B.S. debacle…

Bear Springs Trap is one of my favorite courses. The race is put on by the crew from Mt Hood Skibowl and they have been promoting races forever.

In fact, my second race EVER was at Skibowl several eons ago. I have had many great times racing with these guys, but this event was NOT one of them. Right now I am looking for excuses not to keep racing the same old events, so thanks for the BIG FAT one folks!

Seems that myself and many others noticed the news report stating that areas around Mt Hood had received record snowfall during the month of March–as in nine FEET! So we inquired during the weeks leading up to the event if snow would be a problem on the course…

We were assured that snow was NOT going to be an issue. but rather downed TREES. Since I know these guys I trusted them and Kurt, Brett and I headed up for the whole mealdeal (short track included). We arrive to 36 degrees, snow flurries and snow on the ground.

I immediately asked what was going on since snow was NOT going to be an issue. Again, I was assured that the snow was not the problem… Well, it ended up being one for me when I dropped my chain on the first short track DISMOUNT and never saw the front again. I still fought back for second place, though.

Whilst trying to thaw our bodies we tried to “pre-ride” part of the XC course and made it about 100 yards before meeting an endless glacier of snowpack. Hmmmn, the alarms are going off and other racers are leaving! Should we?

NOOOOO, instead I corner the promoter and ask AGAIN about the snow on the rest of the course. Answer: just a little on the start loop and tne part we saw, but there are “trails” around it.

Fast forward to the race… SNOW, SNOW, SNOW. The most walking I have ever done in a race. Total joke, waste of time, debacle. Thanks a lot chump!

We asked–you lied. Period. RIP B.S.!

Do you want to know the worst part? The Willamette Stage Race was cancelled this week on account of lack of entries… Makes me wonder how many folks were mis-led into this at the expense of losing Willamette forever…

Alas, the state of the sport is still… RIDICULOUS! Moral of this report: promoters be honest about your events–and remember, it is never too late to postpone or cancel!

Ride on, friends…