At the front–briefly, OregonVelo

With just one weekend left before our big move to Wenatchee, I still had a little unfinished business left in Oregon. This would be my third try at the High Cascades 100 and I had good training and high hopes for the race.

Things got underway at the ridiculously early 5:30AM start from Bend. As we pedaled up Century Drive I felt decent despite the unreasonable hour and was happy that the temperature wasn’t near freezing like the other two times I’ve done this event. The pace was mellow even as we hit the dirt and I had little trouble staying at the front.

Barry Wick-nasty (Kona) led me into the single track as we paid homage to the late Steve Larson and seemed to be a little slow through the sweeping turns. Then he was really late and washing out the front end! I eased up and expected him to save it only to watch his wheel hook up and launch him over the high side. As I steered clear, Barry immediately clutched his shoulder and I soft pedaled until we reached the Funner/Storm King intersection in case he was able to get back on. Read more »

Getting my Hat Trick on! OregonVelo

In lieu of making a 20 hour roundtrip to Sun Valley, Idaho, for Marathon MTB Nationals, I traveled 45 minutes southwest to Blodgett and raced the Test of Endurance 50. Not only was there the dilemma whether to take another stab at a national title, but also which TOE event to race.

I have won the Oregon’s ‘Test” several times over the years both in 50 mile format and also last year as a 100 mile event. This time around my old buddy Mike Ripley (Mudslinger Events) changed the 100 miler to a 100k race that journeyed to the top of Mary’s Peak, the highest point in Oregon’s coastal mountains. I have ridden up the Peak many times over the years but the opportunity to race there was enticing indeed!

In the end, my decisions all came down to good ole simoleons as there would be no prizes and massive expenditures in Idaho and only the TOE 50 race would offer cash prizes this year. With our move to Washington looming on the horizon next month it only made sense to save cash and leave open the opportunity to bring home a little more to offset my expenses. Read more »

Ryan rips the woods–OregonVelo

The Test of Endurance race was held on Saturday July 6th. New for the 2013 event was a 100k option over Mary’s Peak. Wanting to try a big challenge this year, and never having been on top of the highest point in the coast range of Oregon, I decided to sign up for the 100k in the single speed class. After having to do a bit of convincing, I was able to get my good friend and teammate Dave Hill to also sign up for 100k of pain and suffering. Dave turned 50 this year and we had talked previously about racing the High Cascades 100 miler to celebrate him turning half a century old. It wasn’t going to be 100 miles, but the challenge would be just as great with over 10,000 feet of climbing in just 62 miles. Read more »

Finally Got it Back!

Earlier this year I received word that the Humbug Hurry-Up would be offering riders a return to its old historic course. At the time, I still had grandiose illusions of traveling the country racing hundred milers and national championships so I simply pushed it to the back of my consciousness and forged ahead. After the debacle in New Mexico at 24 Hour Nationals, I did some serious soul searching. While I still harbored a desire to attend some of the races I had chosen early on, reality of our impending move to Washington state was setting in. Then I remembered Yreka and the Humbug! Read more »

DH climbs through the flowers on his way to the TOP!

What a great surprise to go all the way down to Yreka, thinking there’s no possible way to see any one you Know let alone another teammate–hello EP! The race was a 42 mile test of fortitude, willpower, and how much my little legs could climb. Would i be like Icarus–get too high and they would melt in the hot summer sun? Well, that seemed like climbing mount Everest twice without oxygen. i survived a truly epic ride up my first Hors Categorie climb! Then came what seemed like 20 miles of downhill with a couple 90 degree turns, at 50 plus MPH. Another big climb and fast descent then we finished with 12 miles of single track which included climbing to the top of Humbug Pass before and the beautiful ride back down through the trees. Three and a half hours later, I crossed the finish line in the park “WARD OUT” but with still enough energy to talk about what just happened! Read more »