AREA MAN JOINS CULT OF ANNOYING 29er RIGID FORK SINGLE-SPEEDERS

Bellingham's Mike McQuaide took delivery yesterday on a Redline Monocog Flight 29er. (Not sure what to make of the cowboy hat or the guitar.) As he likes to tell people--even people who aren't the least bit interested in this sort of thing--it's a single-speed with a rigid fork. (Good for you, Mike. You think you're so special.)

Later that same day, McQuaide commenced riding said bike up at Galbraith with John Clark and Steve Vanderstaay nearly blowing a gasket, busting a gut, and blowing out his quads out rassling the darn thing to the top of the Towers. But McQuaide, who resembles a much better-looking and much younger-looking Johnny Depp, got the job done.

"This thing is either going to kill me or make me strong as a horse," he said later. (He then repeated that sentiment several times because he thought no one had heard him the first few times. They heard him; they just weren't interested. Could you blame them?)

In other news, area man's son--also known as area son (and as Baker)--returned to the skatepark, dropping in several times at the bowl, something he hasn't done for maybe a year-and-a-half now.

"I don't know why, but it all came back to me somehow," area boy is reported as saying.

Great to see his hawk pose again. 

ADVENTURES NW

Check out the new issue of Adventures NW, out now. Lots of great stories and photos including one by yours truly about the wonders of riding a 29er. Speaking of photos (we were, weren't we?), that fetching cover shot is mine too. Pretty cool, huh?

In other news, I'm closing in on closing in on a 29er single-speed, probably the Redline Monocog Flight. I'm looking for something else to do this fall and it occurred to me that it might be cool to do a little more running than I have of late, and to also ride a single-speed. Not sure why, but at least the combo will be new to me. Still undecided about this year's Mount Baker Hill Climb. Having trouble getting as skinny as I need to be. These pizzas and cookies and such keep finding their way in front of my face.

In other other news, got a story in tomorrow's Seattle Times about me hike to Cascade Pass-Sahale Arm.

'NOTHER GALBRAITH EPIC

Le Towers, Le Evo (sehr scary), Le Woopsie Woodle, Le something through the woods (but not to grandmother's house), and finally, Le Last Call. (Above are Bake, Kyler, and Kyler's dad, Ed; you can just barely see Mount Baker in the far right corner.)

Here's a tip: if you're new not only to riding a 29er, but riding a 29er with clipless pedals, don't make Evo the first trail you try.

First time to Le Towers for most--Jimmy, Jacob, Kyler, Bake--probably 1,200 feet of climbing in less than 4 miles. Killer! First day also for Bake on his new Norco Wolverine and me on my Felt Nine, a 29er. The McQuaide boyz is very happy!