King Ridge 2008

What is the Grasshopper series all about? It could perhaps be summarized in poem, or how about a painting? If last year was the first time you rode Meyers Grade you probably didn't know this is the view you missed. I wore two jerseys, a vest, a long sleeve jersey and a plastic raincoat. Face felt like...well...hail in the face and eyeballs at 45 mph! Charles Beck is a local painter and cyclist, can you tell by his perspective on Sonoma County? I believe this piece is still for sale but if you come out this weekend you'll have the image etched on your retina for free. We try to mix this loop up every year since there's so many options. Be prepared for a 7 mile downhill dirt section sandwiched between some 20% climbs. Makes for a tough call on tires eh? That's the point of all this; that and the fact that traditionally many riders end up hitch hiking home from Jenner or snuggling up with some smoked salmon and a cold coke hoping they'll find a shorter way up Willow Creek. Not for the faint of heart.

Sasquatch Climb Cancelled!

Due to a conflict with the Lemurian and the fact that we'd be poaching on this course the Hill Climb/Downhill is canceled. For those of you who know the course we'll just show up someday and do it in a small group. Sorry if you were excited about learning trails. There are public trails in Willow Creek of the new Sonoma Coast State Beach. Check out Landpath's for orientation info and a map. Happy Trails, Mig

Punto de los Reyes

History tells that Sir Francis Drake anchored at "Drakes Bay" for nearly a month without the slightest view atop Mt. Vision. He undoubtedly did not name it thus. For those of you who stopped seeing cross-eyed long enough were gifted with a viewed unmatched on the Pacific Coast. Up Tomales Bay from Mt. Vision you can see as far a St. Helena, to the west you can see the cliffs towards the lighthouse, up Bofax climb a majestic view of Stinson Beach and Bolinas Lagoon and then on Bofax Ridge the view you see in this photo, sort of. I forgot to mention the view of Mt. Diablo and San Pablo Bay looking east. I won't lie to you. When I got to the view looking east I was too busy enjoying passing Emil who was taking a leak and and snorting Emergen C and Dan B. who was massaging his busting hammies. I did sneak a peak in looking up the Tomales Bay and even heard a hoot from one of the Arcata bro's who managed to take a bit in before dropping me on Mt. Vision pavement. I love this ride! I can take all the suffering in the world if I'm rewarded with single track during and at the end. My goals were a bit lofty today, I wanted to win. Bit of the old me coming back with my sporadic fitness, but it was not to be. Duh! Tough guy Glenn Fant took his victory in a time of 2:33 followed a minute back by Chris Brown and then Duncan, George and Yuri. Year in and year out it's the same fella's filling out the leader board. Dan Harding was up there along with Shane. It's a close race in the overall between Shane, Chris and George. Nice to see the consistency this year which will make for a more exciting last couple of races. Remember that Lake Sonoma will be double points as usual. Sara P. won the ladies but I heard paid the price with some serious effort at the end to fight off Cathy C. (my little sister) in the end. Gina Hall was out for the fun too! I know most of you have been looking for results all week...Katrina did a great job...Kim uploaded them...then I went and changed my page and lost the photo and results links. You'll have to wait on this one! Happy trails.
Mig