Remote ride report from Mitch Dann

Mitch reports in from the great Pacific Northwest: Note that his beer reporting is at least as prominent as the cycling news!! Thanks Mitch!

Hi Chris. Well, won't be able to join you for a ride in the dark. We are bike touring through the San Juan Islands. This photo is atop Mt Constitution, a 2400 foot climb from the village we are staying in.

It's pretty slick moving around on the ferries on bikes. Also have been enjoying the regional brews. The Elysian Immortal IPA was quite good. Off to Bellingham on Friday for parents' weekend and some Boundary Bay IPA. But as you can see in the pic keeping the local brew in mind.

All the best, Mitch

Night rides are in full swing!!

Awesome pic of Dave Byers (courtesy of Mark Hershberger) from last Tuesday's Fitzy's night ride. The shop is holding tues night rides at 6:30 till we get "shut down".

The following night the old guys were in the dark too. (But then again, aren't they always?) 'Twas a good turn out (with a couple of people newly turned on to the high lumen possibilities out there). Sink or swim, out and back on Ferrins and finally a Hagen - Putt-putt. Pitchers of Helles at the Brewpub at the "after party" were well received

This week looks good again for both a Tues and a Wed. Old guys would be in Wilson @ 5:15, Wednesday. Ready for the ridge in the dark? That's what Byers is coming off in the above photo and look at the grin on his face!!

Charge up those batteries, people!

Black Ops

From the "Sourdude":

Hey boys and girls. A quick note on night riding. It rules. For example, take a ride you have done a thousand times.....do it at night with lights and it is a whole new ride.

So C. Erickson and I headed out on Thursday night around Redtop/Munger. We rode some of the new single track and then headed down to the lower Sqaw Creek for some sick single track. Mind you at this point it was still light, but I tricked him into some "trail work". Ha! We moved a few trees, splattered some cow shit on our selves and got out the hand saw for a quick cut. Then it turned DARK. How scary, but luckily we actually had light sets to find our way through the dust. It was really fun. We saw some big black cows and not much else, but we ripped it up for about 2 hours and headed back to the homestead for some tasty beers and Kbobs with Robin. The trails are riding great and I can't wait to get out there again. You have got to try night riding. - Dave S.

With such a great fall this year, a little additional technology can really extend our "short" season. We need a big push this year to bring the old guys into the 21st century with everyone acquiring the newest, high tech light sets. Prices have come down and lumens have gone up. Pry open those wallets guys!!