Funny how the word September makes each rider think…..I need to get a good last mountain bike ride in….no way I am racing cross yet, or I need to work on my transitions/running and power before the cross races are upon us. Most of all this time is a great time to reflect and prepare for whatever comes your way. Riding a bike is such simple elegance, some more than others, winding our way down what path life takes us. For me its time to get a 50 mile race under my belt at the 1st Capitol Forest 50/100 on 9/11 and yes you can give me a hard time for not doing the 100……wish I had time to train a bit more and the water park 30-40 minutes away is calling my name. Right after that the next week  on the 18th is the 1st Oakridge Fat 55, Eugene Carthart is putting on his first race and I will give that a shot as the course Observer and OBRA rep. Good news after Oakridge I either jam to Bend and check out the Super D in Bend or get on that Plane heading to Interbike to unwind and drum up some 2011 support for The Rivercity Oregon XC Series and my 6 or so events in 2011.

More to come

Thanks Everyone for a Great MTB season from Mudslinger Events. I will be attending various CX races and trying my best at the Capitol Forest 50 and  Oakridge Fat 55 in September with some Team Dirt Teammates.

What a year and I could not have done it without you! All the great sponsors that I hope you will support to all the Great Land Owners and trail builders that make Mountain Biking Special in Oregon. A few new twists on hand for 2011 and I will see you for your next dirt adventure.
Mike and Family and Friends

Another Video from the High Cascades 100, about the crazy grouse
So funny…..I know you had to be there……not really….its that funny

Late in the day finishing is what it is all about!

Don’t feel too bad Andrew did finish third which makes him a “Beast”

Headed up the Dutchman Sno-Park and Mt. Bachelor this morning to check Loop 1 Metolius-Windigo / Edison Lava Trail and escape the smoke lingering in the valley from the forest fire raging outside of Sisters.  Happy to report it was a smoke-free ride and the trails were in excellent condition.  Very few horses have been on Metolius so isn’t nearly as soft as last year and makes for a great 14 or so miles down to Lava Lake before the grind up and over to Edison.  Wildflowers were out and I didn’t have any mosquitoes pestering either.  All markings are up now and intersections clearly taped.  We’re ready to roll in the am!

Few ideas came to mind while riding out here:

• Check that your Stans is fresh – lots of sharp lava rock
• Use big volume tires to surf the pumice
• Drink, drink, drink – its gonna be pretty hot out on Saturday.  Latest forecast is 86 deg / sun.
• When you see the double-down danger arrows – slow down, it actually is a pretty sketchy section
• Use the chain lube in the aide stations – treat your bike well and it will treat you well

A few pictures from the route:

A lite mist greeted riders of the 6th Test Of Endurance and Kenda Cup Qualifier sunday morning in Blodgett Oregon as 240 racers stepped up to the line to undertake a epic journey. Top Oregon Racer Adam Craig (Rabobank/Giant looking to defend his 2009 title from a strong Pro contingent of riders from Oregon including Chris Sheppard (Rocky Mtn Bikes) Team Mate Carl Decker (Giant) Local Native Barry Wicks (KONA) Ryan Trebon (Kona) and others looking for a top spot. As the mass start ensued for the 6 miles of roller coaster logging roads/double track to get to the singletrack, 3 broke away early to set the tempo with Adam Craig, Chris Sheppard and Carl Decker coming through aide Station 1 at 14 miles and 3000 ft in just over 1 hr. Followed closely at 3 minutes by Erik Tonkin (S & M/Sellwood cycles) Sean Babcock (S & M) Ryan Trebon (Kona) and Barry Wicks (Kona). By the lap point/aide 2, and the first 4200 ft down the top 3 were all within seconds of each other when Craig had a tire blow. Fortunately for Craig he placed a well timed set of wheels in the pit and only lost 30 seconds on the wheel change to stay in contention. Once again the 3 took off up one of 7 climbs in the 25 mile lap over roots, steep drops, off camber shoots, mud and rock  in a maze of singletrack to have Carl Decker set the pace this time up with Sheppard and Craig dropping back off the blazing tempo. Time ticked by and with Craigs 2009 Record of 3:43 in jeopardy Carl Decker (Giant) let it all out to cross the line in 3:38:37 a new course record, followed by Adam Craig in 3:44:59 and Chris Sheppard in third at 3:48:17.

Course records were also meant to be shattered as no women has ever gone under 5 hrs. This year Alice Pennington (Team S & M ) was up to the task using her amazing descending skills to full advantage coming in at 4:48:26 followed by Lizzy English (Giant/Northstart Tahoe) in 5:12 and Serena Bishop (Sunnyside Sports) in 5:35. Alice Quickly set the tempo on the climbs and as the conditions got slicker alice continued to pull away. By the lap at 25 miles Pennington had a 7 minute gap on English and continued to push for the course record. This race has proved to be one of the tougher courses in North America as riders prepare for the BC bike race next week and or take their riding to new levels for the summer

Racers who were not in the top tier and out for adventure were helped out by super support from Hammer Nutrition and big well stocked aide stations. for many the goal simply was just to finish and the blank stares were numerous as the miles ticked over. Tears of pain, and broken pedals, seatposts, among other varieties of suffering were in full effect and smiles all around as the Team S & M Masters Team took home first place over Sunset Cycles and the compiled team (all wearing black Jerseys) Team Dust N Bones took down the course record of 16:02 down to 15:38.

Good times and big burritos…….time to rest up before the series finals in Bend….let the dust fly

Thanks to all

Mike and Family

Order one while supplies last

Limited edition Jerseys from series sponsor are for sale for 60.00. These jerseys will have all 10 race names in the series on the side panels (5 per side) and are a unique piece to own for 2010. Only 25 will be produced for sale. The other 25 will be given away to series champions and not have the race names on the side panels, but say “Series Champion”

Order form is on the series home page, some left as of April 25th…..18 or so