This weeks cyclocross was over in Hood River. I have decided not to race this year as my back is still giving me issues. So I rode up from Government Camp to Timberline Lodge to see if I've improved. My time was actually 30 seconds slower. I blame the weather (it was 30 deg colder and raining). Matt DNFed as his knee was not feeling the runups. Ingrid did a sweet jump.

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I put a gate inbetween the garage and the house to block out the back yard for the dogs to roam free. Unfortunately the possums are in the side yard sometimes, and Rocky thinks it's cool to roll around in their scat. It's beyond shag nasty.

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We went over to the beach with Ingrid's dad Tom and the dogs. We showed him the important places like Camp 18 and the Tillamook Cheese Factory.

Photos

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We went over to the Chapman schoolyard to watch the swifts. Mom made a kickass picnic and we hung out until the birds went to sleep.

Here is video of the birds in action.

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We have been meaning to make a jersey for Team Kermantle, but have been lazy. So we finally went out and took some pictures we could use for the jersey. Keevin was a good sport about hanging from a thin harness from a tree on the side of Mt. Tabor (the dangerous South face of course.)

As a dry run, Ingrid and I put together a T-shirt until we get the jersey design completed.

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For Ingrid's birthday, Matt had the idea of bringing her dad up as a surprise. So we packaged him and flew him up from Arizona to escape their crappy rainy weather. We took him to Krugers to watch us get our asses whupped and then out to sushi to celebrate. We had honey cake and it was really fricking good. Now she's like 28.

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We did the 2nd race at Krugers, this time the course was reversed. This was Karen's first time and she now shall be hooked.

On the first lap of the mens race some dude got clipped and went down on his head. Jeremy went over his bars and crashed as well. The guy was unconsious and breathing funny with a pool of blood by his head. He rolled himself over and we tried to hold him down and keep his head from moving until the medics could get there. After the medics got him boarded and going we all went back to the start line for a 2nd start. Jeremy was out as his bike was hosed.

The second start was much better and no one got taken out. Well, Keevin's rear tire flatted so he had to bail around the 4th lap. It was harder today as it was so hot and dry. My times were about 20-30 seconds faster than the previous week.

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For work on Friday our group went out on the jetboat downtown. It was uber fun and everyone had a good time getting soaked with our spinouts.

Video of spinout

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For the long weekend we (Ingrid, me, Ron, Angel, Dan Little, Cyndi and her dude) went over to City of Rocks in Idaho. The weather was perfect with low 80s and light winds. Everyone had a great time (except Cyndi who got heat exhaustion - she's ok now.) We got in good climbs on all days (though never enough). I had my first fall outside on a thin climb Castle Keep (5.8). We all agreed that the ratings were a bit stiff, maybe 1 or 2 grades. It seemed like none of them were sustained but the hardest move was at least a grade harder than listed. Or we are wimps. The van did pretty well on the way there and back. While there the left rear wheel was making bad noises so Ingrid spent an hour repacking the bearings. Noise begone. I helped by not touching the van and eating Ritz. On our last full day we hiked out to Site 18 and decided to ignore (which is close to ignorance?) the incoming thunderstorm. After 2 climbs and the sight of lightning above the chains we decided to hightail it back to the van. Ingrid saw a rattlesnake on the path back. We were going to use it for food like Bear but it was too wet to start a fire.

Day 1

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Day 2

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Today was the first cyclocross race of the season on Sauvie's Island at Kruger's farm. It was a criterium and had no barriers or run ups. Ingrid and Matt rode with the Bs, and JT and I rode with the Cs. It was pretty badass and fast.

Our results were pretty good I think. I tried to pace myself and not go out too fast so I could finish strong. My splits were 6:18, 6:18, 6:35, 6:28, 6:28, 6:30, 6:20, 6:19. Ingrid helped by telling me I could go faster on the last 2, so I kicked it up a little.

Heart rate during race

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