Ron and Dorothy Strasser

1) The Eric Kautzky Memorial Track races (where I was NOT today) at the velodrome. Sounds like a good time and success. Thanks for keeping that positive spirit alive and well. Tomorrow and Monday look like even better days to ride the track!

2) The trail work party on lower Newton (where I was today).
I did not get to see all the work that was done today up on Newton trail, but the creek crossing I helped with came out very nice. Jeff, Jay Rathe and Fred the main three artists in my work group did a superb job on fitting the rocks in a manner that will work well for riders and hikers and will (minus a huge flood) hold up very well over time. The crossing is as pretty as a picture (that you could ride your bike over). We also built some nice sweeping corners into the long straight section above the crossing. Others worked up higher than us building another type of crossing, cutting out downed trees and cutting back blackberries. What a fun group of people I got to work with today. Have not had that much fun abusing my body by carrying heavy rocks since I was a kid. Watch out up there... in the sun soaked areas (on those rare times we see the sun) the poison oak is leafing out. I think there were 26 of us working... which helps create a very positive of bike riders in the eyes of Forest Park Conservancy, Friends of Forest Park and City of Portland Parks. It also makes Portland look great as Shanti Ware of PUMP pointed out that we donated over $2400 of volunteer work to/for our own community. These hours also go into the clout IMBA has in advancing our bike access based on grassroots work on sustainable trails. Now go out, ride and enjoy it (that includes all you over 50s... good for the heart and spirit).
ron
ps... sorry about any typos/grammar flaws... I gave those details up when I graduated from OSU.