Bikes, Bruises, and a Buzz

      With all the kickoffs this past weekend, none had a greater impact on the Pacific Northwest than the kickoff to the Stevens Pass Bike Park. They got the big bull wheel turning and opened their lifts to the general public on Saturday while the UW and WSU got a big conference win.

At 10 o’clock Saturday morning, 400+ mountain bikers showed their spirit by braving the foreseen dreary weather and riding the trails of Washington State’s first lift-accessed bike park. Like their colligate counterparts, donning helmets and pads, these riders went to battle with gravity. It was a testament to the strength of the biking community within Washington and their ability to do what all good Northwesterners do, play in the rain.

Stevens Pass has taken it upon themselves to provide a much needed service. Their attention to detail and fulfilling the rider’s needs has transitioned well from the ski industry to a growing mountain bike community. While only two trails are in operation, several more are being mapped and constructed. The quality over quantity approach will continue to serve both Stevens Pass and its occupants well. The stoke was high throughout the bike park, but amongst the hoots and hollers was a quiet buzz. Winter’s coming…

An hour and a half from Seattle or forty-five minutes from Leavenworth you were in the middle of the cascades, surrounded by an alpine setting on fire with fall colors and the unmistakable smell of autumn. There’s no denying that anyone who went home and put their bike away, thought to themselves, “now where did I put all that ski gear?”

If Dr. Seuss was there:

Amongst the grit,

the grime and the gears,

the sound of chains bouncing off frames fill the Cascadian atmosphere.

Brakes beacon and tires trundle

as they cross a wooden bridge,

echoing off Cowboy Mountain and then off Skyline Ridge.

The bike park is open

to the sigh of relief,

with two trails to choose from, both flowy and steep.

Stevens Pass has filled a void,

in the heart of a community

for both girls and boys.

I see their enthusiasm,

their infectious smile,

as they wait in line in single file;

to wash their bikes,

the frames and suspensions,

from Transition to Trek, their most prized possessions.

And sitting above

in the chairs of the lodge,

my head spun around a familiar collage.

As the fog settled in

and the rain it poured,

I realized I was somewhere I’ve been a hundred times or more.

But boy am I confused

with all the commotion,

all the people, the green, and nothing is frozen.

And what is that sound,

that pound and a hiss?

Why, its winter knocking and blowing a kiss.

While I’m thankful for trails,

the lift and the dirt,

I’m also stoked I didn’t get hurt.

The ground is hard

as I’m sure you know,

so forgive me when I say, “bring on the SNOW!!!”