Stanton, McMaster Out – Haight, Edwards In

Additions and Deletions: Due to circumstances beyond their control, defending champion Bob Stanton – along with Ryan McMaster, Paul Prouxl, and Sam Loney – have withdrawn from the 2009 Growlers Gulch 5,000.

Todd Edwards and Three Rivers Cycling guru Richard Haight, who had been on the waiting list, have been added to the roster. This will be the first GG5K for Edwards. Meanwhile, Haight returns to the 5K following a one-year hiatus. He participated in the 2007 event, but several wrong turns led to a mangled ride route – sort of like what might have happened if Lewis and Clark had had Alzheimer’s.

Haight was added to this year’s ride list as the result of a special appeal from Growlers Gulch Cycling Team member Mike Van Hoose.

TDG Board member Denise Livingston reports that Van Hoose has agreed to hang with Haight throughout the ride to eliminate directional dilemmas. However, when last interviewed, Van Hoose expressed a very different opinion.

“The boy needs to learn the ride route,” Van Hoose said. “If he thinks I’m gonna be roped to him, he’s delusional. If I’m connected to anybody, I want it to be Lance.”

Preparation: Don’t be foolish when it comes to food and fluid. It’s not the Cascade Creampuff, but it IS possible to bonk on this ride if you are not prepared.

Trail Conditions: So much depends on the weather. Right now, everything is sterling. We made some improvements to Rush and the Big Wow. However, limbing is needed on Double Down, Creation, Jekyll & Hyde, and JFK, so bring your saw and spend a few minutes on one of those if you get a chance.

Beer: Al Hansen has generously agreed to supply us with five gallons of Vortex IPA from Fort George Brewery for the post-ride festivities. $2 will get you a cup and refills. Vortex is one of the Northwest’s finest IPAs.

Etiquette: Paul and Mel ground out the entire ride last week in 5:45. They had it at around 24 miles, although I’m guessing that this is probably a little light. No matter what your GPS says, the ride is 5,000 feet. If you are dumb enough to report anything less than that when you get back to 465, you will be riding up and down the driveway until you accumulate the entire 5,000.

What If It Rains? Bring a jacket.