Anthony Cree
The pedalfest went away primarily because my brother and I moved out of the
area. It came back for two years after that when Chris Sandmel picked it
up, but then he moved as well. I think the first two years were both in
Sept, and turnouts were acceptable. There are actually even more trails in
the Mill City area now, but hardly anyone mtn biking them. Mtn bike use
would be great to even out the horse destruction.
Hoodoo was great, one of my favorite places. The original shredtopia on
flat mtn might be the best mtn bike course ever.
On Jan 29, 2008 12:40 PM, Chris Brandt wrote:
> I made a list of some of my favorite former Oregon MTB events that no
> longer exist. Note, these were all held between June 1 and
> mid-September. Interestingly, these were my favorite because the
> weather was nice! Was it because of the weather, or my easily garnered
> successes due to lack of competitors. Did they all burn out? Or was I
> just faster.
>
> Euphoria Ridge Rumble (Myrtle Point)
> Mt. Ashland Rendezvous (Ashland)
> Black Forest Rally (Hoodoo)
> Shredtopia (Corvallis/Starker)
> Flying M Ranch (Yamhill)
> Klamath Heat (Klamath Falls)
> Dustslinger (Bend)
> Gorge Games (Post Canyon Hood River)
> Santiam Pedalfest
> Oakridge Fat Tire Festival
>
> I've always wondered, in all my years racing MTB in Oregon, why there
> are so many early season races and why so few later ones. I know I am
> not alone here, and I share many of the same opinions as Evan Plews.
> (Link: http://tinyurl.com/33ejzq ) I could never understand why
> people chose to train and race when the weather is the worst, and the
> daylight is of short supply. Yes, in order to be successful at
> something, you have to put a lot of time and energy into it, and that
> isn't always pleasant. Starting to train in those cold/wet months is
> the correct time to do it, in order to be on peak form for those early
> races. But, if the races were later, you could apply that same exact
> training plan to a slightly later time frame and, more than likely,
> find more pleasure in doing it! It really IS miserable to try to put
> your long easy base miles in when it's dark and raining after work or
> on the trainer. Not if you live in Southern California, but in Oregon,
> yes.
>
> You don't have to stop racing mid summer to prepare for cyclocross.
> Maybe a couple light weeks as a break is nice. It doesn't require that
> much more specific training than necessary for other types of racing.
> Only some running, and shorter but harder workouts to mimic the nature
> of those sub-1 hour events. But, even still, if you start too early
> for CX, you'll end up w/ TOO MUCH intensity in your legs and become
> frazzled and burnt before CX season is over.
>
> Now that CX has become so popular, more and more racers are needing a
> break from the intensity of racing for 10-14 weekends straight,
> sometimes twice a wknd. It seems to me now that it makes even MORE
> sense to delay the start of spring/summer events. Especially as they
> start to consider extending CX into January. !?!? If not, will those
> early season promoters start to see diminished participation?
>
> Maybe a delay isn't the sole solution either. Maybe it is simply a
> matter of having no more than 2-3 weeks in a row, before a week or two
> off. Seems to me that would keep folks fresher and eager to race, yet
> also encourage continued recreational riding on the "free weekends"
> ideally group rides that include newer/younger racers to learn the
> ropes, build friendships, and gain experience before jumping into an
> "epic muddy death march" out in the middle of nowhere. As an elite
> racer with a full time job, it is difficult to make the time to
> include new folks when I'm racing EVERY weekend!
>
> Looking forward to racing the MTB this year. Thanks again to all the
> promoters that make this happen, regardless of when you hold your
> race. Without you, we'd still be a bunch of complainers, only w/ fewer
> races to attend.
>
> Chris Brandt
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