Echo Red 2 Red

     Last weekend marked the beginning of the 2013 XC mountain bike season here in Oregon and it's about time! Bob, Shane, Sam and Cory made the trek out to Echo late Friday night for a long awaited weekend of mountain biking. 

Cory trying to get fancy with
the camera the night before the race...

Eric (Mr. shop owner) was kind enough to let us use his giant truck to haul all of our bikes and long legs so the trip was as comfortable as possible! We rolled into camp at about 11 and unlike a prius, the turbo diesel is not silent under 5 mph. But we set up camp as quickly as possible and hit the sack!

Bob after breakfast, apparently attempting
 to seduce the photographer

Saturday morning came and we were up by 8 and eager to get on our bikes! But first came breakfast with some older gentlemen. 

Killing time before the race.

Shane and Bob were in the first to go and they started at 11. The course consisted of a long neutral start, a couple miles or so of gravel road then tight, bumpy, switchback madness single track! It was a great course that broke everyone's saddles in for the new season.

Bob lost a water bottle twice and chose to turn back and pick it up both times, which left him in the back part of the field to finish in 35th. Shane fared better and ended up with 17th. Cory got the opportunity to practice early-race flat fixes and didn't make it to single track before picking up a goat's head. After slowly repairing his flat tire, he was able to enjoy a nice ride in the back of the pack, ending up in 37th place. All in all it was a good first race of the season for the team!

Fried ice cream. 

Following the race we ate burritos, listened to the live bands and then cleaned up (a little) and headed to Hermiston for Cory's birthday dinner! Shane got most of the restaurant to chime in and I got some free fried ice cream! Not a bad b-day.

Sunday we woke to sunny and windy skies. Bob and Sam quickly headed to the Niner van to pick up their demo bikes and we were on the trails by 10.

Cory peering thoughtfully into the distance.

We headed to the technical river section via the sketchy side hill of death to start the day. It turned out to be a beautiful day and after 3 hours of riding our favorite parts of the course we were spent and ready to head home!




I can't think of a better way to start the season! I Look forward to sharing the rest of our MTB adventures with you all this spring and we'll be back with more fun stories next week!

Sam ripping some turns.

Kai ripping some skulls.

Goodbye small towns of northeast Oregon!!