack - with pinball mazes of singletrack laced throughout the park. The map was only semi-useful, since none of the trails are actually marked. Pretty easy to get lost and wander around a bit, then hit a main road to find your way back. Hopefully...
Lots of twisty, fun, rooted out singletrack to be found. We just cruised around making random trail choices, until we hit a main road. It would take awhile learn this area - can get confusing.
Bethel, Principle of Ian's elementary school, gives a lesson on flat repair. Weird tire/rim slippage ripped the valve on the tube. Happened again a short while later with tube # 2. Bummer. Ian sharing a ride with his Principle, I think that's pretty cool.
Bill gives "The Rock" a go. Not shown - slow speed bobble at the top complete with gasps from crowd.
Tom cruises "The Rock" aboard his fairly new, and very sweet, Santa Cruz Tall Boy. If you ride the St Ed/Big Finn Hill area, you owe Tom a thank you. He does much to keep the area open to bikes; dealing with official types, trail maintenance, and other behind the scenes action.
My Father's Day booty. Some great homemade cards, a bike book, Timex Ironman watch, ceramic flower made by daughter Amy. Not shown, chocolate cake baked by my wife and daughter. Nice, huh?
Father's Day festivities included a quick solo mountain bike ride. Son Ian elected to skip this edition and play inside with sister Amy instead.
Muddy 29er is always a good sign. After the rain yesterday, trails were a bit soupy. Still fun, even when muddy. I'm laying out a loop in my local woods. I turn 50, as in years, next month. I'm planning a bit of a riding party with some friends. 10 miles, 5 laps, 50 miles. 50 for 50. Should be a goof. A painful goof.
Sport class lines up for the start. Ian in the back row, with fellow JL Velo teammate, Henry, manning the front row. Mixture of ages, since this event grouped all under 18 into one class/race. The Novice race split age groups, but Ian deemed that race length too short, so Sport it was - even though at 11 years old - he'd be one of the younger kids in the group.
Henry, age 11, flying the JL Velo colors in actual race conditions. Always fun watching kids race, no matter the ability, from rank beginner to pro looking juniors. I've said it once, will say it a few thousand more times - mountain bike and cyclocross racing are fantastic for kids.
Ian in action. Said it was one of the most fun races he's done - partly I'm sure - due to the fun Duthie trails themselves.
Ian and Henry, battled it out together. They were close on the last section of the course, with Henry pulling away here at the finish. Great job. Have no idea what their finishing positions were, not in the top five podium spots anyway. I hope...
Boys 10 and under take the podium - in this case, logs - to receive their medals. My spectacular photo blocks their faces. Pretty handy if they're included in the Federal protection witness program.
Winning girls get their medals to the cheers of all. What this sport needs is more girls racing and just general riding. Let's get 'em out there.
Ian seems baffled by the vendor selection. Trek and Specialized attended with demo bikes to sample on actual dirt - along with a few other shops with bikes available to fondle. Shimano put their tent up to show off various XTR and other goodies. There was even a taco truck onsite. I sampled a few to keep the energy level up (burp). Good stuff.
Ian and I pose for the camera. With upturned helmet and cycling hat askew, little chance of us being Rapha cover material anytime soon. We're also dressed as cross country types in the Land of Freeride/Downhill-O-Plenty. Every culture has its uniform.
Cool old VW bus provides transportation and hipster cred for this shop. The shop is called "Go Huck Yourself", not "Go....well, you get the idea.
On the ride home Friday, was caught for a few minutes while the University Bridge opened for boat traffic below. This would make a nice ramp, no? Good luck sticking that jump.
One reason I've always dug Ibis, is 'cause they're a little twisted. Not in this manner though. Man, that's one warped hanger. Should be repairable. Steel is real....bendable. I hope.
