tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170563612011-11-04T17:05:48.576-07:00A Cheerless Forecast from the Pacific NorthWestSnow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comBlogger931100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-70066459971453105282010-10-23T20:18:00.000-07:002010-10-23T21:05:07.516-07:00

Check it out, I am the lucky recipient of a 2011 Kona Major Jake, the full carbon Kona cross bike. Internal cable routing to keep it clean.Full carbon fork with a tapered steerer for stiff and accurate steering. No more fork chatter when braking!BB30 bottom bracket for bigger stiffer tubesThe bike built up with my old components weighs about 16.5 lbs! Not bad for a large sized bike.It sure looks

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-69758355639881811712010-09-21T20:40:00.000-07:002010-09-21T20:54:27.831-07:00

CycloCross was back in full force this weekend, starting, yet again, with the double race weekend of Starcrossed on Saturday night and the Rad Racing Grand Prix on Sunday. Always a tough way to start the season, head first into the deep end off the high diving board. No dipping your toe-in first here. Actually kind of reminded me of the first time I went to jump off the high dive as a kid. It was

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-42730629368864656292010-08-24T18:12:00.000-07:002010-08-24T18:36:27.293-07:00

This past weekend was our second trip to Mountain Bike Oregon (MBO). If you aren’t familiar with the event, think summer camp for adults riding mountain bikes. It's three days in Oakridge, OR, of adults getting on school buses and getting driven to some of the best mountain bike trails around, then coming back to Oakridge’s main park, that temporarily resembles a refugee camp to hang out in the

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-5680078594181720332009-11-09T17:26:00.001-08:002009-11-10T18:39:14.457-08:00

The soap opera of my ‘cross life continues to unfold. Although I guess if it were a real soap opera it would have been canceled a long time ago. Can’t see the adventures of a 38 year-old bike racer even getting in the door for a pitch. As mentioned in the preview from last week’s entry, this weekend was another double race adventure. Saturday was the Oregon State Championships race in Salem,

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-50099717615715369902009-11-05T16:43:00.000-08:002009-11-05T18:07:20.899-08:00

Or is it how I hate to love you?Yes this past weekend was the Halloween double race weekend extravaganza at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds in Astoria. After a storm late last week, Saturday’s race was a good old muddy mess. Not the epic powering through ankle deep mud, but more of the slick as snot corners and rutted wet grass kind of mud. The type of race where you are riding along at a good

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-73745883728904258682009-10-28T21:26:00.001-07:002009-10-28T21:26:59.108-07:00

Ok, a little late for this past Sunday’s race report. It has been a busy week at work but don’t tell my boss, that’s where I like to draft my blogs. I try not to write for free so I will make this quick. We were back at Hillsboro fair grounds this past Sunday, which is the site of my State Championship victory. Yes, I am still basking in that one. As I’ve gotten older, I have learned that you

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-41662166467561167382009-10-19T16:12:00.001-07:002009-10-20T08:33:50.196-07:00

Friday night I joined some friends to hear Joe Parkin give a talk at the Oregon Manifest show. At one point he was talking about racing on the infamous cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix. While he said there is no way to express what it is like riding over these massive cobblestones, he did say that the sections of pavement in between the cobbles would feel like the smoothest pavement in the world,

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-74887531510457401212009-10-12T14:36:00.000-07:002009-10-12T14:48:52.352-07:00

If I could make a list of all the things you shouldn’t do before a race, it might look something like this:- Get drunk at a wedding the night before, standing around in really uncomfortable shoes that hurt your back. - Only get three hours of sleep.- Wake-up at quarter to 4am to spend all morning on a plane with a woman who had some sort of plague that required paramedics to take her off at the

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-42135175672325528992009-10-10T10:40:00.000-07:002009-10-10T10:41:19.620-07:00

Or, why I hate SportsbaseOnline.com and USAC. For those of you unfamiliar, the Cyclocross National Championships are being held in Bend, OR for the next two years. With Nationals being so close to home, one of my main goals for the season is to have a good result in the Masters 35-39 race. Of course, to have a good result, you need a good starting position. And that is where my hate for USAC and

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-68637359195570340122009-10-05T16:44:00.000-07:002009-10-06T08:59:49.568-07:00

As most of the free world was completely un-aware, Sunday was the start of the 2009 Cyclocross Crusade series. Advertised as the largest cyclcocross series in the world, it did not disappoint, with over 1400 racers showing up at the Alpenrose Dairy for the 2009 inaugural event. Compare that to Alpenrose back in 2004, the first ‘cross race I ever did, when there were 600 plus racers, or even to

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-87417026030793840532009-09-30T09:00:00.000-07:002009-09-30T09:05:59.065-07:00

Just like when I was a kid, going back to school meant the end of summer, and so did this past Sunday’s cross race at Sam Barlow High School. Only when I was a kid I never looked forward to the end of summer, much less going back to school. If going to school was this much fun, or if I had put in as much time preparing for school as I do for ‘cross, who knows, I may have actually learned

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-70074213214940893062009-09-22T13:58:00.000-07:002009-09-22T14:12:20.317-07:00

The past weekend marked the start of yet another ‘Cross season, my sixth, which I guess means I am no longer a rookie, too bad I still tend to race like one at times. It wasn’t that bad, actually, the weekend was down right good for me. There being two pretty competitive races, I had my best overall weekend of racing.Saturday was the now world famous Star Crossed Cyclocross race at the Marymoore

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-28958152568731769942009-04-08T08:28:00.000-07:002009-04-08T08:40:37.173-07:00

First race of the season: dry course, sunny, 75 degrees, I came in first in the Cat 1 35-44 category. That’s it. The pinnacle of my cycling career, it can’t get any better than that. So yeah, I’ve been doing some training. Back in December I didn’t intend to be training this hard. After ‘cross ended I was feeling pretty done with racing and training for awhile. That, and overstretched finances

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-61197114981408992882009-03-16T18:27:00.000-07:002009-03-16T19:33:40.957-07:00

Now that the time has changed and I’ve somewhat adjusted to getting up even an hour earlier, I guess it is time to come out of hibernation. That and my mom has been asking me to update this blog and post some photos from the trips. I have had a pretty good winter so far. After taking a few weeks off and just lounging around after the end of the ‘cross season, Margi and I went on a great ski trip

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-69885074399724653052008-12-08T13:20:00.000-08:002008-12-10T20:23:18.294-08:00

Monday Morning: Woke up with a hang-over,mud crusted eyes, dirty cross bike in the garage and a sense of freedom mixed with a lack of purpose. Ah yes, the end of Cross season. This weekend was the last two races of the year for me. The USGP of cyclocross was in town for two days of racing out at PIR. These races, being part of a national series, attract some of the best riders in the country, so

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-83949846665472295092008-11-24T16:21:00.000-08:002008-11-24T16:23:47.532-08:00

Sunday was the 10th straight weekend of racing, and race number 12 for the season. It sure feels like it has been a long season. This race was out on Sauvie’s Island, so it was close enough to ride out there. Since it was a non-series race, myself, and a few other usual Master A guys all lined up in the regular open A field, aka the really fast guys. Only, as I mentioned, it not being a series

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-26875814479151478762008-11-17T17:13:00.000-08:002008-11-18T12:51:01.859-08:00

Finally! I had been trying for this all season long, and it couldn't have been better. Not only was it a race where all the top guys were there and avoided any major mechanicals (as far as I know), it was a neck and neck battle to the final hundred yards. On top of it all, it was the series finale' and the Oregon State (more precisely OBRA) Championships. It also came at a perfect time for me.

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-66387993902194597292008-11-12T13:50:00.000-08:002008-11-17T17:13:27.861-08:00

ed. note: I wrote most of this a week ago and never got around to posting, so here it is, a little late...My personal crusade to finally get a victory at a Cross Crusade Race continued this past Sunday at the Portland International Raceway. For those of you familiar with the locale, the race took place outside the race track at the site of the 2003 Cyclocross Nationals. I’ve raced here twice

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-2671231702114878042008-11-03T14:23:00.001-08:002008-11-03T14:31:46.556-08:00

The weather forecasters got it right for once and we were rewarded with a nice wet day of Cyclocross. It was the annual return to Barton Park, a misleading name as most of the race takes place at the County’s gravel quarry, next to the park. And as you’d expect, there was no shortage of rock. And while there was a good amount of mud, it was more if the gritty, eat your shift housing alive, kind

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-22439912716352345472008-10-28T15:04:00.000-07:002008-10-28T21:44:50.552-07:00

Another weekend or riding around in circles jumping on and off a bike is in the history books. However, this wasn’t your normal weekend of Cyclocross racing, not that such a thing exists. This was the annual Halloween Cyclocross weekend, and for the first time it was also a two-race weekend, guaranteeing lots of pain and mayhem. While not quite the norm for the Oregon coast in October, or any

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-50280268985110114442008-10-19T19:25:00.000-07:002008-10-19T20:06:35.315-07:00

After a week of being sick, I wasn’t feeling so hot today. I had this weird pain in my right lung, whenever I would run it felt like someone was stabbing me on the right side of my chest. Luckily it was a bike race, and except for a couple barriers there wasn’t much runnin. The course, though was a real bruiser. A lot of elevation gain with a big long climb. Normally I like climbing, but with my

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-83666163679290208982008-10-14T10:56:00.000-07:002008-10-14T11:19:17.858-07:00

It’s hard to win a race when you’re out to get yourself. And that is what happened on Sunday. It was race #2 in the Cross Crusade Series, located on the site of the former Damasch Mental Hospital, back in the day it was a beautiful place in a way, flowing fields of grass, trees, birds and various wildlife. A rather nice place to get away from it all, or so I’m told. Since the good old days, the

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-42853356811846192962008-10-06T11:12:00.000-07:002008-10-06T11:15:17.966-07:00

The Crusade BeginsThis past Sunday was the first Cyclocross race of the 2008 Cross Crusade Series at what has become the traditional kick-off venue of the Alpenrose Dairy, a favorite course for many. Making it extra special this year was the first real rain of the season. We had a good 3 days of on and off rain leading up to the race. Didn’t quite lead to any epic conditions, as the ground was so

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-10856188663069190182008-09-29T08:59:00.000-07:002008-09-29T09:03:19.823-07:00

That about sums up my race at the Barlow race yesterday. After squeezing in one last warm-up lap, and showing up late to the line-up, I had a good start. Went from near the back up to the front 3rd of the group. Oh yeah, forgot to mention, that I, along with a lot of the other Master A’s, were racing with the young guys. So I was pretty happy with my start, and was right in with all the Master A’

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-28155663952281669232008-09-23T12:44:00.000-07:002008-09-23T12:48:44.468-07:00

After months of anticipation and counting the days until the start of the Cyclocross season, I suddenly find myself wondering how it got here so fast. Has it really been over nine months since that cold wet December day at PIR? Apparently so. It is also amazing to me how quickly I forget what I need to do before a race. By the end of the season I have a routine down. I can wake up race day

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-73648896626896484492008-07-01T14:48:00.000-07:002008-07-01T14:58:01.927-07:00

Sunday, June 29th was the 2008 version of the Cascade Creampuff 100, a 100-mile Mountain Bike race in Westfir Or. This was my first time racing the Cream Puff, and my first 100-miler, so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but from what I have been told from others, this is one of the hardest 100-mile races around. I was also told by many of the race veterans and regular volunteers that this

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-63598286415352676092008-03-05T13:38:00.001-08:002008-03-06T06:25:51.479-08:00

Dang it has been awhile. After the Two Month Storm of December and January, the weather really dried up. Normally in times like this I hit the single track and get in some Mt Biking. Not so much this year. The heavy snows at low elevation managed to leave most of the local trails under snow. I did head out to ride the Wilson River Trail a couple weeks ago. Let’s say I learned that hiking a half

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-59279293642668992492008-01-11T11:04:00.000-08:002008-01-12T07:42:44.128-08:00

I’m Back! We had a short hiatus due to the whole writers guild strike and all that. Tried using a pack of monkeys chained to a fleet of typewriters but they made a mess, although they could still spell better than me! Finally decided to go it on my own, If jay Leno can do it, so can I. That's a bad example isn't it? Anyway, my dear readers, this is all about you, and you deserve the best!Let’s

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-88602329199601238272007-12-21T14:35:00.000-08:002007-12-21T14:40:59.881-08:00

I guess it’s time I finally step and resume my title as the Snow Curmudgeon. The bikes are all cleaned up and hung on the wall for awhile. The only riding I’ve been doing is to that padded cell I get paid to sit in five days a week (sometimes four, or if I am “feeling sick” three).But before we get to the forecast, an outdated trip report.It doesn’t take a genius to know it has been snowing like

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-51023274609282740012007-12-06T16:15:00.001-08:002007-12-12T16:26:48.827-08:00

I was poking around at my bikes the other night, picking pieces of grass out of the deraileuer and hubs. Checking out what needs to be replaced and overhauled, especially after the last races. And that is about when it hit me, the season was over.I remember after the last race at PIR, I stopped and talked with my friend Jim about not doing anymore races. He asked me if I wasn’t going to miss ‘

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-62832271697144264522007-12-03T11:39:00.000-08:002007-12-03T11:47:21.046-08:00

My neighbor, Noah, has been out in the rain building this big boat in the backyard, and he says he’s looking for a male and female of each species to put on this boat. Man, I live in the weirdest hood….As for ‘Cross, It continued to rain all Saturday night (it still hasn’t stopped), and by Sunday morning it had warmed some, but not a lot, maybe 42 degrees. But it was wet. And windy. Margi was

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-29818586000618977782007-12-01T21:35:00.000-08:002007-12-01T21:38:22.904-08:00

Got 10th place today! I am pretty damn happy with that. I have felt for the series that I was worthy of a top 10 if I was given the chance from the start. Well my good start position paid off. I was the last guy in the front row, on the outside just where I like it. I had a good start, sitting about 6th wheel going into the first turn. I lost a few spots on the first lap, but gained a few in the

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-81445411315518344752007-11-29T15:35:00.000-08:002007-11-29T15:45:14.685-08:00

Here it is, Thursday morning, and I am just starting to get that gut wrenching nervous feeling for this weekend’s USGP races in Portland. Not bad, usually it hits by Tuesday night, or Wednesday morning. These things seem to have a predictable cycle. Monday and Tuesday are spent reminiscing/ruminating about Sunday’s race. By Wednesday the mind starts to look forward to the upcoming weekend; The

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-47444932059989944402007-11-26T14:31:00.000-08:002007-11-26T14:41:10.732-08:00

It’s always good to find an outlet to work off the Tofurkey and Thanksgiving beer. Amazingly, sitting on the couch watching football for two days really doesn’t seem to cut it. What a shame. Luckily, we were provided with an early showing of the Kruger’s Crossing Cyclocross race on Sauvie Island to make amends. Being on an island that is really no more than a series of wetlands in the Willamette

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-88503676264668231842007-11-18T19:35:00.000-08:002007-11-18T20:05:29.967-08:00

They say four’s a charm! I don’t know who they are, and I am pretty sure they don’t say it, but it was for me. Woke up to a cold morning with light rain. Saw a few flakes falling here at the house early on, but mostly just rain. I have to admit, I did not feel like racing. Something about dealing with all the muddy stuff so far from home. But I came all this way, I was pre-registered. I really

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-63963509156294490622007-11-17T18:15:00.000-08:002007-11-17T18:31:21.235-08:00

It's a little late here and I am whipped, so I'll make this quick.Got a decent number, 40, but had a crappy start, went backwards right off the bat. Spent the first half fighting up to the mid 20's, where I ended in a pack of 7 or so that included Sean Kelsey who moved to PA from PDX earlier this year. I missed a break when he and another guy went with 2 to go. I was able to drop all but one guy

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-70041366152385298422007-11-16T19:21:00.000-08:002007-11-16T19:33:08.048-08:00

I’m livin large in the land of The Boss and Bon Jovi. Me and my bike arrived safely in NJ, nothing too exciting, once we got off the ground in Portland. I did a get a chance to meet one of Mercer County’s finest. I was driving down to the course for a ore-ride and on the way I managed to get lost, even with a talking GPS system, I found myself going a little fast when a cop passed me going the

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-77372557310879357242007-11-15T06:32:00.000-08:002007-11-15T07:35:49.633-08:00

It's way too early on Thursday morning, and I am sitting in the Portland Airport. At least they have free wifi. I’m heading back to Jersey to see my mom, and race in the next 2 USGP races in Mercer County Park, and you all thought I learned my lesson when I went to Louisville!Anyway, since I am sitting here with some time to kill before my flight I thought I'd look over the Cross Crusade series

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-50913010658262023702007-11-12T17:33:00.000-08:002007-11-12T18:31:34.924-08:00

Sunday was my final Cross Crusade race. This week’s race was at Timber Park in Estacada. It is a classic cyclocross course and many people’s favorite course. I have never done well there, but I like it all the same. This year’s course didn’t fail to please. It had a bit of everything, including some soft ground, almost resembling mud in places. The rain that had been forecast throughout the week

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-90336903061402278012007-11-06T14:29:00.000-08:002007-11-08T21:18:40.761-08:00

It's official.'Cross has made me neurotic. Don't believe me? OK, check out this dream I had the other morning:I'm in a hotel lobby in NJ located at the start line for the USGP. The lobby is full of racers and gear, including my bag with all my stuff for the race. I find I am wearing my kit under my street clothes, complete with my bib number (#20, a good call up). A race is about to begin so I

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-64967614741931829972007-11-05T10:14:00.000-08:002007-11-05T20:17:16.366-08:00

Sunday was a trip to the quarry in Barton for a bike race. I know, a quarry doesn’t sound like much of a place for a bike race, and to be honest I am not sure if it is, but I’m just a passenger on this Crusade; it’s not my place to make these decisions. Leading up to the race, I had planned on just simply going balls out and try to kill it, inflict some self suffering, and if I was lucky, cause

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-48679489381929566132007-10-29T21:21:00.000-07:002007-10-29T21:39:07.618-07:00

Me after the race on Sun.: “Why the hell do we do this?”Brian: “I don’t know”Me: “And why the hell did I travel 3000 miles for it?”Bran: “I have no idea!”On my way back home from L’ville, a long trip, (traveling tip: no matter how cheap never ever book a flight with two stops.) I find myself trying to answer those questions. I thought about waxing poetic on how we all dream of being a pro cyclist

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-25296503064598045292007-10-29T08:08:00.000-07:002007-10-29T08:13:37.305-07:00

Racing like an amateur.I think that sums up my foray into racing under the big top so to speak. After a 27th finish on day one I was hoping for a better line-up, you know, maybe one based on performance. Unfortunately things didn’t work out that way. While I had a second to last row line-up on day one with number 51, day two gave me number 55 and put me in the last row. The day’s course had been

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-24860177845361952262007-10-29T07:36:00.000-07:002007-10-29T07:41:27.303-07:00

In a bigger pond.What the hell am I doing here? That’s what I was thinking part way through the race. I can’t say I had the best race ever. It’s not that I didn’t feel strong, I just did not ride the course well. For starters I was randomly given 51 for my number. This put me in the second to last row. Then the course had a short straight then right in to a series of turns and then the screwiest

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-25328392362783325622007-10-23T09:44:00.000-07:002007-10-23T21:14:55.388-07:00

Mental note: ALWAYS check tire pressure on the pit bike before the race! I was going over the bikes last night, and getting the pit/training bike ready for a ride after work today. As I swapped out my wheels (yes, I have a race set for my pit bike, doesn’t everyone?), I noticed the tires seemed a little firm, so I checked the pressure, and sure enough I was running 50+psi on the pit bike! Well,

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-32103239214878039152007-10-22T09:55:00.000-07:002007-10-22T10:03:49.675-07:00

Cost of a race: $20Cost of my spare bike: $300 (I got a great deal!)Cost of being able to run to the pit for a bike change: I don’t know, but it sure isn’t worth $320!!!!!Yesterday was the Crusade race out at Ranier HS. It was a great venue, and before the race everyone seemed really psyched for the race. The course had a long paved uphill start, with a turn on to a tacky muddy grass/treed

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-17729027205998191832007-10-15T13:09:00.000-07:002007-10-15T15:38:59.666-07:00

At Sunday’s race, Adam Craig, world cup Mt Biker and Single Speed Mt Bike world champion, graced us with his presence at the race. Or should I say disgraced all of us while he raced! Even the pro's don’t pull it off perfectly every time. Below is a little footage of Craig almost taking out the crowds with his bunny hopping madness:

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-12513534553927317042007-10-15T12:51:00.000-07:002007-10-15T13:40:15.829-07:00

Sunday brought us chapter 2 of the Cross Crusade Cyclocross series. This installment was held at Horning’s Hideout. A venue more often associated with Jam bands and their patchouli wearing, pot smoking followers. So I am sure the resident peacocks were in hiding at the sight of the 906 lycra clad bike racers that descended upon the hideout for a cross race. The course was a tough one. Last year

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-23805694725798170142007-10-08T10:53:00.000-07:002007-10-08T13:41:52.503-07:00

I was just sent this wonderful evidence of me biffing it in the barriersAnd the aftermath:http://photos.oregonvelo.com/p/cc070107/cc0701a05896#photo_shttp://photos.oregonvelo.com/p/cc070107/cc0701mjb010838http://photos.oregonvelo.com/p/cc070107/cc0701mjb010947#photo_shttp://photos.oregonvelo.com/p/cc070107/cc0701mjb011056#photo_shttp://photos.oregonvelo.com/p/cc070107/cc0701mjb01114#photo_sAwful

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-26191993008990023062007-10-07T19:51:00.000-07:002007-10-08T08:19:43.689-07:00

The Cross Crusade Cyclocross series started on Sunday, and once again that meant racing at the popular Alpenrose Dairy. And once again that meant near record attendance, some where near 1078 racers in 6 races. I was back racing with the Masters 35+ A race (the fast old guys). After last week's fiasco with the bike I felt I had gotten the shifters working well, that and the course was pretty dry,

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-50687785165439748052007-10-03T16:19:00.000-07:002007-10-04T09:18:32.455-07:00

We interupt the bike interuption to bring some very important information about:SNOW!That's right, one day it was summer, and the next it was fall, and week later it's winter! Pretty fast changes this year. So fast that I have been caught off guard and haven't had a chance to get my winter forecast up.Well wait no more Snow Curmudgeon fans, it is time for the Winter Outlook.After painstakenly

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-65109257884592552972007-09-30T19:07:00.000-07:002007-10-04T09:16:43.569-07:00

Mud Snot and No GearsI had somewhat jokingly thought to myself the other night, that I should change my Ridley into a SS and do a double race, since this one was just going to be for practice. Well I didn't, but I ended up racing with a SS in the end.....September went out as one heck of a wet month. I believe it set a record for rainfall for the month, if not, Friday and Sunday certainly set

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-20272543312681277132007-09-24T11:53:00.000-07:002007-09-24T12:05:20.736-07:00

The Hurt never felt this good!After spending too much time writing the previous post (stupid blog), I had to rush to get my butt and gear into the car for the drive out to Hood River. Lucky for me there were no Smokeys on I-84 as I did 80 the whole way. I ended up getting there with plenty of time. Had a chance to get in a pre-ride of the course and get a good warm up. It was the same exact

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-2501040934139181382007-09-23T08:27:00.000-07:002007-09-23T09:53:34.078-07:00

Star Crossed CyclocrossOr should we say, Star Crossed grass criterium. This year they changed the course significantly from years past, and added in a lot of long flat straight paved sections, making for a super fast paced course, without too much technicality. Just one set of barriers and the traditional log step run-up. Never the less it was a great time. The crowds are always good the

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-31949576647462333752007-09-21T19:26:00.000-07:002007-09-21T20:00:46.926-07:00

Merry CrossMass Eve!!!!With the giddiness of a 5-year-old waiting for Christmas, cross season is finally here. Tomorrow I will enter my first race of the year, heading up to Seattle for the Star Crossed event. It is a great event, I think the tag line a couple years ago was "Come for the party, stay for the race". It is complete with a DJ and beer tent in the middle of the race. And the main

CrossCurmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-15202759552413002522006-12-12T10:38:00.000-08:002006-12-12T10:40:07.143-08:00

Fraud: (n) a person who is not what he or she pretends to be.Dear readers, I am afraid I must confess that I have been a fraud. I have been living the life of an imposter, deceiver liar and all around fake. No, I am not really a knuckledraggin’ snowboarder, please! It is almost as bad. Here it is December 13th, there is over 5’ of snow at the resorts and I have not even touched the snow! As a

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-60331931475570629132006-11-23T21:55:00.000-08:002006-11-23T22:07:53.261-08:00

Black FridayI, as so many others have, spent the day giving thanks. You know, it's what we're supposed to do on Thanksgiving. What did the Snow Curmudgeon have to give thanks for? Good question, lets take a look.Well it is nuking on the mountain right now, the snow base is building fast, and the snow levels are low. Unfortunately can't get to most of it since the damn road is still closed. Not

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-82141348418923128882006-11-17T08:32:00.000-08:002006-11-17T08:50:44.299-08:00

Nature Hates Meadows!Before you all think I'm getting a little extreme even for me, let me lay out my case:Winter 05/06: Tree falls and takes out Shooting StarSummer ’06: A near miss lightning strike starts the Bluegrass Ridge Fire complex, just north of meadows (I guess lightning is hard to aim, God may want to look into electronic guiding systems)Fall ’06: Simultaneous attack by White River and

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1163729453840266052006-11-16T18:03:00.000-08:002006-11-16T18:10:53.856-08:00

Goodbye Dirty Girl.....Well, it has been a long enduring fling, and while we have had our ups and downs, I loved every painful minute of it. Our time together is almost done, as she prepares to move to europe for the remainder of winter. She'll be back, I'll be waiting, but will I be ready??A going away ode from Patrick O'grady: This isn't much of a rant; it's more of a rave. I love cyclo-cross.

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1150784521564586552006-06-19T23:13:00.000-07:002006-06-19T23:22:01.576-07:00

Failing and Flying Jack GilbertEveryone forgets that Icarus also flew.It's the same when love comes to an end,or the marriage fails and people saythey knew it was a mistake, that everybodysaid it would never work. That she wasold enough to know better. But anythingworth doing is worth doing badly.Like being there by that Summer oceanon the other side of the island whilelove was fading out of

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1135890148871439382005-12-29T13:02:00.000-08:002005-12-29T13:34:15.256-08:00

I just saw this over on the NWAC site and had to cross post it, much better than anything I could ever write:It’s three days before the end of the year,And recent snows have changed gloom to cheer...With more on the way spirits are soaring-For the weather ahead will be anything but boring.After a day of drying, the westerlies arrive,And Friday promises to shift park to drive;Heavy snow, high

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1135271674354902952005-12-22T09:14:00.000-08:002005-12-22T09:14:34.733-08:00

Happy Holidays!   Farewell my esteemed SC followers. This may be my last post. The tempest has been unleashed and the waters are rising. I have finished my arc and loaded up two of everything: 2 skis, 2 telemark bindings, 2 gloves, 2 boots, 2 poles and 2 cases of beer. It may seem like it will never snow again, but I know deep in my heart that once this tempest has unleashed it's worst, it

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1135112983973222852005-12-20T13:09:00.000-08:002005-12-20T13:09:44.003-08:00

Recently Quebec hosted the most recent round of talks on Global Climate change. The main purpose of the meeting was to plan the post Kyoto treaty years, and how the world will deal with the issue of Global Warming.   Most of us remember that the wonderful US of A did not ratify the Kyoto Treaty protocol on global warming. What may be surprising is that we were joined by Australia, in

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1134436787690862942005-12-12T17:19:00.000-08:002005-12-12T19:14:15.990-08:00

In these Holiest of Days, we are oft reminded of the magnificence and beauty of God, and all the miracles which he has created. Well God, it is time to wake up and get to work, because you are losing one of your flock. Ok I was never really one of the flock, more a wolf in sheep's clothing, ok, ok I 'm not even in sheep's clothing. I am a blasphemer, but still, there are plenty of God loving/

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1133977378771678282005-12-07T09:42:00.000-08:002005-12-07T09:42:58.870-08:00

Either you all have stopped reading the blog a long time ago, or you have been patiently waiting for my next post. I know I stopped reading it, so I don't blame you all for stopping too. And I am sorry to report that this post won't be much better. Not sure what to write to make you all happy. I thought the sacrificial post was pure genius, but apparently I way underestimated the dedication to

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1133454895615884222005-12-01T08:34:00.000-08:002005-12-01T08:54:08.593-08:00

Happy December all! It is only the first of December and already we have close to a 6' base. I know, I keep digging this back up, but just about a year ago meadows was ready for opening day, and it monsooned all weekend long, delaying opening day. As a matter of fact it was a year ago, that the Vet and the Boy Toy baptized me as the Snow Curmudgeon. I believe it was after I laughed at her for

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1133242483986693352005-11-28T20:26:00.000-08:002005-11-28T21:34:44.036-08:00

Epic (ep'ik) n. [Gr. epos, a word, song, epic] a long narrative poem in a dignified style about the deeds of a hero or heroes- adj. of or like an epic; heroic; grandI heard this word many times on Saturday as people tried to describe the day. It got me wondering, what exactly does epic mean, and what makes a day on the mountain epic?I am sure many of you, well, maybe some, first learned of an

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1132844960553531092005-11-24T09:30:00.000-08:002005-11-25T15:26:01.330-08:00

Gobble GobbleHappy Thanksgiving everyone.I saw something strange in the sky this morning. I was up early and look out to see the stars and the moon, but something was blocking part of the view." what could it be?" I wondered aloud.Is it a flock of birds heading South for the winter, it is cold outside, or Perhaps it is a plane? Or Could it be a UFO? Oh, I know what they are, they're called clouds

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1132547263944061982005-11-20T19:38:00.000-08:002005-11-20T20:27:43.956-08:00

End of My RopeIt's only November 20, and already I am despodant. Some people have SAD (Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder), yet I am cursed with the antithisis Sunlight Affected Temper And Nurosis(SATAN). I get really angry after October 15th if it's Sunny for more than a day. So you can imagine what I must be like right now. OK for those that know me there is no imagining, actually I seem like I

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1132032796679332122005-11-14T21:32:00.000-08:002005-11-14T21:36:40.436-08:00

Report for 11/14/05Welcome to ski season 2005/06! By looking outside you can see it is off to an auspicious beginning, and the forecast doesn’t look any better. If you ignore the temperatures, it looks like August for the next seven days, Morning clouds and afternoon sun. If you are like me, or aspiring to be like me (which you should be) you too are wondering what’s up with that. Well you are in

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1131510274156085592005-11-08T20:09:00.000-08:002005-11-08T20:55:38.156-08:00

Game On....or Delay of Game?What is the old saying about history repeating itself? I don't know but I don't like it.Well, being the faithful Snow Curmudgeon that I am, I ventured up to Meadows on Saturday to see how things looked. Get a sneak preview so to speak. As David Waag said, "The first tour of the winter is always exciting but sometimes it is difficult to let go of the safety of Fall."

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1131043712038595712005-11-04T10:40:00.000-08:002005-11-04T17:13:28.566-08:00

SNUBBED!!!!Dear Readers,I am sure all of you are as dismayed as I am. I spent the last few weeks working on my presentation for this morning's "13th Annual What Will the Winter Be Like" meeting sponsored by the Oregon Chapter of American Meteorological Society. Yeah, I know I am not a meteorologist, so I wasn't thinking they wanted my forecast for the winter, but I am a shoe in for the "Winter

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130823747738500102005-10-31T21:24:00.000-08:002005-10-31T22:01:03.716-08:00

Trick or Treat!Yes it is now a new year (the rain year starts October 1st) and Snow Curmudgeon has his own blog, only about 5 years behind the times, I should have just skipped the blog and gone straight to podcasting. That's probably not even that new either huh?First off, I have been working on this for awhile now, and have painstakenly recreated as much of the history of Snow Curmudgeon

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130822256921641982005-10-04T21:13:00.000-07:002005-10-31T21:17:36.923-08:00

Received from Daniel today:Subject: Where are you?What’s this? Snow on the mountain, even if a little, and nothing from our friend, the SC?! Give us something!DanimalSC responds:Dear Mr. Sigman, Does the Snow Curmudgeon need to remind you of the rules of the Snow Report list? Criticisms of the Snow Curmudgeon are not to be taken lightly, much less tolerated. The snow season, alas, is a long

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130821782831810552005-08-17T21:08:00.000-07:002005-10-31T21:09:42.833-08:00

I know, you're thinking what the hell is this? It's been 90 degrees,and it's August. What could that damn Snow Curmudgeon want?Attention? yes of ocurse, what did you think this was aboutFame? That'd be niceMoney? Not from you poor bastardsIn reality I got up early today to go for a run and it was raining,wich of course makes me insatntly wonder what the snow level is (toohigh for those of you

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130821528561804672005-02-16T21:05:00.000-08:002005-10-31T21:05:28.563-08:00

Greetings SC readers, Getting political and stating my views are the norm around here, so why stop now. I assume some of you, like me, received an e-mail from meadows (or maybe 2) asking for input on future development etc... I would like to strongly encourage (I would threat if I could) you to request for no further expansion. What? You may ask, is the SC bonkers?! Well yes, but that is besides

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130821457429611582005-02-15T21:04:00.000-08:002005-10-31T21:04:17.430-08:00

The sun is shining the birds are chirping, it can only mean one thing, it's May in Oregon! Wait, that's not right, what the hell?!?! When will this nightmare end? Based on the discussions included at the end of the report, not anytime soon. Sorry kids. Sunday's skiing was ok, worth the drive. What I want to know is what gives with the racers? Those kids kill me. They make punk boarders look

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130821359758255052005-02-11T21:00:00.000-08:002005-10-31T21:02:39.763-08:00

Greetings friends, worshipers and enemies (there are probably more of you in the latter than former huh?) Welcome to the SNow Curmudgeon Sno Report for Saturday and SUnday February 12 and 13, 2005. First let me say happy lent, or maybe that isn't suposed to be a happy time? I want to let you all know that I gave up skiing on a decent snow pack for lent, what have you done to show appreciation for

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130821197017721862005-02-08T20:59:00.000-08:002005-10-31T20:59:57.020-08:00

Part Two: Face shots and core shots; Snow Curmudgeon takes a sick dayWhat is that old adage, pity on he/she who has to work on a powder day? Well I would say that still holds true. Yes folks it was rippin on the mountain yesterday. They opened Cascade, which had been untouched all weekend. And old SC was lucky enough to lay some fresh tracks in some deep powder, unfortunately not deep enough all

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130821056690630492005-02-08T20:54:00.000-08:002005-10-31T20:57:36.693-08:00

Opening Day Take Two; Or How SC was saved by Snowboarders, not quite….Well for those of you still paying attention to this supposed winter, you knew that Saturday once again heralded the opening of Mt Hood Meadows, and yours truly was there to witness it. By 9:30 am, the lot was almost half full. Daisy and Buttercup were running, while they were just getting the chairs out on Vista, with Cascade

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130820879997710682005-02-04T20:52:00.000-08:002005-10-31T20:54:40.000-08:00

Huh...wha...(yawn), ah...what's that? Something just floated past the Mountain cam, white, small, kind of floating to the gound. Could....it....be.....no no better not even think about it. Can't get my hopes up again. I'm not looking, I'm not looking, not going to the forcast, must resist temptation, can't do it, get away from that mouse! stop that!!! No No I can't bare to see it. ORZ011-013-

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130820767790171632005-01-25T20:48:00.000-08:002005-10-31T20:52:47.793-08:00

Dear Dear Margi, Apparently you do not read the snow reports close enough, and you have no respect for the rules set forth upon being registered to the SC list. First off, you have broken the cardinal rule, of accusing the Snow Curmudgeon of being wrong. I said I was no Matt Zaphino, therefore I am not Matt Zaphino. I have also mentoned in prior reports that Matt Zaphino can't forecast the

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130820516209153572005-01-19T20:48:00.000-08:002005-10-31T20:48:36.210-08:00

Just when we thought a 30" base was the worst thing ever, it rains 5". The snow phone this morning said they are suspending operations until the snowpack "dries out", that it is over-saturated with water. WTF!!!! I have never heard such a lame excuse before in my life. Hello meadows, it's not saturated, it's melting!!! That's what 45 degree weather does to snow. WHo are these clowns. Are they

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130820444887642772005-01-12T20:45:00.000-08:002005-10-31T20:47:24.890-08:00

Greetings all, I have to admit, I was feeling bad about what I said about going to Bend yesterday. Our friends from Texas are heading there for a nice three day weekend, and wouldn't it be nice if they could have some snow. So I got to thinking, everyone is telling me I blow a lot of hot air, so what if.... Well I have been huffin and puffin all day long, trying to alter these dang air currents.

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130820338453473162005-01-10T20:42:00.000-08:002005-10-31T20:45:38.456-08:00

Happy Monday skiers and Boarders! i though the best way to review my weekend was to share with you all my thank you letter to the fine folks at Meadows: Dear Meadows Incorporated: I wanted to take a moment to thank you for letting me utilize your wonderful facilities this weekend. I was a guest at your resort on both Saturday January 8, and Sunday January 9, 2005. It was a joy to be invited to

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130820171004346562005-01-07T20:39:00.000-08:002005-10-31T20:42:51.006-08:00

It is a good morning my faithful friends!!!! And hopefully (keep your fingers crossed) it will be a better one tomorrow. Most of you know Bart from the snow report, aka Bingen Bart (because he lives in Bingen not because he drinks, although he may, I don't know him personally)so I thought I would quote him this morning: "Two of my favorite words are snow and advisory, especially when used

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1130819980762008812005-01-06T20:29:00.000-08:002005-10-31T20:39:40.776-08:00

Afternoon skiers and snow boarders, thanks for reading the Snow Report, brought to you by the Snow Curmudgeon of Portland, dashing all your hopes and dreams of good snow.A special Happy Birthday goes out to our faithful reader Daniel Sigman, he celebrates the completion of his 30th year today, and embarks on his 31st! So in Daniel's honor I will not poke any fun at him at all in todays report.

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1129590735656630752005-01-05T16:07:00.000-08:002005-10-17T16:12:15.656-07:00

Good Morning faithful disciples,Wow, the Snow Curmudgeon has never felt so loved! Thank you kindly Kim for the recommendation and acknowledgment of my vast Snow Knowledge, or sknowledge as you Southerners would say in your quaint speak. And last night I got the nicest message from Daniel (at least I think it was Daniel, if he was trying to immitate my scotish-mexican accent) saying he was looking

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1129590366139099752005-01-03T16:01:00.000-08:002005-10-17T16:14:36.736-07:00

Happy New Year Faithful Snow Worshipers!!!!Well, as is their custom as of late, the good old folks at NOAA managed to overestimate their storm total estimates. In summation, the base is still pretty thin, but coverage is getting there. The next three days look like clear cold weather, this will result in some settling of the snow pack, and with forcasted winds, it will transport recent deposits

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1129590057389346882004-12-29T15:57:00.000-08:002005-10-17T16:00:57.420-07:00

Well, well, well,Looking out my window it is a brilliant day (sorry I watched the second season of The Office and picked up some quaint sayings), it makes me heart hum to see the grey drizzle. So checking in with good old Bingen Bart this morning and checking the telemetry it seems we got two overnight. Now I know some of you who originate a little bit closer to the equator than the rest of us

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1128628323116387262004-12-28T12:47:00.000-08:002005-10-06T15:05:01.636-07:00

Greetings all,Snow Curmudgeon here. Well we were screwed by the last storm front to move through the region, I guess it decided to stay off shore and roll into California where they are getting dumped on. However due to my undying commitment to giving everyone the best possible snow information possible I did brave the conditions on Christmas Day and Boxing Day to check it out for myself.The

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1128628036760546282004-12-23T12:45:00.000-08:002005-10-06T15:04:03.016-07:00

Ho Ho Ho skiers and snowboarders, this is the Snow Curmudgeon with you holiday ski forcast!!!Looks like another beatiful day up on the mountain, unless you want to ski. But come on up anyway, Santa will bring you some new boards so don't worry about those core shots. We have an awesome terrain park set up on the bunny slope. Grind those rails on the boulder field, and launch from patch of snow to

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17056361.post-1128627768708049062004-12-22T12:37:00.000-08:002005-11-08T20:59:02.130-08:00

[SC Note: I am trying to recreate all the previous posts for all my fans' enjoyment, I am missing the first few though, so if any of you happen to have saved them, you all did din't you? please send them along and I will post them here]Due to the lack of new snow please refer to my previous post for today's conditions (Brian if you told me your new e-mail you would have gotten it), but be sure to

Snow Curmudgeonnoreply@blogger.com