Olympia Washington. We arrive in town at 5pm and go to a bike shop to find a map and some good trail info. While in the shop, we notice a flyer advertising a Wednesday night group ride at Capitol Forest with the “Friends of Capitol Forest” (FOCF). We decide to go there. We rush out to the trail, and get there just in time for the ride at 6. This was a fun group of riders who love to hang out and ride together on their trails. After the awesome evening ride, we were invited to join the crew for a burger cookout. These dudes know how to cook out!!! There were veggie burgers, salmon burgers and all of the fixins. (Not to mention a few beers as well.) After this, we were invited to their “Friday Night Super D Series.” On Thursday, we did some shuttle runs on the trail we would be racing on come Friday. THIS TRAIL WAS AWESOME. At the top, it was single track with swooping berms and enough roots and rocks to keep things interesting. The dirt was prime and you could seriously rail the corners. Near the bottom, it flattened out and was basically a massive pump track through a field. No pedaling necessary. So much fun. On the night of the race about 45 people came out. I got the third fastest time on the course, and Emily set a new female record. Two massive pots of chili, numerous desserts, and plenty of beer around a bond fire followed. Before leaving, we were then invited to attend a pump track party the next night! These people just don’t quit. So, who could turn down a pump track? Not us. We shredded some serious pump track and enjoyed sipping from the FCOF’s signature “Tequila Bar.” After this it was time to move on to Portland. We had such a great time in Capitol Forest. Thanks so much for the hospitality FCOF! Check Their Website http://friendsofcapitolforest.org/ Olympia Washington. We arrive in town at 5pm and go to a bike shop to find a map and some good trail info. While in the shop, we notice a flyer advertising a Wednesday night group ride at Capitol Forest with the “Friends of Capitol Forest” (FOCF). We decide to go there. We rush out to the trail, and get there just in time for the ride at 6. This was a fun group of riders who love to hang out and ride together on their trails. After the awesome evening ride, we were invited to join the crew for a burger cookout. These dudes know how to cook out!!! There were veggie burgers, salmon burgers and all of the fixins. (Not to mention a few beers as well.) After this, we were invited to their “Friday Night Super D Series.” On Thursday, we did some shuttle runs on the trail we would be racing on come Friday. THIS TRAIL WAS AWESOME. At the top, it was single track with swooping berms and enough roots and rocks to keep things interesting. The dirt was prime and you could seriously rail the corners. Near the bottom, it flattened out and was basically a massive pump track through a field. No pedaling necessary. So much fun. On the night of the race about 45 people came out. I got the third fastest time on the course, and Emily set a new female record. Two massive pots of chili, numerous desserts, and plenty of beer around a bond fire followed. Before leaving, we were then invited to attend a pump track party the next night! These people just don’t quit. So, who could turn down a pump track? Not us. We shredded some serious pump track and enjoyed sipping from the FCOF’s signature “Tequila Bar.” After this it was time to move on to Portland. We had such a great time in Capitol Forest. Thanks so much for the hospitality FCOF! Check Their Website http://friendsofcapitolforest.org/ Olympia Washington. We arrive in town at 5pm and go to a bike shop to find a map and some good trail info. While in the shop, we notice a flyer advertising a Wednesday night group ride at Capitol Forest with the “Friends of Capitol Forest” (FOCF). We decide to go there. We rush out to the trail, and get there just in time for the ride at 6. This was a fun group of riders who love to hang out and ride together on their trails. After the awesome evening ride, we were invited to join the crew for a burger cookout. These dudes know how to cook out!!! There were veggie burgers, salmon burgers and all of the fixins. (Not to mention a few beers as well.) After this, we were invited to their “Friday Night Super D Series.” On Thursday, we did some shuttle runs on the trail we would be racing on come Friday. THIS TRAIL WAS AWESOME. At the top, it was single track with swooping berms and enough roots and rocks to keep things interesting. The dirt was prime and you could seriously rail the corners. Near the bottom, it flattened out and was basically a massive pump track through a field. No pedaling necessary. So much fun. On the night of the race about 45 people came out. I got the third fastest time on the course, and Emily set a new female record. Two massive pots of chili, numerous desserts, and plenty of beer around a bond fire followed. Before leaving, we were then invited to attend a pump track party the next night! These people just don’t quit. So, who could turn down a pump track? Not us. We shredded some serious pump track and enjoyed sipping from the FCOF’s signature “Tequila Bar.” After this it was time to move on to Portland. We had such a great time in Capitol Forest. Thanks so much for the hospitality FCOF! Check Their Website http://friendsofcapitolforest.org/ Olympia Washington. We arrive in town at 5pm and go to a bike shop to find a map and some good trail info. While in the shop, we notice a flyer advertising a Wednesday night group ride at Capitol Forest with the “Friends of Capitol Forest” (FOCF). We decide to go there. We rush out to the trail, and get there just in time for the ride at 6. This was a fun group of riders who love to hang out and ride together on their trails. After the awesome evening ride, we were invited to join the crew for a burger cookout. These dudes know how to cook out!!! There were veggie burgers, salmon burgers and all of the fixins. (Not to mention a few beers as well.) After this, we were invited to their “Friday Night Super D Series.” On Thursday, we did some shuttle runs on the trail we would be racing on come Friday. THIS TRAIL WAS AWESOME. At the top, it was single track with swooping berms and enough roots and rocks to keep things interesting. The dirt was prime and you could seriously rail the corners. Near the bottom, it flattened out and was basically a massive pump track through a field. No pedaling necessary. So much fun. On the night of the race about 45 people came out. I got the third fastest time on the course, and Emily set a new female record. Two massive pots of chili, numerous desserts, and plenty of beer around a bond fire followed. Before leaving, we were then invited to attend a pump track party the next night! These people just don’t quit. So, who could turn down a pump track? Not us. We shredded some serious pump track and enjoyed sipping from the FCOF’s signature “Tequila Bar.” After this it was time to move on to Portland. We had such a great time in Capitol Forest. Thanks so much for the hospitality FCOF! Check Their Website http://friendsofcapitolforest.org/ Olympia Washington. We arrive in town at 5pm and go to a bike shop to find a map and some good trail info. While in the shop, we notice a flyer advertising a Wednesday night group ride at Capitol Forest with the “Friends of Capitol Forest” (FOCF). We decide to go there. We rush out to the trail, and get there just in time for the ride at 6. This was a fun group of riders who love to hang out and ride together on their trails. After the awesome evening ride, we were invited to join the crew for a burger cookout. These dudes know how to cook out!!! There were veggie burgers, salmon burgers and all of the fixins. (Not to mention a few beers as well.) After this, we were invited to their “Friday Night Super D Series.” On Thursday, we did some shuttle runs on the trail we would be racing on come Friday. THIS TRAIL WAS AWESOME. At the top, it was single track with swooping berms and enough roots and rocks to keep things interesting. The dirt was prime and you could seriously rail the corners. Near the bottom, it flattened out and was basically a massive pump track through a field. No pedaling necessary. So much fun. On the night of the race about 45 people came out. I got the third fastest time on the course, and Emily set a new female record. Two massive pots of chili, numerous desserts, and plenty of beer around a bond fire followed. Before leaving, we were then invited to attend a pump track party the next night! These people just don’t quit. So, who could turn down a pump track? Not us. We shredded some serious pump track and enjoyed sipping from the FCOF’s signature “Tequila Bar.” After this it was time to move on to Portland. We had such a great time in Capitol Forest. Thanks so much for the hospitality FCOF! Check Their Website http://friendsofcapitolforest.org/

Olympia Washington. We arrive in town at 5pm and go to a bike shop to find a map and some good trail info. While in the shop, we notice a flyer advertising a Wednesday night group ride at Capitol Forest with the “Friends of Capitol Forest” (FOCF). We decide to go there. We rush out to the trail, and get there just in time for the ride at 6. This was a fun group of riders who love to hang out and ride together on their trails. After the awesome evening ride, we were invited to join the crew for a burger cookout. These dudes know how to cook out!!! There were veggie burgers, salmon burgers and all of the fixins. (Not to mention a few beers as well.) After this, we were invited to their “Friday Night Super D Series.” On Thursday, we did some shuttle runs on the trail we would be racing on come Friday. THIS TRAIL WAS AWESOME. At the top, it was single track with swooping berms and enough roots and rocks to keep things interesting. The dirt was prime and you could seriously rail the corners. Near the bottom, it flattened out and was basically a massive pump track through a field. No pedaling necessary. So much fun. On the night of the race about 45 people came out. I got the third fastest time on the course, and Emily set a new female record. Two massive pots of chili, numerous desserts, and plenty of beer around a bond fire followed. Before leaving, we were then invited to attend a pump track party the next night! These people just don’t quit. So, who could turn down a pump track? Not us. We shredded some serious pump track and enjoyed sipping from the FCOF’s signature “Tequila Bar.” After this it was time to move on to Portland. We had such a great time in Capitol Forest. Thanks so much for the hospitality FCOF! Check Their Website http://friendsofcapitolforest.org/

  1. Date Posted Icon 30th July 2012
    2. Tags Icon #olympia#sean leader#road to ride#FCOF#Friends of Capital Forest
After Missoula we headed to the Canada border to drop Izzy off with his family near Vancouver. Emily and I headed on to see what the legendary Squamish and Whistler area had to offer us. First, we explored Squamish. We did some really fun rides there as we zipped in and out of the green ferns in the thick, damp North West forest. After a few more rides, we decided to head on to Whistler. This place was crazy. Downhill bikers were riding all over town, and you could watch them haul ass and do tricks down the ski slope from the village. Of course, the trail “Comfortably Numb” was recommended to us, and we definitely wanted to see what it was all about. We set out one morning on the ten mile section of single track. We were warned to allot at least four hours to ride this trail. This seemed like a long time, and we were skeptical that it would truly take this long. Very soon after we got on that trail, we could easily see how it would take so long. Riding this trail was like a balancing act. We crawled up and over roots, rocks and who knows what else. There were also plenty of opportunities to test the true size of you balls as there were some burly drops and rocks on the down hills. It wasn’t your girlfiend’s trail. (Unless your GF is a badass.) So, in conclusion, Whistler and Squamish were all that they are cracked up to be. If you are in the area, you will have plenty of opportunities to seriously huck yall’s meat.

After Missoula we headed to the Canada border to drop Izzy off with his family near Vancouver. Emily and I headed on to see what the legendary Squamish and Whistler area had to offer us. First, we explored Squamish. We did some really fun rides there as we zipped in and out of the green ferns in the thick, damp North West forest. After a few more rides, we decided to head on to Whistler. This place was crazy. Downhill bikers were riding all over town, and you could watch them haul ass and do tricks down the ski slope from the village. Of course, the trail “Comfortably Numb” was recommended to us, and we definitely wanted to see what it was all about. We set out one morning on the ten mile section of single track. We were warned to allot at least four hours to ride this trail. This seemed like a long time, and we were skeptical that it would truly take this long. Very soon after we got on that trail, we could easily see how it would take so long. Riding this trail was like a balancing act. We crawled up and over roots, rocks and who knows what else. There were also plenty of opportunities to test the true size of you balls as there were some burly drops and rocks on the down hills. It wasn’t your girlfiend’s trail. (Unless your GF is a badass.) So, in conclusion, Whistler and Squamish were all that they are cracked up to be. If you are in the area, you will have plenty of opportunities to seriously huck yall’s meat.

  1. Camera: Motorola MB860
  2. Aperture: f/2.8
  3. Exposure: 1/65th
  4. Focal Length: 4mm
  1. Date Posted Icon 30th July 2012
    2. Tags Icon #Whistler#Squamish#sean leader#road to ride
Missoula was a great race. The course was one of the best I have been on. All of the Cat 1 men were combined at the start, so the field was a large one with close to thirty guys racing. This made for an interesting race because there were so many people out on the course. Starting near the junior men added extra pile up of racers out there. Despite the crowded course, I rode really well and was pleased with my performance for the day. My good race landed me a fourth place finish overall in the Cat 1 men. Once the racing was done it was time to celebrate. Our stay in Missoula ended with the rowdiest mountain biker party I have ever seen. The details will be left to your imagination….

Missoula was a great race. The course was one of the best I have been on. All of the Cat 1 men were combined at the start, so the field was a large one with close to thirty guys racing. This made for an interesting race because there were so many people out on the course. Starting near the junior men added extra pile up of racers out there. Despite the crowded course, I rode really well and was pleased with my performance for the day. My good race landed me a fourth place finish overall in the Cat 1 men.

Once the racing was done it was time to celebrate. Our stay in Missoula ended with the rowdiest mountain biker party I have ever seen. The details will be left to your imagination….

  1. Date Posted Icon 30th July 2012
    2. Tags Icon #Missoula#Pro XCT#sean leader#roadtoride#road to ride
Sun Valley was a highlight for this trip. We rode over 200 miles of trails never touching the same piece of single track, raced strong from an injured shoulder, and met great people. To leave on a good note we took two last rides. One as the sun set, and the next started with a 4:30 am wake up, Night Riders, and a big ole hill climb. After watching the sun rise over Sun Valley we descended 8 miles back to the car, packed up, and hit the road for Missoula, MT. Sun Valley was a highlight for this trip. We rode over 200 miles of trails never touching the same piece of single track, raced strong from an injured shoulder, and met great people. To leave on a good note we took two last rides. One as the sun set, and the next started with a 4:30 am wake up, Night Riders, and a big ole hill climb. After watching the sun rise over Sun Valley we descended 8 miles back to the car, packed up, and hit the road for Missoula, MT.

Sun Valley was a highlight for this trip. We rode over 200 miles of trails never touching the same piece of single track, raced strong from an injured shoulder, and met great people. To leave on a good note we took two last rides. One as the sun set, and the next started with a 4:30 am wake up, Night Riders, and a big ole hill climb. After watching the sun rise over Sun Valley we descended 8 miles back to the car, packed up, and hit the road for Missoula, MT.

  1. Date Posted Icon 12th July 2012
    2. Tags Icon #Road To Ride#Sean Leader#MTBNats#Sun Valley