The cross-Washington (XWA) 730 mi bikepacking grand depart is tomorrow! This is my set up for rain forests, deserts and two mountain ranges. Follow my dot at the tracker link in bio!
Second race of the weekend was @breakawaypromo Gorge Gravel grinder! I drove straight from the forests of Olympia to Dufur, OR perched in the dry farm land above the Columbia River gorge. After laying in the trunk and eating two Burgerville veggie burgers, three onigiri, and a whole box of sesame balls I conked out and woke up at the start line of another 100 mile race. The top three pro/ elite women were together at the top of the final 11 mi climb and the race came down to a THRILLING 30 mi descent back into Dufur Valley. Caroline absolutely earned the W rocketing down rutted forest roads as well as winding paved descents, and gaining 3 min on me just on the descent! I have done this race 5x, and I have never seen conditions this good! Gone were the gorge’s infamous winds, and the new and improved course swapped MILES of wheat fields for a beautiful route through the Mount hood national forest.
We caught up with @beccabook at @breakawaypromo ‘s Gorge Gravel race over the weekend. The race was her second of the weekend after a victory at @cascadiasupergravel on Saturday. The combo was training for the Cross Washington Mountain Bike Race (XWA)
The XWA starts May 17th in La Push, WA and takes riders 700 miles across the state of Washington. Becca’s goal is to set a new women’s FKT and to bring the men’s and women’s times closer together 🔥
#womencyclists #womencyclists #bikepacking #crosswashington
First adventure for the weekend was @cascadiasupergravel ! And what an adventure it was. The announcer started us off saying “don’t worry, they aren’t shooting AT you, they are shooting WITH you”. Welcome to Capitol forest. 20% grades, raucous descents down chutes filled with baby head rocks, and quiet flowy single track padded by loam. The @otsocycles Waheela R felt stable and reliable through it all, despite going full race mode with this build the bike can REALLY take a beating! I used the @reneherse corkscrew climb semi slick tires, my go to for dry races. Buttoned up the day with a W and a cascadia national champion jersey I am VERY excited about!!
📸 @cayman.waughtel
Cascadian NATIONAL champion! Because @cascadiasupergravel is obviously where we would declare independence 💙🌲💚
11000 feet of climbing over 88 miles done, now down to the Columbia River gorge for a champagne gravel speed run tomorrow with @oregontrailgravel !
Back in mid-March, I had the rad rad rad opportunity to stage-mom, photograph, and pro-support my friend @beccabook as she raced the new @otsocycles Waheela R at the @midsouthgravel first Pro Field in the Pro Women's cat. I spent my day anxiously tracking dots with @rcarbs_ (following @always.li.king ) and ended up stage-mom adopting another pro-racer @quinkennedy racing the first-ever Pro Non-Binary class.
What a massive privilege it was to witness the (literal) grit all these racers have to rip 106 Oklahoman miles under hot dusty sun averaging 18mph. You guys are actually fucking bonkers. I am so proud of all of you and everyone who raced. If you weren't at the start line for the NB racers just know there wasn't a dry eye standing by.
Cheers to always making sure my friends are hydrated, fed, safe, and have a cracked beer in-hand to celebrate. Shouts out @otsocycles for sponsoring all types of cyclists ;)
All photos shot by me! on #35mm :)
Cute lil loop around the foothills of the cascades on the @otsocycles Waheela R. Soaking in spring time sun (and a little bit of requisite PNW rain) and enjoying the spring blossoms along the way 🌸
And that’s a wrap on another rip around the sun! Truly lucky to be able to spend the day goofin around the trails with friends. Cheers to another year filled with strider bike enduros, shenanigans and friends. I’m sure another 6 mos of working on @sscxwc26bham can deliver all of that and more! 🍻
Thanks for the snaps @gngr_snaps !
THIS SATURDAY 4/4 we are hosting a ride and reg party to start stirring up the stoke for @sscxwc26bham ⚙️⚙️
Meet at 9.30 am at @tailwindcafe , roll at 10.30am. Expect a 30 mile mostly paved ride with dirt side quests for a strider bike enduro, gnomes, snacks and pump tracks! (Route link in bio)
We will be back at Tailwind around 4.20 (lol get it) for 🏆GOLDSPRINTS 🏆, raffle and beers!
On 4/4 (MY BIRTHDAY) join me and the @sscxwc26bham facilitators for an exploration of Seattles shred portals 🌀 meet at 9.30 am at @tailwindcafe , roll at 10.30am. Party and goldsprints at Tailwind cafe starting at 4.30pm!
🚲 all bikes welcome but you will be happier on something with tread
🎉 ride is party pace with chances to regroup
🫠 we will be riding on urban single track, but there are pavement ride options
#sscx #sscxwcbham #singlespeed #nogearsnousac
Sunshine and snow with the pup today. My adorable little motor was spewing snow everywhere and we went full tilt into some spring puddles.
#skijoring #skijoringdog #pnwonderdogs #pointerpower
