Archives : 2009 : June
June 29th, 2009
Kirin blogging here: being a new mom I spend more time with my baby and less time guiding or being on trail at all. Regardless, I still need to get out for the occasional adventure. So, last Thursday Erika, Lindsey (both Cogwild guides), Jodi (from Sunnyside) and I headed east to ride Lookout Mountain.
Getting out of town is part of the adventure. We left early in the morning and drove through Prineville to the Ochoco Ranger Station. From there we rode the road up to the saddle and hopped on single track up to the Independent Mine Trailhead. Next, the four mile singletrack up to the summit of Lookout was spectacular. There were so many flowers they were growing onto the trail. I accidentally ran them over, oops. Penstemon, Lupine, Mule’s Ears, Oregon Sunshine, Columbine, Larkspur, Buckwheat, the flowers changed as we gained elevation until they carpeted the summit. Lower down there were Western Iris throughout the meadows.
At the top, we took a break to check out the view and regroup before the gnarly descent. Erika cleaned the rock garden! What a stud. I get all tense with the exposure and chicken out early. I prefer the lower sections that speed through the Ponderosas and the meadows.
Although trail work had been done on the uphill, the downhill still had about 10 big trees down that we had to climb over or crawl under. They weren’t a big deal, I like the opportunity to stretch and catch my breath before the downhill resumes.
Jodi took a digger on an off camber rocky section and split open her elbow. We were able to practice our first aid skills, which was fun. We butterflied her wound closed and she later got stitches at urgent care. The incident moved the ride to the epic adventure category.
On the way home we stopped for ice cream at the Tasty Freeze in Prineville. The day reminded me what I like best about riding: just being out there.
 Photographs by Lindsey Voreis
June 26th, 2009
Bend is not only great for mountain biking, but evening cruiser crawl’n. Thursday night has turned into the night that folks meet, with costumes or funky apparel if possible and cruise the streets.
Of course 80’s music piped through an old school boom box from an iPod shuffle sets the tone. Last night, cruising downtown with Michael Jackson’s Thriller pumping seemed very appropriate, people hooted and hollered and of course stopped to dance as well.
Join us next week – 7pm at Riverside Market. Bring some brews, funky attire and be ready to ride the streets!!
 The important factors: boom box, brews and funky clothing!
 Music booms best in a tunnel! Dance Party!
June 13th, 2009
With the weather over the past week comprised mostly of SEVERE thunderstorms, dust is the least of our worries. For my tour on Friday the worry was, “Hey do you all have jackets?” We got everyone sporting a nice new rain coat and headed out to Funner, skies: Mostly sunny. By the end of the day, and within one mile of Phil’s trailhead the skies opened up and everyone finally knew why I insisted we all have rain jackets. The riding was epic with all the great moisture on the soil but it was better to ride prepared! Nobody would have had any fun without their jackets. Remember, as we say at the BBFT, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” (Such as cotton t-shirts on a rainy day!) Have a great one and stay warm & dry. -Woody
Posted by Cog Wild Guide Crew at 8:41 pm:
2 comments
As the season turns to summer mountain bikers migrate to the higher elevations like the elk. Our drive for higher pastures is the desire to ride the high alpine trails outside of Bend. And to get away from the trails that have become dusty and loose.
 
While slipping and sliding around in the loose trails can be great fun, we all long for the great open meadows and swooping trails up high.We will be there very soon.
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