Ron and Dorothy Strasser

A quick review from my perspective...if not interested, delete and move on.

Although I was kicked by a horse at Sherwood Saturday, I picked up Marantz and we took the bus with the assisted lift to the South Fork of the Alsea for the XC champs (AARP approved). I spent a bunch of time here back in my college days. Wow! The trees sure are large now. And it is COOL! Not HOT! Very nice. As usual Ripley had the course dialed in and made sure it was not "Easy" but "Fun" to make it to the finish. After the neutral roll out, all the fast people rode away from me, but I kept pushing. I got my walker (leaning on my bike as I hiked) out on the bottom part of the steep climb and got through lap one just on the fun of the downhill alone! Made it a little further up the hill on lap two before grabbing the walker and even thought about topping out again after the finish so I could get one more downhill run. Second run down was more dialed in and faster. The third time up the hill, I stayed in my middle ring and pushed at least another 200' before the walker beckoned. Remounted at the pink flag and hammered up the rest of the way in middle ring to way fun singletrack. Then when I was on the last gravel climb toward finish in big ring...made the smart choice to not push past finish to do one more descent. The temptation was gone! My back was not great, but better than when I started! And.......
the picnic and waterfall beckoned. After appropriate socializing with several faster/stronger riders and downing burger and chips............it was into the falls. As great as the race was........the falls (we named "Iguana" back in the college days) managed to cast her spell on me again and provided adequate cool down, cold water massage and reminder of natures ability to restore our physical and mental being. Thanks Ripley family, Sponsors, Volunteers for energizing me. GREAT PLACE FOR A RACE !
Remember. Yes. We are all getting older, but that gives you more chances to appreciate the things you do each day.
ron