Washington Student League - Final Chapter for 2013

We now officially conclude our Washington Student League team - Northshore Middle School Composite - for the season.  Well, as of a few weeks ago, call me late to the blogging party.  The "Northshore Knobbies" now shelved until 2014.

We Rode 'N' Raced from March into June, it all went pretty well.  Good group of kids, parents, and adult volunteers.  

Before we pulled the plug, squeezed in a few more outings...

Trail work party on our home trails of Saint Edward - Big Finn Hill.  We had a great turnout, pic missing a few folks who also pitched in.  Pic and work party organization courtesy of Tom Fitzpatrick, who's very involved with keeping mountain bikers welcome on our local trails.  Tom also assisted us on team rides and his grandson was on the team.

Then another team outing to Duthie Hill mountain bike park.  This place always a hit with the kids, young and old...

Ian, that be my son, launches off a practice jump - while Jack watches from below.

Ian, Zane, and Steve hit the berms on Bootcamp - that even makes old school me feel like the flowmaster.  Steve is dad to Jack, and happens to own Recycled Cycles in Seattle.

Andy going with the flow.

Jack shows off his levitation skills.

Ian with a little pre-load jump action.

Dylan brought his DH bike to festivities and showed off his jumping skills.

Only place to go is up.  Old school XC me - no thanks...

Pacific Northwest trees and sunny skies.

Dylan hits the wall ride.

Finally, to cap off the season, team ride at Tiger Mountain.  Tiger is a local classic, 3+ mile steep dirt road climb - then miles of twisty, rooty, rocky, singletrack.  About 14 miles total, the real deal - including the new section at the very top - new school berms and rollers, mixing with existing rough XC trail.  All good fun and fun for all.  Followed by a team meal in Issaquah, nice way to end the season.

Crappy iPhone video of Andy and Ian hitting a section at Tiger.  Better then nothing...

And with that - we're done!  Quickly worded conclusion to it all.  I've never run anything like this before, so learned a lot.  I was extremely lucky and had some cool folks assist with team, couldn't have done this alone.  The kids seemed to enjoy it, they certainly got faster as the weeks progressed.  Parent comments were positive, so all around, think it went okay.

Adios 2013 season, see you in 2014...

Playing Hookey at Duthie

The kids had no school on Friday, some sort of teacher related day off deal. Neighbor Dave and his 8 year old son Caleb, mentioned they were headed to Duthie for the day and asked if Ian wanted to tag along. Considering I have plenty of vacation days available, I bagged work on Friday and also joined the fun. Bombing around Duthie mountain bike park beats work any day.

We loaded up the race prepped '94 Camry wagon, complete with four bikes on the roof rack. Buzzed around Duthie for a few hours, together and separately, then hit Chipolte for some burrito action on the way home.

Way better then yet another day at work...

Ian trades the 'cross bike for the mountain bike. Different tools for different jobs.

Pump track action.

The day was a blur.

This kid, all of three years old, was hitting the pump track on his push bike. Non riding mom watching nearby. Said she normally takes him to a skatepark. This kid will be flying in a few years.

50/50 Staycation

Super busy week - in a good way - so not much blogging action. Time for a little catch up report on all the action...

First up, my little 50 for 50 Birthday Ride/Party shindig went down last Sunday. It all flowed as a good time with about 35 people showing up. Did some riding, ate a pile of pizza, cake and cookies. People rode one or two laps of the marked loop, or didn't ride at all and just hung out. Guests came and went between 10:00 AM 'till at least 6:00 PM, so a long fun day. Mixture of work related friends, neighbors, and old mountain bike pals came out to ride, eat and chat.

Initial plan was for me to ride 50 miles to celebrate 50 years. I wasn't sure if people would grind out the course on their own or form group rides. Group rides it was with various kids riding along as well. More of a social event then the endurance event. All good though and a great time.

Even so, I still rode about 30 dirt miles - plus a few road miles to and from the park. So, I'll call it 50 kilometers for 50 years. My wife Lori gets big kudos for driving the loaded car over, setting up, keeping things moving, greeting and entertaining folks not riding, or waiting to ride.

My old New Jersey pal Don flew in the day before and helped mark the course - plan was a 10 mile loop - at St Ed/Big Finn Hill. The loop wound being 9 miles - close enough. I marked most of it with spray chalk with mixed success. In the end, it didn't really matter, since we did several group rides anyway. I've known Don since high school with shared dirt motorcycle and mountain bike rides many years ago. It's been decades since we've ridden together, so extra cool that he flew out for this.

Some of the folks who joined in for the first lap. Official photo kicks it off. From left to right: Son Ian, neighbor Dave, work pals Jay and Brian, me, Elisa and Walt (husband/wife team and old BBTC pals), neighbor Rich (serious triathlete dude), Rich's son Duncan and my daughter Amy (who buzzed bikes around the picnic area).

Various milling about during the day. We lucked out with perfect weather.

Ian rides the course while I attempt to unstick head from tree.

Amy drinks up while Andrew contemplates the many prone bikes.

The cake is cut. Birthday was officially the week before - but hey - who's counting?

Back into the woods once again. Having a few kids along for the ride was fantastic.

Old mountain bike and motorcycle pal Nick towed his daughter Selah around on the trailer bike. They can cover some hairy terrain as a team.

Amy covered the ride home on her own - nice job. I look on as proud dad.

I'd declare the party as a success. I didn't know if 5 or 50 people would show up. Flattering to have 35 folks attend to ride and celebrate. I may put together something like this again, just for the fun of it. Most mentioned it an all around cool idea and they enjoyed it. Great to hear.

Old pal Don was scheduled to stay in the Seattle area for a few days, his first visit to the Pacific Northwest. I took a few vacation days to show him around. Day after the party, headed to Seattle for some touristy action. Pike Place Market, Monorail, and Space Needle visit.

Washington state law requires all visitors hit Pike Place Market and buy a coffee at the first Starbucks location. We've now fulfilled our official duty. To counteract total tourism schtick, we rented some kayaks did some urban kayaking earlier in the day.

Urban kayaking on Lake Union in Seattle. Pal Don is a big kayaking fan with multiple kayaks at home, along with much experience. This was Ian's first kayak paddle and he got a kick out of it.

Space Needle pierces the trees. It was a bit cloudy, but the views were still good from the top.

Here I attempt the unbolt the Space Needle. Next time I'll bring the right wrench.

With touristy festivities out of the way, time for more mountain biking. Work pal Brian was nice enough to loan his '90s vintage Gary Fisher to pal Don for the week. Brian is well over six feet tall - however - the Fisher turned out to be too small for 6' 5" Don. After a few last minute phone calls, scored a rental Turner Sultan from the fine folks at Mtnside Bikes in Issaquah. Extra large framed 29er with 5 inches of travel - dubbed the "Monster Truck" for the duration of the trip. It worked fantastic however.

First stop was Tiger Mountain. Don and the Monster Truck pause on the 2.5 mile climb up to the Preston Railroad Trail.

Yup, the fun lies ahead. Don't let the "Railroad Trail" description throw you. It's a downhill crazy train of rocky and rooted out singletrack. Been about two years since I've ridden it, much trail work completed during that time. Great job and still huge fun to descend.

Down we go, first through the upper smooth section. Smile on my face not visible.

Don pilots the Monster Truck down the Preston Railroad Trail. Smile on his face plenty visible.

Preston Railroad Trails cuts over to the Northwest Timber Trail. Ian checks out the view.

Flower shot on the Northwest Timber Trail.

After having a blast at Tiger Mountain, loaded up the car for a quick run to nearby Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park. We played around there for a few hours, showing Don the trails and stunts.

Don gives one of the Duthie skinnies a go. Go Don go.

After a full day of mountain bike thrills, hit Chipolte on the way home for burrito reloading. An all around fun day. So fun in fact, a quick phone call to Mtnside Bikes secured the Monster Truck for an additional day - with Skookum Flats now on the agenda.

Semi-early start towards Mount Rainer and the Skookum Flats trailhead the next morning. After a cruise around the Buck Creek area and a glimpse of the Sun Top Trail, we finally hit Skookum Flats - after an embarrassing navigational blunder - thinking blowdowns were blocking the trail.

Once we got rolling, all was good. Not just good, great in fact. It's been about 20 years since I've ridden Skookum Flats. It's chock full of Northwest goodness - awesome singletrack, tricky root sections, huge trees, waterfalls, and rushing river for scenery.

Before we, uh, found the correct Skookum Flats Trail, did a little cruising nearby. Nice scenery abounds. Ian raced here a few years ago, cool area. Speaking of cool, despite the way I'm dressed - it is in fact July. Welcome to the Pacific Northwest.

Finally on the Skookum Flats Trail. Don tests his helmet on one of the fallen twigs in the area.

Yeah, we have some big trees here.

Don mans the camera, while Ian and I take in the view. You don't wanna fall off that - trust me.

Northwest singletrack sweetness.

Trail side view. How do we stand it? Somehow we survive...

A great ride for all, no doubt. Ian and I plan to head back soon. Don however, will be back to cruising his New Jersey singletrack - which is not as bad as it sounds - New Jersey has some killer singletrack. I know, I grew up there and have sampled it.

Not a bad staycation in anyone's book. Lots of of family, friends, laughs, food, and a ton of riding. You can't beat that. I'm a lucky dude...

Happy 50 - As in Years

Hit the big Five Oh today. As in Oh My and 50 years old. Sobering and comical at the same time. 50 is a weird age. I know people 50 (and older) who still appear to be overgrown 30 year olds (or even younger). Then other 50 year old folks are already part of early bird special dinner crowd.

Me? I'm hoping to remain part of the overgrown kid crowd as long as possible. Bicycles are key ingredient in remaining a "kid". So, with that, some mountain biking was in order. We have some new neighbors on our street, nice folks. They ride bikes a bit as well. So, we all headed up to Duthie Mountain Bike Park for the day. First visit for them, one of many visits for Ian and I.

Weather was spot on perfect. Sunny and in the 70s. Since I'm now officially old, the theme of the day is all about kids. When we arrived at the park, a mountain bike class for 6 - 8 year olds in progress. Wheelie Fun Dirt Camp is a multiple day deal to introduce kids to mountain biking. A joint venture between the Cascade Bicycle Club and the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. A popular gig with a waiting list as proof. A very nice program indeed.



Kat Sweet instructing the class. Kat is very involved with teaching mountain biking, especially for kids and women. I've run into her at various events and chatted a few times. Very nice woman. Oh yeah, she also races downhill. She could probably kick your ass, no problem. Click here for a cool video by Kat.

The kids circle the open area of the park during a riding exercise. Mixed in there is my Trek pal Kurt's son, who took the class today. Total coincidence running in them, but always fun to talk with.

Our 8 year old neighbor Caleb in action. He's new to trail riding, but did great. His dad, Dave, also seemed to have a good time. We buzzed around the park for a few hours, together and separately. Ian racked up 20 dirt miles on his speedo. I'd guess Caleb did at least 10 miles. Nice job. I did a few fast solo laps of the XC trails myself. Duthie has something for everyone.

Neighbor Dave manning the camera, the three kids pose for a parting shot. One "kid" a little older then the rest, but had just as much fun. We all hit Chipolte on the way home, our usual post Duthie ride ritual. Wife and daughter baked a nice birthday cake later in the day. Somehow they seem to put up with all this bicycle nonsense.

This weekend I have a little more demanding 50 year celebration planned. Marked off a 10 mile lap in our local woods and plan to ride 50 miles of singletrack with a few friends. It's my 50 for 50 ride/party. Depending on how I feel, may shorten it to 50 kilometers.

Hey, it's still 50 - plus I'm getting old ...

Evergreen Kids Dirt Fest/Subway Games

Put Ian down for another race in the books. Today we hit the Kids Dirt Fest sponsored by Evergreen, Subway, and Cascade. This race also part of the Washington Subway Games. Last year, both Ian and I raced this event. This year only open to kids 18 years and younger. Now I don't need to invent some lame excuse as to why I didn't race.

Oh yeah, location was Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park. Can never go wrong hitting that place. It's chock full of two wheeled fun and frolicking.

Weather was crap, keeping in line with our cold weird spring. About 57 degrees and rain. Not pouring rain, but that constant on/off mist, that keeps you Good 'N' Soaked. Kids Fest was a Mud Fest. Come splash around with us...

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.

They also featured an Expert class, though canceled, due to only one kid signing on the dotted line - Henry's brother Evan - and fellow JL Velo team member. No soup for you. He did get to race downhill later in the day, so not all lost.

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...

Scoring was a little sketchy with parents correcting race folks at the award ceremony. I checked the online results today to find Ian and Henry not even listed. Strangely enough, teammate Mike - who didn't even race, though I guess pre-registered - is recorded for 9th place (!?!).

All assemble for the awards ceremony. As you can see, wet and muddy was the order of the day.

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.

Boy's Sport class winners raise arms and smiles. Fantastic job.

After the XC race and awards ceremony, raffle action ensued with great stuff given away; Camelbacks, messenger bags, hats, helmets, armor gear, DVDs, shorts - and even a 24" wheel mountain bike, courtesy of Diamondback. Very nice indeed. Heard the kid who won the bike, planned to give it to his younger brother as a birthday present. Gotta love that.

Then add in the free t-shirts, Subway sandwiches, piles of Clif bars, and medals for all racers. Even with the rain and scoring mishaps, a great event. These kid oriented gigs are extremely beneficial in getting more kids riding and racing. A race focused on kids alone, with total beginners encouraged, as well as more experienced young racers.

Later in the afternoon, a downhill race was offered. Sort of an intro to downhilling, since held on the Bootcamp trail - one of the easier XC trails in the park. Kids timed individually for each run (two runs each). Ian was signed up for this, though mentioned a headache and upset stomach after the XC race. Combined with standing around for an hour with soaking wet and muddy race clothes, he couldn't get warm again. Yes, it's June, at least that's what the calendar says.

While waiting in the downhill queue for a run, I could see on his face - not himself. Combined with an aching knee from two awkward clipless pedal tip overs while trying to warm back up, I decided to pull the plug and he agreed - time to head home. He was freezing while I helped him change into dry clothes in the parking lot, he then passed out in the car and slept all the way home - plus an additional hour in the driveway.

Parent instinct wins out over bike interest in this case. I think I made the right call. Want to keep everything as positive and fun as possible. He enjoyed the XC race, no sense sending him off on a downhill run at speed while not feeling well, even though he can rip Bootcamp pretty fast. Live to ride another day.

A deer bids us farewell from Duthie. Don't worry fuzzy one - we'll be back...