At Echo Red to Red

I would like to begin by thanking Lloyd and Lois Piercy for the generous use of their property and Brian (and crew) for the effort they put into organization and production of this awesome race!

After a little confusion finding I-84 east from the shop (cyclists make horrible freeway navigators) and a mid-way overnight stay at the wonderful Hillview Inn in Rufus (they have an extensive collection of DVD’s for your viewing pleasure, we chose “Garden State”) , I found myself at the start of the Echo Red to Red mountain bike race. The town of Echo, OR was kind enough to close a section of downtown to host a crowd of spandex-clad riders matching the town population in size.
We began with a neutral start through town, a “pace” truck pulled us along (at a pace just barely sustainable on my single speed) until we hit a gravel farm road and an open invitation to GIV’R! I planned early to follow a stronger rider (John Dorfer), it paid off well. John powered to the right side and shot us past a large chunk of the field, putting us in a decent position for the start of the single track. The early part of the race favored strong riders who could power off the trail through the rough ground and make a pass. I followed John through a few, and then had to retreat.
Now, on my own, I sat in and passed as many as I could on the climbs (being small has some advantages!). The trail was dry and fast, the new tires (from Bontrager) that I installed the day before were designed for these conditions, and it showed. I was carrying speed as if on pavement and clinging to the off camber like a booger… a fast booger.
There was plenty of twisting turns and ups and downs to challenge all of us out there. Cut out, life size cowboys popped up here and there to give us a “good ‘ol boy” welcome. Under one of the bridge crossings, the “Duke” himself (John Wayne) gave his support. I was overwhelmed with the amount of single track built on this (private) ranch. I cannot imagine the amount of hours it must have taken but man, it sure made for a sweet course.
The extra section added for the Cat1/Pro/single speed field was full of homemade bridges and obstacles. A log bridge was placed at one creek crossing that prompted a few riders to go for an unplanned swim!
The 28.8 mile course looped back into downtown Echo for the finish. We came into the final stretch on pavement and I was set up with another single speed rider (Tony Pereira) for an amazing sprint finish, you know “Cavendish” style. Tony was on a Cat 1 rider’s wheel and I was right on his. Tony is a stronger rider than me, but I was planning to use my positional advantage and beat him to the line. We were tucked in, speeding for the finish. I was getting ready to attack, trying to time it right, Tony was looking back, ready to go. I checked once more for the finish distance, then… BAM! I crossed Tony’s wheel, throwing myself to the pavement. I held onto my bike while sliding then jumped up into a full run and remounted. I sprinted as hard as I could to close the gap, but Tony crossed first. I finished in 9th place; I will take any top ten I can get, it was a memorable finish to a great race and a great day.

Let Brett guide you through the process with his unique brand of humor and insight. Brett is the General service manager for all 6 Bike Gallery stores, he is tool maker and holds a patent with Shimano for one of the tools that he designed. He was also voted as Portland’s best bike mechanic by Portland Monthly magazine.

A customer who recently experienced the hands on overhaul had this to say:

“We had a heap of aluminum and steel bits and pieces lumped into a basket for cleaning in an environmentally friendly solvent bath that no home shop is going to offer. Turning that pile back into a functioning bike revealed the elegance of design of the modern bicycle. Whatever level of involvement a person wants to have in the overhaul process will bring deeper appreciation for the simple genius of bicycles.”

The overhaul service alone usually costs $275, this special one-on-one overhaul is a fantastic value at $350! The service is available only on Sundays and space is limited, so make an appointment today. (psst! This is the perfect gift idea for the cyclist who has it all!)

It’s around this time every year when bicycle manufacturers finish releasing their newest line of bikes and make them available to the public. It should come as no surprise then that around this same time bike shop employees are given the opportunity to take out some of these new releases and get an idea of what the upcoming year has to offer. Bicycle manufacturer powerhouse Trek is no different and this past weekend Bike Gallery staff members were set free in the Tillamook forest aboard some of Trek and Gary Fisher’s latest off-road creations to put them through the ringer and see how they fared. This is only one of the very cool perks of working in a bike shop, and I for one was certainly looking forward to tearing up some trail on some super nice bikes. This type of on-bike experience is also one of the best ways to let our customers know how these bikes ride, allowing the Bike Gallery staff to offer “best in class” information regarding how the bikes handle in different situations. We would be riding at the Brown’s Camp trail network which I think is an ideal spot to test the merit of these bikes in true Northwest trail conditions. .
Well, as Sunday morning arrived - demo day - so did the rain. In your formative years your dad may have said something profound (in his mind) and as you would realize years later, cliche: something to the affect of “nothing is free” or “anything worth having is worth working for.” It turns out that dad was right on this Sunday and we would, indeed, have to “pay to play” (I’m sticking with cliche; it worked for dad). As we drove west towards Tillamook it didn’t take long to notice the snow on the hills in the distance. It took even less time to realize that those hills is where we were headed. As we closed in on Brown’s Camp snow fell from the sky and we geared up in our cold weather gear topped with our rain gear (payment for a day full of riding?). Immediately upon entering the parking lot of Brown’s Camp we noticed that the Trek Demo trailer, a 20 plus foot trailer packed to the gills with 2010 road and mt. bikes, was nowhere to be seen. Hmmm, that’s odd. Where could Dax (the northwest demo rep for trek) and his trailer of goodies be? Sure would be nice to have cell phone coverage out here…

So, to make a long story short, after forty minutes of searching the maze of access roads in and around the Brown’s Camp area (more payment?), as well as changing an unfortunate flat on the car (which is a story in itself-even more payment?) we finally descended upon Dax and his toys. With the unexpected “pay to play” aspect of the day behind us it was time to actually work and when I say work, I mean play! Although snow and rain are not necessarily ideal riding conditions, they are ideal demo conditions, especially in the Northwest. Around these parts we spend about eight months a year in the rain and mud so it makes sense that we would test bikes in these same conditions and really see how these bikes would handle the extremely harsh conditions of our little corner of the country.

We gave ourselves two trail options off of the main access road: taking a right onto some single track lead us into a short smooth climb followed by a quick, twisting descent followed by a long rooty climb. Increasing the difficulty of this second climb was the addition of a literal river running down the middle of the trail do to all the rain fall and snow melt. After climbing this section of roots we would spin a 180 and do the trail in reverse offering us a wet and slippery descent, a quick climb and a final descent back to the main access road. The other option was to take a left off the access road onto a flowy, relatively groomed downhill, winding down to the river with one short, steep climb in the middle. Both trails offered some good technical riding, descents and climbs giving us a pretty good testing ground. Now, without further ado let us get to the bikes!

For 2010 Trek and Gary Fisher have, to an extent, joined forces by taking some of the best technologies from each company and utilizing them in both manufacturers lines resulting in some of the best handling and most versatile line of bikes I have ever ridden. Think ABP (Trek’s ‘active braking pivot’), think E2 (Trek’s tapered headtube), think DRCV(Gary Fisher/Fox Racing Shox collaboration rear shock technology) to name a few technologies found on both companies line of mountain bikes. These designs have lead to bikes that are laterally stiff front and rear, accelerate with gusto, climb with grace and efficiency and descend with confidence and stability. What does all that mean to the rider? In one word: FUN!
The first bike I rode was Trek’s newest addition to their off-road line: Scratch. Scratch is Trek’s freeride, dual-slalom, dirt-jump, pump-track, super-D point and shoot bike. Basically a downhill bike on a diet Scratch is designed to allow riders to attack the downhill but not have to rely on a chair-lift to get back to the top. I was amazed at its pedaling ability considering the amount of travel front and rear as well as the geometry, which is perfect for what it is designed for. With a super short top tube and what felt like a matching wheel base the Scratch was incredibly maneuverable, held its turns in the wet and climbed! In fact, it is the only bike I was able to climb a tough section on with-out having to get off and push. The Scratch I rode was also set up with a stunning color-way thanks to Sram’s color options, which matched some anodized shifter and derailleur parts with the frame’s decal kit. It makes for a very eye-catching bike. If Hood River’s Post Canyon trail network and Black Rock are some of your favorite trails then this may be the bike for you.

The next bike I got on was Trek’s Fuel EX 9.9. This is Trek’s full carbon trail bike that is outfitted with Fox’s DRCV rear shock for 2010. This rear shock has been discussed at length (go ahead, google it) and changes this bikes small bump compliance and climbing prowess. This bike has been a favorite among Bike Gallery staff and the biggest difference I noticed from previous years is its acceleration and responsiveness when climbing out of the saddle. Most of which I attribute to the new rear shock, but I am sure that the full carbon frame doesn’t hurt either. Up, down all around this bike leaves little to be desired and it is my belief that for the majority of the trails in our area this bike borders on perfection. However I can’t deny that many people currently have a desire for more suspension as longer travel bikes become more efficient climbers. Enter Trek’s Remedy.

The Remedy 9.9 is by and far the most impressive bike available in Trek’s line and left the majority of test riders licking their chops and trying to figure out how to save money for their own. This bike takes the climbing ability of a cross-country bike and combines it with the descending ability of a freeride bike creating the most versatile and fun bike I have ridden in recent memory. Add a Fox TALAS suspension fork with QR15 axle to the front, a Joplin adjustable height seat post and a full carbon frame with “carbon armor” (google that too) and you have one bike that can do absolutely anything outside of the pro level cross-country and downhill events. Stiff, light, adjustable, efficient up, rippin down? check, check, check, check and check! If the Fuel EX borders on perfection, the Remedy steps over that border and re-defines perfect. Sure, this is just my opinion, but bottom-line is this bike is worth a test ride.

Four hours of biking in a river left me soaked to the bone, but also left me with an ear to ear smile that I could not wipe off my face. Every bike I rode was an absolute pleasure and was well worth the minor challenges we had to face to make this demo happen. Sure, as dad said “anything worth having is worth working for”, or something like that, and Trek’s line of mountain bikes for 2010 is well worth working for. Get on one!

Do you bike, hike, or ride horses on Powell Butte?

This rainy season you will have the opportunity to participate in a pilot project to test the theory that people can have more trail access and take better care of the trails by staying off the trails when they are muddy.

In past wet seasons, Portland Parks & Recreation - City Nature managed a trail closure program that closed trails when wet. The trouble was, trails were closed when rain was expected or there were only a few wet spots. There were different opinions about what is wet? When will bike tires, horse hooves, feet, or paws damage trails?

Portland Parks & Recreation - City Nature listened to trail user frustrations and agreed to a one season pilot project to test the theory that trail users can take good care of a nature park and its trails using self–management on trails.

You will see new signs posted at trailheads and trail junctions saying “Trails closed when muddy”.

If a trail is dry, enjoy! If a trail is muddy and you can see your tracks, please do not use it. Please use consideration when passing other trail users.

Thanks for taking care of Powell Butte Nature Park!

A collaborative effort with: Northwest Trail Alliance, Portland Parks and Recreation, Friends of Powell Butte, and equestrians.

Join us at the Downtown Bike Gallery and gain winter riding know-how! On Friday, November 20th, from 6-8:30 p.m., our Downtown store—on SW 10th & Salmon—will be hosting Winter Bike School, a fun, informal evening dedicated to keeping you riding all year round. Representatives from Shimano and Trek will show off the latest in winter commuting bikes and gear. The Bicycle Transportation Alliance will provide winter cycling tips and route planning. Master mechanic Brett Flemming will teach basic maintenance and flat repair. Knowledgeable staff will explain rain gear, fenders, lights, gloves, and more. We’ll have special deals on select product, and plenty of food and refreshments.

This is a great opportunity to learn what it takes to ride all year round. With the right gear, you’ll be riding warm, dry, and happy. See you there!

Special offer: click here to print a coupon for $5 off your purchase of $25 or more! *

* Offer valid November 20th only. BTA members will receive 10% off all parts and accessories in addition to this coupon and any sale pricing. Interested in becoming a BTA member?

Coming up November 22nd is the Kruger’s Crossing race on Sauvie Island. Join us for a day of fun races and events. There’s something for the whole family. The race takes place at Kruger’s Farm, a beautiful location only 20 minutes from Portland. There will be a beer garden, food, and a bonfire. Bike Gallery will be on hand checking tire pressure and making minor adjustments. Come check out the fun!

And cross season keeps rolling in December. The National Championship race will be on the west coast again, this year in Bend, Oregon. Nationals is the most important race in the US all season, and the fastest racers in the country will be here to try to win the stars and stripes jersey. Look for local talent Kona’s Ryan Trebon to make a stand on his home turf. Nationals will take place in Bend’s Old Mill District on December 10-13th.

If you haven’t yet made it out to a cyclocross race, now’s the time!

My mom Judy is 68, her knees aren’t so good but she wanted to get some exercise. A few years back I got her an adult trike hoping this would give her an opportunity to get exercise on a bike. She started just tooling around the neighborhood at first, then she’d ride to the store about a mile away. Eventually she created this loop that was a little further including a local bike path. I went down to visit last spring and was shocked and impressed to see that the pedals were worn out from lots of use, when I got home I sent new ones. Recently she asked me how she could train to ride 15 miles because there was a local wine country ride with a 60, 30, and 15 mile option (my parents live in the southern Bay Area). I sent her a Trek bike computer so she could monitor her mileage, and she found out that her loop was already 10 miles! She was so excited because she thought that she had only been riding 5 miles. A few weeks back she did the 15 mile ride with no problem. She wishes she could ride faster, but is nervous of a fall so she prefers the 3 wheeler. I’m really proud of her for doing the ride. It was definitely a big accomplishment.

Adult tricycles are avilable at our Division location (SE 109th & Division). Store manager Peter Lunoak has this to add:

The adult trikes we carry (Trek and Torker) are a great solution for people who want to experience the freedom and self sufficiency of riding a bike, but who either don’t feel comfortable on a bike, or simply can’t ride a bike due to some sort of mobility challenge. We’ve outfitted customers with conditions ranging from joint degeneration, MS, Vertigo…In every case our customers feel a wonderful sense of liberation.

What’s so great about bike commuting? Bike commuting, besides being a chance to get outdoors, is great for one’s physical and mental health. It’s also an opportunity to show your commitment to our community: less traffic congestion, less pollution/climate change, and it reduces the strain on the economic costs of health care.

What is the general feeling about bike commuting at the Downtown store? Does this change during the highly competitive Commute Challenge? Our attitude is that commuting is what we do: we go by bike! And yes, during the BCC the peer pressure is intense. We don’t settle for anything less than full commitment.

Who has the most difficult commute in your store? Mary has a short but brutish 17% grade at the end of her trip home. Garrett’s trip is the longest (17 miles). Jude has to cross Powell, 39th, Hawthorne, and negotiate the “Morning Hawthorne Crit,” AKA the morning trip across the bridge. I’d have to say that this year Saki takes the prize for difficulty; he doesn’t own a bike right now, so he never knew what we’d be scrounging up for him. He rode it all: cargo bikes, cheapo bikes, women’s bikes, ill-fitting bikes, and numerous trips on a Shimano Coasting bike! His commute was definitely the most trying.

Who has it the easiest? JP and Greg don’t even need to wake up to get here. You’ll want to watch out for them on the Hawthorne Bridge!

What kind of arm twisting does it take to get employees to ride to work 99.2% of trips for a month? I threw this question out to my co-workers, since I was the arm-twisting team captain. Responses ranged from: “Have you priced parking a car downtown?” To, “The peer pressure was relentless!” The best summary was, “Have you ever met Joan?”

Any words of encouragement to potential bike commuters? If you’re thinking about giving bike commuting a go, remember, do what works for you. Each trip is an accomplishment. Sunny days only, once a week, once a month, or only during BCC, it all helps you and the community. You don’t have to wear a snorkel and get decked out in neon green, like the hard core commuters. You have your own style, and we’d love to see it!

Finally, I’d like to add that Daniel McGinnis (Bike Gallery General Manager) and Jay Graves (Bike Gallery owner) make it easy for us. Other workplaces would benefit from doing some of the things they’ve put in place for us: indoor, secure bike parking; a place to store wet rain gear; showers; and a pay incentive. It all adds up to happy employees.

Much like the performance-oriented R/RL/RXL inForm saddles, the Nebula Plus line utilizes size-specific curvature to best fit the skeletal structure of the rider. Thus, it is available in three widths for men and three widths for women.

However, the Nebula Plus inForm has been designed for the unique support needs of someone riding a hybrid or city bike where their torso is much more upright and more of their weight is born by the sit bones (the performance inForm seats are designed to bear more weight on the pubic arch, also known as the iscial rami). To further increase comfort, Bontrager has integrated the Contour Relief Zone (a relieved section on the top of the saddle that removes material that would otherwise create pressure on soft-tissue (this feature was originally offered on the inForm WSD performance saddles) and Flex Form Technology, a rubber elastomer, which allows the saddle to subtly rotate side-to-side while pedaling to accommodate the natural movement of the pelvis.

A lot of saddle manufacturers place cut-outs of various sizes on their seats, claiming that this leads to increased comfort. But, you might notice that the Bontrager inForm seats don’t have them. Pressure mapping performed as part of the research that led to these saddles actually showed that a cut-out can increase pressure, sacrificing comfort.

Determining your correct size is crucial as an apparently large-framed rider may take a small size and a small-framed rider may require a wider saddle. Fortunately, figuring out your correct saddle width is simple thanks to a special sizing device that takes an imprint of your sit-bones in a material called Z-FLOW. A color-coded slider then helps determine what width of inForm saddle you need.

Trying one out comes with almost no risks as well. Between Bike Gallery’s 100% satisfaction guarantee and Bontrager’s 90-day comfort guarantee on the inForm saddles you have to time to experience the inForm saddle yourself and discover how it works for you.

Where did the idea come from?
The idea to race the Crusade at Alpenrose astride our Madsen Utility Bucket arose from the preparation process for a later race we plan on contesting. That and we also wanted to really see what the Madsen is capable of… One bike with well over 300 pounds of “cargo” bumping along a cross course seems to me the perfect sea trial.You know, if the bike can survive that kind of punishment, it says a lot about its ability to haul some kiddies to school, or a big load of groceries home from the store.

What kind of preperations did you make?
Preparation began the day before the race with some minor modifications to our otherwise stock bike. For example removing the big double kickstand, the adjustable stem and the fenders, fabricating a guide for the slack side of the chain and putting on some knobby tires. Other than that our “training” involved working out a technique for flying dismounts and remounts a few minutes before the start.

What was the race like?
I have never pedaled so hard to go so slow…

How did the crowd react?
There was all sorts of hootin and hollerin, rubber boots a-stompin’ and bells a-ringin’. I’m not sure if it was all for us, but nobody cursed us or spit on us. So I’d say they loved it!

High/low points in the race?
High point I’d have to say was surviving the whole three laps without a single crash! We had some close calls… In particular the last time we finished the run-up Brice must have botched his part of the remount. Maybe he went in head first — I don’t know. But he made some sort of indescribable “pain sound” and then the bike was tilting hard to the left and then the right. For a moment I was certain that we were about to slam into the concrete wall of the velodrome or otherwise topple off the high side of the slope. Miraculously we made it through that… Lowpoint? None really. This first decisive victory in the Cargo bike category erased all my memories of pain and suffering!

For more photos of this historic event, have a look at David Anderson’s flickr photoset.