It's a Spring Thing: Straightening up at Smith Rock, PPP training and The Chainbreaker

Team Leader Ed Roberts and crew test their newly installed staircase.The 16th annual Smith Rock Spring Thing was a huge success on Saturday. 177 volunteers came together to improve trails, build new stairs, replace old stairs, plant trees, replace bolts and anchors for climbers, pull noxious weeds, and more. Local rock climbers, visiting climbers from the Valley and around the world, hikers, and Smith Rock State Park enthusiasts were all involved in the Spring Thing. Ian Caldwell, a Smith Rock State Park employee and hard-core rock climber, organized the event. After the volunteers completed what Caldwell figured to be $20,000 worth of work, it was time for many involved to pull out their ropes, quickdraws, and gear to ascend the welded tuff faces in the Park. That evening the crew feasted on tasty burritos and brews. Raffle prizes, throw out shwag, and auction items took Caldwell well over an hour to disperse to the crowd. Amanda Stuart and Rebecca Larsen from Altrec were instrumental in pulling together over $13,000 worth of prizes from numerous outdoor companies. Slide shows by Sonny Trotter and Steve House capped off the fun-filled and productive day at Smith Rock.

 
PPP Training Tips

The big race is just around the corner. Whether competing as an individual, on a team, for fun, to get a mug, to win the elite division, or just to have a grand time, it is never too late for last minute PPP training and racing preparation. Here are a few training and race tips you may find helpful:

Brick workouts - Immediately after completing a training bike ride, put on your running shoes and take off for a training run. Your legs will feel like bricks, hence the name, the first few times but will gradually get used to running after riding. Additional dual sport workouts are a good idea as well and could included riding down from the mountain immediately after a skate ski and/or paddling in the river directly after running.

Practice transitions - Switching gear from one sport to the next takes practice and careful planning. What will you wear for each leg? When will you take your bike helmet off? Will you stand up or sit down to put your shoes on? Practicing transitions between all disciplines will make you more relaxed on race day and save you precious time.

Know Your Diet - Don't try a fancy new breakfast, new sports drink, or energy bar the day of the race. Make sure you have tested out all of the food and beverages you will be consuming during a training outing. This includes the post race party drinks.

Know your equipment - Know what your gear looks like and how it works. More than once, I have seen person A click into person B's alpine skis and take off leaving person B dumbfounded. The PPP could be renamed the BBB - the begged, borrowed, and bought race for all the new gear out during race day. Familiarizing yourself with your borrowed, and newly purchased, gear before race day will save you and innocent competitors much heartache. Additionally, make sure all of your equipment is in good, functioning, shape.

Remember to have fun - The intense competition for a winning mug can sometimes overshadow the real reason you are out there. Remember to relax and have a good time. Good Luck!

Chainbreaker

Pump up your tires and grease your chains. The 11th Annual Cascade Chainbreaker Mountain Bike Race will be held this Sunday. Over 300 mountain bikers from Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Northern California are expected to compete in the event featuring cross-country racing for riders of various skill levels. WebCyclery is the sole sponsor for the race this year. Kevin Gorman, president of WebCyclery said, "I am excited to have WebCyclery associated with the Chainbreaker for the 7th consecutive year because it will be one of the largest mountain bike races in Oregon this year and it will allow riders to experience some of Bend's best springtime riding." Gorman added, "This year a portion of each registration fee will be donated to the Central Oregon Home Health and Hospice in Bend." Central Oregon Home Health and Hospice is comprised of specially trained, caring individuals who work to meet the unique and individual medical, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and family facing a serious, life-limiting illness.

Dirty Half Training Group Runs

Footzone is hosting a series of training runs to get ready for the Dirty Half running race that is quickly approaching. A 12-mile training run on Sunday, May 11th, is followed by a 13.1 mile race course preview run on the following Sunday, May 25th. Meet at the big dirt field below Phil's trailhead at 8am to participate in the training runs. For more information, email Dave: [email protected].