Autumn

Warning : Despite the placid begining there are pictures of two different dead animals later on in this post, a rat and a deer. So if you are squeamish about such things maybe skip this one.

Sweet T, Mace, Milkshake and Boston came down for a weekend. We shredded the pump track and had a blast at Blackrock.


Martell and his rat butt.

We checked out cross races in Wilsonville and Salem. My verdict? Still dumb. What's with all the getting off and running?

Possible witch.
Graybeard Natty.

Memento mori.






She appears alert because I mentioned squirrels.

The hot tub is sweet. Now I just need a drain, cover and deck with bench, covered towel hooks and wood storage.

Beyond Thunderdome

SSCXWC09 is this weekend.
I still think cyclocross is dumb but I might show up for the Festivities Ride and party on Saturday. Anyone else going to be there?

Veloshop Rickreall Rampage pt.6

I like these three shots of Bridget, who won the Women's A race. Look how she's back on the bike by the middle of the bridge,

dropping in smoothly,

and already applying the power as she hits the flat. Textbook.

The two routes through the polo court worked out well. I was hoping it would be cold and wet and we could have a giant bonfire but the weather turned out hot and dusty.

I think that's Jennifer behind the sunglasses. If so, she helped with the trails, swinging a mean machete.

Tiahdactyl navigates makeout clearing. I think that's Megan behind her, who was part of Project Underpass.

Drew reported that Timmy rode the RWD each lap and finished with a wheelie drop each time.

This guy was smooth over the RWD

I saw several crashes but this was the only one  I captured on film.

Baby Beefa challenged Tiahdactyl to a game of "pawns"

Rickreall Rampage pt. 5

video by Uncle Bill

Veloshop Rickreall Rampage pt.4

video by Milkshake.

Veloshop Rickreall Rampage pt. 3

Tiahdactyl was a little hesitant on her first descent but she settled in and completed the race on what proved to be a very tricky course, especially after the first few races. The dirt turned to dust and all the roots were accentuated.

Tiah was always good for a smile.

Caitlin too seemed to keep a positive attitude over the difficult course. That looks like Beefa's shadow at the bottom. In retrospect I should have shot these from the other side, looking at the spectators. Amateur.

Dawn rode well, finishing 2nd in her category.

I hadn't seen Tony Kic all day and then all of a sudden there he was coming over the RWD a little too fast.

He pulled it off, said a polite hello and continued on. 

A friend of Dawn's doing her first race, I didn't catch her name. Every lap Drew offered her a beer and encouragement.

She finally stopped on her last lap.

Possible Team WRECK material.

Veloshop Rickreall Rampage pt. 2

I found some really great photos of the Rampage at pdxcross.

I got a few decent shots of Brian from Team Veloshop. He spent an afternoon working on the trails.




It was a heated battle for the Bearded Singlespeed class. 

New team member Milkshake dominated the Mustachioed Singlespeed class.

Will had some mechanical issues and dropped out.

I wasn't sure about Will's new glasses at first but they may be growing on me.

Veloshop Rickreall Rampage pt. 1

Official Results

What a crazy weekend. I took over 300 pictures and I'm still deciding which ones I like but here's the first installment.

OBRA surprised me by opening up the RWD for the A race. It's a great short cut but very sketchy. Those that cleared it could move up a place or two. Those that went around got heckled mercilessly.

I sponsored Drew's entry with my volunteer work hours. He was going strong until he blew a sidewall and had to ride flat to the pit. I gave him my Fat Chance, which was great in the woods but a little slow around the orchard with a 34X20 gear.

The overpass held up better than I expected it to but it still required work between every race. Dabby gave himself a promotion from head minion to minister of erosion and did a good job shoring and shoveling.

Scott had good form.

Everyone ducks the first time they ride the underpass.

I took a break from the race to play chess with Baby Beefa. She's still a little vague on the rules but her instincts are good.