I’ve always been a bit hesitant to identify myself as a “professional” cyclist and with recent events I have almost been embarrassed to do so. Sure, I have a couple cards in my wallet that classify me as such, but those are really just admission tickets I buy every season. That is where my commonality with the most professional cyclists you know ends. My mother has often told me that while cycling isn’t my profession, it has been my chosen occupation and I believe that may be the best description of my life “behind bars”. Read more »

As seen on MTBRaceNews.com:

Wow, hard to believe another great year is almost in the rear view mirror! This time last year, I had just finished winning the Oakridge Fat 55 MTB Marathon on my single speed and was already looking forward to coming back. Without a doubt Oakridge, Oregon is one of best mountain biking locations–anywhere. With my all-time favorite trail just up the road and Waldo Lake, it isn’t a surprise to me that my “favorite” race is the Fat 55! Many of you may have heard of the Cascade Creampuff 100 or Mountain Bike Oregon, but I first experience Oakridge nearly 20 years ago at the Fat Tire Festival. In any case, most folks who love to ride have this place on their bucket lists and if they’ve been to Oakridge before, they plan to go back.

The Fat 55 is designed to package the essence of Oakridge MTB riding into a package that isn’t too big or too small, too hard or too easy, but as the saying goes, “is just right!”. Eugene Cathcart has hit the nail on the head and it just so happens I have had the privilege to be his hammer the last two years! This year the race was quite similar to last with the re-introduction of an all new Salmon Creek Trail. We used this trail for years in XC events but it was washed away during some heavy winter storms and the reroute was finally completed this year. In lieu of the added single track, the Fat 55 skipped the upper part of the first loop but was otherwise the same as last year. However, this was no problem since the course was totally awesome last year on my single speed hard tail, and I now had another chance to ride it again on my secret weapon! Read more »