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[RC] Sunriver @ Mt. Adams - A MUST-D0 RIDE! - Naomi PrestonIf you've never done this ride, put it on your calendar for next
year. The trails at Mt. Adams are the most beautiful I've seen in my
miles of endurance! Mostly single track winding trails through
beautiful woods sitting at the base of impressive Mt. Adams,
a snow-capped volcano which sits at 12,000+ feet elevation.
And besides the wonderful venue, the ride management and volunteers
were top-notch!! Darlene Anderson (Sunriver RM) and
Stephenie Irving (Mt. Adams RM) teamed up this year, due to a sequence
of unexpected events. First, the Northwest experienced overly
abundant snow in the Cascades this year, which forced the cancellation
of the Mt. Adams planned for May 17, and subsequently almost cancelled
the Sunriver ride, due to 2 feet of snow remaining in ridecamp.
So, instead of losing two great rides this year, Darlene and Stephanie put
their minds and efforts together and held the Sunriver ride on the Mt. Adams
trails! Stephanie and her husband Steve Irving, opened their home and
pasture for the ridecamp, which has a million dollar view of Mt.
Adams. Thank you Stephanie and Steve!!
The fun began Friday night with PNER member Paul Latiolais' homemade
authentic gumbo served on the patio, paired with terrific selections from a
local winery. Paul loves to cook, and he had made the biggest pot of
Gumbo this side of the Mississippi! YUM!
The volunteers at the ride went the extra mile to provide a great
experience for the riders. The week before the ride, a group of
dedicated folks cleared the trails, including chainsaw swinging Max
Merlich. Then on ride day, riders were treated to the efforts of the
volunteers all day long. At this first out-check (which I've renamed
"Starbucks"), riders were treated to yummy muffins and coffee or tea,
delivered to them by a smiling PNER member! Volunteers were there to
hold horses, refill water bottles, you name it. We definitely felt
pampered! (And a special than you to Bev Ryan, our personal
crew!) Then back on the beautiful trails, only to be spoiled later
with burgers and hot dogs off the grill at basecamp. Later that
evening, when we finished the 100, we were treated to a welcome bowl of
Paul's steaming gumbo, while listening to lively Cajun
tunes. Enough fun to make a girl wanna boogie even after a 100 mile
ride! (Thanks, Darlene, for the swing dance!)
The Team concept is definitely alive and well in the Pacific
Northwest. Not only were the PNER Teams volunteering and sponsoring
meals, but riders signed up for Teams of 4 on the 75 and 100 mile
rides.
It doesn't get any better than this. Beautiful, well-marked
trails, great ride management, awesome volunteers, great vets, delicious
food, and best of all, the special camaraderie we find among our fellow
endurance riders.
If you're considering moving up from 50's to a 75 or 100, this is
definitely the place to do it. Oh, and hearing the elk bugling in
ridecamp on Sunday morning was the icing on the cake!
Thanks to everyone for all their hard work in putting on this
tremendous ride!
Naomi Preston
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