tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20669586266875839202023-11-16T10:49:35.694-08:00Logan WetzelChronicles of an Outdoor AthleteLogan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-28312017235220977432023-01-12T05:44:00.000-08:002023-01-12T05:44:49.797-08:00Stay TunedIt's 2023, over 7 years since my last blog post. A lot has changed in the world and in my life since last writing here in 2015. I hope to reflect on it with you soon.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd24ePTsEJ9_bDZ_isnGzFjGRfaBSGLhVygcRSD_oV6ON4Ef9WhGJyUkAAbxsou7CcvfCiqWQwLYpA2U1e-xFDHHtnHtjj5lX0Zyz5--pMUCshVLoaptuXYvfsUhcTJAR228xOMkkOefmxUtW3hIdtaXqtqyhUjs_baVyLyA7DeFifIpcJPzP1HWPn/s3264/PXL_20221109_004912148.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd24ePTsEJ9_bDZ_isnGzFjGRfaBSGLhVygcRSD_oV6ON4Ef9WhGJyUkAAbxsou7CcvfCiqWQwLYpA2U1e-xFDHHtnHtjj5lX0Zyz5--pMUCshVLoaptuXYvfsUhcTJAR228xOMkkOefmxUtW3hIdtaXqtqyhUjs_baVyLyA7DeFifIpcJPzP1HWPn/s320/PXL_20221109_004912148.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd4YsGKJ6hEg7JDQq6jMpNxMY4hWWGN9-NZowDmx_D9qzsDOD72kUSSzazGMUoAduHboDAt_EJR3Wrs_FMSiTKE_mrAgviGiZulPNr9Oqs_d73L1yPBNMZSSpnNEXHb6r-XP5fH4DlsSXTanTbpEbK_XF0Af80_n1Fwo_6IAD6lk9RwiBopCJ_bnW/s4032/PXL_20221222_154729309.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd4YsGKJ6hEg7JDQq6jMpNxMY4hWWGN9-NZowDmx_D9qzsDOD72kUSSzazGMUoAduHboDAt_EJR3Wrs_FMSiTKE_mrAgviGiZulPNr9Oqs_d73L1yPBNMZSSpnNEXHb6r-XP5fH4DlsSXTanTbpEbK_XF0Af80_n1Fwo_6IAD6lk9RwiBopCJ_bnW/s320/PXL_20221222_154729309.jpg"/></a></div>Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-80236977268359887912015-10-10T10:17:00.002-07:002015-10-10T10:20:24.581-07:00Twenty FifteenHere I sit watching the sideways rain hit the windows on a mid-October day. There is something satisfying about this time of year. I like to think of it as the closing of summer and a time to reflect with a sense of fulfillment over the experiences had. I'd say 2015 has been my best effort in finding a life balance between working, racing, and living happily. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail building on Chuckanut with Whitney.</td></tr>
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Just after Whitney and I purchased our first home in February, I was off to Wisconsin for my first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Birkebeiner" target="_blank">American Birkebeiner</a>. My good friend and former neighbor, Todd, had taken me under his wing and pushed my cross country skiing to new levels. With the support of Todd and <a href="http://en-us.madshus.com/" target="_blank">Madshus</a> and knowing that I was fortunate to have a wave 1 start, I spent 6 months training for the Birkie. The race itself was unlike anything I have experienced due to the number of skiers, beautiful course, and friendly Midwestern personalities. I had an amazing race finishing 164th, earning an elite wave start (top 200) for 2016. I can't wait!<br />
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After a busy winter of skiing and house projects, I was onto a pleasantly spread-out mountain bike season. Highlights include winning the <a href="http://www.nwepicseries.com/" target="_blank">NW Epic Series</a> and racing most of the <a href="http://www.cascadiadirtcup.org/" target="_blank">CDC Enduro</a> series.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suntop 50 miler with my dad alongside. Photo: Nadja Rua.</td></tr>
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I also earned another crown at the <a href="http://capitolforestclassic.com/" target="_blank">Captitol Forest Classic</a>, the most fun race weekend of the year. Pinkbike article <a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/news/cascadia-dirt-cup-round-4-capitol-forest-classic-race-report-2015.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KOM and QOM of Capitol Forest. Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EricAshleyPhotography?fref=photo" target="_blank">Eric Ashley</a>.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.evergreenmtb.org/" target="_blank">Evergreen MTB Alliance</a> has done amazing work on Tiger Mountain. It's not what it was when I rode there as a kid! I had a great race, placing third. Pinkbike article <a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/news/race-report-cascadia-dirt-cup-tiger-mountain-2015.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dropping into the new Predator trail on Tiger. Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EricAshleyPhotography?fref=ts" target="_blank">Eric Ashley.</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third place at Tiger. Photo: Adrian Hopkins.</td></tr>
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My grand finale event of the year was one that I was super excited for-the <a href="http://trans-cascadia.com/" target="_blank">Trans Cascadia</a>, a 4 day blind enduro stage race in Oakridge, Oregon. Long story short, it was amazing. The MODUS crew put together something truly unique and memorable. You can read about each day of the race on Pinkbike:<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/news/trans-cascadia-welcome-to-oakridge-2015.html" target="_blank">Trans Cascadia - Pre</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/news/trans-cascadia-day-1-2015.html" target="_blank">Trans Cascadia - Day 1</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/news/trans-cascadia-day-2-2015.html" target="_blank">Trans Cascadia - Day 2</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/news/trans-cascadia-day-3-2015.html" target="_blank">Trans Cascadia - Day 3</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/news/trans-cascadia-day-4-photo-epic-2015.html" target="_blank">Trans Cascadia - Day 4</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/news/trans-cascadia-recap-photo-epic-2015.html" target="_blank">Trans Cascadia - Photo Epic</a><br />
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I had the race of my life and slowly worked my way up the rankings each day. After a brilliant final day of racing, I snuck onto the podium. The battle for that third spot was furious with Nick Hardin and myself taking 1st or 2nd on most of the final day's 6 stages.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Oregon Cascades.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: </span><a href="http://www.parisgore.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Paris Gore.</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo: </span><a href="http://www.parisgore.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Paris Gore.</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: <a href="http://www.parisgore.com/" target="_blank">Paris Gore.</a></td></tr>
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Time to find some ski fitness!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking the Enchantments last weekend. Photo: Loren Hanson.</td></tr>
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Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-88461975768258051012014-07-12T12:15:00.000-07:002014-07-13T20:59:42.444-07:00BC Bike Race - Take 2It's hard to believe it's been 6 years since I first raced the BC Bike Race - a grand 7 day showcase of some of the finest singletrack coastal British Columbia has to offer. Back in 2008, the event was quite a bit different from today's edition. The days were longer back then(day 2 was 70+ miles!) which meant everyone had to team up (for safety/liability). Ian Mackie and I flew the old Benaroya blue to a top-10 finish.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ian and I after finishing the 2nd annual BC Bike Race (2008).</td></tr>
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Come 2014 and the BCBR is a polished consolidation of as much quality singletrack as possible. Winning times are now 2-3 hours instead of 3-5 hours each day. That being said, the new style is by no means easier. Typical trails are technical and physically demanding.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUTNYmj5aIbNA1oI1BgQ-3UXa4RQ7QJrRy10v5kQcBLEvzY0ZEaP5NhF-_otWMcdMWabdhf1Z7hlsmrQ7lUwojdLX0vRbTXlgYMKIO2ph0melXUTI-u2Uwbv2QUT-Ikk8akL7h81_zm0/s1600/header-map-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUTNYmj5aIbNA1oI1BgQ-3UXa4RQ7QJrRy10v5kQcBLEvzY0ZEaP5NhF-_otWMcdMWabdhf1Z7hlsmrQ7lUwojdLX0vRbTXlgYMKIO2ph0melXUTI-u2Uwbv2QUT-Ikk8akL7h81_zm0/s1600/header-map-2013.jpg" height="347" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 BC Bike Race route overview.</td></tr>
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Three teammates, Toby Swanson, Garett Heitman, Benji Perin, and myself took to the BCBR starting line as 4 solo racers. Originally, Garett was teamed up with Gian Dalle, but unfortunately, Gian separated his shoulder two weeks before the race and was unable to compete. Huge bummer for him to not be able to race the big event he had trained all year for. My lovely and supportive girlfriend, Whitney, generously offered to tag along, drive the CLIF van and support us all week - no easy task taking care of 4 perpetually-exhausted and disorganized men for 7 days straight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbz1BlfA8OJjb_TAR9wdLp-gqhWqjiegKq9CwDvTVgLxneXPXBj0baSBMFR11aJbNhpiODfMAvHJiEiZRY1kRmQED6pRIsHayl3ZD1_tnciL684uIdrL3ZUX-c8aI6q0IuE3s-iBJtbqA/s1600/10491225_10100941062764730_3928036299415398846_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbz1BlfA8OJjb_TAR9wdLp-gqhWqjiegKq9CwDvTVgLxneXPXBj0baSBMFR11aJbNhpiODfMAvHJiEiZRY1kRmQED6pRIsHayl3ZD1_tnciL684uIdrL3ZUX-c8aI6q0IuE3s-iBJtbqA/s1600/10491225_10100941062764730_3928036299415398846_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CLIF sprinter loaded for 5 people and 7 days of racing.</td></tr>
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<b>Day 1 - North Vancouver</b><br />
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Riding the famous Vancouver North Shore has been a dream of mine since my early teenage years. Believe it or not, even after living in Bellingham since 2006 I had never made it up to ride the fabled 'Shore. We were all treated to a day-before pre-ride of most of the course and put-up in a sweet pad only a mile from the start/finish. Thank you, Scott!<br />
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The race started out about as expected - lots of super strong Euros hammering the front on the initial pavement climb. The first trail, "Circuit 8", spread the field out and made me wish I was strong enough to stay ahead of some of the less-skilled riders. As the week went on, battling for singletrack hole-shots would become a repetitive task.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJBCRii9iohXsz_IL5YDV2fnshp_l3iWeULzfoQiMdJA6AmhN_Ry8quXROoPzCzgX0LuCaWkrBngTsgrReJ3iaPYltu-OzWfqmX7rVMekgPZwkb18qs4pNTs_xqQ0BBnq_Kfa4HFaZUI/s1600/_MRP8229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJBCRii9iohXsz_IL5YDV2fnshp_l3iWeULzfoQiMdJA6AmhN_Ry8quXROoPzCzgX0LuCaWkrBngTsgrReJ3iaPYltu-OzWfqmX7rVMekgPZwkb18qs4pNTs_xqQ0BBnq_Kfa4HFaZUI/s1600/_MRP8229.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toby on the 'Shore. Photo credit: <a href="http://www.bcbikerace.com/news-and-media/photos/photo-2014" target="_blank">BC Bike Race</a>.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8UAkUaYwKKaIfrpvXcpo1J2airRNntDGzPM6j1LrFgvF32sJgdet9X1MlVSsHjkjhSm4c49vV9c4ju_PUVg-y6ckT8w74L1kVugiDlsxEQbxZ9tk92yqtrnCrSRfGl3I-Lk6LbD2d9U/s1600/DS_BCBR14_1_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8UAkUaYwKKaIfrpvXcpo1J2airRNntDGzPM6j1LrFgvF32sJgdet9X1MlVSsHjkjhSm4c49vV9c4ju_PUVg-y6ckT8w74L1kVugiDlsxEQbxZ9tk92yqtrnCrSRfGl3I-Lk6LbD2d9U/s1600/DS_BCBR14_1_0097.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yours truly. Photo credit: <a href="http://www.bcbikerace.com/news-and-media/photos/photo-2014" target="_blank">BC Bike Race</a>.</td></tr>
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The first half of the race was spent on Mt Seymour, with my personal highlight being "Severed D" and "High School Loop". Lots of oldschool technical wet roots and rocks mixed with fun rhythmic berms, pumps, and doubles. Next we ventured over to Mt Fromme and climbed fire road for a couple thousand feet to "Expresso", the first enduro (timed downhill) stage. Expresso was a blast and I passed a handful of dudes who had gone by me on the climb up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf3UmmmYKpCIpdCpwA2l4qphn6BzMcba_p0h2a2YWTJzfKWS0Lw4FuwiCI0TNqY8h_2EVZM12uztXMnWB_-psaem2UmIU0Ho9K8BeP-luLdv8czUDlOXOcrzU0pIdhIL12_qtqU_gGes/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf3UmmmYKpCIpdCpwA2l4qphn6BzMcba_p0h2a2YWTJzfKWS0Lw4FuwiCI0TNqY8h_2EVZM12uztXMnWB_-psaem2UmIU0Ho9K8BeP-luLdv8czUDlOXOcrzU0pIdhIL12_qtqU_gGes/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to Vancouver Island - ominous clouds lingering on the horizon.</td></tr>
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<b>Day 2 - Cumberland</b><br />
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After sleeping in Cumberland, we awoke and raced in the same Vancouver Island destination. I remembered the trails well from 2008 and knew they wouldn't disappoint. After a longer climb than expected, we entered some amazing singletrack with a slickrock surface surrounded by a thick carpet of moss. I thought we had mossy dank forest in Bellingham, but I must say this Cumberland trail was something else.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcm_HLrLvoZKC4o0cds_xZoAcpy8LTSkWKkv-cWZdPTCmtCvUYjD8CsbW5rfA78B-80noaVe8CsQDrFNNQQgH9bvuXNRz_XEveqaHP4M0eEmjaeS62suDvWmgcM03wLXRRBSZBHM2IKY/s1600/20140630_100407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcm_HLrLvoZKC4o0cds_xZoAcpy8LTSkWKkv-cWZdPTCmtCvUYjD8CsbW5rfA78B-80noaVe8CsQDrFNNQQgH9bvuXNRz_XEveqaHP4M0eEmjaeS62suDvWmgcM03wLXRRBSZBHM2IKY/s1600/20140630_100407.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming through the infield area halfway through the figure-8 route.</td></tr>
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<b>Day 3 - Powell River</b><br />
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The first day on the Sunshine Coast didn't disappoint. Ribbons of trail meandering through a lush sea of green. The day lacked any long climbs which allowed me to stay with the leaders for longer than usual before being punted off the back on the "Aloha" climb. Who could forget the name of this trail as it climbed through a live Hawaiian Luau under a bridge before looping back around and crossing over itself. It was quite the spectacle complete with ukelele players and hula dancers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-QMs8eMYU-zk9Atiy4w_x85l7z6vlamy5o6bi7j2YIYfh4B6nlRnw2HIarJORtAPxb8IagE0YWzaoD658O-JXBfhkg_q6cKVjKcBgVSjUOV1RLQWs-HYco50pJELWguzDUm_fHvhPO0/s1600/_MRP0752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-QMs8eMYU-zk9Atiy4w_x85l7z6vlamy5o6bi7j2YIYfh4B6nlRnw2HIarJORtAPxb8IagE0YWzaoD658O-JXBfhkg_q6cKVjKcBgVSjUOV1RLQWs-HYco50pJELWguzDUm_fHvhPO0/s1600/_MRP0752.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MePowell River trails. Photo credit: <a href="http://www.bcbikerace.com/news-and-media/photos/photo-2014" target="_blank">BC Bike Race</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1l9Tafw0ITSrZv_16LBeolYeNU9W151mviMx_FLTSTAoWX02r6hxNixmjBLTeGOY-5_IwGuXRCaa8duDAtWguIPNCshBVeJ783djuwaKSYtdrJJsioEKqoUQo4M2B68EKs735ujYdUI/s1600/_MRP0785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1l9Tafw0ITSrZv_16LBeolYeNU9W151mviMx_FLTSTAoWX02r6hxNixmjBLTeGOY-5_IwGuXRCaa8duDAtWguIPNCshBVeJ783djuwaKSYtdrJJsioEKqoUQo4M2B68EKs735ujYdUI/s1600/_MRP0785.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luau on Aloha. Photo credit: <a href="http://www.bcbikerace.com/news-and-media/photos/photo-2014" target="_blank">BC Bike Race</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6ENQ5IqWZPMLD-Be4AVX2IZuMmndHe-M5i_1cIq8oS6RJ1OqmnsM9jfA9ZCMm0OaQnw3JtwH2TtbFQNXz3Q1_1dp38q40Yipg1nnpVk2hfDPziqxoysvwhtkH0sr7Du55Jq_1RzxpFs/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6ENQ5IqWZPMLD-Be4AVX2IZuMmndHe-M5i_1cIq8oS6RJ1OqmnsM9jfA9ZCMm0OaQnw3JtwH2TtbFQNXz3Q1_1dp38q40Yipg1nnpVk2hfDPziqxoysvwhtkH0sr7Du55Jq_1RzxpFs/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening in pleasant Powell River.</td></tr>
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<b>Day 4 - Earls Cove to Sechelt</b><br />
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With temperatures in the 80s and the longest stage at 60 km, day 4 was definitely the most challenging. It was also the first of two point-to-point days, starting at the Earls Cove ferry landing and finishing in the seaside town of Sechelt. The race featured numerous short steep climbs, many of which were beneath power-lines exposed to the scorching sun. After climbing gradually to the day's highpoint, the route entered the enduro descent down towards Sechelt. "VFR" was the name of the trail and it was a blast. Besides missing a turn, this may have been my favorite enduro stage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUiB41ZrpjZrdEKPoFkYNkWd4_GpPPMtn9rLzUav8hKhJnbMns6PMwIXFpHv_8CsQV764sIjw23l5E4LO-gIyDve_e5kOgibha_V2UmTedO3tX5qMFtZM2uh2EIhFOa8q_XttFkF2I0M/s1600/d4-websmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUiB41ZrpjZrdEKPoFkYNkWd4_GpPPMtn9rLzUav8hKhJnbMns6PMwIXFpHv_8CsQV764sIjw23l5E4LO-gIyDve_e5kOgibha_V2UmTedO3tX5qMFtZM2uh2EIhFOa8q_XttFkF2I0M/s1600/d4-websmall.jpg" height="167" width="400" /></a></div>
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Even more memorable than the race itself was flying on a seaplane to the start of the stage. The pilot flew us over beautiful rugged Sunshine Coast backcountry and even dove sharply over a waterfall. Quite the experience to say the least!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYf7lxrDYmSBcaqfa1ap-fLB5kb_4u7FLVe66N5NsHLwf3OxNRbvQ3DD22nurqh2VM4guaQZVBg9Y4_MC5PS8l82C5A0eY0ToX0QId0IGdWyNZHXYFWgHjKTZc7nqOW-ZZBkNikxsC-dI/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYf7lxrDYmSBcaqfa1ap-fLB5kb_4u7FLVe66N5NsHLwf3OxNRbvQ3DD22nurqh2VM4guaQZVBg9Y4_MC5PS8l82C5A0eY0ToX0QId0IGdWyNZHXYFWgHjKTZc7nqOW-ZZBkNikxsC-dI/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transport to the start of the race.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6ukoQviPwd5zAQ-3nzfewqbJCVFXoTYSWxmKB7VXzp9Eo024xdN9zcVzX7squ0AIf4Ql1OeEXwfzK09uZu2Cnx3mby7zlC1S-Yfp3TgQx4919TmNCBc8KC4XHZO6JrJEHnEHwm5RLX8/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6ukoQviPwd5zAQ-3nzfewqbJCVFXoTYSWxmKB7VXzp9Eo024xdN9zcVzX7squ0AIf4Ql1OeEXwfzK09uZu2Cnx3mby7zlC1S-Yfp3TgQx4919TmNCBc8KC4XHZO6JrJEHnEHwm5RLX8/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stunning Sunshine Coast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPb13CDrA5rtdXkeis97hsznuCnQBUsh5gm32Gvc_Fi1BzBqaBwyl6bM0XXdxKffV6oJrjvaQOCJ-VziJlPv4-kdm0A938WDPWW7BLLEdfbfkOnDwO_Ss_q6V6qh30bw_EbV5PkBQapM/s1600/20140702_172225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPb13CDrA5rtdXkeis97hsznuCnQBUsh5gm32Gvc_Fi1BzBqaBwyl6bM0XXdxKffV6oJrjvaQOCJ-VziJlPv4-kdm0A938WDPWW7BLLEdfbfkOnDwO_Ss_q6V6qh30bw_EbV5PkBQapM/s1600/20140702_172225.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sechelt shoreline with Whitney.</td></tr>
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<b>Day 5 - Sechelt to Langdale</b><br />
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A much needed shorter day (41 km) and our last on the Sunshine Coast. This one was definitely packed-full of quality trails. I still vividly remembered some of the fast flowy trails such as "Hwy 102" from way back in '08. I gave the enduro segment, "Sidewinder", a hard effort and was rewarded with the top time of the day. The "Sprokids" trails after Sidewinder were an added bonus with bermy, jumpy flow. The blissful descending went on and on before finally coming to a sad end at the Langdale ferry terminal.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garett speeding into the start of Sidewinder.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earned myself a nifty race plate.</td></tr>
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<b>Day 6 - Squamish</b><br />
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This was the day that most people talked about all week. With 5-6k feet of climbing and home to famous races like the Test of Metal, Squamish was sure to challenge everybody. I've raced in Squamish many times, but was excited to ride a bunch of unfamiliar trails. "Rupert", a new 2014 trail, was particularly awesome with steep rock rolls and well-designed technical challenges. "Half Nelson" was another good one with machine built berms and jumps. There were some high speed doubles that really got my heart thumping and earned loud cheers from spectators. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squamish. Photo credit: <a href="http://www.bcbikerace.com/news-and-media/photos/photo-2014" target="_blank">BC Bike Race</a>.</td></tr>
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I had ridden the day's enduro, "Pseudotsuga", a few years ago but didn't remember it well. Another machine-built trail, it was fast but loose. I was yet to crash all week, but my luck finally came to an end near the end of the trail. I'm not sure what happened exactly, but I went down HARD. I quickly got back on my bike and tried to limp along as quickly as possible to the finish of the enduro - fortunately only another minute or so down the trail. Now on a dirt road climb, I was able to slow down and assess my condition. Both knees, left shoulder and arm (opposite my previous shoulder separations), left finger, and right palm were all aching with pain. I could also tell my face was bloody, but I wasn't sure how bad it was. As if on cue, <a href="http://cpendrel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Catherine Pendrel's</a> husband, Keith, was alongside me offering to help. We had gotten to know each other over the week of living out of side-by-side sprinter vans at each day's basecamp. He was super helpful and sprayed off my bloody wounds and assured me that my face didn't look too messed up. Glad to know I shouldn't head for a hospital, I picked up the pace and did my best to not get passed by too many people before the finish.<br />
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<b>Day 7 - Whistler</b><br />
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The final day and a gloriously short hot lap around the Whistler valley. We started by blitzing to the top of the lower bike park then blasting down the mountain in lycra (a rare sight for the world famous Whistler bike park). Next, we ventured over to the Lost Lake trails and wandered around the rocky undulating cross country trails. I was in a lot of pain from my wreck the day before and had to really fight hard to hold onto my 12th place overall. <br />
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I was nearly in tears crossing the line, glad to be done fighting the pain and overcome with the closing of such an incredible week of riding. In my un-travelled opinion, there is no better place to mountain bike than BC.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go Team!! Whitney, you should have been in this one.</td></tr>
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In the end, Team CLIF killed it (from left to right above):<br />
Logan - 12th overall, 3rd enduro<br />
Toby - 9th overall, 8th enduro<br />
Garett - 10th overall, 19th enduro<br />
Benji - 33rd overall<br />
Whitney (photographer) - number one organizer/shepard/supporter!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brought home some fresh woodwork.</td></tr>
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I'd like to give a huge shout out to <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/" target="_blank">CLIF Bar</a> for getting us to the race and keeping us fueled throught and <a href="http://www.transitionbikes.com/2014/Bikes_Bandit29.cfm?Token={ts_2014-07-12_10:43:36}-4c7b8c426d21f593-9F926AD0-E0DE-6B8F-31DBD876619B575F" target="_blank">Transition Bikes</a> for putting us on bikes that shred trails with unprecedented reliability (our Bandits had ZERO mechanicals or flats over the week- not many teams can say that). Big thank you also to <a href="http://www.cascadedesigns.com/platypus/hydration-packs/xc/tokul-8/product" target="_blank">Platypus Hydration</a>, <a href="http://www.ravennacapitalmanagement.com/" target="_blank">Ravenna Capital Management</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CVLInc" target="_blank">Cherry Valley Logging</a>, <a href="http://www.kore-usa.com/#" target="_blank">KORE</a>, and <a href="http://secondascent.com/" target="_blank">Second Ascent</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you BC Bike Race! Photo credit: <a href="http://www.bcbikerace.com/news-and-media/photos/photo-2014" target="_blank">BC Bike Race</a>.<br />
Further photo credit for photos used on this blog: Dave Silver, Margus Riga, Todd Weselake and Erik Peterson.</td></tr>
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And of course I can't thank the hundreds of volunteers who put their time and energy into giving us the opportunity to tour BC for 7 days, fully supported. The traveling circus that is the BC Bike Race is an awe inspiring show of organization, planning, and teamwork.<br />
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My big event of the year completed, it's time to kick back with a cold one and plan some summer mountain adventures. Cheers!Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-79208245204170624522014-03-30T10:24:00.000-07:002014-03-30T10:24:08.344-07:00Transition Racing NW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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See you on the trails!</div>
Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-91495564698836565802013-12-12T17:50:00.000-08:002013-12-12T17:50:05.941-08:00Mark Twain"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."<div>
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Thank you, Mark Twain.</div>
Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-81471984077004735572013-10-27T10:04:00.001-07:002013-10-27T10:24:35.042-07:00Chuckanut EnduroLast weekend reminded me of why I fell in love with mountain biking. The <a href="http://whimpsmtb.org/">WMBC</a>'s annual Shoot the Trails event combined with the inaugural <a href="http://cascadiadirtcup.org/chuckanutenduro/">Chuckanut Enduro</a> made for one of the most fun weekends I can remember. Big thanks to Val Thompson for organizing Shoot the Trails, which raised $17,000 towards the trails we ride. Our mountain bike community is unbelievable. There is certainly no place I would rather live right now than Bellingham.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full-house at the WMBC Shoot the Trails event.</td></tr>
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Sunday's enduro race was an eye-opening experience for me. I had previously only raced one enduro-style event, the <a href="http://rideviciouscycle.com/events/loup-loup-mountain-challenge/">Methow Enduro</a>, which was a lot of fun but not vastly different from a standard cross-country affair. The Chuckanut Enduro was an entirely different beast. Being on my backyard trails, I knew the course would include a lot of technical, rooty, slimy challenges. Staying upright and on the trail would be a challenge. Chuckanut was seeing tons of traffic the week before the event with everyone and their mother out practicing. New lines were popping up and everything was getting covered in a layer of slimy damp loam. My number one goal was to have fun, ride within my abilities, and not crash and re-injure my shoulder (or anything else).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">24 miles and 5k+ ft of gain. Not a walk in the park!</td></tr>
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Rising early Sunday morning was painful after a late Saturday night. Getting ready to ride at Larrabee State Park, I was asking lots of questions and trying not to look like a total idiot. I finally casually began climbing up Fragrance Lake Rd to the start of the first stage, Two Dollar. Knowing this was the least technical stage with the most pedaling, I hoped to take advantage of being on my Raleigh hardtail and build up an advantage before going into the more technical stages. After powering down Two Dollar, I was so gassed I could barely see straight. This was going to be a tough day on the bike! It turns out I only put 5 seconds on Lars Sternberg... so much for building a big lead on "the pedally stage"!</div>
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After climbing casually in a group up to Lower Chuckanut Ridge, we were all amazed by how it seemed to be raining on us, despite absolutely no chance of precipitation. Strangely, the dense fog coming off the Sound must have been blowing across the high crest of Chuckanut, where moisture was caught in the trees and dropped down on us in thick drops. It was quite the isolated weather phenomena and reminded me of the <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/world-driest-desert-chile-harvests-water-fog-article-1.1304082">Atacama Desert</a> of Chile, where marine fog supports life.</div>
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The second stage began with a wide open fast descent down Madrona Crest, but quickly tightened into a maze of roots and flow-killing corners on Hush Hush. This puzzle of a trail is so tangled with sniper roots, slimy rocks, and strange corners that the general consensus from riders afterwards was that nobody had a clean run free of crashes or mishaps.</div>
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After a long transfer down through Arroyo Park, out the Interurban back to Larrabee, then nearly 2k feet back to the top of Chuckanut, we faced the third stage, Upper Chuckanut Ridge to Galen's Step. This trail featured some new loamy rutted singletrack followed by the classic Upper Ridge which was chock full of root gardens and mossy rock faces. The final stretch down Galen's Step is steep and deep as it drops away from the ridgeline. I had a clean run and hit some lines far faster than I ever had. This was my smoothest run of the day. Unfortunately, Lars suffered some bad luck when his cassette picked up a twig and hindered his pedaling.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badass unicyclist riding Upper Ridge!</td></tr>
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Climbing for the final time brought us to the fourth and final stage, Double Black Diamond. Being steep and fast with heavy compressions and braking bumps, I knew this trail would be my personal crux. Feeling that my first three runs had gone well, I was nervous-scared even-when dropping into DBD. I botched a couple sections shortly after the start but took a few deep breaths, regained my composure, and rode the next 2/3 better than I ever had. After crossing the line, Lars finished more than 30 seconds later, which told me that I had done well. He is on another level down that trail, so believe it or not I was pumped to<i> </i>lose <i>only</i> 23 seconds to him.</div>
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While drinking beer and celebrating such a memorable day on the bike, stories of the day flew around. It was rad catching up with friends new and old in the beer garden. After 5k feet of climbing and 4 challenging stages, a mutual feeling of tiredness, satisfaction, and camaraderie was in the air. As the results were suspensefuly announced, I knew I was leading the race after two stages. Lars came over and told me I had won the whole thing by 8 seconds and I couldn't believe him. I was absolutely blown away! The racing was unbelievably close. Darrin finished 3rd to fill the top-3 podium spots with Bellingham riders. Lots of friends in the full results <a href="http://cascadiadirtcup.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Chuckanut-Results.pdf">here</a>. Pink Bike article <a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Cascadia-Dirt-Cup-Series-Finale-Chuckanut-Enduro-2013.html">here</a>.</div>
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I caught the enduro bug last weekend. The racing was technically, mentally, and physically challenging. That, combined with the social, laid back transfers between stages and big total time on the bike made for a winning combination. With our trails and our passionate community, Bellingham seems to be the perfect place for hosting these races (and hopefully XC races in the future!). Eric Brown and the WMBC are an incredible group who, among many other things, have worked with the WA State Parks to hold the race and take on an exciting growth plan for mountain bike trails in Larrabee. Our town is already making a name for itself as a mountain bike hot spot. If the current trajectory holds, Bellingham will be an international riding destination in a few years. </div>
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Signing out with mountain biking perpetually on my mind... Time to hit the trails!</div>
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Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-56495269680733807592013-07-26T20:55:00.001-07:002013-07-26T20:58:19.139-07:00A vacation without bike racingYup, you heard right. Whitney and I went on vacation and did NO bike racing. The original plan was to race the High Cascades 100 mile mtb race and spend a week in Bend, Oregon. After reinjuring my shoulder a month ago, I've been taking a break from riding and racing. Fortunately, I am always distracted by other outdoor activities as is, so getting injured doesn't mean sitting on the bench. I've been running and hiking a bunch and really enjoying the variety. Vacation in Bend was a blast.<br />
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We did watch Rusty and Patrick race the HC100 in brutal 95 degree heat from a comfortable swimming hole at Lava Lake on the backside of Mt Bachelor.<br />
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I also climbed the South Sister volcano. At 10,358 feet, it is the third tallest peak in Oregon. I ran as much of it as I could and made a solid speed challenge of it. The views were out of this world. Checkout my previous post for more photos.<br />
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Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-80384423644408255782013-07-26T20:41:00.001-07:002013-07-26T20:41:12.702-07:00South Sister Run/Climb<div style="padding: 0; overflow: hidden; margin: 0; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetzell/9372215373/in/set-72157634810546818/" title="IMG_1489" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/9372215373_0b493c6a2e_s.jpg" alt="IMG_1489" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetzell/9372598643/in/set-72157634810546818/" title="Cascade Lakes HWY approach" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/9372598643_c4ce9084e6_s.jpg" alt="Cascade Lakes HWY approach" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetzell/9375375118/in/set-72157634810546818/" title=" " style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5532/9375375118_596965089c_s.jpg" alt=" " style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetzell/9372215045/in/set-72157634810546818/" title="IMG_1486" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/9372215045_6259f7b6bb_s.jpg" alt="IMG_1486" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetzell/9372214663/in/set-72157634810546818/" title="IMG_1478" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/9372214663_5ddcde43b5_s.jpg" alt="IMG_1478" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetzell/9372214385/in/set-72157634810546818/" title="IMG_1464" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/9372214385_c9e0680e2e_s.jpg" alt="IMG_1464" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetzell/9374990130/in/set-72157634810546818/" title="IMG_1461" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2839/9374990130_06dbdb2def_s.jpg" alt="IMG_1461" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetzell/9372213705/in/set-72157634810546818/" title="IMG_1459" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/9372213705_5eb54dc7bf_s.jpg" alt="IMG_1459" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetzell/9372599191/in/set-72157634810546818/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/9372599191_f74d39a22b_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetzell/9374989656/in/set-72157634810546818/" title="MVI_1455" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/en-us/video_encoding_s.jpg" alt="MVI_1455" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><div style="padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/gallery-empty-icon.gif" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"></div><div style="padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/gallery-empty-icon.gif" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"></div><br clear="all"/></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px"><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetzell/sets/72157634810546818/">South Sister Run/Climb</a>, a set on Flickr.</p></div><p>Sunny Bend, Oregon. A vacation free of bike racing. Amazing!</p>Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-76182834519435357672013-05-02T23:16:00.001-07:002013-05-03T06:46:20.838-07:00Shifting GearsIt's been a good long run, but I had to finish at some point. Yes, that's right, I finished college and got myself one of these:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">BS in Applied Mathematics</td></tr>
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Whitney and I went on an awesome road trip down to Palm Springs, CA after finals week. We stayed with her family down there and did some amazing hikes and relaxed a lot. I also got out on three rides, two of which were really scenic in the San Bernardino and San Gorgonio Mountains. Stage 2 of this year's Tour of California will finish in Palm Springs, but otherwise I wouldn't call the place much of a cycling destination. The winter hiking options are unbelievable though!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Joshua Tree National Park</td></tr>
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After working as an intern at Heath Tecna since June, I was officially hired on as an Associate Mechanical Engineer after graduating. I feel privileged to have a good job right out of school and am super excited to get to stay in Bellingham. Heath has been and still is very accommodating with and excited about my racing.<br />
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On a less positive note, I ran into a tree and hurt my shoulder about a month ago and I am still recovering. I missed a couple weeks of riding and some early season races, but I'd say I am about 90% healed up and can mountain bike with almost no pain now.<br />
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This weekend will be my first race of the year at the <a href="http://rideviciouscycle.com/events/beacon-and-legs/">Beacon and Legs</a>, the second round of the Fat Tire Revolution Series. The race is at Beacon Hill in Spokane and brings back nostalgic memories of my very first mountain bike race way back in 2004 at age 16! I look forward to returning to the course after nearly a decade away.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Jiri and I sprinting for the win in the Junior Beginner Category at the '04 WIM Beacon Bomber.</td></tr>
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It might be good for me to mention that I am racing on a new mountain bike squad this year called Team NW Sho-Air / Raleigh presented by SET Coaching. The team is lead by solo 24 hour racer Ian Mullins, with Gian Dalle, Kevin Bradford-Parish, and myself rounding out the quadfecta. You can check out our supporting companies on the right side of my blog. See you at the races or on the trails!<br />
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<br />Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-75274949180881534482012-12-08T22:40:00.001-08:002012-12-08T23:06:14.705-08:00Staying busyThis Fall absolutely flew by! Between my hardest school quarter yet, work, and cross racing on the weekends, I've been busy. It's been a good kind of busy though. I had one of my best and most fun cross seasons yet. My <a href="http://secondascent.com/" target="_blank">Second Ascent</a> teammate Benji Perrin continued to up his game this year and had a great showing at the races and placed 4th overall in the <a href="http://seattlecx.com/" target="_blank">Seattle CX Series</a>. My former and future teammate Toby Swanson also had a great comeback season for 2nd overall in the SCX Series. I'm super pumped to have him on the team next year. Between the three of us, we are sure to be a top cyclocross squad for next year's local races and maybe more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGguxyuMKIRtHB1x8QPgNOB-njNtPLrpSvu49yU8YNp-v8pwfGkF7h31Zjy4HjPbSYtdrRj2yWlwNdLJk4EC-qRmHpC6c2tVWTiX-AAjug6XvVngy9qJX1i-1K-2vHMNytIUOsJskLclQ/s1600/382060_10151140704376725_344198797_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGguxyuMKIRtHB1x8QPgNOB-njNtPLrpSvu49yU8YNp-v8pwfGkF7h31Zjy4HjPbSYtdrRj2yWlwNdLJk4EC-qRmHpC6c2tVWTiX-AAjug6XvVngy9qJX1i-1K-2vHMNytIUOsJskLclQ/s400/382060_10151140704376725_344198797_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving XC World Champs 5k at Cornwall Park. Photo: Jake Hartsoch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFKZXr_yS7uLguTUrrcgJJD5sqZ0i3KIQjOMB8wfzcX_eiFVyiGZZ-YqCmzXgEW5OjfI6IsJv-eop-Elx_VIOy04m2QC_fq-u1gDCjLKgyu4sko23Er8_MJ_secrIIpi1AfLTWB8_o_0/s1600/382070_4135974152855_2053728412_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFKZXr_yS7uLguTUrrcgJJD5sqZ0i3KIQjOMB8wfzcX_eiFVyiGZZ-YqCmzXgEW5OjfI6IsJv-eop-Elx_VIOy04m2QC_fq-u1gDCjLKgyu4sko23Er8_MJ_secrIIpi1AfLTWB8_o_0/s400/382070_4135974152855_2053728412_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleaning up in Lake Samish after the Lutherwood <a href="http://cascadecross.com/" target="_blank">cross race</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23Wn8cNfPeV99KoEcV0XxUop6K-QR5BXOy5PM67qec9XOmwp0E3bP_EnCYJc1835zfvqK8G4JPml641rQn-BAN46L8BHRDhjMAalGZVqvexP0dvdXOt9vfsqUB1NyMuDLNeGs4vMsvYE/s1600/63108_558498004177037_1352049511_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23Wn8cNfPeV99KoEcV0XxUop6K-QR5BXOy5PM67qec9XOmwp0E3bP_EnCYJc1835zfvqK8G4JPml641rQn-BAN46L8BHRDhjMAalGZVqvexP0dvdXOt9vfsqUB1NyMuDLNeGs4vMsvYE/s400/63108_558498004177037_1352049511_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">State championships run-up. Photo: <a href="http://www.dbcphoto.com/" target="_blank">Dennis Crane</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNiGM_-6b0xpraFnaUyYlMSpbWmX_avL4j1g0uyIo6YB_X7PxM1S3sxgcEV8MSsxNwabjR7Y5iGZHxRNGVe8yELDI-bKealPNmzUbHljiVCN9zGeRCE1ZtODG1WSIxIcO_9MRcmZP1sA/s1600/309231_10101632594414608_356643962_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNiGM_-6b0xpraFnaUyYlMSpbWmX_avL4j1g0uyIo6YB_X7PxM1S3sxgcEV8MSsxNwabjR7Y5iGZHxRNGVe8yELDI-bKealPNmzUbHljiVCN9zGeRCE1ZtODG1WSIxIcO_9MRcmZP1sA/s320/309231_10101632594414608_356643962_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd at State Champs. Great job to Logan Owen and Gian Dalle for their killer seasons! </td></tr>
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Below are some nerdy illustrations from my Fourier Series/Partial Differential Equations class that I think are really neat. A vibrating string or membrane's motion depends on position and time (a partial differential equation, or PDE for short). To find a solution to the PDE we use the given boundary conditions and initial conditions. I get kind of excited anytime math has interesting physical meaning.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50KgXjrkWLoUnAKpqQWywKIhCrqK0rbbex79Tf8Jj-As3VDg6tGMAz58FyGUSYiPk0R0PGbX8dKNj4DxhEE8Awf3VnfPsWVRekpvUjgoi81vGjLE5K57DehnNNNJQoNXQjTpXQ3HTiHQ/s1600/StringWithRigidPartAni.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50KgXjrkWLoUnAKpqQWywKIhCrqK0rbbex79Tf8Jj-As3VDg6tGMAz58FyGUSYiPk0R0PGbX8dKNj4DxhEE8Awf3VnfPsWVRekpvUjgoi81vGjLE5K57DehnNNNJQoNXQjTpXQ3HTiHQ/s320/StringWithRigidPartAni.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vibrating string with red "super-glued" segment. Property of <a href="http://myweb.facstaff.wwu.edu/curgus/Courses/430_201240/430.html" target="_blank">Branko Curgus</a>.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj674tyNV7eQsM-xT4DL3A5FtLOCIKj4AGVgFS4qKCuM4038RYjtzVnsSZ2wXfLNeQOx4pL12fMg_gv4tfb5ZeO2d5x9mw2YWwCoLcV5s9C0us_c02bJ1iN9rFV2-fFwDk8DnOpUotD3lg/s1600/DrumVani.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj674tyNV7eQsM-xT4DL3A5FtLOCIKj4AGVgFS4qKCuM4038RYjtzVnsSZ2wXfLNeQOx4pL12fMg_gv4tfb5ZeO2d5x9mw2YWwCoLcV5s9C0us_c02bJ1iN9rFV2-fFwDk8DnOpUotD3lg/s320/DrumVani.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vibrating membrane (i.e. a musical drum) evaluated using <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laplace's_equation" target="_blank">Laplace's Equation</a> in cylindrical coordinates. Property of <a href="http://myweb.facstaff.wwu.edu/curgus/Courses/430_201240/430.html" target="_blank">Branko Curgus.</a></td></tr>
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That's all for now. I should have some news about my mountain bike situation for next year in the near future.Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-72542664740938414742012-09-27T09:13:00.000-07:002012-10-01T19:20:17.410-07:00Twin Sisters ClimbTwin Sisters high traverse and double summit with Dusty. 1.5 hours of mountain biking on logging roads (not shown) and 11 hours of hiking and climbing on some of the best rock around (the largest area of exposed olivine in the western hemisphere).<br />
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<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fwetzell%2Fsets%2F72157631633300523%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fwetzell%2Fsets%2F72157631633300523%2F&set_id=72157631633300523&jump_to=" width="500" height="375"></embed></object>Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-12341879761945439532012-09-24T17:50:00.001-07:002012-09-24T17:50:17.875-07:00Canyon Ridge Report - Sep 8, 2012A few weeks ago I decided to attempt to ride the nearly lost, but not forgotten Canyon Ridge Trail #689 near Mt. Baker. This is one of the only high-alpine trails in the western N. Cascades that is open to mountain bikes. The main access via Canyon Creek Road has been closed for the last few years due to washouts and lack of funding. To say this ride is off the beaten path is a serious understatement.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPlQLkXZdGtoGhcWCdvVtqfyP0rrDOcDysny9iuNqVo3ZpKdOHEOUNvjGww4i7Ey_VwPOD2eHI4jO22J7hNsIXxJCdAEPcbn-Dy2UebHNnCw-s9xG4oHGrScCDgp8_n8PpyjuY8bE6kY/s1600/2012-09-08+at+10-40-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPlQLkXZdGtoGhcWCdvVtqfyP0rrDOcDysny9iuNqVo3ZpKdOHEOUNvjGww4i7Ey_VwPOD2eHI4jO22J7hNsIXxJCdAEPcbn-Dy2UebHNnCw-s9xG4oHGrScCDgp8_n8PpyjuY8bE6kY/s400/2012-09-08+at+10-40-06.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">The start of Canyon Creek Road is just off of Hwy 542 shortly after Glacier. The road is closed to cars, but not bikes! This is a very low starting point of less than 1000 ft above sea level, which effectively keeps (almost) everyone away.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAtxEoUT0_6dhcAd1OoRcl7hyphenhyphen81F16xMLR86vBOfGcIpjg3pf8kG-moHko6HPZPhtXK2aDjgShxbsQPxSY36-bU9xeS9bqwRQFFy-JFYVgzSyNTAUx3gwAQ7QwIwXhs8Jk8uVu4oJsdk/s1600/2012-09-08+at+12-09-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAtxEoUT0_6dhcAd1OoRcl7hyphenhyphen81F16xMLR86vBOfGcIpjg3pf8kG-moHko6HPZPhtXK2aDjgShxbsQPxSY36-bU9xeS9bqwRQFFy-JFYVgzSyNTAUx3gwAQ7QwIwXhs8Jk8uVu4oJsdk/s400/2012-09-08+at+12-09-56.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">The ride started out with 15 miles of abandoned forest service roads before reaching the trailhead and actual singletrack. The first half was paved but inundated by the forest in post-apocalyptic fashion. This photo is from higher up the Canyon Creek valley, where the roads were still in surprisingly good shape.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTG_iCOvU_s56RpE1bKcqHQxmVpHCTPzrwa-S2qIW1Os6u2olwd_0LcZixyrB0L183CpGGp1C6UR3BJ0pADbjExFKyzvjItYrNNs5AMccOpVyGZfpU8v8AvOeXxk3pGBF1hyphenhyphenlSR8B9YQ/s1600/2012-09-08+at+12-39-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTG_iCOvU_s56RpE1bKcqHQxmVpHCTPzrwa-S2qIW1Os6u2olwd_0LcZixyrB0L183CpGGp1C6UR3BJ0pADbjExFKyzvjItYrNNs5AMccOpVyGZfpU8v8AvOeXxk3pGBF1hyphenhyphenlSR8B9YQ/s400/2012-09-08+at+12-39-04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Apparently these roads were groomed for snowmobiles up until the road closure. This was a strange random warming hut.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKAnHzrbMyi_kSincPKLSD5qPTevU08MXmMV0D7jAAt4iuA4AUYb21EMcPApMvuqX2DHxCU3B9n7dejYLnvbLrqDqI-aN6Sv8MZdqDacHs2lH4IBIRzYOnIL_3OCWkW0LJ2unyYar_SI/s1600/2012-09-08+at+12-38-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKAnHzrbMyi_kSincPKLSD5qPTevU08MXmMV0D7jAAt4iuA4AUYb21EMcPApMvuqX2DHxCU3B9n7dejYLnvbLrqDqI-aN6Sv8MZdqDacHs2lH4IBIRzYOnIL_3OCWkW0LJ2unyYar_SI/s400/2012-09-08+at+12-38-44.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Inside the warming hut.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRb44QQVSFAQWE7-sNzajhj1bBo0q5iw3gGFqWxOYAbB7wkm4Ry04COLed23FagNxlFhx-2BflwxdFndHA2uuV_Hj4Sjwcmoq6ImRuJyXLpZHDylPdEFo9wYMqcZ677TZBsT_jMXvTfo/s1600/2012-09-08+at+12-39-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRb44QQVSFAQWE7-sNzajhj1bBo0q5iw3gGFqWxOYAbB7wkm4Ry04COLed23FagNxlFhx-2BflwxdFndHA2uuV_Hj4Sjwcmoq6ImRuJyXLpZHDylPdEFo9wYMqcZ677TZBsT_jMXvTfo/s400/2012-09-08+at+12-39-36.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Damfino Lakes trailhead at about 4200 ft elevation.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorQ-nwPVcKYkSs2k97MVo9ToObfFoqDJ6OAvrjN2cYtmrZKnHP1jhSVUVPd2ky-ZKE21vc1rZMGeDTUjFgNTIkrwdcumNL3m_KNY-jAEJveTh4XuRfftNR_TpEz1S1eKnPhcdeeXWOVc/s1600/2012-09-08+at+12-50-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorQ-nwPVcKYkSs2k97MVo9ToObfFoqDJ6OAvrjN2cYtmrZKnHP1jhSVUVPd2ky-ZKE21vc1rZMGeDTUjFgNTIkrwdcumNL3m_KNY-jAEJveTh4XuRfftNR_TpEz1S1eKnPhcdeeXWOVc/s400/2012-09-08+at+12-50-18.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">The first trail intersection after a half mile. Notice the blowdown.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhh86UjUtwc7lhNsA_kuMXybYG3NOB9y0DZDkmgO2XxyIM-wQ_GvpOKDSgOW4wkmP2AKr_DkRTJJU_DAx9AiTcqcztwRhTvyduU-mMeOfJuMe1y5ldcj4mHi1L6pxgmGElOOyV5qjGFl8/s1600/2012-09-08+at+13-05-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhh86UjUtwc7lhNsA_kuMXybYG3NOB9y0DZDkmgO2XxyIM-wQ_GvpOKDSgOW4wkmP2AKr_DkRTJJU_DAx9AiTcqcztwRhTvyduU-mMeOfJuMe1y5ldcj4mHi1L6pxgmGElOOyV5qjGFl8/s400/2012-09-08+at+13-05-12.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">This was a very frequent sight.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91Hq7rSVet26ommhpsEYjv6GWy7sk6AJHewBIIOZu5ZIsDOZsmXHkwDFdxw9b6F2FocWnscuAHoZ_dl4gZ320iWEkqRPm-jaAsl9qgkO8bpK8oKSJghWGTiZeyWFpJG_88xfGiykoFPc/s1600/2012-09-08+at+13-08-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91Hq7rSVet26ommhpsEYjv6GWy7sk6AJHewBIIOZu5ZIsDOZsmXHkwDFdxw9b6F2FocWnscuAHoZ_dl4gZ320iWEkqRPm-jaAsl9qgkO8bpK8oKSJghWGTiZeyWFpJG_88xfGiykoFPc/s400/2012-09-08+at+13-08-58.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The trees started to open up as I climbed to the ridge top. The 10 mile Canyon Ridge Trail followed the obvious ridge line.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpI_trwAU7hgPY87c6fiGKrDnAv2lFTFkf1FAjQ98xFPZ7viQXpcVrJe2-ndkysNWPSLaUgC8Swaygbjk5evu5zmPXAawTAQlOlrRoG-wQ7PceM1QhOc4n0R-c6Yf8luzALygiw2gx0E/s1600/2012-09-08+at+13-37-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpI_trwAU7hgPY87c6fiGKrDnAv2lFTFkf1FAjQ98xFPZ7viQXpcVrJe2-ndkysNWPSLaUgC8Swaygbjk5evu5zmPXAawTAQlOlrRoG-wQ7PceM1QhOc4n0R-c6Yf8luzALygiw2gx0E/s400/2012-09-08+at+13-37-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Shuksan, Baker, and the Canyon Ridge Trail barely visible along the ridge.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5spyUugup7LBwCTzTjdPZin_Z5Jz2ZlxasSiCC0huugL6Pt-MPaGlqVtdlfuqSWa0AMHqEWD3kx9opS2CrdOZ39WE6jhUCjd5W37O9vZBkBrTnh50Hv-JYhL6tI62-vK-GrUnky2Btw/s1600/2012-09-08+at+13-39-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5spyUugup7LBwCTzTjdPZin_Z5Jz2ZlxasSiCC0huugL6Pt-MPaGlqVtdlfuqSWa0AMHqEWD3kx9opS2CrdOZ39WE6jhUCjd5W37O9vZBkBrTnh50Hv-JYhL6tI62-vK-GrUnky2Btw/s400/2012-09-08+at+13-39-42.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">I was down there earlier!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI_vEcMYiIecuPONFOM3-hMYsKNuVMal0PL3EFSg2rDOFeeqToUj49_Z-JEmG0U8O1QgZTcuOcmEl3AZlr1bipAFRTozd3qR3_bKYWnBjb9w3a-uw3l8zqCFIManLFsm9ydXIKplRCyQ/s1600/2012-09-08+at+13-38-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI_vEcMYiIecuPONFOM3-hMYsKNuVMal0PL3EFSg2rDOFeeqToUj49_Z-JEmG0U8O1QgZTcuOcmEl3AZlr1bipAFRTozd3qR3_bKYWnBjb9w3a-uw3l8zqCFIManLFsm9ydXIKplRCyQ/s400/2012-09-08+at+13-38-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh Canada!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsXbapRIokGGXIFASj-4fryUXgJL249OKaXskPzY_a_qqUr12igZnaqXo2BG7qKpxr3N_uIucilTCpybiAzTyjjW-aS3BFksvnLj8saIyox-NrHjKhai9qmNq8std8HrN_VTMKJEjnoc/s1600/2012-09-08+at+14-08-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsXbapRIokGGXIFASj-4fryUXgJL249OKaXskPzY_a_qqUr12igZnaqXo2BG7qKpxr3N_uIucilTCpybiAzTyjjW-aS3BFksvnLj8saIyox-NrHjKhai9qmNq8std8HrN_VTMKJEjnoc/s400/2012-09-08+at+14-08-36.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Overuse does not threaten this trail.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkyrBRjfST3QYo5JxUIpMBq7zKxaRK8RVqiy5IxJU0PzKVUuL1dqouzDGrSNQPXdwE7GXVP4k2CFk0kcF0IvPmVx0fkfOeBUsXSbkyCDwpL8g1EWFC4DvKtF52dTWA1tq8S5t6-dgzWI/s1600/2012-09-08+at+14-39-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkyrBRjfST3QYo5JxUIpMBq7zKxaRK8RVqiy5IxJU0PzKVUuL1dqouzDGrSNQPXdwE7GXVP4k2CFk0kcF0IvPmVx0fkfOeBUsXSbkyCDwpL8g1EWFC4DvKtF52dTWA1tq8S5t6-dgzWI/s400/2012-09-08+at+14-39-05.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">The high point of the ride was this saddle at 5400 feet. At this point in the ride I was expecting to be near the end of the trail until I checked out my map. Turns out I was only around the halfway point and the real adventure was about to begin. The trail disappeared completely and my only guide was my map and occasional ribbons or cairns. This was definitely the mental crux of the ride as I had to decide if I should turn around (very long back-track) or keep going and risk getting lost or coming to a dead end in the neglected trail.</span><br /> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKUIGFpwP_CwA6o6bhjB-SeA79YwtcrdFWYSiGcMx0ftyUpcDm3eQONz-N_BpAUxYGkdaonTXtJ2_h7SjwDFu6j8rMwmYbLrGUpJEi-H6uQ7gBNoFsBcNmOMHk6t930h6xDSKbEKVleE/s1600/2012-09-08+at+14-40-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKUIGFpwP_CwA6o6bhjB-SeA79YwtcrdFWYSiGcMx0ftyUpcDm3eQONz-N_BpAUxYGkdaonTXtJ2_h7SjwDFu6j8rMwmYbLrGUpJEi-H6uQ7gBNoFsBcNmOMHk6t930h6xDSKbEKVleE/s400/2012-09-08+at+14-40-28.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking northeast from the high saddle into the Fraser River Valley and BC mountains.</span><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSDaUyj-h9OaksR7xBLwmflFF48duaaYO2-dC36OOCIV6kWC_7R843yN1OBi3bDVOY4vbqVxBD5F9bScVF1R7I9JsVmPAPS-JwLF2kLopVRkqVm56zOJ5KhN9NAWFp-g0-g_hq7JxrPc/s1600/2012-09-08+at+14-42-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSDaUyj-h9OaksR7xBLwmflFF48duaaYO2-dC36OOCIV6kWC_7R843yN1OBi3bDVOY4vbqVxBD5F9bScVF1R7I9JsVmPAPS-JwLF2kLopVRkqVm56zOJ5KhN9NAWFp-g0-g_hq7JxrPc/s400/2012-09-08+at+14-42-04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking east from high saddle. Canadian and American Border Peaks, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetzell/sets/72157624754898092/" target="_blank">Mt Larrabee,</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wetzell/sets/72157627606724601/" target="_blank">Yellow Aster Butte </a>on the horizon.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf7q254G8m7Y72YqMKz0DItNpx7oGCEyIu1LhpJMGVaXUPEJLJNhT3aT-q6ieBN3xnHcUvdRvy2uXSUzXuogNF05hC88Ozya2YNo9tfi2o1ojlEwwRERlNTJdww2bAfPizGFE_vc4-fY/s1600/2012-09-08+at+16-34-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf7q254G8m7Y72YqMKz0DItNpx7oGCEyIu1LhpJMGVaXUPEJLJNhT3aT-q6ieBN3xnHcUvdRvy2uXSUzXuogNF05hC88Ozya2YNo9tfi2o1ojlEwwRERlNTJdww2bAfPizGFE_vc4-fY/s400/2012-09-08+at+16-34-32.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, I survived! After miles of hike-a-bike, bushwacking, swarms of hungry bugs, and who knows how much vertical ascending, I made it back to the lower Canyon Creek Road and descended back to the car. Whew, that really was an adventure!</span></span></td></tr>
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Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-3602390216617526812012-09-15T10:49:00.001-07:002012-09-15T10:49:48.105-07:00Mt Maude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a great labor day dude-weekend in Leavenworth this year. Friday and Saturday were spent in the woods celebrating my good friend Chris' last days as a bachelor. He and <a href="http://courtenaymcfadden.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Courtenay</a> are tying the knot and I wish them the best!</div>
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Sunday was spent mountain biking Chickamin Ridge with friends and Monday was spent climbing Mt Maude with Loren. The climb was really more of a hard 16 mile hike with some scrambling to the 9082 foot summit. <a href="http://www.summitpost.org/mount-maude/150386" target="_blank">Mt Maude</a> is one of the highest non-volcanic peaks in Washington and is located in between Glacier Peak and Lake Chelan in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. I was originally planning to do this one solo, but was able to recruit some company after talking Loren into it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ifyS8gZF2ac1UGxqn4EE5r_eiNP3pwxcAY6FJlOxP_J1oebqEbURUFeIe87U7YFZBF5DRiZNgQ_qyVb6TlV0scEj7_2BqVWOgOiaJRhD2ekmMHudb8gC9XGcm4-wlowcFddArFyxKoQ/s1600/IMG_0971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ifyS8gZF2ac1UGxqn4EE5r_eiNP3pwxcAY6FJlOxP_J1oebqEbURUFeIe87U7YFZBF5DRiZNgQ_qyVb6TlV0scEj7_2BqVWOgOiaJRhD2ekmMHudb8gC9XGcm4-wlowcFddArFyxKoQ/s400/IMG_0971.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9100ft Seven Fingered Jack (left) and our ridgeline route up Maude (right).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHTutEjYgwELrt-MDNxl38dcxBnwhiYqKm_GJGUym0Emzq5Oj016nAmzrJcIRg4glqAPsbxU_mxzHNmtG02ozk8eFaY7kXfw6b284diDNoPWn0_kuQ1YVbsJxMr0J-8JppDnToiSYwkw/s1600/IMG_0979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHTutEjYgwELrt-MDNxl38dcxBnwhiYqKm_GJGUym0Emzq5Oj016nAmzrJcIRg4glqAPsbxU_mxzHNmtG02ozk8eFaY7kXfw6b284diDNoPWn0_kuQ1YVbsJxMr0J-8JppDnToiSYwkw/s400/IMG_0979.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loren and I in the Leroy Creek Basin below Seven Fingered Jack.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyrmo7Y60nXXWVLcMw6LqQ4QxqkngtPj6ODNEcEpkUnsDk1ExX3jOWIedLjy1ycY9XN2HhQ2iYL3KvG4uEbK4QGga8FGtvrFw4Nr_IKNEsg0A0Qtglx6h-B0hj19pLkEK-vXLoWUfLzg/s1600/IMG_0982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyrmo7Y60nXXWVLcMw6LqQ4QxqkngtPj6ODNEcEpkUnsDk1ExX3jOWIedLjy1ycY9XN2HhQ2iYL3KvG4uEbK4QGga8FGtvrFw4Nr_IKNEsg0A0Qtglx6h-B0hj19pLkEK-vXLoWUfLzg/s400/IMG_0982.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A marmot catching some morning rays.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loren crossing an enormous avalanche gully with Glacier Peak coming into view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztld74Lr1jTNaGtM8Navg91kppv3tVumIwND-ZY9SK_k_DlngFTUTKCrqEXvI8ae7hNqtRNy3wymUVcb62Qepw1r6nIPW3qkHgcDPz1Iwdi6xdhxG6gAR0Um3h3gL24-aosoJLkx0Oes/s1600/IMG_0987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztld74Lr1jTNaGtM8Navg91kppv3tVumIwND-ZY9SK_k_DlngFTUTKCrqEXvI8ae7hNqtRNy3wymUVcb62Qepw1r6nIPW3qkHgcDPz1Iwdi6xdhxG6gAR0Um3h3gL24-aosoJLkx0Oes/s400/IMG_0987.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiwawa Mountain (left) and Glacier Peak (right).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBTxcAa1CDk7-o6llRo4HMGxDUhyphenhyphenDbHywNOgGZJn-Nyg5TCcXGEg3kcwuU4_sAWuOZIn1xODJXlLNMKNoVuaDO-SxV56QmLVBHWL_3Ab5j6lQfIj3vfH7rte-NWMzDpmjqdo-XgyOzVU/s1600/IMG_0990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBTxcAa1CDk7-o6llRo4HMGxDUhyphenhyphenDbHywNOgGZJn-Nyg5TCcXGEg3kcwuU4_sAWuOZIn1xODJXlLNMKNoVuaDO-SxV56QmLVBHWL_3Ab5j6lQfIj3vfH7rte-NWMzDpmjqdo-XgyOzVU/s400/IMG_0990.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at Ice Lake. Notice the red tent (left) for scale.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTxuBYZzrWoyjLhNUwlnKgwJzLROpih5ZR25al3q0fvNnCsHmeCVZl_I0eyLikTSZh2HP_uuHvjGrjhMks4vTSBcDQxMmpot_wzJAhNlRLtEdkCeVyR6QYX6NDA3MMwCvutGpKYTJcB0/s1600/IMG_0992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTxuBYZzrWoyjLhNUwlnKgwJzLROpih5ZR25al3q0fvNnCsHmeCVZl_I0eyLikTSZh2HP_uuHvjGrjhMks4vTSBcDQxMmpot_wzJAhNlRLtEdkCeVyR6QYX6NDA3MMwCvutGpKYTJcB0/s400/IMG_0992.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our route followed the snow field and then the ridge to the summit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZULgPYLHizTUGjvBjY2Tor_hpFzj-sOIF_qHpCZAXV9gsrGiJJWb6OMc9-L8TuBguaGM6ygGMH0r1dQJv5ZgEGnn9x67IzMyJXNRxRhxmUM-Q-dg5LAIS1djhWHmj0w3XEgOQtuPd4ek/s1600/IMG_0994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZULgPYLHizTUGjvBjY2Tor_hpFzj-sOIF_qHpCZAXV9gsrGiJJWb6OMc9-L8TuBguaGM6ygGMH0r1dQJv5ZgEGnn9x67IzMyJXNRxRhxmUM-Q-dg5LAIS1djhWHmj0w3XEgOQtuPd4ek/s400/IMG_0994.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back down the summit ridge with the Chiwawa River Valley in the distance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFEZnIEvvrmUl-6Yh2xdQlh2UOV_ur604P0kRrEP1fw00qLw35fy-rlOlUrm-j8xKCOu8Qu2V2xvLcDgO8IpBfTQX6gsuijPTuK-P5hDkIg0W0C9xXeWsqCOKN7AqG1tU_tI4Sgg4UP8/s1600/IMG_1029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFEZnIEvvrmUl-6Yh2xdQlh2UOV_ur604P0kRrEP1fw00qLw35fy-rlOlUrm-j8xKCOu8Qu2V2xvLcDgO8IpBfTQX6gsuijPTuK-P5hDkIg0W0C9xXeWsqCOKN7AqG1tU_tI4Sgg4UP8/s400/IMG_1029.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some scrambling near the summit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtr0p7JYio6WoPYncAkdxayHr84qfFGNfkNkmdY_d2xAU0GaY3leZdvfJelSKaDUqhhDxZEZYrObawLOyNcXuLcFQNp0UO7ldDqzwpAdvqGoxod9Kamh0uGUSlwkfHHbPrfZIxe3XF8E8/s1600/IMG_1017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtr0p7JYio6WoPYncAkdxayHr84qfFGNfkNkmdY_d2xAU0GaY3leZdvfJelSKaDUqhhDxZEZYrObawLOyNcXuLcFQNp0UO7ldDqzwpAdvqGoxod9Kamh0uGUSlwkfHHbPrfZIxe3XF8E8/s400/IMG_1017.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnificent 10,541 foot Glacier Peak.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit of Maude. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeXIg4mimsWezMS6RGdzpPgKYUZOr1CbTGTgXzru0ypSt4DmbASI4iMMuqsHnjfS4yZMVUcBWhjib09aOGSFaHZQ1mlyeMSC9R9bYtx-WHAKbxmdfHxOAR74JK4sKu31xbXYhRl9YvN4/s1600/STE_1005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeXIg4mimsWezMS6RGdzpPgKYUZOr1CbTGTgXzru0ypSt4DmbASI4iMMuqsHnjfS4yZMVUcBWhjib09aOGSFaHZQ1mlyeMSC9R9bYtx-WHAKbxmdfHxOAR74JK4sKu31xbXYhRl9YvN4/s400/STE_1005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headwaters of the Entiat River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending off the ridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meandering trail through porous lavarock and ash.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old strange log. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larch trees before their full glory.</td></tr>
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Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-27052290852098358602012-09-14T20:40:00.000-07:002012-09-14T21:09:06.566-07:00August 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yeah, I know, it's mid September and I am posting about what I did in August. It was a busy month for me with school, work, and racing, but I am finally catching up. </div>
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Whitney and I drove down to California for the <a href="http://www.downievilleclassic.com/" target="_blank">Downieville Classic</a> "All-Mountain World Championships" over a 4-day weekend. It was a lot of driving and our time there was way too rushed, but we still enjoyed the experience. It was really great to race in a new scene and meet a bunch of people. The trails down there were rocky and gnarly. Not what I expected. I flatted in the XC and had a conservative but fun run in the Downhill. Whitney did great in her races and made everyone look a little soft on their full suspensions and 29ers. The long technical downhills made us both glad we had done so many <a href="http://www.trailheadathletics.com/" target="_blank">Trailhead</a> workouts. Downieville racing was exciting and challenging.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for the XC. The race started in Sierra City and finished in Downieville. I had to hitchhike back to the car after the race. The "shuttle" was basically nonexistent. Got pulled over by a Sheriff for riding in the back of a pickup truck. Lame.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitney and I at Packer Saddle, the 7000 ft start of the Downhill. We camped just down the road. The course drops 5000 ft in 17 miles to the finish in Downieville. It was a race like non other I have done.</td></tr>
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The <a href="http://capitolforestclassic.com/" target="_blank">Capitol Forest Classic</a> was possibly the most fun race weekend of 2011. The 2012 edition did not disappoint. The <a href="http://friendsofcapitolforest.org/" target="_blank">Friends of Capitol Forest</a> do an incredible job maintaining their trails and putting on events. They are a passionate laid back group of people who love to spend time in the woods. After winning the race in 2011, I wanted to defend my king-of-the-mountain crown this year.<br />
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I won the XC, and finished 3rd in the Downhill behind Bellingham buddy <a href="http://www.transitionbikes.com/Team.cfm?Token={ts_2012-09-14_19:13:16}-43e06d1691ff2711-F5E87C08-DD62-9C04-C3EA68FCA15D88D3" target="_blank">Lars Sternberg</a> and Capitol Forest local super-ripper <a href="http://olydirt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Matt Jagger</a>. Lots of beer, good food, and great company iced this cake of a weekend. I see this race becoming a long tradition for me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 All-Mountain Champ. FOCF rocks!</td></tr>
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The final race of the <a href="http://www.nwepicseries.com/" target="_blank">NW Epic Series</a> and my final mountain bike race of the year was the Capitol 50/100 miler. Last year I raced the 100 and it really hurt... a lot. I wasn't getting a huge amount of time on my bike this summer, so I decided to race the (relatively) short 50 mile. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the Capitol 50.</td></tr>
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Jason Kettrick (Audi) set a fast pace the first few miles of the race, but I eventually went around him and found myself alone. The course was one huge mostly-singletrack 50 mile loop. <a href="http://sloaneanderson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sloane Anderson</a> from Bend, Oregon kept nearly catching me on the climbs, but I was always able to pull away on the rolling and downhill singletrack. The long descent down GL6 was especially fresh in my mind after the Capitol Forest Classic two weeks earlier. I started the race with two water bottles which also gave me a small advantage, only having to stop once for water. It actually would have been nice to stop more and take advantage of the well-stocked aid stations!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger (left) runs the <a href="http://www.nwepicseries.com/" target="_blank">NW Epic Series</a>. Roger (right) brought all the delicious <a href="http://www.georgetownbeer.com/" target="_blank">Manny's Pale Ale</a>. Thanks Rogers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 for 3</td></tr>
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I'd like to give a big thanks to <a href="http://www.noble-bikes.com/" target="_blank">Noble Bikes</a>, <a href="http://www.magura.com/en/bicyclecomp/products.html" target="_blank">Magura</a>, <a href="http://www.amclassic.com/" target="_blank">American Classic</a>, <a href="http://www.schwalbetires.com/" target="_blank">Schwalbe</a>, <a href="http://cliffbar.com/" target="_blank">Clif Bar</a>, <a href="http://www.uvex-sports.de/en/cycling/" target="_blank">Uvex</a>, <a href="http://www.noblesportschiropractic.com/" target="_blank">Noble Chiropractic</a> and all of you out there who support me and my racing. I am excited for what the future brings!</div>
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Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-80299290512982332522012-09-10T21:06:00.002-07:002012-09-10T21:06:59.418-07:00Lake Whatcom ReconveyanceYeah, I know, it's been forever since I've posted anything on here. I've done a bunch of races, fun rides and hikes, but most of all, I've been busy and not motivated to do computer stuff at home after staring at a monitor all day at work. I'll try to play catch-up in the next couple of weeks as I switch from work to school. Next Wednesday is the last day of my internship at Heath Tecna. I learned a lot, made new friends, and enjoyed my time there.<br />
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Tomorrow (Tuesday) night is an important meeting and potentially the last hurdle in approving the <a href="http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/development/reconveyance.jsp" target="_blank">Lake Whatcom Land Reconveyance</a>. If passed, the plan would allow 8000 acres of land to be used for recreation, including mountain biking. Lookout and Stuart Mountains, both just outside of Bellingham, could be home to 50+ miles of singletrack and provide residents with a vast sustainable outdoor playground. Outdoor recreation is a very important part of our lives and Bellingham is already known far and wide for its amazing mountain bike trails and community. With the recent issues surrounding Galbraith Mountain, the need for legitimate long-term trail access is fresh in everyones' minds.<br />
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Come to the meeting tomorrow night (Tues 9/11) at the Whatcom County Council Chambers to show your support!Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-91604654566219148722012-07-23T06:49:00.000-07:002012-07-23T07:09:34.122-07:00Adventures in Sun Valley and MissoulaThe journey began on Wednesday the 4th of July. I left Bellingham and drove to Winthrop where I met up with Joe Brown, owner of the famous <a href="http://methowcyclesport.com/" target="_blank">Methow Cycle and Sport</a> bike shop. He got my vacation started for me with a 30 miler in the Rendezvous area. Super fun newish singletrack loop that I will definitely ride again.<br />
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After watching fireworks and spending the evening with my family in Orondo on the Columbia River, I embarked the next day for Sun Valley, Idaho and the USA Cycling XC Mountain Bike Nationals. The Honda was driving poorly, stalling on the hills, so I was feeling a little uneasy as I got myself further away from home. I think it must have just been bad gas from Arco, though, because things improved after I filled up in Oregon. Not the first time I have noticed problems after buying Arco gas...<br />
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Matt Luhn, the Sun Valley legend, was incredibly accommodating and let me take over his house for almost a week and a half. It was the perfect basecamp for a mountain bike vacation. Everyday we watched the Tour in HD then rode our bikes around in the mountains.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev-IIeXo64yIHwTdOHRH5aPTsFYCsIZ5U1jNCJ7jl_ElDRZmu8S3iDQZtH0sfygvgPGBNFw0nbbsvzTRct44GChpeKOoMfKSCyd1x8lPHWFTuOn9QOImKRzkzbiircp62koPUpsWh6cs/s1600/IMG_0872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev-IIeXo64yIHwTdOHRH5aPTsFYCsIZ5U1jNCJ7jl_ElDRZmu8S3iDQZtH0sfygvgPGBNFw0nbbsvzTRct44GChpeKOoMfKSCyd1x8lPHWFTuOn9QOImKRzkzbiircp62koPUpsWh6cs/s400/IMG_0872.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basecamp. The creek was lower this year but also colder.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fqjvXAq5F43btyxFJK6PKkWmV0epPksWw2B-IMLpkv2fIHQJAdXLtIs6YI9RVwufI2sV9-mY5wlGhWuC4pcSenih1uCfpvg8CwypiAyfDQPxcmGirlwYfP0pTejzdBpgHlpu5FWvBlo/s1600/251799_389642171084744_1152417141_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fqjvXAq5F43btyxFJK6PKkWmV0epPksWw2B-IMLpkv2fIHQJAdXLtIs6YI9RVwufI2sV9-mY5wlGhWuC4pcSenih1uCfpvg8CwypiAyfDQPxcmGirlwYfP0pTejzdBpgHlpu5FWvBlo/s400/251799_389642171084744_1152417141_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up the death climb 6 times we went. I was glad to have some passing clouds and shade. <br />
Photo: MTBMike.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP5VyjuVrzNos4tGP0gAhTYqEu-0DSelZd71TvgV2lGBvn32fPZi6Z1MiZaFDF7qWDhSYnQqBtR6Ib_LWJmsnDF1-DSKdeOAisulryZmv-N9bk8eNq6_g44yzSXVcGaKppmeo_GpJ56M/s1600/545139_389650644417230_1763540106_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP5VyjuVrzNos4tGP0gAhTYqEu-0DSelZd71TvgV2lGBvn32fPZi6Z1MiZaFDF7qWDhSYnQqBtR6Ib_LWJmsnDF1-DSKdeOAisulryZmv-N9bk8eNq6_g44yzSXVcGaKppmeo_GpJ56M/s400/545139_389650644417230_1763540106_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending the rock waterfall. Photo: MTBMike.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOCx1DhLYOup4P5zGfSo2hfirBJRn2IFOpwbdZ4Xb2TBrJEvKE5b1eKl6m8YE6bupdOJQif8UGiA0QevckfT79WabeSQzv1-ZGPi_DjzQWL4uIEoKl9ocp15exbKLrzu65nYKmEM9-TM/s1600/243772_4397855626826_305619149_o.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOCx1DhLYOup4P5zGfSo2hfirBJRn2IFOpwbdZ4Xb2TBrJEvKE5b1eKl6m8YE6bupdOJQif8UGiA0QevckfT79WabeSQzv1-ZGPi_DjzQWL4uIEoKl9ocp15exbKLrzu65nYKmEM9-TM/s400/243772_4397855626826_305619149_o.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished the race off in 22nd place. Hey look, it was over 2 hours! None of that sub 1.5 hour UCI crap.<br />
Photo: Lori Brazel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4R_YYfBjeRhBYKTPQBW2luddW2oZ05ZJ6ugt0WhzvI5JERMgbWF4aYCCq7In8uPJJE1KcINJqYvIex0GmbOUwVSW1xUN3Ss9G2YeJjq1AmITS_UedtVBmhQT4wvCMv46BXBMYmuU3Xa0/s1600/IMG_0816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4R_YYfBjeRhBYKTPQBW2luddW2oZ05ZJ6ugt0WhzvI5JERMgbWF4aYCCq7In8uPJJE1KcINJqYvIex0GmbOUwVSW1xUN3Ss9G2YeJjq1AmITS_UedtVBmhQT4wvCMv46BXBMYmuU3Xa0/s400/IMG_0816.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backside of Baldy, descending Warm Springs. Keep an eye on Aaron Bradford, 3rd from right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWVTTcfzj4eJHkTaqUsc54A02FT6gWrh6aIzY_ydKhqssD1kZabwGSdQQvFmfCvYZTIIQn82E7On4IYh-ZshtnfVdGWwqozcwUcS0GYBcehoA7g-1g2BNPNJw62F_C9Ll1cFdRKSjPnY/s1600/IMG_0839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWVTTcfzj4eJHkTaqUsc54A02FT6gWrh6aIzY_ydKhqssD1kZabwGSdQQvFmfCvYZTIIQn82E7On4IYh-ZshtnfVdGWwqozcwUcS0GYBcehoA7g-1g2BNPNJw62F_C9Ll1cFdRKSjPnY/s400/IMG_0839.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back towards Sun Valley, Baldy in far center.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwOlo79KXdD1LQCG_YzKCabywI2sm77P7h-a8pRMcsa7PzRfAbtLcM1xeRDUL6er5Nbmohddz3_z65cKcY5Sjv82VSZl_mzXacjkHbaAJU_y6xeDlL5amZnR1bfdG-s93NegXmV0-GY8/s1600/IMG_0826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwOlo79KXdD1LQCG_YzKCabywI2sm77P7h-a8pRMcsa7PzRfAbtLcM1xeRDUL6er5Nbmohddz3_z65cKcY5Sjv82VSZl_mzXacjkHbaAJU_y6xeDlL5amZnR1bfdG-s93NegXmV0-GY8/s400/IMG_0826.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evidence of forest fires is not surprising in such a dry place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_G-uHWd3fqleOb5HF4GaDa9Y5bKmCPEto_D8Swuye74PFjmNqiTDTwIy0mO9tL4955LNRvCEGT5RMH56XWD34rMqK6P1cXpW_03yQpTnFERQrrz72DRq61kZgp89yTtPvAXEwo_PZCA/s1600/IMG_0849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_G-uHWd3fqleOb5HF4GaDa9Y5bKmCPEto_D8Swuye74PFjmNqiTDTwIy0mO9tL4955LNRvCEGT5RMH56XWD34rMqK6P1cXpW_03yQpTnFERQrrz72DRq61kZgp89yTtPvAXEwo_PZCA/s400/IMG_0849.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy, the other Sun Valley legend, pushing up to Mars Ridge. This is granny gear and hike-a-bike country.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3VogfkhpB9_QudRPdCXlmhYcgILoeqehELj0VLlZOnoOaL4M905IeGRY_NFblCtGVFVxw_dYM0NGmP-ZLDAF7f2Wdh9VtPkeAc1P_xHs3rU2LWT1_F2axRVEdRcs580vDlEtF55WVi0/s1600/IMG_0847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3VogfkhpB9_QudRPdCXlmhYcgILoeqehELj0VLlZOnoOaL4M905IeGRY_NFblCtGVFVxw_dYM0NGmP-ZLDAF7f2Wdh9VtPkeAc1P_xHs3rU2LWT1_F2axRVEdRcs580vDlEtF55WVi0/s400/IMG_0847.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mars Ridge. Evening cumulous clouds rolling in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLDRsuwU0nXrn4-BiqiM7Lo6MinKQEx6uxO5jBr0AUv4LgJSrbq0HM3vv5tiYsRRwHp0RuYnFh2OWjW4nQ4QbZXfBdXz2HSnc9MFgLKrPhJ7NLhpxNr-nJnpZaEEhyKz3_Gn3TU8CV5s/s1600/IMG_0875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLDRsuwU0nXrn4-BiqiM7Lo6MinKQEx6uxO5jBr0AUv4LgJSrbq0HM3vv5tiYsRRwHp0RuYnFh2OWjW4nQ4QbZXfBdXz2HSnc9MFgLKrPhJ7NLhpxNr-nJnpZaEEhyKz3_Gn3TU8CV5s/s400/IMG_0875.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trusty steed begging for more singletrack.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTXUuwYqLKu0HFfab_fDyHlVoWvu6VPLFbXrzp0tT0eYPjnWkeo2bDX6LdG14xH3hSVL1v1hWm68xL9niZuR2HvNFWwhYJq3n9goyO_ds12emd-Q25nGYw131vlNriw0qRDRNa3N6N0w/s1600/IMG_0853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTXUuwYqLKu0HFfab_fDyHlVoWvu6VPLFbXrzp0tT0eYPjnWkeo2bDX6LdG14xH3hSVL1v1hWm68xL9niZuR2HvNFWwhYJq3n9goyO_ds12emd-Q25nGYw131vlNriw0qRDRNa3N6N0w/s400/IMG_0853.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt, with 10k+ foot Baker Peak in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdpJeY8rcwwcMrXbaNgVb6_69D-iKs7mwPRSJqEFxQzMhEjVbvDnnHO_3YkfTUTnMmTNepXSPlhCrlX4ynEhsvjC8EMA5H9uFv7OC2Y9UOz5ZkbFk6HWG6KiCp-dfDcmK9DLr6rPOmRE/s1600/IMG_0855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdpJeY8rcwwcMrXbaNgVb6_69D-iKs7mwPRSJqEFxQzMhEjVbvDnnHO_3YkfTUTnMmTNepXSPlhCrlX4ynEhsvjC8EMA5H9uFv7OC2Y9UOz5ZkbFk6HWG6KiCp-dfDcmK9DLr6rPOmRE/s400/IMG_0855.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warm Springs High Ridge Trail at about 9500 feet elevation.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wNQVbMhoUqnqJsEqf-f__WDpO1eVtyQSg0BvpWsNf7nCa2jaIsE_3h3OgvX5rgE2ZeimUS1oy_4YTyvpxejbE-jisGr5j2XO9VNn9w59qcDsSeQ9H8FovPucoCP9mbx8D2sTIDoyYqI/s1600/IMG_0864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wNQVbMhoUqnqJsEqf-f__WDpO1eVtyQSg0BvpWsNf7nCa2jaIsE_3h3OgvX5rgE2ZeimUS1oy_4YTyvpxejbE-jisGr5j2XO9VNn9w59qcDsSeQ9H8FovPucoCP9mbx8D2sTIDoyYqI/s400/IMG_0864.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another one from Warm Springs Ridge. Our bikes went where few bikes go.</td></tr>
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My time in Sun Valley finally came to an end and I drove up to Missoula Montana. As far as drives go, this one has to be up there with the best. Twisty scenic roads through the mountains. The honda sipped only 6.4 gallons of gas over the 320 mile journey for a new best of an even 50 mpg. I was pretty excited about that, but I am a bit of a nerd afterall...<br />
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In Missoula I raced the Pro XCT race, part of the national series. It was right up there with the most fun races I have ever done. Hundreds of beer drinking spectators, technical descents, and jumps. It was so much fun. My legs were feeling all the Sun Valley riding though, and I was pretty slow on the climbs. Not my best race, but whatever, I got to hit jumps through tunnels of partying drunk people! Local hero Sam Schultz took the win after winning nationals the week before. Looks like a changing of the guard at the top level of the sport in the US.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisX5xA8rBdzioPc8Vi4Fv6X2qyx-e8rzdMHustQ4xffg0RQGkNpVFf7ZJl4AoMpEh1IVk-piegQ5Y9_ml-WD4lvrXx2TamzygNrvt4-fUgubf1Ok8-ZbiSMx7dSIslXJsdH6m8EoZQnec/s1600/320327_821570065076_1688756630_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisX5xA8rBdzioPc8Vi4Fv6X2qyx-e8rzdMHustQ4xffg0RQGkNpVFf7ZJl4AoMpEh1IVk-piegQ5Y9_ml-WD4lvrXx2TamzygNrvt4-fUgubf1Ok8-ZbiSMx7dSIslXJsdH6m8EoZQnec/s400/320327_821570065076_1688756630_n.jpeg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A-line jump. Photo: Myke Hersmeyer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDcrR13-fIWvE_sIWdINozH71UrbZ2qzuftVvk7xkdxIl7Y-cmf9cL-xD1xJD-7xGgbeVhOqA31CiJOJ29Sakibir9kughpq1pAfAexctIUX1QvgufEwV8enU41OPu9vE6p7R9IFzdRE/s1600/334211_398229146891783_2128142285_o.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDcrR13-fIWvE_sIWdINozH71UrbZ2qzuftVvk7xkdxIl7Y-cmf9cL-xD1xJD-7xGgbeVhOqA31CiJOJ29Sakibir9kughpq1pAfAexctIUX1QvgufEwV8enU41OPu9vE6p7R9IFzdRE/s400/334211_398229146891783_2128142285_o.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huck yer meat! Photo: Spoken Chain</td></tr>
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Alan Adams really helped me out a lot by letting me stay at his place both nights in Missoula. The Saturday after-party was wild, as expected. The race promoters rented out a building downtown and threw a dance party. It was rad. When I got back to Alan's at 2am, I was the only one home yet out of the roughly 8 people staying there. Missoula knows how to have a good time!Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-5549868512649230782012-07-09T16:21:00.002-07:002012-07-09T16:21:48.954-07:00Mars Ridge Panorama<div style="text-align: left;">
Let the amazing Sun Valley riding commence... </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/M1aWgGt70I4" width="560"></iframe></div>Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-81898578426748499862012-07-06T20:20:00.000-07:002012-07-06T20:20:18.621-07:00Sun Valley Nats 2012 video update<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/utdrBmmaJmU" width="560"></iframe></div>Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-75489471250511721712012-06-18T23:39:00.003-07:002012-06-18T23:45:29.269-07:00Test of Metal MudfestYesterday was one of those races that really force you to question your dedication to and love of the sport of mountain biking. The conditions were absolutely heinous under a steady all-day downpour of rain. Enormous puddles and creeks filled the roads and trails of Squamish, BC.<br />
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For those of you who don't know about <a href="http://testofmetal.com/pages/test-of-metal.php" target="_blank">Test of Metal</a>, it is a 1000 person mass start point to point mountain bike race. It is the "classic" of BC mountain bike racing. 67km of dirt roads and technical singletrack. This year was my third year racing the Test and a big goal was to not flat after doing so the first two years.<br />
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Test of Metal always amazes me by how "big" it feels. Starting with 1000 people behind you and then racing through neighborhoods and trails lined with spectators is not something you get to experience every day. The whole town must come out to race or cheer people on. There are people drinking beer, boomboxes blasting techno, and of course countless numbers of cowbells and cheering supporters.</div>
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The race starts out with a couple miles of pavement as you gradually climb up to the first section of dirt. The first of several 100 dollar primes is at the entrance of this first trail, so the racing is intense. I entered the trail in around 5th position after <a href="http://konaworld.com/team2012.cfm?content=Cory_Wallace" target="_blank">Cory Wallace</a> took the prime. <a href="http://www.bikes.com/main.cfm?l=en&p=06_102&CID=86&EID=42" target="_blank">Chris Sheppard</a> and <a href="http://iamspecialized.com/xc-mtb/rider/neal-kindree#/biography" target="_blank">Neal Kindree</a> started to gap the rest of us off and I tried to close it down but just didn't have it. I think the effort kind of blew me up and I never fully recovered for the rest of the race.<br />
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With Sheppard and Kindree ahead, I rode in a chase group with <a href="http://konaworld.com/team2012.cfm?content=Sean_Babcock" target="_blank">Sean Babcock</a>, Cory Wallace, Greg Day, Kevin Calhoun, and good friend <a href="http://patrickmeans.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Patrick Means</a>. As soon as we hit 9 mile climb the group shattered. Cory took off, with Sean, myself, and the rest strung out behind. I crested the top with nobody in sight ahead, but the Rocky Mountain Bikes duo of Kevin and Greg not far behind.<br />
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Down the ring creek rip I rode way more cautiously than in the past, as I knew this was flat tire alley with all the sharp loose rocks to negotiate at high speed. Sure enough, I passed Sean as he was stopped fixing a flat in the exact place that I flatted last year. Just before the plunge Greg and Kevin caught and passed me. I stayed with them down the upper plunge until Kevin dropped his chain and had to stop. Greg, a Squamish local, pulled away from me on the extremely wet, rooty, rocky, steep descent. I have ridden the plunge a bunch of times, but never have I experienced it in remotely that challenging of circumstances. My fingers and arms were cramping from the cold and from the pounding of the trail. My eyes were full of mud and it looked like I was seeing the world through a dirty beer glass. By now I was really starting to shut down and go into full survival mode. <br />
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As soon as I started climbing through the feed zone the second time, my hamstrings locked up with horrendous cramps and I almost had to stop and walk. There were support people and lapped riders everywhere in the feed zone and I struggled to find Whitney in the chaos. If she hadn't been there to give me a bottle, there is no way in hell I would have finished. I chugged the entire bottle of Clif drink mix within seconds. That did the trick and my cramps went away. Now I only had to make it through crumpit woods (aka "<b>cramp</b>it woods") to reach the finish line.<br />
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Riding crumpit was like "riding by brail" as Patrick described it. So much mud in my eyes. I finally made it to the finish but had to dig hard at the end to hold off a charging Carter Hovey. Somehow I still ended up 5th, which is my best Test of Metal result and first time on the podium. I would have liked to do a little better, but I'll take it. Neal Kindree, the Squamish Wonderchild as <a href="http://www.rickyfederau.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ricky Federau</a> calls him, won the race. Patrick Means had a strong finish for 7th.</div>
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After the finish, I went straight to the medical tent and had my eyes flushed out. My brake pads were worn to the metal backplates. Cables seized up. You get the picture. Full on race of attrition. I passed the Test, but I was certainly humbled this time around.</div>
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</div>Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-44513702782519752612012-06-14T20:54:00.003-07:002012-06-14T20:57:32.885-07:00Echo 60After racing the Stottlemeyer 60 a few weeks ago, I was feeling pretty comfortable with the idea of these longer "marathon" style races and ready for the weekend's Echo Valley 60 miler, the second race of the NW Epic Series. Russell Stevenson, long time friend, coach, former teammate, and altitude study comrade, won the Chelan race last year and decided to make the trek over from Colorado to race again this year. Russ and Nikole just moved from Seattle to Boulder last fall and recently gave birth to a future cycling rockstar, Nils.<br />
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I hadn't ridden at Echo Valley since a WIM race of roughly 2003. Ah, those were the days... Racing junior sport back then felt just as hard as racing pro does today. Like the WIM race, the NW Epic race started and finished at the Echo Valley ski area, but unlike the WIM event, the NW Epic race followed a 15 mile mile loop that meandered all around the Echo Ridge cross-country ski trails staying exclusively up on the ridge tops until the final lap. The 30 mile racers completed two laps, while the 60 milers did four. Both race distances finished with a 1000 foot mostly-singletrack descent that resembled a more primitive version of the notorious water-bared Leavenworth descent.<br />
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For the first half of the race the lead group stayed large, with 5-10 riders. The trails were hard packed and incredibly fast with nothing technical to speak of. As a result, drafting and pure fitness were the deciding factor for staying in the lead group. Halfway through the third lap, I decided to up the pace and try to make form a smaller selection. Russ was the only rider who stayed with me and we took turns working to distance ourselves from the chasing group. <br />
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On the final lap, I charged up most of the climbs and pushed the descents, but could not pull away from Russ. We both really wanted the win it seemed. I knew if it came down to a sprint finish, Russ would have the advantage. This gave me no choice but to pull ahead of him before the finish. Up the final climb of the race, knowing it was my last chance, I attacked again and was finally able to get a gap on Russ. Not much of one though...<br />
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With 20 minutes of racing still left, my advantage was slim. I pushed as hard as I could down the long downhill, but I could still see Russ close behind me. My quads and hamstrings were cramping badly, but I was out of water and had no time to drink anyways. Amazingly, Russ and I stayed about 10 seconds apart all the way to the finish, where I just barely took the win. I cannot believe how close of a battle it was! We were racing the end of a 60 mile race like it was the first lap of world cup! Thanks for some damn good racing Russ!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always great to win in front of my biggest sponsors, Mom and Dad.</td></tr>
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I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting this race to be super fun since it consists of what I consider to be my anti-style of trails (Echo and Stottlemeyer are at opposite ends of the xc mountain bike spectrum!). I was pleasantly surprised by how much fun the racing was though! Any lack of technical riding was easily made up for by high speed singletrack and incredible 360 degree views of Lake Chelan and the North Cascades.<br />
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In other news, I started work at Heath Tecna in Bellingham this week. They (we?) design and produce airplane interior products for both airlines and aircraft manufacturers. As an engineering intern without an engineering degree, I have already learned a ton and will likely have a completely different outlook on the corporate work world by the time I go back to school in September. I am working full time but don't worry, Heath Tecna is being incredibly accommodating with my summer race schedule and giving me lots of time off so I can keep living the dream.Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-79124973475848158592012-06-07T22:36:00.000-07:002012-06-07T22:40:03.948-07:00Staying busyI know, It's been a while since I posted anything on here. A lot has happened in the last couple weeks but I finally have a chance to write a quick update. Ski to Sea aka the Bellingham Olympics was a week and a half ago. The weekend of parties and festivities did not dissapoint. I was honored to again race for the best team in town: <a href="http://www.klicksrunning.com/" target="_blank">Klicks Running and Walking</a>. Hard to believe this was the 5th time I have raced Ski to Sea and 5th time racing for Klicks (formerly Runningshoes.com).<br />
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This year we ended our alternating Whatcom County Division win-loss streak between Beaver's Tree Service. For the first time ever, we won two consecutive Ski to Seas. Everyone raced so strongly and I was really honored to compete with such a great group of dudes. The Klicks after-party was incredible as always.</div>
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This year the mountain bike leg that I compete in had a new rule change to allow cyclocross bikes. I hadn't ridden my cross bike since November and didn't have a very reliable tire setup, so I decided to still ride my Noble, but with super fast Furious Fred tires. My bike felt fast and I felt strong, but Steve Fisher must have felt even stronger because he really crushed it. Not surprising given he is a top cross and road racer. His full speed was finally unleashed with the option of riding his cross bike.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Klicks Running and Walking. Champions.</td></tr>
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Last saturday was the <a href="http://theballardcrit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Second Ascent Ballard Crit</a>, which has been put on by my road/cross team, <a href="http://stepdownracing.com/" target="_blank">Second Ascent</a>, for the last few years. The rain stayed away and speeds stayed high. I finished in my "usual spot" of second row in the sprint.<br />
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As of today I am finally done with finals and spring quarter. Whitney and I have been moving the last week, so life has been busy. We are really excited about the new place in the lettered streets neightborhood. Small, but upscale and most importantly it has a garage for bikes! And it is walking distance to downtown. Our year of living with Chris and <a href="http://courtenaymcfadden.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Courtenay </a>was really great and a lot of fun. I wish them all the best with their (soon to be) married lives.<br />
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This weekend is the second race of the <a href="http://nwepicseries.com/events/june-09-echo-valley-30mile60mile" target="_blank">NW Epic Series</a>. The venue is up above Lake Chelan at Echo Valley, a place I have not raced at since the WIM days (who remembers that?). Should be a good one!</div>Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-58899366403398889952012-05-21T18:35:00.000-07:002012-05-22T12:12:02.012-07:00Stottlemeyer 60 miler 2012When I raced the Stottlemeyer 60 miler <a href="http://loganwetzel.blogspot.com/2011/05/stottlemeyer-60.html" target="_blank">last year</a>, it was the furthest I had ever ridden a mountain bike at that time. One year later and I was back out at Port Gamble for the 2012 edition of the race. After a wonderful two week streak of sunshine in the PNW, the trails were in tip-top shape, rich with hero-dirt and blue grooves. The course route was similar to last year, but with some nice little tweaks: the race now finished back at the start/parking area, the longest singletrack climb was taken out for a faster feel, and some new sections of trail replaced the longest fireroad segment of last year's course. All in all, the race was said to be 6 miles longer this year, closer to an even 60 miles. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Tad Sooter / Kitsap Sun</td></tr>
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Despite the additional mileage and singletrack, finishing times seemed faster on average this year. Garett Heitman and I took the lead from the beginning and cruised for the first 3 of 4 laps. Both of us love riding rooty, twisty, tight trails, so we had a lot of fun. I grew up riding technical trails like this, but it isn't often that I get to race on them. At the end of the third lap, Garett decided to sit up and take the fourth lap a little easier. I was still feeling pretty fresh, so I decided to attack the last lap like it was an olympic-length XC race. Looking back at my Garmin, my last lap did end up being my fastest, at around 1 hour and 1 minute! Whitney made her first 60 mile mtb race look easy and finished in just over 6 hours. All those Trailhead classes she has been doing have really paid off!<br />
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Once again, this years Stottlemeyer was a super fun race. Kevin Reinkensmeyer and the rest of the NW Epic Series crew put together a killer race course and the number of friendly volunteers was awe-inspiring. Super helpful and enthusiastic course marshalls and feed zone staff. Speaking of feed zones, they were well stocked with food and drinks and I was able to quickly top-off my bottles with Clif Electrolyte mix and get rolling again.<br />
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If you have not checked out the <a href="http://www.nwepicseries.com/" target="_blank">NW Epic Series</a> events yet, you should. I'd definitely recommend them to anyone looking for longer endurance/marathon style races on fun trails.<br />
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Kitsap Sun article: <a href="http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/may/20/endurance-mountain-bikers-invade-port-gamble/" target="_blank">here</a>Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-33003372262501934432012-05-15T08:09:00.000-07:002012-05-15T12:38:45.350-07:00Cascade Chainbreaker - "flat tire fiesta"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My buddy Gian and I made a quick trip down to Bend, Oregon last weekend for the Cascade Chainbreaker XC race. The race was held on some private property just outside of town. It was hot and oh so incredibly dusty (by my Bellingham standards anyways)! The course reminded me a little of South Seatac, but east of the mountains.</div>
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After a bad start, I sat about 15th wheel as we entered the first singletrack. I could see Barry Wicks and Carl Decker riding away from everyone on the front and thought I might never see them again. After some sneaky passes in loose corners and dusty descents, I was able to work my way back towards the front of the race and bridge across to the lead group of Barry, Carl, and two other riders. I rode with them, wishing I had x-ray vision to see the trail beneath all the dust. My brain actually hurt from concentrating so hard on riding the invisible trail under me. To make matters worse, I noticed my front tire felt a little soft in the corners, but seemed to be holding air. Shortly after, though my back tire started slowly going flat. I quickly pulled over and tried to air it back up with my hand pump (I hate CO2s but I'm gonna start using them again). Patrick rode by and very kindly dropped his CO2, so I used that and got both my tires aired back up and jumped back into the race, probably in around 10th place now. And then... my my back tire went soft again. After a lot of pumping and inspecting, I figured out that it was my valve stem that was leaking and I had to resort to putting a tube in.</div>
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I finally got rolling again and was glad to be able to keep riding. I was really bummed out and kinda angry for a while, but the riding totally relaxed me and put my head back in the right place. Mountain biking never fails to put a smile on me face, even if I am a half hour behind Barry Wicks. The beer-feed in the infield area helped too.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river felt soooo good afterwards!</td></tr>
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Both Patrick and Gian had good races, finishing 4th and 6th respectively. We jumped in the Deschutes River afterwards and then in another river on our drive home. That may have been the highlight of the whole weekend. The mega-MPG was cool too: 44mpg with two dudes, bikes, and gear to the roof.<br />
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Next up is the Stottlemeyer 60 mile race out at Port Gamble. Did this one last year and it was super fun.Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-27884587230060533662012-05-02T18:14:00.003-07:002012-05-03T08:21:59.995-07:00Beezley Burn - FTRS#1The <a href="http://rideviciouscycle.com/events/fat-tire-revolution-series/ftr-series-info/" target="_blank">Fat Tire Revolution Series</a> is a new mountain bike series that includes six races throughout Central Washington. This year the long-running Beezley Burn cross-country race was held as the first event of the new series. The course is fast and dry, with not a whole lot of climbing. From the slopes of Beezley Hill, you can look out across Ephrata and the surrounding farmlands. Here is a video I shot at last year's race following Russell Stevenson on the longest descent on the course:<br />
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With the absence of Kona rider Spencer Paxson at this year's race, I knew I had a good shot at the win. I decided to take the race by the reigns and really hammer up the first climb before the singletrack. Gian Dalle, Troy Heithecker, Kevin Bradford-Parish, and Garett Heitman stayed with me through the rolling sage-brush singletrack until the course turned upwards. I pushed hard into the descent and my Racing Ralphs gripped tenaciously on the dry dirt and rocks. By the bottom of the downhill, it was only Garett Heitman (Clif Bar) and myself. Garett took a long pull along the dike into the wind and I was finally able to catch my breath a bit. Garett and I hammered the 2nd lap, with Kevin and Troy only 20 seconds back most of the time. Garett's long riding history and experience showed in how well he could rail the downhill sections. Super impressive. </div>
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By the 3rd and final lap, we had extended our lead to a comfortable amount and I knew the race would be won by either Garett or myself. I pushed extra hard in a rocky, bumpy climbing section, using full suspension to my advantage. It was enough to pull away from Garett, but the gap remained small into the descent. I rallied hard, but Garett was still closing in on me! Fortunately I had enough of a lead that I could hang on into the finish for the win. Garett rode super strong and smooth. I smell a comeback.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of <a href="http://rideviciouscycle.com/" target="_blank">Vicious Cycles</a>.</td></tr>
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Beezley Burn delivered the goods once again. Jake from <a href="http://rideviciouscycle.com/" target="_blank">Vicious Cycles</a> does such a great of job putting on events. He had free food, drinks, and a raffle for everyone afterwards. The atmosphere was so much fun that everyone actually wanted to stay for all of the awards. Now I have to figure out how I can work 5 out of 6 of his races into my calender.</div>
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<br />Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066958626687583920.post-22816354378341737312012-04-25T12:00:00.003-07:002012-04-28T22:15:52.499-07:00Tour of Walla Walla 2012Not a whole lot to report on last weekend's Tour of Walla Walla. The weather was incredible. 80+ degree temperatures on saturday and sunday. Really glad to have a bunch of margarita clif blocks with salt because of the abnormal heat. I felt strong in every stage (road race, criterium, time trial, road race), but rode too conservatively. There were 115 starters in the Pro 1-2 field, including a bunch of heavy hitters from around the northwest. When it comes to road racing, I guess I just don't have the eye of the tiger like I do when I'm racing on dirt (or mud).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Pc2A1rzwrP7rh0HyNLxtxCLQmiLX_4-zWgHBne_7InP6JEZv-DudmIvsbW2YXCvMIT9aaIKNk9JQCGh8KLYN1JqYvtSZGuM9CkRe7miQnloEjDTo2HHA_5rbiXgg1LkRlKdwKPHVvFM/s1600/IMG_0738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Pc2A1rzwrP7rh0HyNLxtxCLQmiLX_4-zWgHBne_7InP6JEZv-DudmIvsbW2YXCvMIT9aaIKNk9JQCGh8KLYN1JqYvtSZGuM9CkRe7miQnloEjDTo2HHA_5rbiXgg1LkRlKdwKPHVvFM/s400/IMG_0738.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitney had a great weekend and made a dent in her Cat 3 upgrade points.</td></tr>
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Walla Walla was still a lot of fun and a great block of training. My most exciting moment was escaping a big crash on the last lap of the crit. It happened at the front of the pack right in front of me, but I shot through the carnage like the millennium falcon out of the death star. A dude fell so hard against me that my shifter was twisted in. I don't know how that can even happen. I'm sure glad I kept the rubber side down though. My hairy mountain biker legs don't handle road rash like those smooth road racer legs do.<br />
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Next up is Beezley Burn in Ephrata. Can't wait to get back on some dirt.Logan Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104284225474406585noreply@blogger.com1