Winning it all on the SS!
Last year I was bummed to miss a new marathon race just two hours away from home in Oakridge, Oregon. One of our boys checked it out and gave it a couple thumbs up so I made sure it was on the calendar this season!
Ryan and I headed south after work Friday and checked in at the Oakridge Hostel (great place to call home for any Oakridge adventure). We had a decent rest and were up in time for the 8:30 start. There was small but decent field that included some local and out-of-state riders. boys checked it out and gave it a couple thumbs up so I made sure it was on the calendar this season!
We started in Greenwaters Park and headed out Salmon Creek on a mellow multi-use trail. After a few miles along the creek we crossed over and climbing a long sustained seven mile grade past Aid station #1 to the Bunchgrass Ridge Trail. The trail began with a steep slippery drop and followed with an awesome sampler of high Cascade single track before we emerged on the road again at the aid station we had passed earlier.
The early pace had been fast since Life Cycle had sponsored a $100 prime for the first rider to pass Aid Station #1 for the second time. I had managed to get a decent start and reeled in the leaders about a mile into the climb. Since the grade was mellow I was geared well on my single speed and gradually opened a decent gap and collected the prime with time to spare!
We crossed the road and entered another great section of trail called “Heckle-tooth”. This was started with some choppy climbing over the ridge line and into a steep, switchback descent that darted into and out of the sun and forest on a roller coaster ride back toward town. The grade mellowed and we followed a bit of pavement prior to re-tracing our tracks back into the park after 25 miles.
I stopped and swapped bottles and began the rolling climb out towards Hills Creek Reservoir. The climb was intermittent gravel and pavement and again was nearly perfect for my 34-16 gearing. After passing Aid #3 and flirting with 3000ft elevation for a few miles the course headed down Larison Creek trail which while not always downhill, was a great test of technical riding at speed with numerous roots, rocks, short steep up/downs and switchbacks through the deep forest. The trail opened up for faster stretch along the reservoir before ending for another paved climb back to Aid #3.
From there the road steeped to a sustained 12-15% and began to punish us. However the pavement made for a fast ascent and allowed endless traction. At about 3400ft we turned onto the Larison Rock Trail and began the final descent back to town. While this was a steep average grade of about -20%, it was relatively smooth and super fast and fun! A perfect way to top off and day filled with single track goodness and ear-to-ear grins!
A short jaunt back across the river and into the park to a party of live music and lunch capped off an awesome day. I was able to finish first a few minutes ahead of the next rider and claim some sweet prizes for my effort. However the biggest award was getting to ride some of the worlds best single track fully supported in the sunshine of early fall in Oregon!
The next morning Ryan and I stayed on to help chaperon some of rides for the Goats (Greater Oakridge Area Trail Stewards) kids day. We had a great time seeing kids ride and excel on single track for the first time. It was super exciting to see and I look forward to bringing my children back next year!
Moral of the story is simple: Go check out the Oakridge Fat 55–you will be treated to one of the best events around!
Check out the stats here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/117602446
Cheers,
EP
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