2006 trailmap for Black Rock completed...

Earlier this month, we wrapped up design of the new trailmap for Black Rock. This was a project I've been working on (off and on) since March for BRMBA.

Involved several trips down the trails with GPS to capture the tracks...

Then, using Adobe Photoshop to overlay the GPS tracks on a topomap.

Worked with a graphic design artist to add the "professional" look/feel - and got ongoing feedback from the trail managers and some of the users throughout the project.

All of the current (and some of the proposed) trails are shown on the map along with major features (such as dirt jumps and wooden drops/stunts).

The final result? A waterproof, professional-looking, printed tri-fold map for sale (for $7 donation) at local bike shop and grocery store in Falls City:

(actual printed version is crisp and clear - this is sample only...)



There's also larger 11" x 17" printed versions of the map which are hanging in several bike shops around town as well as in the window of the grocery store in Falls City.

Trip to Willamette Pass for downhill mountain biking...

Went to Willamette Pass (about 2 hours south of Salem) with group of friends...



Top of gondola at Willamette Pass - READY TO RIDE! Travis, Sean (behind Travis), TracE, Rich, April, and Todd (foreground)

We took a van and hauled the bikes using Rich's trailer...



I brought my Nikon D70, but only took pictures during one of the runs (down the Sport Course). Most of the time, spent riding the trails...

It sure gives ya plenty of riding time when you can take the gandola to the top! Was great practise at downhill skills. Really important to "not ride the bike, but ride the trail"! It's all about becoming one with the bike, and flowing down the technical downhill trails... looking beyond where you are and just doing what needs to be done! So fun...



Can't wait to get up to Whistler next week for some more downhill lift-assisted fun!

Going to the 2006 IMBA Summit and World Mountain Bike Conference in Whistler, B.C. from June 19 - 25th. Going to be spending some time riding as well!

"New" car. "New" truck.

We decided it was time to replace Wendy's aging '98 Chevrolet Cavalier with something more reliable. So, over the weekend we went car/truck shopping. Why truck shopping? 'cuz the plan was to "downsize" my '04 GMC Sierra 2500 to something smaller (payment, physical, and engine size) - so we'd have room in budget for car payment.

Stumbled across an awesome deal on an '04 VW Jetta with just 14,000 miles on it! Fit all the criteria we were looking for - even had some extra bells and whistles (like a moonroof)...



So we bought that, and next day went truck shopping...

Got an '04 Dodge Dakota with 32,000 miles (that's 6,000 miles less than my truck had)... Bad thing is, I now need to get bedliner again (LineX) and a canopy for it. We also had to trade-in Wendy's 1996 Honda Rebel as part of downpayment to make the monthly payment low enough for our budget.



At least now we're done with car/truck shopping again for a long while. I hate car shopping. Just want something that runs and works for what we need (hauling dogs, bikes, Kaylee, and all our "gear" - photo or camping, etc)...

Think we did good. Got what we wanted, but with % rates kinda high ended up with longer term than we really wanted. Oh well, when rates come down, we'll refinance. *shrug*