Whaaa's Happenin' Hot Stuff?

Well, a lot has been happening as of late! Marc and I took a little vacay and headed to Oregon. Usually we head to Bend this time of year but we had been there and done that so we decided to try something new. This time, we went to Hood River, Mount Saint Helens and Portland! It was a full combination of riding, camping, brewery hopping and little racing too. We stayed at Tucker Park in Hood River. It's an awesome campground 5 miles from town and it has hot showers. It's right on the river and it just smells like cherries out there. This Michigan girl felt right at home. Wow, I had no idea how many cherries, apples, pears and fruit stands, wineries there were there! All nestled under the protcetion of Mt Hood, surrounded by water and massive brew houses ~ GORGEOUS! We got hooked up on a few good rides and frequented the Dirty Finger bike shop for gear and... yup, you guessed it, beer too. I guess it's all the rage, bike shops now selling food and beers.

After Hood, we went to Mount Saint Helens to ride up the active volcano. Nothing boiled over but man was it gorgeous! Have you ridden the Ape Canyon/Plains of Abraham trail? I thought it was going to be Epically Gnarly but it was gorgeous! The trail was a nice uphill and then it spit you out on the volcano... Whoa. Coolness all around. Nice steeps and shubbery and just nice moon walking up there! Can you see Marc rounding the corner?

We then headed to Portland for a little bit of the city life. We had never been to the Bicycle Capital and we had a great time beatin' feet all day. We spent 2 solid days on the streets of Portland sampling food and more brews. Checking out cool art and smelling roses. I would go back for sure... we barely skimmed the surface! And, we didn't get a voodoo donut. People really wait in that line?

Our finale in Portland was a Cross Crusade Cyclocross race! We have always wanted to do one! and we done did it! Marc raced the Masters A 45+ and I raced the Women's a Master 35+. We were last to get call ups.... there were 1,700 racers!! Holy shit, it's like the town of Ketchum showing up for race day!! I had a great time! The race was fast, fun and super technical I was sure glad that I was a mtn biker! the first lap I went down so hard. So hard (10 days later my leg is still messed up) but I got back in there and fought back. Marc battled a huge group too. Post race we loaded up and headed on home. Tired and on a good note. Next up was Moose Cross in Victor Idaho. We have gone 3 out of the 4 years. Fun times! Much smaller than cx crusade but nice b/c of that, too!! We had 8 from the Wood River Valley !! I have to say, I have NEVER felt worse on a bike but we all sure had fun! stimulated the economy and so forth. Next up is Crosstoberfest here in Hailey. Come race with us October 26 and 27! There will be 30 breweries represented there and of course, people on bikes too!!

  And just so you know how much fun we have on bikes here in the Wood River Valley.. This also happened... the Boulder Mountain Bike Tour. An early morning ride up the Harriman Trail on Mountain Bikes or up the highway on road bikes. The destination being Galena Lodge where we celebrate the last day of the summer season with lunch and cocktails.  P.S. if you are interested in attending this ride next year, the mountain bikers have MORE Fun!! See you soon!!