I think spring is finally here. Let's hope. I'm sure all of the locals know what's going on with a little place we like to ride our mt bikes, Galbraith. That place needs everyone's support! We have to keep pressure on to save that gem of a trail system. Check out Preserve Galbraith, WhIMPs, for more info and how to help. And if you're from out of town and wanting to ride there, it's currently still open, but being logged in areas. Ask one of the bikeshops in town what trails are useable/rideable.
Next weekend is the Taint Tuff II, Taint Misbehavin'! It's a little b-day celebration ride for Nat and I. Last year there were 25 riders, about 50mi of mtbing, a little rain, lots of mud, 2 beer stops(1 with bacon), a bourbon stop, and an after ride party. Everybody suffered, yet all were wearing smiles. Speaking of wearing something, this year Nat has decided to have a theme. People need to rock a mustache and some denim. Word

Well, the time is here. The King and Queen of the Classics. The Tour of Flanders is this weekend, with Paris-Roubaix next. My favorite races of the year. And to celebrate, tomorrow is the 3rd year of the Ronde von Whatcom. 90mi with 5800' elevation gain, and a new, long section of pavé! It rained all day here, and it will probably rain off and on tomorrow. So come on down to Mount Bakery, have some breakfast, and get ready for an adventure, Belgian style.

Cherry blossoms, warmer air, excellent racing, it must finally be spring! Both Milan-San Remo and E3 Harelbeke were great races. Should make for an awesome Ronde van Vlaanderen. And again in the spirit of the greatest one day race, the Ronde von Whatcom is going down this saturday. Leaving from Mt Bakery at 10am. The course this year is very similar to last year's. With the addition of another "pavé" section. 90mi with approx 5700' vertical gain. Hope to see you there!
photo cred Graham Watson

The weather this weekend was terrible, but we still had a good time at the Seattle Bike Expo. There was good interest in the bikes I had on display, and sold some donkelope merch. Saturday featured a fashion show with models using a donkelope, Bike Snob NYC was there to read from his book, and plenty of bike stuff to keep just about everyone happy. Axel Merckx was there too. Of course saturday night was the night to go and hang out with people I don't see too often or at all. After having dinner and some beers with Eben, Bike Snob, we went to the Go Means Go party. Eventually we wanted to go somewhere else, and had quite the crew to go with! Rickshaw Bags, Momentum, and the San Fran bike show were ready to have a good time. Besides the night life, I met some new friends and made some great connections for bike projects. The one I'm excited about is a custom bike bag maker in Seattle, Swift Industries. Jason and Martina make some sweet bags. Check out the bag on my commuter, cruising around town. It's big, made of waxed canvas, and looks fantastic. A great weekend in Seattle.

Tonight was Ladies Night at Kulshan Cycles. Lots of people showed up for the raffles, cookies, and refreshments. I was there with a little set up along side Erin w/Red Boots Designs. Erin made the latest batch of donkelope tees and hoodies. It was a good time meeting new faces and talking to familiar ones. Heading down to Seattle tomorrow for the Seattle Bike Expo. Swing in and say "hi".

The cold and snow is back in Bellingham. But the cx race at Cornwall Park yesterday was awesome. Great turnout, great course, and lots of mud! Thanks Ryan and all of the volunteers for putting on the last Cascade Cross Series event for the season. On thursday the 13, I'll be at the Everybody Bike monthly slide show. There's usually a travel aspect to the night. It will be like a show and tell thing for Donkelope Bikes. Check out the details, and come on over to the ReStore.

Well, it's a new year. Hopefully 2010 treated everyone well. I ended the year on a good run of long rides. Which was nice, but doesn't get me ready for a 45min burst of intensity that is cross. The last race in the Cascade Cross Series is this saturday, the 8th. The venue is Cornwall Park, right in town. So no excuses to not show up for this event. There will be plenty of mud, cheering, and fun. So come on down and support this local race. And here are some pics of the winter solstice ride. It was a beautiful night. We did our riding before the "festivities". Which made the ride down the mountain quite enjoyable.