Well its been awhile since I last checked in and a lot has gone down.

I took an epic work/vacation at the beginning of July that was simply one of the best I can remember. Scott cut me loose in the Team Sho-Air/Specialized RV for a road trip to see my parents up in Oregon. On the way, I stopped in Ashland to hook up with Amy Warner the promoter of the Spring Thaw event about the possibility of hosting a PRO XCT round for 2010. If you haven't stopped into Ashland, I highly recommend it. It’s a cool., quite, sleepy little town that's big on mountain biking. After hooking up with Nate and John for a tour of the trail system, and a couple hours of shredding of some sweet single track on my Specialized 29'er, I was on the road again North.

I plotted some really cool camping along the Rogue river for some relaxing and rafting before heading up to see the folks. Also really cool was the attention the team RV gathered. Whether we were at the gas station or camping, people by the droves came up to me asking what the rig was all about or to say they had an old M4 hardtail, or to even thank us for putting on the US Cup. I even had one lady at a gas station in Yreka, CA ask me if I was someone famous? I guess my Oakley shades, and team shirt made me look pretty stylish, not to mention the 40 Ft rig parked right outside her window. I never really realized the impact or reach of the team or series had until this trip. People were genuinely interested and intrigued and offered me a great opportunity to talk to them about the US Cup series and the Pro team.

Once I saw that this wasn't going to go away, I pulled out some left over series swag in the rig and pretty much became a rolling show for the team and series, handing out water bottles, stickers and T-Shirts to fans along my route.

Once into Toledo, I stumbled onto another gem, as my old man's 5.5 acres backed up to miles and miles of private logging trails. Being from So. Cal, I was stoked on the damp, dank, dark earth that was perfect for mountain biking and some moto. I made sure to hit the trails daily and just enjoy my surroundings. After hooking up with another promoter mid week for a site inspection up in Corvallis for another possible venue, it was time to start making our way back home.

We took our time getting back, taking the coast back home though Red Wood Hwy out of Grants Pass Oregon, stopping on some lazy rivers and quite little towns for the night. It’s a real eye opener on just how good some of the riding up here is, compared to my burnt out, So. Cal desert dust bowls I've become accustomed to. It really makes you realize of why you mountain bike and the reason you started in the first place.

After some stops along the coast checking out some tourist traps, it was time to check back into reality and pull into the OC.

Now its back to work, planning the series and team for 2010……but it was good while it lasted!

Until Next time,

The Red Cowboy.