Sponsored by       A long time ago Backpacker Magazine had a contest of the same name, the “Bag Night Challenge”.  I love the concept of the contest and thought I would do my own.  I waited ten years, that’s enough time, isn’t it?  The idea is simple, track the number of nights you spend outside in your sleeping bag (Jan 1. 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012 or the 21st if you believe [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   Cascade Bicycle Studio Opens Doors; Expands Staff and Product Offerings Seattle, WA – February 13th, 2012 – Cascade Bicycle Studio will transition from appointment-only hours to standard retail hours at its currentFremontlocation beginning February 16th, 2012.   Additionally, Cascade Bicycle Studio founder Zac Daab welcomes a new business partner, Terry Buchanan, and mechanical technician Jason Williams to staff. “The decision to hold regular retail hours is one that I’ve contemplated since the [...]

This past weekend I had the itch to get out and camp. Instead of letting the fact that I don’t have a single bikepacking pack, a rack for my Pugsley, or anyone to go with stop me I loaded up my backpack from the PCT and headed to the mountains. My destination was any flat spot along the snowmobile trail to Lost Lake near Snoqualmie Pass, WA. For most of the drive to the trail [...]

The Match up: (From Wikipedia) Black ice, sometimes called clear ice, refers to a thin coating of glazed ice on a surface. Because it represents only a thin accumulation, black ice is highly transparent and thus difficult to see as compared with snow, frozen slush, or thicker ice layers. In addition, it often is interleaved with wet road, which is nearly identical in appearance. This makes driving or walking on affected surfaces extremely dangerous. Black [...]

UPDATE: Sadly to say there weren’t manny votes, but those that did come in were for Hugo Reyes.  This means that Sarah is our winner!  Congrats.   So if you follow my blog you probably know I I got a new bike, a Surly Pugsley.  It needs a name.  I’ve been told I can’t call all my bikes by the same name.  I’ve also be scolded and told bikes shouldn’t have names but be called, [...]

January 07, 2012 Location: : Black Diamond/Lake Sawyer/Maple Ridge (known as Henry’s Ridge) Getting there: From I-405 take SR-169 south towards Black Diamond. Pass through Four Corners shopping-Safeway on the left and continue to the town of Black Diamond.  About a mile after you pass SE  288th ST on your right  you’ll see two small pull outs on either side of the road.  Pick either, trails are on the left and right side of the road. (after [...]

Last night I went for my first ever fat bike ride on snow with my Surly Pugsley.  About 10 minutes into the car ride I blurted out, “SHIT!” and my friend driving stabbed at the breaks not knowing what I was yelling shit about.  I had just realized after reminding myself multiple times to grab my winter boots I had done just that, forgot them in the garage.  The night was off to a bad [...]

I would be lying if I said I agreed with the current way in which the cyclocross nationals and the up coming Master World Championships qualifying is being handled.  Below is a quote from Bruce Fina the race director for the Master World Championships.  -Note my opinions and views are not directed solely towards him but  more so at those running USA Cycling and the UCI.  Bruce and his wife do an amazing job with [...]

Thanks to Joe Martin for gathering the following information. Some days there are multiple events so they are placed in order of preference. Dates with ? are unknown at this time.   Season Long Training Series Tuesdays from March 20 to August 28 – Road Race Series at Pacific Raceways (http://www.buduracing.com) Thursdays from April ? to September ? - Seward Park Cycling series (http://northwestvelo.com)   Registration Dates Jan 1 - Register for NW Epic Series (http://www.nwepicseries.com/) Jan 1- Register for Test of [...]

Next Wednesday, January 11th, at 7 p.m., join us for a free clinic thanks to the professionals from the Northwest Weather and Avanche Center. They’ll go over the basics– what constitues avalanche terrain, the key ingredients that cause a slide, and some snow stability tests. The clinic is free but space is limited, so call to RSVP: 206.971.1496. Here’s where their located: Outdoor Research Retail Store 2203 1st Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98134 ———- Scatman [...]