NW MTB Series 2018 Finale
Wednesday evening was the finale of the 2018 NW Mountain Bike Series. Also known as the “Wednesday Night World Championships,” this was the series’ fifth season. The “world championships” reference pokes fun at the fact that although riders at local races and group rides are just out for bragging rights, …
The Double Grind | Bastille Day 2018
In this episode The Double Grind visits Bastille in Ballard for their Tour de France viewing party and wine tasting event presented by Cadence Winery. Hosts Michael “PruDog” Pruitt and Chef Craig Hetherington chat with Cadence wine’s founder Ben Smith about wine, gravel cycling, and gravel bikes. Then they review …
Three Views of King County
I’ve never been a fan of the area’s multi-use trails. My disdain is mainly the result of undesirable experiences on the Burke Gilman Trail between the University of Washington and Log Boom Park. But, the recent opening of a section of the Eastside Rail Corridor Trail between I-90 and Gene …
The Double Grind Podcast | 2018 Gorge Grinder
In this episode Michael “PruDog” Pruitt and Chef Craig Hetherington talk about the 2018 Gorge Grinder (formerly Gorge Roubaix) gravel ride in Hood River, OR as well as what they had for dinner the night before. But before they that they analyze why Nibali is getting his ass waxed, figure …
Destination: Mt. Bachelor Ski Area
Located about 20 miles west of Bend and Sunriver, Mt. Bachelor is THE place in Oregon for serious skiers and boarders. Mt. Bachelor is a volcano that lies at the northern end of the Mt. Bachelor Volcanic Chain. It gets its name because it “stands apart” from the “Three Sisters” …
Destination: Walla Walla
Walla Walla is highly regarded for its sweet onions, wine and food, and for being a top-tier cycling destination. Although I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest since 1994, I’m embarrassed to admit I rarely venture east of the Cascade Crest. Given the great cycling in the places I’ve lived during …
Involve Your Friends in a Themed Ride
A fun and easy way to get people involved in your rides (be they mountain or road) is to come up with a theme. A theme adds an element of fun, helps to build relationships, and can take the pressure off of riders who are worried about keeping up with …
Changing Weather, Shifting Gears
This month’s rapid rise in temperatures transformed an epic snow season into a sorry mix of slush, ice, & Cascade concrete. Was I ready to shift gears & get my mountain bike out of cold storage? Not really. But what was the alternative? I was taken aback when the best …
A Ride Under the Randonneurs’ “Big Tent”
As the summer of 2016 waned, I realized it had been over a year since I had ridden with the Seattle International Randonneurs. I sent an email to the Randonneurs’ president Mark Thomas saying I urgently needed to maintain a glimmer of Rando credibility: “When can we ride?” Mark’s response …
2016 Verity Credit Union Classic presented by Ascent Cycles aka “Ballard Criterium”
There were spectacular spectating conditions at last Saturday’s 2016 Ballard Criterium. The course is a ~1/2 mile counterclockwise lap on Ballard and Shilshole Avenues. Many years, peak “Juneueary” weather conditions exist at race time; this year it was sunny, bright, and warm. Most fans line Ballard Ave. and corner #1 …