Tour de Gulch XIII Defeats Gloomy Forecast

You can’t count on the weatherman to come up with a decent forecast, but you can count on Growlers Gulch Racing to deliver a sterling single-track experience at the annual Tour de Gulch.

This year was no exception, as nearly 60 riders enjoyed tread that held up very well despite this week’s deluge. A number of riders got to see trail they had never been on before, and the party at the Post-Ride Pub at 465 lived up to expectations by featuring the usual array of outstanding food and beverages. We were even able to dodge the rain.

We appreciate the contributions of our sponsors. If you have an opportunity to patronize Cycylepath, Highlander Cycling or Fort George Brewery, please do so.

• Cyclepath is located at 2436 N.E. Martin Luther King Boulevard in Portland and is open from 9-7 on weekdays and 1-6 on Saturdays. Cyclepath’s tag line is “Custom Bike Love” and they have the products and services to make it stand up. Need an example? Check their just-arrived line of Niner forks that weigh in at 562 grams!
• Fort George Brewery is located at 1483 Duane Street in Astoria. If you haven’t stopped in, you need to. The Fort has a great vibe and superior beer. It’s a family-friendly establishment where you can sip a cold Vortex while enjoying a bite to eat. Don’t miss the oysters or the sausage platter.
• Highlander Cycling has changed the landscape for area riders by providing friendly service and plenty of support for local mountain bikers. Highlander sponsored the Growlers Gulch Racing team at Old Pueblo earlier in the year and is also sponsoring the 60 @ Sixty ride in July. Co-owners Janice and Scott Forbes – along with mechanic Brian Clark – have all ridden at Growlers. Highlander is located at 1313 Commerce Avenue in Longview. The shop is open from 10-7 on weekdays and 10-5 on Saturdays.

Special thanks to our stellar support crew – Sherry LeMonds, Kim Hanley, Evelyn LeMonds and Diane LeMonds – for all of their work with set-up and clean-up. Additional thanks to Diane for coming up with what can only be described as phenomenal decorations for the porta-potty.

Decorations and festive theme courtesy of Diane LeMonds

• Jack Berry
• Tonya Breedlove
• Sam Brickey
• Lance Brigman
• Chase Bryant
• Andy Crump
• Jerry de Ruyter
• Marcus Faber
• Al Hansen
• Rob Larsen
• D. LeMonds
• J. LeMonds
• Denise Livingston
• Eric Loney
• Sam Loney
• Susan Martin
• Vaughn Martin
• Ryan McMaster
• Thomas Mueller
• Dara Muldoon
• Jeff Muldoon
• Melanie Norris
• Paul Norris
• Juntu Oberg
• Ken Pearson
• Joel Rogauskus
• Mike Van Hoose

Notes: Amy Singmaster, Chase Bryant, Sam Brickey, Brian Clark, Shane Oberg, Juntu Oberg, Scott Forbes, Mike Brady, Kelley Hinkle, Aaron Dennis, April Kincaide, Miles Olin, Greg Ogden, and Ryane Olin were riding in their first TDG . . . Larsen von Mueller – led by Rob Larsen and Thomas Mueller – continued its storied TDG reputation by refusing to stop for a break during the 3.5 hour ride time . . . April Kincaide survived the ride but her bike suffered a cracked seatpost . . . Sources report that Brian Clark from Highlander Cycling was using his body to buff out sections of Rush . . . Scott Forbes must have taken it literally when he was assigned to Jack Berry and the Bike Breakers. Scott tatered his small chain ring, leaving him to test his legs throughout the day in ring two. He may have experienced a post-ride quad seizure . . . Special thanks to beerman Al Hansen for procuring the Vortex IPA . . . Jeff Lipton and J. LeMonds kept their streaks alive by riding in their thirteenth consecutive TDGs.