Uh, Hey...
Name's Ashton, Bellingham local, getting back into the game after oh, 8 years out?
Finally picked up some wheels, so if any of y'all in the 'Ham see a tall guy on a Kona Scrap riding badly, that would probably be me.
Look for some XC type stuff, need to work on my confidence before I get more vertical.
Picked up my bike today, in the pouring rain, which isn't scheduled to let up for like a week, but that's Bellingham for ya.
Hay, I.m Ed from Seattle.
I ride as much single track as I can, but sadly most of my riding is to and from work.
I ride tiger and St. Ed's / big finn, often with my dog Jake.
I wan't to go to Skookum flats, greenwater this summer.
Are there any ladies in this forum..I like all kinds of single track and am even starting to embrace the mud. Dennis I think I rode with you out in SunValley, this is "munichjulie". I am riding a yeti these days since the frame broke on the swiss bike..
I may be the only other non -lurking female (?)
Formica
Yeah, all you lurker ladies... start posting!!!!!
Also, anyone else (girls or guys) who doesn't post here cuz you think (and I've heard at least two people say this) that this forum is only for ride reports of epic, hardcore testosterone crazed 50-mile rides with 5000' climbing, where you almost die of dehydration ...... this is a catch-22 fer crissakes! So in other words... if there were more of us posting ride reports of ho-hum, run o' the mill rides... then more such RRs would actually get posted!!
Of course I've only made 38 posts in my ten months on this site, including maybe 3 or 4 RRs, so I guess you could basically call me a lurker too.... but still ..
I mostly ride XC, but have done the lifts at Schweitzer and Big Mountain and race as a very casual, beginner class just to humble myself. I only have one bike, a Yeti 575 so I have it set up as a "do it all" ride.
Last season, I rode St. Helens, Devil's Gulch, Skookum Flats and my bike and I flew out to Colorado and rode Kenosha Pass too! That ride started around 10,000 ft and went up from there. I rode Tiger probably 25+ times during the season.
I hope to ride Moab this year and maybe Whistler. Locally, maybe Green Mountain (nearby) and Sun Top (hard) would be good rides to get in this year.
Also, anyone else (girls or guys) who doesn't post here cuz you think (and I've heard at least two people say this) that this forum is only for ride reports of epic, hardcore testosterone crazed 50-mile rides with 5000' climbing, where you almost die of dehydration ...... this is a catch-22 fer crissakes! So in other words... if there were more of us posting ride reports of ho-hum, run o' the mill rides... then more such RRs would actually get posted!!
Of course I've only made 38 posts in my ten months on this site, including maybe 3 or 4 RRs, so I guess you could basically call me a lurker too.... but still ..
Okay, I'm female but definitely no lady....cuz I like to get dirty and sweaty and I don't wear white gloves! However, I lurk mostly because I've been most passionate about FR/DH and this seems mostly a forum for XC riding and interests. However, I may be wrong ...
But since I want to stay in shape for my big biking, I will be schlepping up the mountains this summer on my own power. And I need to stay true to my roots...ahem....of XC.
However, I lurk mostly because I've been most passionate about FR/DH and this seems mostly a forum for XC riding and interests. However, I may be wrong ...
But since I want to stay in shape for my big biking, I will be schlepping up the mountains this summer on my own power. And I need to stay true to my roots...ahem....of XC.
Foxoverfence, I'd say you're correct with that assesment. Ridemonkey definitely has more DH'ers in the PNW forum than mtbr, but there's a pretty big group of DH and FR folks on this forum....we just happen to be over 16 and ride other areas besides SST. While I love hitting SST for a quick fix, our crew prefers to hit the bigger FR stuff in the area....not to mention the shore, whistler, etc. The most talented riders I know ride epic XC rides and rip the biggest stuff out there......balance is where it's at!! Plus, doing 15-20 Whistler runs a day takes a certain level of fitness.
Post up some of your RR's and pics from your FR adventures and you'll see those peeps come out of the woodwork.
Foxoverfence, I'd say you're correct with that assesment. Ridemonkey definitely has more DH'ers in the PNW forum than mtbr, but there's a pretty big group of DH and FR folks on this forum....we just happen to be over 16 and ride other areas besides SST. While I love hitting SST for a quick fix, our crew prefers to hit the bigger FR stuff in the area....not to mention the shore, whistler, etc. The most talented riders I know ride epic XC rides and rip the biggest stuff out there......balance is where it's at!! Plus, doing 15-20 Whistler runs a day takes a certain level of fitness.
Post up some of your RR's and pics from your FR adventures and you'll see those peeps come out of the woodwork.
Cheers,
EB
Good to know! Yeah I've seen your posts about your trips to Whistler. We're just getting into our outward expansion from SST...so definitely more trips to other places like the Shore, Black Rock, PA, etc. as well as the mountain fitness rides like St Helen's, Esmeralda, Miller Peak and so forth. You won't be getting the big huck pictures from us though as we're still in the intermediate stage not to mention searching for areas to ride that don't all feature the big stuff that we can ride...
I do enjoy all the ride reports though and hope to contribute some in the future. As long as we can get some good action pics that aren't blurry.
Okay, I'm female but definitely no lady....cuz I like to get dirty and sweaty and I don't wear white gloves!
Heh… I guess I always forget that some ladies wear those funny white gloves (I've never associated much with, much less related to, the white glove types).
Personally, I guess I've always used "lady" and "woman" interchangeably… and "ladies" fit better together with "lurkers", just for alliterative purposes.
You won't be getting the big huck pictures from us though as we're still in the intermediate stage not to mention searching for areas to ride that don't all feature the big stuff that we can ride...
I do enjoy all the ride reports though and hope to contribute some in the future. As long as we can get some good action pics that aren't blurry.
Linda
Linda, the size of the huck isn't what's important....it's the size of the stoke! Seriously, progression happens for different people at different rates and what's important is that folks have fun and ride within themselves.
FYI, if you haven't done one of these camps, I highly recommend it! They've got 2 in North Van, 3 in Whistler and 1 in B'ham this year, so lots of opportunity to up the skills. From folks that have taken both the dirt series and the "spokeswomen" camps, this one gets slightly higher marks. Anyway, as someone that's seen my wife's skills go through the roof because of these camps over the years, I always recommend them......
Linda, the size of the huck isn't what's important....it's the size of the stoke! Seriously, progression happens for different people at different rates and what's important is that folks have fun and ride within themselves.
FYI, if you haven't done one of these camps, I highly recommend it! They've got 2 in North Van, 3 in Whistler and 1 in B'ham this year, so lots of opportunity to From folks that have taken the dirt series and the "spokeswomen" camps, this one gets slightly higher marks. Anyway, as someone that's seen my wife's skills go through the roof because of these camps, I always recommend them......
Cheers,
EB
Hey now, why isn't your wife posting some ride reports to inspire us!
I've got some friends taking the North Van course while I'm down at the PA shuttle day so I'll miss that and I hear it is terrific. I did take a couple class sessions over the past couple years, with the West Coast School up at Whistler and then with Simon of Fluidride. Definitely learned alot. I think I'm at the point where I need to push myself and leave the tried and true behind. Kind of hard to get over the hump and do something new, though...
But really all kinds of ride reports are good, as someone else said, it's good to see people posting reports at the more modest levels of riding or hucking to see just how they progress and places they go. And the brain trauma people go through to try something new.
Hum, guess I'm no longer a lady lurker...well, that sounds bad....
Hey now, why isn't your wife posting some ride reports to inspire us!
I've got some friends taking the North Van course while I'm down at the PA shuttle day so I'll miss that and I hear it is terrific. I did take a couple class sessions over the past couple years, with the West Coast School up at Whistler and then with Simon of Fluidride. Definitely learned alot.
The wife loves to ride her bike, but doesn't like to talk about riding her bike. Plus, all the incessant gear talk is more than she can handle....it drives her crazy!
Cool, well if your friends are taking the camp, I may see them up there, I'll likely be riding sweep on some of the dirt series camps this year....
My name is Ray and I'm Linda's other half. Like she said we've been getting into the FR/DH more and have deen doing so for a little over a year or so. We've been to places like Whistler, Sunpeaks and Black Rock. We'd like to check out some more places like Port Angeles, Mt Hood and Beacon. We're gonna go to the shuttle day at PA and again at Black Rock. I have a Yakuza Kumicho, Kona Coiler and I'm just building up a Santa Cruz Superlight (thanks Borneo) for those epic rides. Here's me on my Coiler having fun at one of Borneo's yard rides
Okay, I'll come out of the shadows. I have been enjoying MTBR for a couple of years. I first visited the site when I was researching which bike to buy. My name is Chelsea and I live in Eastern Washington, about an hour north of Spokane. This season will be my third season mountain biking. I love long cross country rides in scenic places. I have enjoyed joining the BBTC for rides such as Ape Canyon, Devil's Gulch, Cooney Lake, Palisades, and even places as far away as Sun Valley. This summer I am looking forward to exploring the Oakridge and Bend area trails by once again joining up with the BBTC. Thanks to all of you in that club who lead rides and have made it possible for me to have others to ride with in awesome places.
It was through an East meets West ride put on by BBTC at the Kettle Crest that I met Penny (Formica) and some others with the Spokane IMBA club, FTTRC. I have really enjoyed connecting with them and being an extension of the club as I have been participating in a community collaboration project involving the Colville National Forest Plan revision. Through this process, I have become much more familiar with IMBA and am so glad we have a group like this as advocates of mountain biking.
The Kettle Crest is my stomping ground so I hope a lot of you will join the third annual East meets West ride there in July. There are some great trails which will likely be recommended for Wilderness in the near future so we need to enjoy riding them while we still can.
reporting for roll call...
live out in duvall, just NE of seattle. mostly ride tolt-macdonald, the middle fork area, and ft. ebey. wanna get to some of the rides near leavenworth and mt. rainier.
tight twisty technical singletrack is what i lust for.
been riding a '97 cannondale F900 for the past 10 years. just got this beauty a week ago:
Turtle here in Seattle and loving the ride. Here's a couple pics from our local trails; Devils Gulch and South SeaTac. Believe it or not, there some seriously talented riders, map makers and trail pals in these pictures.
Ride at few of the local places. This summer should be my year to go to some other non local places. Tadrscin and Linda have both arms violently twisted behind my back and have threatened major bodily harm if I don't go up to whisler this season
3 bikes
GT hrdtl
trek liquid 20
trek session 77
Jimmy B
photo by Tadrscin
sean in bothell. moved up from san jose, ca.
so i don't really know where to ride. i've been to finn hill which was a blast, but not enough hills to earn the ride.
the best type of ride for me is 60-90 minutes of climbing and then singletrack back down. i bought a jekyl 5 years ago and haven't found a good reason to trade it in yet.
my old favorites for those who know the bay area:
power poles, dogmeat, overgrown
demo forest
henry coe
so i guess i'll just go through the trails listed on mtbr and in kissing the trail until i find some good ones. i've heard about tiger mountain, so that's my next stop.
sean in bothell. moved up from san jose, ca.
so i don't really know where to ride.
so i guess i'll just go through the trails listed on mtbr and in kissing the trail until i find some good ones. i've heard about tiger mountain, so that's my next stop.
Sean, Just a head's up that Tiger isn't open until mid April (closes in the winter due to the amount of water on those trails). Check out the bbtc website for ride locations and some good weeknight/weekend rides. It won't take you long to figure out where a few good locations are.
I'm Courtland and I live in Tacoma.I like the new blueberry Clif bar.
I like to ride the local trails a lot.
Barring no injuries this summer/fall will have some good long rides.
Bend, Kettle Falls, Ape Canyon/Plains for sure. Hopefully an epic or two out of Entiat and Methow.
Some riding in the Olympic P. Mt Mueller for sure.
Bellingham Traverse, MOMAR adventure race in BC(or two).
All interspersed with sea kayaking, trail running, backpack, road bike.
Want to buck-up for the summer in Capitol Forest soon.
Sean here, currently in Phoenix, but I've got ten years of Spokane behind me and at least three years of Seattle ahead starting in June. Planning on living somewhere real close to UW Medical Center. I've never ridden on the West side of the state and I'm looking forward to it.
Mostly Single Track and freeride. Got back from a deployment in August and here I go again in May so I guess I won't really get to bike much this year. Riding up Victor Falls while there's still trails there. There aren't any no tresspassing signs from my neighborhood Crystal Mountain has some nice trails.
Known as Mellow Yellow, but my god given name is Gregg. Born and raised in Panama, Republic of Panama, but i've been in Seattle since 1982. Curently living in Renton. When I'm not being a bumb and burring my head in work, I usually ride both moutain and road; including racing on the Velodrom in Redmond and doing the North Shore thing in Vancouver. Favorate trails are St. Eddie's and South SeaTac for the near to home stuff; but love Skokum flats and Dalles Ridge over all.
Some of my happiest memories in life took place on my bicycles. - Me
I have been lurking and decided to post up in hopes that I will discover some new riding areas, mechanical tips and bike minded people.
I posted a review of my Cadex ALM-1 to mtbr in 1999 but I didn't realize there were forums. I have checked back on the review page and see that others have chimed in. Pretty cool that one of the other reviewers actually bought the bike at the same place I got mine - Spokes. Another guy hinted at some information I had not previously known about the difference in model years.
I lived in Anacortes for about 9 years and got really spoiled by the place, people, and riding. Work in Seattle and my commute got in the way of life, so I had to move closer. I am in Edmonds/ Perrinville now. My parents live in Anacortes so I should be getting some riding done up there soon.
Previous to coming out west I lived in Itasca, IL. I rode a lot on rails to trails with my dad and friends when i was younger. When I got older and could drive I started riding XC at Palos and Deer Grove. I did a lot of XC riding in Wisconsin the last two years that I lived there. Kettles south unit, Wausau, Door County, Rhinelander, and Chequamegon.
I ride offroad on older hardware, my Cadex ALM-1. Everything aside from the frame is changed over the years. I plan to upgrade the frontend with a new fork, wheel and disk brake at some point later this spring.
Currently, all my riding is happening during my 10 mile road commute. For this I am using really old hardware, a 1987 Schwinn Sierra. I cobbled together a decent commuting / touring bike out of something I have owned since the summer after 8th grade. It's really enjoyable to think back on all the rides I took it on.
I would also like to do some off road riding and exploring a little closer to my new home in Edmonds.
I will try and post up some pictures of my bikes soon for the retro forum area.
Look forward to getting back down to Bend this year and hitting a bunch of stuff I missed out on last year. I may venture north across the border to ride for the first time. Other than that, I'll join as many rides as possible that Erik A leads.
The name's Rob. I live in Snoqualmie, and I get out a bit. I've been riding for years, but the past 3 have been tough on my bike schedule, as I started my own business, and got so involved to make it successful that I had to step away from all the fun. That, in turn, helped me develop a bit of weight gain, which sucks. So..... I treated myself, recently, to a new bike to motivate my ass to get back out on the trail. It worked.
I live in downtown, so I hit Tokul (preferably East, although I've yet to really learn West) 3 times a week, Finn Hill on Tuesdays (will you see me tomorrow?), and something else different each week. My goal in 93 was to hit 200 miles a week. I did it then. I can't now, because my schedule is pretty tough, but I'm still going to hit 50-70. That's a lot on a trail, you know? I'm pretty happy, and decently fit, for a 40 year old. Ha!
I used to ride a GT RTS2, and built it up, and fixed it, and built it up some more, until I realized I was polishing a turd. So... I went to Singletrack in North Bend and picked up a new Specialized S Works Carbon. Oh my Lord, do I love this bike. I know part of my issue over the past 3 years was time out of the saddle. Even though it's been tough getting back in shape, this new ride changes my skill level significantly.
That said, I don't "jump." Never have. Never will. I like my bones, and don't need them broken (anymore). I'm all about Cross Country (the more technical, the better), and I live for the smell of the forest, and the open views. Washington State truly is God's country.
Now, if I could just get to Moab.
It's not a trail pic, but I had to show off the new beaut.
The name's Rob. I live in Snoqualmie, and I get out a bit. I've been riding for years, but the past 3 have been tough on my bike schedule, as I started my own business, and got so involved to make it successful that I had to step away from all the fun. That, in turn, helped me develop a bit of weight gain, which sucks. So..... I treated myself, recently, to a new bike to motivate my ass to get back out on the trail. It worked.
I live in downtown, so I hit Tokul (preferably East, although I've yet to really learn West) 3 times a week, Finn Hill on Tuesdays (will you see me tomorrow?), and something else different each week. My goal in 93 was to hit 200 miles a week. I did it then. I can't now, because my schedule is pretty tough, but I'm still going to hit 50-70. That's a lot on a trail, you know? I'm pretty happy, and decently fit, for a 40 year old. Ha!
I used to ride a GT RTS2, and built it up, and fixed it, and built it up some more, until I realized I was polishing a turd. So... I went to Singletrack in North Bend and picked up a new Specialized S Works Carbon. Oh my Lord, do I love this bike. I know part of my issue over the past 3 years was time out of the saddle. Even though it's been tough getting back in shape, this new ride changes my skill level significantly.
That said, I don't "jump." Never have. Never will. I like my bones, and don't need them broken (anymore). I'm all about Cross Country (the more technical, the better), and I live for the smell of the forest, and the open views. Washington State truly is God's country.
Now, if I could just get to Moab.
It's not a trail pic, but I had to show off the new beaut.
Rob,
bling bling dude!! Nice looking rig.....wow!! Nothing like "new bike love" to get you back in the saddle a bunch.
Hey, me and a few others here are out at Tokul a fair bit and do a little trail work from time to time out there. If I see ya, I'll give you a shout.
Yeah, I'm digging it. I took off the SRAM stuff (don't get me wrong, as it's nice gear, but I'm an XTR freak), and put on the Shim derailleurs, and shift kit.
I'm still getting back into what I can "trail shape", but I need to ride with guys better than I so it forces me to comply. That, and I'd love to learn Tokul West. I hear there's an absolute nutso compilation of trails up there that I've apparently only bitten the tip off of. I've never seen the lids marking the trails, although I assume they are saying the trails are labelled like Tolt? Anyways, I'd love a chance to ride out there with someone who'll push me. Just don't give me too much crap when I can't make the big monster climbs. I'm still working the winter gut off.
Drop me a note, and let me know when you might head out there again. I'll be at Finn Hill tomorrow, so that might be cool, if you're there.
Rob, I hope you don't mind, but I think I may have drooled on your bike while it was on the rack at Singletrack Cycles.
Seriously nice rig.
There's quite a few Snoqualmie riders on this board, including myself. I don't know Tokul West as well as some of the human-GPS guys like Borneo and Hawkens do, but I'll show you what I do know (although I hear it's pretty FUBAR right now due to some massive logging).
You ought to sign up for Borneo's "Spring Fling" on the www.bbtc.org site for a bunch of rides on 4/21. Should be good times.
I am told the roads are clear again at Tokul West, that report was from this weekend. I am heading out there Sunday morning to lead a ride, ya can't ride TE without also riding TW.
The riding between the two trails systems is completely different.
..., but the past 3 have been tough on my bike schedule, ...
Can I ever understand that one. I took the time to put some effort into setting up a commuter bike out of my oldest mtb. Now I am getting in over 10 miles every working day. My work is just a brief interruption between my daily riding. Granted it isn't offroad, but its way better than nothing. As it turns out, I may end up getting in more riding this way than I ever had in the past. I am also hoping to shave off some 'computer weight'. Here's hoping for the best.
I assume I will start feeling a lot more fit and ready to mix it up in another month. That should coincide with the end of the DIY remodeling junk I have going on at the house. At that point I am gonna try and get in on bbtc group rides and learn some of these local trails. 98% of my previous WA riding has been N in Anacortes.
Speaking of that, I am planning on hitting the ACFL trails Sunday morning until noon as I will be visiting my parents up there.
Rob those guys at Singletrack in North Bend must know you by your first name. For at least the next year they should stop whatever their doing and greet you by your first name when you walk in the door. I like that shop by the way. A lot of nice bikes plus you can work with the shop on getting the right setup.
Doug is next up with a hot bike. Moots has the old reliable and underrated soft-tail which for race purposes is one of the fastest bikes out there plus you dont have to worry about maintenance on the rear. My NRS is looking very dated with some of the new stuff.
Well, it seems to me that I shouldn't have waited so long to get onto this board. I've checked out this site for years, yet never really read the boards/threads.
You guys have made me feel very welcome. Thanks!
As for Tokul, yes, I'm game for anytime. As long as my wife hasn't planned my day(!), I'm in. My son rides as well, so I might be able to get him to join. He's a little more fearless than I. Granted, I skydive, so fear is relative. Maybe you guys can teach me how to jump the new ride without nosing it into the ground? That'd be nice.
Anyways, drop me a PM sometime, and I'll give you my cell number.
Eric aka eio - the "adopted step child" of the HL crew (thanks Armando ).
- I'm a pisces, and I dig fast cars, Slovakian women, and jumping up and down on the bed while listening to Motorhead.
- I bump my head quite a bit in these small Seattle houses........Its not easy being big.
- Fled the Dirty South to settle amongst the Scandanavians in SEA.
- I am a seasonal bone breaker and acqiured a barometrically sensitive Ti elbow while North of the Border last year.
- Dig the agrro-trail/FR/DH riding but have had to tone it down due to said elbow.
- I am humbled by the skills of my brothas but I still keeps it realz.
- Now riding a Nomad which better suits my gypsy blood.
- Usually found following up the rear (going up and down), but I'm getting faster. Once again its not easy being big.
"Korash your enemiez, zee zem driven bevore you, and ear ze lamentation of za vemen"
Well, since Borregokid mentioned it, I guess I can show off my new ride.
As he mentioned, it's the 29er Moots Mooto-X YBB with a whopping 1" of rear travel. I probably won't race it on short course races, but I'm really looking forward to heading out on the long stuff with it. It's been a long time coming -- paid for it back in January and just took delivery today. Worth the wait? I hope so! Worth the cost? It better damn well be!
Hi my name is Glen
Live in Tacoma
Ride SST, tiger, capitol, ranger creek, whistler....
Looking for some cool trails w.ladders and drop and jumps thats not more than 2 hours away.
Jeff here.
Yeah, you drug this lurker out of the woodwork
XC
skinnies, drops, small jumps that my XC bike can handle (isn't always the bike that holds you back? )
I need to hit Mt. St. Helens this year.
Sam here. From Olympia. College at Western State College of Colorado in Gunnison/Crested Butte but back now in Oly. 2 kids and a wife limiting my riding time a tiny little bit but...Riding the Capitol Forest couple times a week and most every Sunday for 20-30 miles. I usually ride 29er single speed but have a geared bike as well. Anyone in for a ride in the next couple weeks, Sunday's are a good day but any day might work? Probably out of Fall Creek Camp, maybe 25 miles or so. #8 and #6 out of Fall Creek are in pretty good shape as of yesterday. The lower half of the mountain is torn to shreds right now by horses and atv's. Let me know and we'll do it. Maybe a few brews in the parking lot post ride or Fish Brewery downtown if it's a weekend day we decide upon...
It's been nice to meet you all a little more. We definately have a nice sized group here in Washington that ride and also frequent MTBR. A special thanks to those that had to come out of hiding. Look forward to riding with you on the trails this spring/summer and chating with you all here. There is always a wealth of knowledge to be shared.
Thanks
db
PS You may even recognize yourself in this group picture taken in Sun Valley on the Adam's Gulch death climb.
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and went up from there. I rode Tiger probably 25+ times during the season.
Originally Posted by Double E
While I love hitting SST for a quick fix, our crew prefers to hit the bigger 
