Mountain bikers gather for a grueling 3-day tour
Bulletin, The (Bend, OR) - Monday, October 20, 2008
Author: Lauren Dake The Bulletin
Just a few miles past Suttle Lake in the Corbett Sno-park parking lot, about 100 mountain bikers readied themselves for an arduous 20-mile loop up and down Cache Mountain on Sunday morning.
Street clothing was exchanged for black, padded spandex. Tires were inflated and water bottles filled.
Sunday was the finale of Bend's Big Fat Tour 2008, a three-day bike tour on different trails throughout Central Oregon. Those who completed the event were rewarded with a simple red, white and black patch that has the word "whining" with a line through it.
People came from as far away as Portland, Hood River and even Idaho to participate in the 14th annual ride. Of the 150 participants, only about 20 or 30 completed the entire "Epic Ride," said Scott Greenstone, one of the race organizers.
"The number whittles down as the days go by," Greenstone said. "But 20 or 30 is a lot. In past years, the number has been more like five."
Paul Thomasberg, a former professional mountain biker, started the noncompetitive event to give people a chance to race on trails they may not be able to ride by themselves.
"It's all about the ride," he said.
It's also all about charity - all the proceeds from the event go to bicycle-oriented charities, such as the Central Oregon Trail Alliance and Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation's summer bicycling program.
Rob Landauer, 29, of Bend, said the tour gives bikers a chance to meet other riders, and that there was a strong sense of camaraderie during the event.
As the bikers got ready Sunday, some of the already-sore participants couldn't help thinking ahead to the afternoon, and what they'd be doing once the ride was over.
Anka Martin, 31, of Bend, said she signed up for the event to challenge herself and ride trails in the area that she's never tried.
She accomplished both - but not without a cost.
"I feel like a truck hit me," Martin said before the Sunday ride, with a smile. "I feel 51, not 31."
But, she said, she was determined to get that patch. And once she did?
"I'm going to eat, a lot," she said.
Other riders had similar thoughts, and several mentioned a stop at Deschutes Brewery. One rider was already imagining her post-ride milkshake.
Drew Holmes , 37, of Bend, who said the Saturday ride in the Ochoco National Forest "was the hardest of my life," said Sunday he would skip the milkshake and beer, and go straight for a martini.
"Cold gin, that's the way to do it after a ride," he said.
Section: NewsStreet clothing was exchanged for black, padded spandex. Tires were inflated and water bottles filled.
Sunday was the finale of Bend's Big Fat Tour 2008, a three-day bike tour on different trails throughout Central Oregon. Those who completed the event were rewarded with a simple red, white and black patch that has the word "whining" with a line through it.
People came from as far away as Portland, Hood River and even Idaho to participate in the 14th annual ride. Of the 150 participants, only about 20 or 30 completed the entire "Epic Ride," said Scott Greenstone, one of the race organizers.
"The number whittles down as the days go by," Greenstone said. "But 20 or 30 is a lot. In past years, the number has been more like five."
Paul Thomasberg, a former professional mountain biker, started the noncompetitive event to give people a chance to race on trails they may not be able to ride by themselves.
"It's all about the ride," he said.
It's also all about charity - all the proceeds from the event go to bicycle-oriented charities, such as the Central Oregon Trail Alliance and Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation's summer bicycling program.
Rob Landauer, 29, of Bend, said the tour gives bikers a chance to meet other riders, and that there was a strong sense of camaraderie during the event.
As the bikers got ready Sunday, some of the already-sore participants couldn't help thinking ahead to the afternoon, and what they'd be doing once the ride was over.
Anka Martin, 31, of Bend, said she signed up for the event to challenge herself and ride trails in the area that she's never tried.
She accomplished both - but not without a cost.
"I feel like a truck hit me," Martin said before the Sunday ride, with a smile. "I feel 51, not 31."
But, she said, she was determined to get that patch. And once she did?
"I'm going to eat, a lot," she said.
Other riders had similar thoughts, and several mentioned a stop at Deschutes Brewery. One rider was already imagining her post-ride milkshake.
Drew Holmes , 37, of Bend, who said the Saturday ride in the Ochoco National Forest "was the hardest of my life," said Sunday he would skip the milkshake and beer, and go straight for a martini.
"Cold gin, that's the way to do it after a ride," he said.
Caption: A group of mountain bikers takes off Sunday morning for the final ride of Bend’s Big Fat Tour 2008. The bikers rode a 20-mile loop up Cache Mountain and back. Photos by Andy Tullis / The Bulletin Paul Thomasberg, founder of Bend’s Big Fat Tour, explains the route to a group of mountain bikers Sunday morning. Andy Tullis / The Bulletin Jill Gregg, of Corvallis, puts the front wheel on her mountain bike Sunday morning in preparation for the final ride of Bend’s Big Fat Tour at Corbett Sno-park.
Record Number: 20081020_news0107_810200381
Copyright (c) 2008, The Bulletin, Bend OR, Western Communiations Inc.
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