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	<title>WriteTek Northwest</title>
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		<title>GGR Welcomes Samantha Hunter Ogden</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Growlers Gulch Racing has recruited a new rider &#8211; Samantha Hunter Ogden. She was born at 4:42 p.m. on January 28th. She is 19.5&#8243; long and came in at the optimal riding weight of 6 pounds, 8 ounces. Samantha&#8217;s parents are Greg and Brigette Ogden. You can send congrats to them at g_oggy@yahoo.com.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/10173/ggr-welcomes-samantha-hunter-ogden</link>
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		<title>Adopt-a-Trail in the Works for 2012</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We are trying to nail down assignments for the 2012 Adopt-a-Trail program. We had more than 30 people on board last year, including several newcomers and are looking for help this time around. If you can lend a hand, let me know and I will set you up with a trail.  We started Adopt-a-Trail in 2010 [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/6633/adopt-a-trail-set-for-2011</link>
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		<title>GG5K Set for May 19th, Sign-up Now Underway</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Think of the Growlers Gulch 5,000 as one of those hurts-so-good situations. We started the 5K in 2006 for this reason &#8211; we aren&#8217;t disciplined enough to train because it&#8217;s the right thing to do; we need fear to motivate us. And it worked. When we put the GG5K on the calender for May, it pushed many [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/10135/gg5k-set-for-may-19th-sign-up-now-underway</link>
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		<title>Carlson Goes Wild with G-Bay Offers</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Erik Carlson is cleaning house, shed, garage, and shop. In what is easily the largest merchandise group ever posted on G-Bay, Erik is offering everything from Shimano shifters and a Chumba frame to a Honda Accord and a Goldwing motorcycle. And much more. He will be donating 10 percent of the first $1,500 he sells to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/10121/carlson-goes-wild-with-g-bay-offers</link>
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		<title>Growlers, Stella Trail Updates</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Thanks is due to a number of people who were at Growlers, Stella or both this weekend to help with clean-up. I&#8217;m including reports from those who forwarded info and don&#8217;t mean to minimize the work of those not mentioned in this post. Growlers Paul, Mel and Chris Laughlin worked on a number of the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/10124/growlers-stella-trail-updates</link>
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		<title>Kelley and Paul on the National Trail</title>
		<description><![CDATA[When Paul and Kelley were on their recent six-month biking tour of the Southwest, they hit the National Trail on South Mountain in Phoenix. Nice vid from Kelley. And, no, it&#8217;s not raining there.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/10115/kelley-and-paul-on-the-national-trail</link>
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		<title>Saturday Work Party Caps Massive Two-Week Effort</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Snow storm last Sunday. Rainy and cold this Saturday. But in spite of the weather, the GGR crew &#8211; along with a few friends - put in nearly 300 hours of time at the Castle Rock Bike Park during the past two weeks. Eighteen people showed last Sunday. We had 40 onsite on Saturday. We have now logged 979 [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/10075/saturday-work-party-caps-massive-two-week-effort</link>
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		<title>A-Bomb Snow Ride</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Great vid of Eric Shew and a friend riding A-Bomb in the snow on Monday.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/10053/a-bomb-snow-ride</link>
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		<title>GGR Hits Colonnade, Duthie</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Fourteen riders headed to Seattle to take a look at the bike parks at Colonnade and Duthie on January 14th. The crew included Paul, Mel, Seattle Fred, Jerry D, Joe and Marie Klemmer, Shannon, Dave, Doctor Brigman, Ryan McMaster, Kelley, Kevin, Cage and myself. Colonnade We hit Colonnade first. It was nice that a good [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/10034/ggr-hits-colonnade-duthie</link>
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		<title>Bike Park Crew Makes Huge Progress</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Unbelievable. A day that was on the edge of being written off because of snow ended up being one of the most productive thus far at the Castle Rock Bike Park. A crew of eighteen braved the weather, and did they ever get the job done. I got a text from Ryane at 6:48 saying [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/10015/bike-park-crew-makes-huge-progress</link>
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		<title>Gods of Gotham Trailer and Interview</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A new book from RAL grad and former student Lyndsay Faye is scheduled to be on shelves in February. If you read her first book Dust and Shadow, you already know that Lynds is a superior writer. Check the trailer for the book and a short interview with Lyndsay:]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9973/gods-of-gotham-trailer-and-interview</link>
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		<title>Major Build Days on the Way</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Upcoming Build Days We killed it on the 15th and are looking to do the same on the 21st. Start time is 9:00 a.m. We will have pulled pork sandwiches, chips, and cookies, as well as pop-ups and a big fire. We are working on crew assignments and will keep you in the loop. Goals [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9882/sign-rock-work-completed-major-build-days-on-the-way</link>
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		<title>GGR Crew Headed for Colonnade, Duthie</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Road trip! We are planning a trip to Seattle on Saturday, January 14th to hit Colonnade and Duthie, two of the best-known bike parks in the Pacific Northwest. We will be meeting at the park-and-ride on the west side of Castle Rock at 7 a.m. sharp and then consolidating and heading up together as one [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9953/ggr-crew-headed-for-colonnade-duthie</link>
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		<title>Spectacular Legacy Photos</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The view up there won&#8217;t last so soak it up while you can. Ten years from now, you&#8217;ll be telling the newbies, &#8220;In the old days, you could see all the way to the Olympics.&#8221; Photos courtesy of Mark Sanchez  ]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9941/spectacular-legacy-photos</link>
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		<title>Growlers Events on Tap for 2012</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Despite the numerous failures of the Board of Director in 2011, Growlers Gulch Racing will bounce back strong in 2012 with at least four events now on tap. Please keep in mind that we are unsure of dates at this time and will do our best to pin things down as soon as possible. Growlers Gulch [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9929/growlers-events-on-tap-for-2012</link>
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		<title>Big Ride Crews, Great Weather Help Ring in the New Year</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Saturday, Sunday and Monday were stellar days at Growlers. After the monsoons that rolled through earlier in the week, there was standing water in places you rarely see it. The great part was that, aside from those spots, the tread was fantastic. We had more than 30 riders on Saturday and even more than that [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9916/big-ride-crews-great-weather-help-ring-in-the-new-year</link>
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		<title>A-Bomb Rules 2011 LeMonds Family Tasting</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Abominable Winter Ale from Hopworks came away with the top spot at the 2011 LeMonds Family Christmas Tasting. Holidays Suck from Lagunitas was second, followed by Dick&#8217;s Double Diamond. Nine professional tasters were on hand for this year&#8217;s event, which included 16 entrants. All judges agreed that the overall quality of the beers was the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9897/a-bomb-rules-2011-lemonds-family-tasting</link>
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		<title>Scott SUB Now on G-Bay</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Andy Plassmeyer is looking to sell a 2008 Scott SUB 10 (Speed Utility Bike). Size large.   He has put it on Craigslist for $600 but will let it go on G-Bay for $500. It has a total of about 75 road miles on it. Frame has a couple of scratches but is in very good condition.  [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9873/scott-sub-now-on-g-bay</link>
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		<title>Phoenix Vid</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Another good vid from Kelley, this time at Scottsdale. This ride included 1,600 feet of elevation gain over a four-mile stretch.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9866/phoenix-vid</link>
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		<title>The Boys in Bakersfield</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This isn&#8217;t Paul and Kelley in the vid, but this is the trail they rode in Bakersfield earlier in the week. They liked Mr. Toad&#8217;s Wild Ride so much that they hit it four times.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9862/the-boys-in-bakersfield</link>
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		<title>Hopworks A-Bomb Gets Great Press</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Saw this review of Hopworks A-Bomb on a beer blog and thought it was worth sharing. A-Bomb is 7.3 percent ABV and carries 70 IBUs. I am a big fan of non-traditional “winter warmer” releases of breweries. Yep, the weather in this northwest region is unpredictable and it does complicate our lives as we move [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9854/hopworks-a-bomb-gets-great-press</link>
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		<title>Bike Park Volunteer Hours</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We thinks it&#8217;s going to take 2,000 hours to complete the Castle Rock Bike Park. Our goal is to have at least 100 names on the list below by the time the project is finished. We understand that everyone has commitments. All we ask is that you step up and lend a hand when you [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9841/bike-park-volunteer-hours</link>
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		<title>Flat-Drop Now Complete</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We had room for a 36&#8243; flat-drop on the south end of the site at the Castle Rock Bike Park, so I decided to build a hybrid. Instead of simply rolling into a three-foot drop, which would probably be beyond the reach of those of us who are mere mortals, I add a unique, stepped-down [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9828/flat-drop-now-complete</link>
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		<title>Failure on JLS</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I was a teacher for 30 years. Fortunately, the vast majority of my students did well when test time rolled around. Apparently, I have lost my touch. On Sunday afternoon, a small group of us headed over to JLS to session some log-overs. The lesson did not go as planned. I carefully laid things out [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9812/failure-on-jls</link>
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		<title>Check Out the A-Bomb Line</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you&#8217;re wondering how the A-Bomb trail turned out &#8211; here&#8217;s your chance to take a look. In addition, the Hawg Trail, all of A-Bomb was completed in approximately 3:15 by a crew of 32. If you try to ride it up instead of down, it might take you longer than 3:15. Video courtesy of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9804/check-out-the-a-bomb-line</link>
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		<title>Dara Hartman Pottery Sale</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This weekend - December 3 &#38; 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p. m. &#8211; ceramic maven and GGR member Dara Hartman will be having an open studio and pottery sale, along with artists Robin Hominiuk and Stephen Mickey. Stop by to see some new work and visit with the artists. Check the location and contact info below. And as a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9793/dara-hartman-pottery-sale</link>
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		<title>Baby Steps Adding Up at the Castle Rock Bike Park</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s slow going, but the beat goes on at the Castle Rock Bike Park. The south end of the site now has a ramp that should enable riders of all ability levels to easily access the common area and the feature trail that will follow. A 36&#8243; flat drop coming off the common area is [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9782/baby-steps-adding-up-at-the-castle-rock-bike-park</link>
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		<title>Kids and Bikes</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Great feel-good bike story courtesy of Paul Norris.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9549/kids-and-bikes</link>
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		<title>Growlers Gulch Racing Says Good-bye to Muddy Norris</title>
		<description><![CDATA[  It&#8217;s always sad to announce the passing of a member of the GGR family. That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s tough to break the news that long-time Growlers trail dog Muddy Norris was put down this week after begin diagnosed with lung cancer. Muddy was born in Arkansas in 2000 and relocated to the Pacific Northwest when Paul [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9762/growlers-gulch-racing-says-good-bye-to-muddy-norris</link>
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		<title>Session #2 at Cascade Locks</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Report and photos from Andy Crump. On behalf of the Northwest Trail Alliance, we would like to thank everyone who came out to join us in Cascade Locks over three build days to create a trail loop you can ride at Cascade Locks NOW. easyCLIMB is open for business.   The trail gods shined on [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9677/session-2-at-cascade-locks</link>
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		<title>Mega-Build Day Draws Big Crowd</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The annual mega-work party at Growlers drew more than 70 people on Sunday, November 13. In combination with last Saturday&#8217;s Plan B effort, we had approximately 90 people involved this year. The weather sucked but the crew hung tough, finishing both A-Bomb and the Hawg for a total of three miles in just over three [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9693/mega-build-day-draws-big-crowd</link>
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		<title>Stella, Growlers Vids</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Compilation vid from Stella, followed by a ride down the new line in the Secret Garden at Growlers. Courtesy of Kelley Hinkle.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9656/stella-growlers-vids</link>
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		<title>When Logging Was Logging Now Available</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Appelo Archives Center has received its long anticipated shipment of their latest book, When Logging Was Logging, 100 years of Big Timber in SW Washington. With both historic black and white photos of early 20th century logging and modern logging shots in color, the book has been very well received by local old time [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9623/when-logging-was-logging-now-available</link>
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		<title>Mountain Bike Projects in the Pipeline</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The following story appeared in the Oregonian on October 29, 2011. From new trails to pumptracks to indoor bike parks, things are happening on the mountain bike front. They pretty much have to, with the way the sport is bursting at the seams. Eichler Bike Park Location: From Portland, head west on U.S. 26, then [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9575/mountain-bike-projects-in-the-pipeline</link>
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		<title>Crew Breakdown for November 13th</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Where to Meet: Every member of the Hawg crews will meet at the wide area on the right side of the road about 75 yards past the blue gate at 8:50. Paul will lead you in. This includes the chuckwagon crew. All members of the A-Bomb crews will meet at the intersection near Walk and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9553/crew-breakdown-for-november-13th</link>
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		<title>Plan B Gets It Done</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Plan B crew came through big time during day one of this year&#8217;s two-part mega-build on Saturday, November 5th. Led by Jack Berry, the crew completed a new line that branches left off the top part of the Secret Garden. It swoops east and eventually gives riders the option of heading left to the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9600/plan-b-gets-it-done</link>
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		<title>Castle Rock Bike Park Continues to Take Shape</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s a testament to the members of Growlers Gulch Racing that the change of seasons has not slowed progress at the Castle Rock Bike Park. We just finished two very productive days that were helped tremendously by having an excavator operated by Ryane Olin and a skidsteer operated by John Toney onsite. On Wednesday, Ryane [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9572/castle-rock-bike-park-continues-to-take-shape</link>
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		<title>Goat Mountain Ride Report</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Brian Mahon and Ken Noble recently completed a ride from Ryan Lake up Goat Mountain and eventually down into the Gren River. To say the scenery is spectacular is the grossest of understatements. Things begin with an ass-kicking climb up Goat Mountain and then to Vanson Peak (You should anticipate problems when you are forced [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9562/goat-mountain-ride-report</link>
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		<title>Bike Porn of the Finest Kind</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Chris Akrigg is an incredible athlete. Vid forwarded by Cage Aaron.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9545/bike-porn-of-the-finest-kind</link>
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		<title>Mega-Work Party Set for November 13th</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Sign-up begins now for this year&#8217;s mega-work party at Growlers Gulch on Sunday, November 13th. We are working on details re: where to meet, when we start, etc. and I will provide that info to you in the next few weeks. Hard-working kids and non-mountain bikers are welcome. In 2009, we had 67 volunteers on [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9310/mega-work-party-set-for-november-13th</link>
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		<title>Muldoons Hit Bend Super D</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Jeff and Dara Muldoon both came away with great results at Bend&#8217;s Day of the Dead Super D on October 28th. Jeff took third place in Cat 2 40+ with a time of 32:13. Douglas Schumacher of Bellingham claimed the top spot with a time of 29:02. Dara was sixth in Cat 1/2/3 Open 34-and-Under [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9529/muldoons-hit-bend-super-d</link>
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		<title>Preview Day Draws Local Kids</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Nearly two dozen kids from the local area stopped by the Castle Rock Bike Park on Saturday to test things out as part of Pump Track Preview Day. The event was hosted by Growlers Gulch Racing. After watching a demo by Kevin Knorr, bikers had a chance to ride a modified lap on the south [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9504/preview-day-draws-local-kids</link>
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		<title>Cascade Locks Bike Project Kicks Off</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Cascade Locks Bike Park got off on the right foot, with work parties on October 15th and 16th. The effort was spearheaded by Andy Jansky and Andy Crump and received a big boost from Paul and Mel Norris of Growlers Gulch Racing. Jansky said that 15 people showed up for each work party and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9459/cascade-locks-bike-project-kicks-off</link>
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		<title>Incredible Trials Riding on Huge Rocks</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Great vid courtesy of Aaron Dennis and Andy Crump.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9479/incredible-trials-riding-on-huge-rocks</link>
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		<title>Materials Acquisition for CR Bike Park</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We can really use your help On the very simplest level, we are looking for all dimensions of outdoor wood. Please check your scrap pile at home. It will be trickier to locate logs, telephone poles (These cannot be working power poles that you plan to cut down or extract with an excavator), large rocks, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9421/materials-acquisition-for-cr-bike-park</link>
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		<title>Pump Track Preview Set for October 29th</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Everyone is invited to kick off the Halloween weekend by joining us for Pump Track Preview Day at the Castle Rock Bike Park at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 29th. This will be an informal get-together, with the focus on introducing people to the pump tracks and the park and giving everyone a chance to try things [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9390/pump-track-preview-set-for-october-29th</link>
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		<title>Trail Gnomes &#8211; Fact or Fiction?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Do trail gnomes really exist? Holmes and Watson were unavailable, so the Board of Director recently set out to examine a question that has puzzled mountain bikers for years. The Legend Many riders believe that trail gnomes are native to biking systems. They labor undected under cover of darkness with a single goal &#8211; to build [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/6136/myth-busters-searches-for-trail-gnomes</link>
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		<title>Board of Director Provides Safety Tips</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I realize that my record does not qualify me to lecture people about safety. However, I received the tips below from real medical professionals &#8211; Brad Burger and Carla Mitchem. Whenever possible, avoid riding alone. Let someone know where you will be going and stick to the ride plan. Carry a cell phone whenever you ride. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9406/board-of-director-provides-safety-tips</link>
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		<title>Cascade Locks Work Day</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Andy Jansky &#8211; with an assist from Andy Crump and NWTA &#8211; has been working with the Cascade Lock Port Authority to build a family-friendly bike park on Port property on the Columbia River. This new park is located near the multi-use CLIMB trail system that the U.S. Forest Service has been planning. Jansky and Crump, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9373/cascade-locks-work-day</link>
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		<title>Bike Park Signage Now Up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Ryan McMaster did a great job of creating short-term signs for the Castle Rock Bike Park, and Dave and I finally got around to putting them up on Sunday. One side lists all current donors, with logos included for any businesses or organizations that have contributed $500 or $1,000. The back side includes information about [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9333/bike-park-signage-now-up</link>
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		<title>McMaster Goes Down Hard</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Ryan parked at 465 before Saturday&#8217;s ride. You wouldn&#8217;t think this would end up being a problem. However, . . . If this had happened to one of us elderly types, we would have been roadkill. Here&#8217;s is Ryan&#8217;s account of the incident. As I was bombing down the pavement from the blue gate, my [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9318/mcmaster-goes-down-hard</link>
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		<title>Bike Park Volunteers Deserve Major Kudos</title>
		<description><![CDATA[There is no way we would have taken on a project like the Castle Rock Bike Park without feeling confident that we could draw strong volunteer support. As of October 29th, 43 different volunteers had rung up a total of 545 hours. This is a phenomenal accomplishment but much work remains. If your name is not [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9275/bike-park-volunteers-deserve-major-kudos</link>
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		<title>Sometimes It&#8217;s All Good</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We had our first emergency extraction at Growlers on Wednesday. Paul, Kelley and Scott Bishop were riding near the Big Easy when Scott went down with a heart attack. Naturally, when Paul and Kelley said they needed to call 911, he told them it wasn&#8217;t necessary. Soon, however, he changed his mind. A cell phone call brought [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9306/sometimes-its-all-good</link>
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		<title>GG Events Cancelled &#8211; Apology and Explanation</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I’ve decided to cancel the remaining GG events for 2011 – these include the TT and Climbing Championship. I apologize for not following through, but I am out of gas right now and don’t have the energy to handle the organization of these events. There are several factors involved in this decision, including my parents’ [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9301/gg-events-cancelled-apology-and-explanation</link>
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		<title>Pump Track Technique</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Watch the video. Then when you hit the Castle Rock Bike Park you will know what to do and how you are supposed to look.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9287/pump-track-technique</link>
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		<title>For Dad</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I wrote the following story about Dad for the Daily News. It was published on June 15, 2003. Dad died on September 20, 2011. This is in his memory. Three years ago, when my father turned 80, he reversed gears. Instead of gathering possessions, he began giving them away. I first received a nail puller, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9283/for-dad</link>
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		<title>Stella Closure Has Ramifications for All</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The recent closure of the parking area at Harmony sends a clear message &#8211; our situation as mountain bikers in Southwest Washington is very fragile. The ignorance and disrespect shown by a handful of riders with no stake in the local scene is all it took to cause a huge loss for the many, many mountain [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9164/stella-closure-has-ramifications-for-all</link>
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		<title>Bike Park Volunteers Make Headway</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Thanks from all of us to the great group of volunteers from Growlers Gulch Racing that showed up Saturday and Sunday to work at the Castle Rock Bike Park. On Saturday, Brian Isbell, Ryane Oline, Ryan McMaster and Greg Ogden focused on digging and installing the water line that runs nearly 1,000 feet from the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9258/bike-park-volunteers-make-headway</link>
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		<title>Mel&#8217;s 40 @ 40 Vid</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Photos and vid clips courtesy of Kelley Hinkle, Jim LeMonds, and Paul Norris. This ride covered 43.1 miles with nearly 5,000 feet of climbing on the Ape Canyon, Blue Lake, and Falls Creek trails. Mel completed the ride in memory of Bob Clouse, Warren Martin, and Jeff Alexander, all of whom died of cancer in [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9251/mels-40-40-vid</link>
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		<title>Locals Hit Podium at High Cascades 24</title>
		<description><![CDATA[  Hats off to two teams from Growlers Gulch Racing for their great finishes at the grueling 2011 High Cascades 24 in Bend on September 11. The Bad Bettys -comprised of Dara Muldoon, Denise Livingston, Juntu Oberg and Wynn Lobel &#8211; completed 14 laps, each of which was 16 miles, for a total of 224 miles. Each [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9232/locals-hit-podium-at-high-cascades-24</link>
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		<title>Oregon Super D Series</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Oregon Super D Series came to a close last weekend at Sandy Ridge. The legendary Brian Lopes showed up to claim the top spot. Check the great high-rez shots in the slideshow, courtesy of Guy Smith. &#160;]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9209/oregon-super-d-series</link>
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		<title>Kids&#8217; Bikes on G-Bay</title>
		<description><![CDATA[***These items were claimed by Andy Plassmeyer at 1:01 p.m. on 9-9-11.*** I have two kids&#8217; bikes that need a home. Let me know if you are interested in one or both. I don&#8217;t want any money for them but would appreciate it if the new owner(s) would make a donation to the bike park. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9217/kids-bikes-on-g-bay</link>
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		<title>Mel Knocks Down 40 @ 40</title>
		<description><![CDATA[She trained so hard, there was never a doubt she&#8217;d get it done. On Saturday, September 3rd, Melanie Norris completed her 40 @ 40 epic to celebrate her 40th birthday and to raise money for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Mel also dedicated the day to the fathers of fellow bikers Shaun Alexander, Carla Mitchem, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9187/mel-knocks-down-40-40</link>
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		<title>Brigman Leaves His Mark at Nationals</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Lance Brigman didn&#8217;t bring home a title, but he came awfully close. Brigman was in Bend, Oregon, to participate in 65-69 division of USA Cycling&#8217;s National Masters&#8217; Championships from August 31st to September 4th. Individual Time Trial &#8211; Lance finished 3rd in 29:08, just one second behind Jack Kelso of Hammer Nutrition. Scott Hennessey of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9184/brigman-leaves-his-mark-at-nationals</link>
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		<title>Kevin Going Fast</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Kevin hits 28.4 miles per hour in this clip filmed at Mount Hood.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9150/kevin-going-fast</link>
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		<title>Details of Stella Parking Closure</title>
		<description><![CDATA[After speaking with the people who own the areas at Harmony where most bikers park, Bob Stanton submitted this report: Notice to all: The homeowners at the end of Harmony Road (Longview, WA) have rescinded the parking privileges that we had previously enjoyed. There has been too much noisy activity (by bikers and hikers) there [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9159/details-of-stella-parking-closure</link>
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		<title>Dust Cover for New Book</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I am one of four contributors to a book titled When Logging Was Logging: 100 Years of Big Timber in Southwest Washington. My job was to profile Jerry DeBriae, Wahkiakum County&#8217;s most prolific gyppo logger for several decades.  The dust cover just came back from graphics. Release date is mid-November.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9119/dust-cover-for-new-book</link>
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		<title>Norris Offers 2010 Niner S.I.R. 9</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It doesn&#8217;t happen often &#8211; Paul is actually selling a bike. His 2010 Niner S.I.R. 9 is on the market. The bike has approximately 10 hours of ride time. Paul is asking $450 for frame only or $500 for the frame and King headset.  Complete info about this single-speed stallion (I am referring to the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9131/norris-offers-2010-niner-s-i-r-9</link>
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		<title>Bike Park Work Day Set for September 18th</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Our fourth major work party at the Castle Rock Bike Park is on tap for Sunday, September 18th. Start time is 9 a.m. Our focus will be on the following, with crews assigned to each: Tweak the intermediate pump track to perfection, using dirt from the abandoned beginner track. Complete the remaining rollers on the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9105/bike-park-work-day-set-for-september-18th</link>
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		<title>Mel Norris Closes in on Labor Day Epic</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The hay is just about in the barn. Mel Norris is putting the finishing touches on the training for her 40th birthday ride on Saturday, September 3rd. The epic route will include Ape Canyon (15.5), Blue Lake (8.8) and Falls Creek (17.1), with a total of approximately 4,800 feet of climbing. Here are the highlights [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9098/mel-norris-closes-in-on-labor-day-epic</link>
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		<title>Aaron Altaeuser Lands on Injured Reserve List</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Board of Director has received word that Aaron Althaeuser went down with a head injury recently while riding the 450 Trail at Mount Hood. Although Althaeuser is sometimes considered an NWTA guy, we know he is GGR all the way. During the past year, Aaron helped at our mega-work party, volunteered at one of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9077/aaron-altaeuser-lands-on-injured-reserve-list</link>
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		<title>Legacy Trail Crew Makes a Big Dent</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Huge thanks to the trail crew from Growlers Gulch Racing that hit Legacy on Saturday. Thanks also to Dara Hartman for organizing the effort. The crew included Dara, Laurie Larsen, Wynne Lobel, Chris Laughlin, April Kincaide, April&#8217;s friend Kalani, Nancy Pearson, Denise Livingston, Juntu and Shane Oberg, Jeff Muldoon, Vaughn Martin, Barry DeSemple, Kelley Hinkle, Travis Degn and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9072/legacy-trail-crew-makes-a-big-dent</link>
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		<title>Tree Wins Battle with Board of Director</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It should never have been this complicated. With Mel&#8217;s ride coming up, I wanted to get in some climbing. Went down the Big Wow, up the Ridge Trail, and down Rush. Rode PMS, climbed Bitter Bitch, Lower Jekyll, Little Sister, Vortex and took gravel to the tank trap. For not being on my bike for 10 days, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9041/tree-wins-battle-with-board-of-director</link>
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		<title>Loney Finishes 2nd in 2011 NW Cup Standings</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Eric Loney completed the 2011 race season by placing fourth at Stage 5 of the Northwest Cup Downhill Series at Port Angeles on August 7th. Loney &#8211; who races for Project 529, SRAM, and Santa Cruz &#8211; finished the year as the second-ranked pro in the Pacific Northwest. Kyle Thomas took the top spot. At Stage [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9026/loney-finishes-2nd-in-2011-nw-cup-standings</link>
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		<title>Pump de Post-Pumptrack Jam Race</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We&#8217;re not there yet, but this is what we&#8217;re shooting for at the Castle Rock Bike Park. Video courtesy of Paul Norris and Vital MTB. Pump-De-Post-Pumptrack-Jam-Race &#8211; More Mountain Bike Videos]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8963/pump-de-post-pumptrack-jam-race</link>
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		<title>Mueller, Muldoon, Olin Race at Oakridge</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Thomas Mueller, Jeff Muldoon and Ryane Olin &#8211; all of Growlers Gulch Racing &#8211; ripped tread at the Oregon Super D at Oakridge on August 7. The course was set up on the Alpine Trail and included 4,700 feet of descent and 1,000 feet of climbing over 14 miles. The Oakridge Super D is considered [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/9004/mueller-muldoon-olin-race-at-oakridge</link>
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		<title>Crump&#8217;s Nephew Learns by Trial and Error</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Andy Crump&#8217;s nephew Spencer is learning to mountain bike. Apparently, Spencer has been taking lessons from members of the Killer Burritos &#8211; a now defunct biking group from Portland that rode in several TDGs. The video is only a minute long, but it is very entertaining. Fortunately, Spencer is young. He bounces really well.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8990/crumps-nephew-learns-by-trial-and-error</link>
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		<title>Sign-up Now for GG Super D</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Sign-up begins now for the GG Super D on Saturday, September 17th. This event is brought to you by Growlers Gulch Racing. Course: Some work is needed on Legacy, but the ride route is in very good shape. You will start at the top of Legacy, then hit WTF, Vortex, Jekyll, the Lower KMAs and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8886/sign-up-now-for-gg-super-d</link>
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		<title>Mel&#8217;s 40 @ 40 to Raise Money for Cancer Research</title>
		<description><![CDATA[In an effort to alleviate some logistical nightmares I have decided to make some changes to the 40 @ 40 Ride. We are still going to finish up with the Falls Creek trail.    Paul is going to pace me, Jeep is going to sweep me and Dave is going to be our driver so [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8982/mels-40-40-to-raise-money-for-cancer-research</link>
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		<title>Brigman Preps for USAC Nationals</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Lance Brigman of Growlers Gulch Racing has been training hard for the upcoming USA Cycling Nationals in Bend from August 31 to September 3. Lance will participate in the 65-69 Master&#8217;s Time Trial on Wednesday, hit the Criterium on Thursday and then finish with the Road Race on Saturday. He has been ramping up his workouts and has [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8976/brigman-preps-for-usac-nationals</link>
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		<title>South Coldwater Video</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Great stuff once again from Kelley Hinkle. This is footage of our Monday ride on the 230A Trail at Coldwater Ridge, north of Mount St. Helens. We topped out at St. Helens Lake. In most cases, video doesn&#8217;t do justice to the terrain. That&#8217;s not the case here. Take a look and you&#8217;ll understand why [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8970/south-coldwater-video</link>
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		<title>Under-employed Ride South Coldwater</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I tried to get out of it. When I talked with Paul on Sunday at the bike park, his knee was hurting and he was fatigued from riding Smith Creek with Mel on Saturday. I got the impression that he might want to cancel our ride on the 230A Trail at South Coldwater. No such [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8926/under-employed-ride-south-coldwater</link>
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		<title>Expert Pump Track Nearly Completed!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Thanks to a great design by Kevin Knorr and Randy Toney and extraordinary work from a crew of volunteers from Growlers Gulch Racing, the expert pump track at the Castle Rock Bike Park is approximately 75 percent complete. We told Kevin and Randy we wanted them to design a world-class track, and they have not [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8901/expert-pump-track-nearly-completed</link>
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		<title>Major Work Underway at CR Bike Park</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Progress continues at the bike park this weekend with a two-day build on tap. The plan is to complete the expert pump track. The beginner and intermediate tracks are rideable. However, Kevin Knorr, Ryan McMaster and Ryan Hicks &#8211; who have been involved with design and ongoing improvements &#8211; have reported that quite a bit of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8864/major-work-underway-at-cr-bike-park</link>
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		<title>Smith Creek Vid</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Thanks to Kelley for this vid. You can read his full report about the Smith Creek adventure here.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8857/smith-creek-vid</link>
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		<title>Growlers Ride Report from Tony</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Just worked out that I was back in town after grueling vacation stints in Vegas and LA and was able to connect with veteran rider Tony Harisimowic from Vancouver on July 17th. Tony has a great blog that details his wide-ranging ride experiences on 254 trails in 26 states. The fact that he was impressed with [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8846/growlers-ride-report-from-tony</link>
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		<title>Dave, Smitty on Injured List</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Tough news for two GGR stalwarts. Dave LeMonds has received word that he will miss the entire summer and fall ride seasons due to a back injury. Dave has experienced extreme leg pain during the past two months. An MRI revealed a herniated disc that will require surgery and rehab.  He will miss the Super D, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8817/dave-smitty-on-injured-list</link>
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		<title>Smith Creek, Ape Canyon Ride Report</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Rob Larsen, Jack Berry and Bob Horness joined the Under-employed &#8211; Paul Norris, Kelley Hinkle and myself &#8211; for a ride at the mountain on Friday. Our goals were to familiarize Paul with Smith Creek in advance of Mel&#8217;s Labor Day birthday epic, to find out more about trail conditions from Ape Canyon to the north [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8821/smith-creek-ape-canyon-ride-report</link>
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		<title>Eight Mile &#8211; Knebel Springs Report</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Detailed report from Kelley Hinkle about a recent ride at Eight Mile &#8211; Knebel Springs at Mount Hood. Story. Video below.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8811/eight-mile-knebel-springs-report</link>
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		<title>Super D Route Now Set</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Board of Director has settled on the ride route for the 2011 Super D, scheduled for September 17th. This event is sponsored by Growlers Gulch Racing. The race will start at the top of the Legacy and then hit WFT, Vortex, Jekyll, the Lower KMA&#8217;s and the Secret Garden. We don&#8217;t have an accurate [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8802/super-d-route-now-set</link>
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		<title>Rogauskas Finishes at Cascade Creampuff</title>
		<description><![CDATA[All those big training rides on the Golden Spike paid off for Joel Rogauskaus, who earned a finisher&#8217;s hat by completing the Cascade Creampuff in 13 hours and 44 minutes on July 11th. The 100-mile event, which combined intense gravel climbing with vicious single-track descending, was held at Oakridge, Oregon. And he did it on a rigid single-speed! Joel [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8781/rogauskas-finishes-at-cascade-creampuff</link>
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		<title>St. Helens Report</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Brian Mahon and Ken Noble were at Blue Lake for a ride this weekend to test the high-elevation conditions. They headed up toward Huckleberry Saddle and the Sheep Canyon Trail but could made it a quarter of a mile before snow turned them back. They were able to ride the 238 from Blue Lake to Red Rock and then [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8766/st-helens-report</link>
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		<title>Beginner, Intermediate Pump Tracks Ready to Ride!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[All of the planning and hard work is now paying off! A stalwart crew from Growlers Gulch Racing constructed the beginner and intermediate pump tracks at the Castle Rock Bike Park on Sunday, July 10th. See photos at the bottom of this post &#8211; they don&#8217;t do it justice but will give you a general idea. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8743/beginner-intermediate-pump-tracks-ready-to-ride</link>
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		<title>Somewhere Beyond the Sea</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The following story by Jim LeMonds was published in the Daily News on July 2, 2011. When he was a high school student in Roseburg, Ore., Dean Wood constructed an eight-foot rowboat. The family moved and he was forced to sell the boat before it had seen water. Wood, 67, has been making up for [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8733/somewhere-beyond-the-sea</link>
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		<title>Valmont Bike Park</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Two vid clips from the Valmont Bike Park in Boulder, Colorado. Big dollars and plenty of creativity on display. The first gives an overview of the park. The second has some good stuff shot with a helmet cam. The third has some air shots and a nice view of the entire park and some of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8684/valmont-bike-park</link>
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		<title>South Coldwater Vid</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Nice vid from Andy Plassmeyer showing the descent off the South Coldwater 230A on the work day in late June.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8727/south-coldwater-vid</link>
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		<title>Golden Spike in Pristine Condition</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If a brain injury or bad DNA has left you unconvinced that the Growlers and Stella systems offer some of the Pacific Northwest&#8217;s best trail, Saturday&#8217;s ride would have changed what&#8217;s left of your mind. Joel, Dave, Jack, Erik, Lipton, Paul, Mel, Silent Bob and I rode up from the Growlers side, testing part of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8693/golden-spike-in-pristine-condition</link>
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		<title>Travis Doesn&#8217;t Eat Feces</title>
		<description><![CDATA[After making his debut at Growlers in the feature film Travis Eats Feces and then following that with a repeat performance at the Tour de Gulch, Travis Degn proved this weekend that he is ready to start schooling people. Check out his performance on the bridge on Cousin Eddie.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8714/travis-doesnt-eat-feces</link>
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		<title>Locals Place at Hood</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Stage 3 of the Northwest Cup Downhill series saw several local riders turn in good showings at Mount Hood. The event took place June 24-26. Geo Smith of Project 529 was first in Cat 1 50+ with a time of 5.32.39. Jason Moon finished fourth in Cat 1 40+ with a time of 4.35.75. Monte [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8718/locals-place-at-hood</link>
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		<title>Park City Bike Park</title>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8679/park-city-bike-park</link>
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		<title>Beer Survey Snubs Most Oregon Offerings</title>
		<description><![CDATA[From Biz Journals: I don’t want to sound like a Stone Arrogant Bastard, but reading the 2011 Zymurgy Best Beers in America list gave me the Oskar Blues. Only two Oregon beers made the top 50 in the annual list, which is compiled by the American Homebrewers Association and determined by readers of Zymurgy, the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8673/beer-survey-snubs-most-oregon-offerings</link>
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		<title>Jamieson Wins at Crested Butte</title>
		<description><![CDATA[After missing the entire 2010 race season to shoulder surgery, Darrell Jamieson proved that he is all the way back. Jamieson won the 30+ Cat 1 crown in dual slalom at the Wildflower Rush Mountain Bike Series Race in Crested Butte, Colorado. He also finished third in DH. The event took place June 24-26. Jamieson posted [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8654/jamieson-wins-at-crested-butte</link>
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		<title>Mel Norris Completes Mount Adams Century, Ramps Up Training</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Melanie Norris completed the Mount Adams Century on Saturday, June 25th. Training partner Paul Norris was along for the ride. Totals included 105 miles and 7,600 feet of climbing with time in the saddle at just over seven hours. &#8220;This lets me know we can tap out the 206 miles for the STP in about 15 [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8641/mel-norris-completes-mount-adams-century-ramps-up-training</link>
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		<title>South Coldwater Crew Steps Up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A small but staunch crew from Growlers Gulch Racing made big progress on the South Coldwater 230A Trail on Sunday, June 26th. The group included Brian Mahon, Dave LeMonds, Jeff Lipton, Lance Brigman, Erik Carlson, Bob Horness, Ken Noble, Ryan McMaster, Chris Laughlin, and Andy Plassmeyer. They did considerable dirt work on the lower area, and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8630/south-coldwater-crew-steps-up</link>
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		<title>Bike Park Photos &#8211; Additional News</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The photos below are from last Thursday&#8217;s work day &#8211; with Ryan McMaster, Ryane Olin, Randy Toney, and Randy&#8217;s dad, John, on site to handle the layout, rocking of the access area, scrape-off and grading. Huge thanks to them for putting in 11 hours apiece that day to get things rolling. They have staged the dirt [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8612/bike-park-photos-additional-news</link>
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		<title>Castle Rock Bike Park Breaks Ground!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A small crew from Growlers Gulch Racing broke ground on the Castle Rock Bike Park on June 23rd. Our Fill &#38; Grade permit, which allows us to disturb less than one acre of dirt, was approved earlier than expected and we decided to take advantage. The initial phase included putting up 500 feet of silt fence on [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8555/castle-rock-bike-park-breaks-ground</link>
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		<title>3Minute Gaps &#8211; Biking Documentary</title>
		<description><![CDATA[3Minute Gaps For two years the crew of 3 MINUTE GAPS have followed the world&#8217;s best mountain bike racers around the globe documenting them as they trained, prepared, rode, ate, traveled, raced, celebrated, commiserated, and made sacrifices simply because of the weight of ambition to be the fastest. There is no truer, more accurate and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8535/3minute-gaps-biking-documentary</link>
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		<title>Controversy Clouds Brigman&#8217;s 65th Birthday Celebration</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Yes, it&#8217;s Lance Brigman&#8217;s birthday! Now, instead of feeling bad because you&#8217;re getting your ass handed to you buy a 64-year-old, you can experience that same angst knowing that the elderly gentleman riding away in the distance is 65. On a day like this, we should all be joining in the celebration. Unfortunately, as a responsible journalist, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8542/controversy-clouds-brigmans-65th-birthday-celebration</link>
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		<title>South Coldwater Work Party &#8211; June 26th</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The South Coldwater work party on the 230A Trail on the north side of Mount St. Helens is a go for Sunday, June 26th. Full details and sign-up here. Brian Mahon and Ken Noble went up recently to do recon and start the work. Brian reports that heavy snow brought down alder and willow. This has [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8475/south-coldwater-work-party-june-26th</link>
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		<title>Video Footage from TDG XIV</title>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8583/video-footage-from-tdg-xiv</link>
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		<title>TDG XIV Draws 75 Riders</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Seventy-five riders shrugged off drizzle and sloppy tread to soak up the vibe at the Fourteenth Annual Tour de Gulch on Saturday, June 18th. The event was sponsored by Growlers Gulch Racing. Having fun was the top priority and that goal was accomplished! With so many riders on hand, it was great to have more [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8563/tdg-xiv-draws-75-riders</link>
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		<title>2010 TDG Vid &#8211; It Works!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Takin&#8217; you back to last year&#8217;s TDG. Brought to you by Growlers Gulch Racing.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8526/2010-tdg-vid-it-works</link>
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		<title>Nautilus Donates Treadmill for Bike Park Raffle</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Nautilus has announced that it will donate a Schwinn Fitness 840 Treadmill valued at $1,599 to Growlers Gulch Racing, with all proceeds from the upcoming raffle going to the Castle Rock Bike Park. Mel Norris, who is heading up fundraising efforts at the post-Tour de Gulch festivities on Saturday, said she intends to sell tickets for [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8522/nautilus-donates-treadmill-for-bike-park-raffle</link>
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		<title>TDG Info</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Weather prediction for Saturday is 66 with a chance of showers. This is the PNW. Plan accordingly. Normally, we are canine-friendly, but no dogs for this event. One person failed to abide by this rule last year and is still taking abuse for it. You will probably be out 3-4 hours. Make sure you have food and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8463/tdg-info</link>
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		<title>Mel&#8217;s Training Update</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Mel Norris reports that training for her 40th birthday ride on Labor Day weekend is going well. The plan is to cover approximately 43 miles at Smith Creek and Falls Creek. Last weekend, she and Paul completed a century road ride in Oregon. For those of you who signed up to be part of the ride [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8499/mels-training-update-2</link>
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		<title>Three Vids from Kelley Hinkle</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Thanks again to Kelley for providing several nice vid clips, this time from the Rocky Mountain demo day at Growlers on Thursday. Kelley rocking the Element on the Big Easy: Ken Noble (dark blue shirt) taters himself on the log at the bottom of Beauty. Bob &#8220;Crash&#8221; Horness escapes unscathed: This is what happens when you [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8449/three-vids-from-kelley-hinkle</link>
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		<title>Rocky Mountain Demo Day Draws Big Crowd</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Rocky Mountain demo day, sponsored by Highlander Cycling, drew nearly 20 people to Growlers Gulch last week. John Olden, U.S. sales manager for Rocky Mountain, noted that 25 people showed for the demo day in Bend. He was impressed by the turnout at Growlers and also enjoyed the chance to break away and ride [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8453/rocky-mountain-demo-day-draws-big-crowd</link>
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		<title>TDG Ride Groups</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Creampuff Spikers Joel Rogauskus Andrew Holder Gravity Boys Eric Loney Ryan McMaster Casey Cox Geo Smith Bob Juntunen Jason Moon Ryan Hicks Jeff Muldoon Psychotic Reaction Denise Livingston Adam Cartier Hillary Hutchins Joshua Hutchins Stacey Dugan Sean Goris Sara Siwanowicz Brian Geiser Doug Higley Fun Bunch Paul Norris Seattle Fred Tim Wickersham Shane Oberg Vaughn [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8317/tdg-ride-groups-2</link>
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		<title>GGG Stunt Riders</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This video, courtesy of Cage Aaron, appears to show a group of North Shore types doing a variety of stunts. However, Cage told me this was actually filmed in Bend and features several GGG members following their weekend at the Dirt Series biking camp.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8393/ggg-stunt-riders</link>
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		<title>JH Kelly Hires Jim LeMonds to Write Company History</title>
		<description><![CDATA[JH Kelly has hired Jim LeMonds of WriteTek Northwest to write the company&#8217;s history. The book will trace the company&#8217;s remarkable transition from a small-town residential and retail plumbing outfit to one of the largest mechanical contractors in the U.S. After meeting with JH Kelly&#8217;s President Mason Evans and Marketing Director Rob Harris in February, LeMonds recently began [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8352/jh-kelly-hires-jim-lemonds-to-write-company-history</link>
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		<title>Erik Carlson at Ski to Sea</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Erik Carlson participated in the Ski to Sea race in May. The team event featured seven legs, each focused on a different sport. Teams started at Mount Baker and finished in Bellingham. Great footage of Erik as he rocks a course consisting of gravel path, railroad grade, road, and legit single-track. He even overcomes a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8411/erik-carlson-at-ski-to-sea</link>
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		<title>Growlers Trail Update</title>
		<description><![CDATA[With Tour de Gulch XIV on the horizon, we have been working hard to make sure things are in shape when riders arrive on June 18th. Thanks to everyone who has been involved. This past weekend, I ran into several people who said the tread is the fastest they&#8217;ve ever seen. Dead Left, Rush, Jekyll, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8358/growlers-trail-update-3</link>
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		<title>GGG Hits Dirt Biking Series</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Ten members of the Growlers Gulch Girls traveled to Bend in early June for a weekend of skills development and debauchery. Mel, Sam, April, Deanna, Chris and Dara enrolled in the Trek Dirt Series mountain biking camp while Juntu, Ksenia, Denise and Amy rode a variety of trails in the Bend area. &#8220;It was a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8374/ggg-hits-dirt-biking-series</link>
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		<title>Two Vids from Kelley Hinkle</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Thanks to Kelley for his continuing work with trail reports and photo and video sharing. The first vid is of one of Vaughn&#8217;s &#8220;hidden trail&#8221; areas. Does it appear that a person with a pair of dull scissors cleared the remarkably spacious line? Typical Vaughn Martin trail. Expect an adventure. The second clip features Bob [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8365/two-vids-from-kelley-hinkle</link>
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		<title>Kelley on Jekyll</title>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8295/kelley-on-jekyll</link>
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		<title>Tour de Gulch Sign-up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We need to know if you will be attending both the ride and the party. Who&#8217;s in? Shaun Alexander (Ride &#38; Party) Brian Andrist (Ride &#38; Party) Jack Berry (Ride &#38; Party) Lance Brigman (Ride &#38; Party) Zeecha Lutawin Brooks (Ride &#38; Party) Kori Burton (Ride &#38; Party) Erik Carlson (Ride &#38; Party) Adam Cartier [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8157/tour-de-gulch-sign-up</link>
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		<title>World&#8217;s Largest Bike Park</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Located on 2 ½ acres in Burnaby BC, Mountain Air Park opened in May 2008 as the largest public bike skills parks in the world. Its unique, custom-built features, central proximity in the Greater Vancouver area, multi-level design for the novice rider to the advanced have made it a destination. Amenities include 150 parking stalls, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8259/worlds-largest-bike-park</link>
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		<title>Growlers Trail Update</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A small but efficient trail crew was out on Saturday to do clean up and repair at Growlers on June 18th. Big thanks to Dara and Jeff Muldoon, Vaughn Martin, Thomas Mueller, Brian Mahon, and Lance Brigman, who connected with me to knock a few items off the TDG to-do list. Thomas and Jeff got us [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8256/growlers-trail-update-2</link>
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		<title>Rocky Mountain, Felt Offer Demo Days</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you would like to test a new ride, June is the time. Highlander Cycling will team with Rocky Mountain to sponsor a demo day at Growlers Gulch  on Thursday, June 9th, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Bikes available will include the Element MSL, Slayer, Vertex 29, Altitude and Altitude 29. Rocky Mountain will [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8216/rocky-mountain-felt-offer-demo-days</link>
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		<title>Tour de Gulch XIV Slated for June 18th</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Think of it as a party with a ride attached. The storied Tour de Gulch &#8211; the best mountain biking ride west of Castle Rock on the second or third Saturday in June for the past thirteen years &#8211; is set for Saturday, June 18th. GGR veteran Mike Van Hoose calls the TDG &#8220;the only Growlers [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8111/tour-de-gulch-xiv-slated-for-june-18th</link>
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		<title>GG 5K Video, Elevation Profile Now Up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I had to dodge a few copyright bullets in order to get my friend Jimi on this one. Turn it up. View complete results and check the elevation profile of the ride, courtesy of Marcus Faber. First you go up; then you go down. How hard could it be?]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8154/gg-5k-video-elevation-profile-now-up</link>
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		<title>Great Tread, Strong Riders Highlight GG5K</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The tread was great, the temperature was perfect and the riders were on their game at the sixth Growlers Gulch 5,000 on Saturday, May 20th. We had random start times; most people rode two laps while several rode three. But the results were consistently outstanding for all participants. The basic two-lap route totaled 26 miles, with 5,000 [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8129/great-tread-strong-riders-highlight-gg5k</link>
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		<title>Final Details for 5K Participants</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Please check this info and let me know ASAP if you have questions: Start times are either 7:30 or 9:00. You can check the sign-up. No problem if you want to adjust. Everyone starts from 465. I recommend that you be there at least 15-20 minutes early to make sure you have everything nailed down. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8055/final-details-for-5k-participants</link>
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		<title>Firestone Double Dominates Imperial IPA Tasting</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Firestone Double Jack Double IPA walked away with the title at the LeMonds Family Imperial IPA tasting held at the Post-Ride Pub at 465 on May 14th. Hopworks Ace of Spades was second, followed Avery Maharaja. The event was part of a 50th birthday celebration for Diane LeMonds. The evening began with 10 competitors &#8211; [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8073/firestone-double-dominates-imperial-ipa-tasting</link>
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		<title>Sign-up Underway for South Coldwater Work Party</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The date has been moved to Sunday, June 26th. We will meet at the park-n-ride on the west side of Exit 49 at Castle Rock at 8:00. Growlers Gulch Racing will be cleaning the bottom 3 to 4 miles of this unique trail. It is the only single-track access for mountain bikers on the north side of Mount [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7682/sign-up-underway-for-south-coldwater-work-party</link>
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		<title>5K Vets Provide Advice</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Susan Martin will not be able to make it to this year&#8217;s GG5K. That leaves Dave, Rob, and me as the only riders to have participated in all six of these events. Those of you who have race experience probably have your regimen dialed in. However, if you are fairly new to riding or a 5K [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7837/5k-vets-provide-advice</link>
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		<title>Rip Nine Frame and Shock</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Doctor has upgraded and is now offering his Rip Nine frame, fork, seat post, and headset for sale. The Rip Nine was the 2007 all-mountain bike of the year and can be reviewed on the Niner site. Minimalist that he is, he did not send a photo. Small frame Chris King headset Thompson set-back [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8047/rip-nine-frame-and-shock</link>
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		<title>Godfather Falsely Accused</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Normally, when I receive flak, I simply bust out my forgive-and-forget hat, turn the other cheek, and drive on. Unlike my brother, I don&#8217;t hold a grudge or rail about unjustified character assassination. But this time, it&#8217;s hard to remain silent.  By sheer coincidence, this year&#8217;s Growlers Gulch 5,000 falls on May 21st &#8211; the day when [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/8011/godfather-falsely-accused</link>
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		<title>All-Mountain 29&#8243; Wheelset for Sale</title>
		<description><![CDATA[All-Mountain 29&#8243; Wheelset &#8211; ***THIS ITEM HAS BEEN SOLD*** Near new condition. Used for only three rides Custom DT Swiss 520SL rims; 29&#8243; alloy disc; 26mm wide; sleeved w/eyelets; 32/36h Specialized Hi-Lo disc front hub; laser-etched logo; sealed cartridge bearing; 20mm thru-axle; 32h Specialized Hi-Lo disc rear hub, laser-etched logo, double-sealed cartridge bearing, QR, 36h [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7982/all-mountain-29-wheelset-for-sale</link>
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		<title>Hop &amp; Grape Brings It</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Dave Look, formerly the beer dog at Olympic Drug, has opened his new venue &#8211; Hop &#38; Grape &#8211; at 924 15th Avenue in Longview. Hop &#38; Grape sells beer-making supplies and also has a nice beer and wine selection, and Look expects to expand his current stock. The big news is that Dave plans to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7995/hop-grape-brings-it</link>
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		<title>Latest Bike Park News</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We are making progress. Here are the most recent accomplishments: 501(c): We nailed our 501(c) status through the North Country Recreation Association. I now can make deposits to the bike park account and will be able to write checks to pay our bills. Thanks to Castle Rock Mayor Paul Helenberg and NCRA President Joe Godhino [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7985/latest-bike-park-news</link>
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		<title>Vaughn Martin &#8211; Miracle Man</title>
		<description><![CDATA[When I look back at 2010, it&#8217;s easy to find all kinds of candidates for &#8220;Story of the Year.&#8221; Eric Loney was second at the World Cup in Brazil and finished the season as the top-ranked pro in the Pacific Northest. Ryan McMaster completed the Bend Big Fat, the Mount Hood Epic, and the 60 [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7963/vaughn-martin-miracle-man</link>
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		<title>GG5K History Quiz</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Six history questions to celebrate the sixth GG5K. The only person to complete the last 20 miles of a 5K with a broken shoulder. He claimed that he gained 7,000 feet of elevation at the &#8217;08 GG5K. The Board of Director dismissed this as illusion. At the &#8217;08 5K, this rider&#8217;s GPS read 3,250 feet of climbing [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7843/gg5k-history-quiz</link>
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		<title>Even the Good Guys Wreck</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Crash compilation. Courtesy of Kevin Knorr.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7919/even-the-good-guys-wreck</link>
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		<title>CR Bike Park Design &#8211; Latest Version</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We continue to fine-tune the design. The copy below is the most recent version. As you can see, it&#8217;s not possible to show detailed versions of the pump tracks in this view. Randy and Kevin will eventually come up with individual designs for those. If you have potential donors in mind, let them know that [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7880/cr-bike-park-design-latest-version</link>
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		<title>Wall of Fame</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Big thanks to the following contributors who have pledged donations for the Castle Rock Bike Park. To donate, make your check out to North Country Recreation Area and mail to NCRA, c/o Jim LeMonds, P. O. Box 651, Castle Rock, WA 98611. We have 501(c) status. Current pledge total &#8211; $12,290 In-Kind Donations - Camas [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7700/wall-of-fame</link>
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		<title>Norris Taters Turner</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Paul Norris&#8217; trip to Moab took a shot in the testicles when he discovered a crack in his Turner Sultan. Taking a page from the Jack Berry ride manual, Norris hammered the Turner through endless rocky sections at Porcupine Rim on Wednesday. The results were tragic. Sometimes, a picture really is worth a thousand words.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7923/norris-taters-turner</link>
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		<title>Cornering Clinic with Lars Sternberg</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Lars Sternberg of Transition Racing attends may of the same DH events as Eric Loney and the Project 529ers. Check this vid, which combines instruction from Lars and clips that show how to corner properly. Don&#8217;t be discouraged &#8211; he&#8217;s a pro.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7914/cornering-clinic-with-lars-sternberg</link>
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		<title>Khadafi Trail at Stella</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Check this clip shot by Ken Noble. This tough, technical trail at Stella takes approximately 20 minutes to ride and is filled with a variety of challenges. Contact Brian Mahon or Ken Noble for location.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7873/khadafi-trail-at-stella</link>
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		<title>Hartman Announces Spring Shows</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Craft Department Spring Sale 2011 This Spring my calendar is filled with lots of sales, a fundraiser, and a workshop at Hollins University. Whew! Hope you can make it to one or all of the events. Details are below. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions dara@darahartman.com. If you mention the word [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7860/hartman-announces-spring-shows</link>
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		<title>2010 GG5K Vid</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Ah, those fond memories. Dave says that getting your ass handed to you for five hours doesn&#8217;t seem nearly as bad when the pain has been reduced to a five-minute video. Yes, you can be in the 2011 vid. We will have people taking photos and vid clips throughout the ride. Sometimes it&#8217;s tough to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7797/2010-gg5k-vid</link>
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		<title>Congrats to Camas Bikes, Clark County Bike Team</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Camas Bikes Voted Best Sporting Goods Store in Clark County If you want to sell a product and develop a successful locally-owned business, make the effort to be involved in the community you serve and use your focus to enrich the lives of others! Those quality, plus knowledgeable staff and great customer service, clearly made [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7832/congrats-to-camas-bikes-clark-count-bike-team</link>
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		<title>Olin, Brigman, Isbell Hit Podium</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Super D: Ryane Olin and Brian Isbell raced at Jefferson, Oregon, last weekend. Brian &#8211; who has volunteered to assist with brush-clearing at the bike park &#8211; was first in Cat1 while Ryane was second in the same classification. Can&#8217;t wait to see what these guys can do at the GG Super D in September. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7810/olin-brigman-isbell-hit-podium</link>
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		<title>Biking Poem from an Eight-Year-Old</title>
		<description><![CDATA[My number-one grandson, Carter J. Hanley, had surgery yesterday. See the photo at the bottom of the page. He has two more incisions further below the belt. It&#8217;s going to take him a while to get back on his bike, but this post is for him. I know most of you losers can barely compose a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7814/biking-poem-from-an-eight-year-old</link>
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		<title>Travis Eats Feces on Beauty</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Travis is a beginner, but we&#8217;ve all been there. Too far forward. Out of control and trying to rein it in &#8211; and then the second obstacle shows up.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7813/travis-eats-feces-on-beauty</link>
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		<title>5K Sign-up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Who&#8217;s in? If I haven&#8217;t listed a start time for you, or if the one listed is incorrect, please let me know. Nicholas Baker &#8211; 7:30 Jack Berry &#8211; 7:30 Lance Brigman &#8211; 9:00 Chase Bryant &#8211; 9:00 Andrea de Ruyter &#8211; 9:00 Jerry de Ruyter &#8211; 9:00 Marcus Faber &#8211; 7:30 Dave Hallock &#8211; [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7191/5k-sign-up</link>
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		<title>Frames, Bike, Fork, Pedals on G-Bay</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Ken Pearson&#8217;s transition to 29 means he has things to sell. Check the great prices on the stuff below and contact him at singletrack69@msn.com if you are interested. If you make a purchase, he might share some Vortex. Fox Fork Talus RLC recently rebuilt before it was hung up in the garage the last four years ($200) [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7779/frames-bike-fork-pedals-on-g-bay</link>
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		<title>Carnage at Siouxon</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Andy Plassmeyer&#8217;s buddy Leif Hansen at Siouxon last weekend.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7790/carnage-at-siouxon</link>
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		<title>GG Riders Talk About the 5K &#8211; Read, Learn and Sign Up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Bob Horness: For me, the 5K is a challenge that makes me feel as if I&#8217;ve accomplished a great feat. It is that carrot that gets me off the skiis to start training because one cannot do this event without a high level of fitness.  Also, I enjoy the satisfaction that comes with being part a group of like-minded people that includes youth (youthful [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7263/gg-riders-talk-about-the-5k-read-learn-and-sign-up</link>
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		<title>Growlers Trail Update</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Big Wow: Dave, Keith and I raked off the Big Wow and the Ridge Trail. Dave also cut out the trees that were across the trail near the bottom. Jack had two buckets of rock along the trail, so we appropriated those and tamped the rock in on the Big Wow hill. By summer, they [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7771/growlers-trail-update</link>
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		<title>R. A. Long Alum Inks Two-Book Contract</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Long, long before I ascended to the lofty position of Board of Director, I was a high school English teacher, a frightening thought for those of you concerned about the welfare of young people. One of my students was 1998 grad Lyndsay Farber. The best thing I can say is that I didn&#8217;t get in the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7258/r-a-long-alum-inks-two-book-contract</link>
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		<title>NW Cup Series Opens in Port Angeles</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The 2011 Northwest Cup Series opened at Port Angeles, Washington, on April 7th through 10th, with a number of locals on hand. Eric Loney was 37th among an elite group of 91 pro riders from around the world. Loney finished with a time of 3:06.83. Danny Hart (Giant Factory Racing) from Great Britain took first [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7661/nw-cup-series-opens-in-port-angeles</link>
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		<title>Muddy Mamas Hit Growlers</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Six members of the Muddy Mamas were at Growlers for their inaugural mountain biking ride on Sunday, April 10th. The crew included Tricia Allen, Amy Hartley, Tiffany Ostreim, Katy McEwen, Jenn Huffman, and Jessica Ness. All six borrowed rides, helmets and gloves from our Bikes for Beginners warehouse. We had one problem with brake-drag on [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7709/muddy-mamas-hit-growlers-2</link>
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		<title>Mount Hood Epic Set for September 17th</title>
		<description><![CDATA[From Ted Dodd Its official&#8230;  The Forest Service has approved the 4th annual Mt Hood Epic for 9/17/11.  What is different: We can charge an entrance fee for the event (last year it was free because we didn&#8217;t have the &#8220;proper&#8221; paperwork) Having working capital allows us to: hire transportation to get everyone to the top (no cars left [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7646/mount-hood-epic-set-for-september-17th</link>
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		<title>Urban DH in Chile</title>
		<description><![CDATA[VCA 2011! from changoman on Vimeo.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7625/urban-dh-in-chile-2</link>
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		<title>Hicks 2nd at Sandy Ridge</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Ryan Hicks of Growlers Gulch Racing was 2nd in stage three of the Spring Brake Super D series at Sandy Ridge on April 3. Hicks finished in 17:58 to claim the runner-up spot in Cat 2 19-39. Joe Klemmer was 7th in 18:30. Sean Burles won the event in 17:46. Jerry de Ruyter was 7th (19:11) [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7602/hicks-2nd-at-sandy-ridge</link>
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		<title>Mel&#8217;s Training Update</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Melanie Norris of Growlers Gulch Racing is off to a great start with training for her big ride in September. Her personal goal is to complete the Smith Creek Loop and Falls Creek in one day for a total of 40+ miles. Her larger goal is to raise money for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7619/mels-training-update</link>
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		<title>Brigman Second at Banana Belts Two and Three</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Lance Brigman finished second in the 60+ category at Banana Belt 2 on March 12th and Banana Belt 3 on March 27th. The OBRA-sanctioned events were held at Gaston, Oregon. &#8220;Both times it was wet, cold and windy,&#8221; Brigman said. &#8220;I should have stayed in Hawaii, where I was appreciated for my artistry and dance [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7566/brigman-second-at-banana-belts-two-and-three</link>
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		<title>Crump Fails at Post Canyon</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Andy Crump suffered minor injuries while riding at Post Canyon last Friday. The video below &#8211; courtesy of Kelley Hinkle &#8211; shows Crump&#8217;s demise. The one-time intern for Portland&#8217;s now-defunct Killer Burritos failed to clean a gap on a log ride and went down in flames. A spokesman for the Killer Burritos said, &#8220;Andy couldn&#8217;t [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7590/crump-fails-at-post-canyon</link>
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		<title>Bike Park Fundraising Effort Begins</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Paul Norris has put together a fundraising plan for the bike park. We will offer graduated sponsorship opportunities as follows: $75 &#8211; Small tile with name engraved $150 &#8211; Large tile with name engraved $500 &#8211; Sponsorship of a jump line or pump track, with accompanying signage $1,000 &#8211; Sponsorship of an entire section, e.g. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7580/bike-park-fundraising-effort-begins</link>
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		<title>Stella Trail News</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This marginally coherent trail report is brought to you by Brian Mahon. I tried to make it somewhat sensible but gave up and just pasted most of his words into the space. I&#8217;m an editor, not a miracle worker. Lots been going on at Stella since snow cleared out. Big time props to the mountain [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7572/stella-trail-news</link>
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		<title>Plassmeyer and Friends at Growlers</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Andy Plassmeyer, his sons and some friends came out for a ride at Growlers recently. They were grateful to be able to hook one of the kids up with a ride from the Bikes for Beginners fleet. Check the vid. Near the end you will see Andy go over the bars on the second Road [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7562/plassmeyer-and-friends-at-growlers</link>
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		<title>5K Ride Route Is Set</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It should be relatively simple, but we may even put out a little flagging just in case. We have reduced the ride from four legs to three this year. How hard can it be? Opening Leg Start at 465 Up pavement to gate and gravel to Big Wow Left at the bottom of the Big [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7529/5k-ride-route-is-set</link>
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		<title>Brigman Requests Handicap at GG5K</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Apparently, Lance Brigman&#8217;s tropical training regimen &#8211; which included large doses of hula dancing and mai-tais &#8211; did not produce the desired results. The Doctor has asked the Board to consider his request for a 30-minute handicap at this year&#8217;s Growlers Gulch 5,000. His request for a 10-minute handicap was denied prior to the 2009 [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7542/brigman-requests-handicap-at-gg5k</link>
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		<title>Locals Race at Sandy Ridge</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Several local riders competed in the Spring Super D at Sandy Ridge on March 27. This OBRA-sanctioned event is one stage in the Sandy Ridge Super D Series. &#8220;It was rainy, cold, miserable and a total mud-fest,&#8221; said Thomas Mueller of Growlers Gulch Racing, &#8220;but the course was a blast.&#8221; Darrell Jamieson (19:48) and Monte [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7535/locals-race-at-sandy-ridge</link>
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		<title>Shop Stand Giveaway</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Solid shop stand for engine and transmission work. Three-quarter-inch plywood throughout. Dimensions are 44&#8243; (l) x 33&#8243; (w) x 23.5&#8243; (h). It has wheels and can be moved very easily. No charge. You haul. Contact me at 360.430.4416 or seattle0@hotmail.com if you are interested.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7514/shop-stand-giveaway</link>
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		<title>Bike Park Update</title>
		<description><![CDATA[There have been a few hiccups, but we continue to make progress. Dirt: One of the biggest victories was securing a dirt source and the necessary trucking. We had anticipated this as a $5,000 to $10,000 expense if we&#8217;d been unable to get this donated, so this was huge. Cyclo-cross: We are very optimistic that [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7503/bike-park-update</link>
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		<title>Mel Norris Plans 40th Birthday Epic</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Yes, her birthday has passed, but that will not prevent Melanie Norris from continuing the celebration throughout much of 2011. The GGG co-founder has set her sights on an epic ride that will include Smith Creek and Falls Creek. Total mileage is estimated at 43 miles, with approximately 4,000 to 5,000 feet of ascent. She is [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7454/mel-norris-plans-40th-birthday-epic</link>
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		<title>Check Out Our Fleet</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Take a look at the sizing info below. This will give you an idea which bikes might work for particular riders. Keep in mind that leg and torso length play a role in the fit. These are general estimates. Small &#8211; 5&#8242; 0&#8243; to 5&#8242; 6&#8243; Medium &#8211; 5&#8242; 6&#8243; to 6&#8242; 0&#8243; Large &#8211; 5&#8242; [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7053/check-out-our-fleet</link>
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		<title>Sandy Ridge Super D Series</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Spring Brake will be going off at the end of this month at the Sandy Ridge trail system. Mark your calendars for March 20th, 27th, and April 3rd. Race entry will be $20.00 per race. The three-race series is being offered at a discounted rate of $50.00, and the series fees are discounted an additional [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7429/sandy-ridge-super-d-series</link>
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		<title>Exclusive Brigman Party Video</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Apparently, the Doctor did his best to drink every Mai Tai at the Hyatt Regency on Maui last week. The results were not pretty. One of the Board of Director&#8217;s overseas correspondents submitted a series of shocking images that I have shared with you below.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7414/exclusive-brigman-party-video</link>
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		<title>GGG Hit McKenzie River</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Tonya Breedlove, Samantha Loney, Sara Carlson, Ksenia Mueller, Juntu Oberg, Dara Hartman, Denise Livingston, Carol Mathre and Melanie Norris of the Growlers Gulch Girls spent this past weekend at Belknap Hot Springs resort. Allegedly, they did some riding and snow-shoeing. However, reliable sources have informed the Board of Director that the weekend was one big party. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7391/ggg-hit-mckenzie-river</link>
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		<title>Timberline Needs Comments</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Big news about the Timberline Mountain Bike Trails and Skills Park Project.  The USFS has posted the &#8220;Legal Notice of Proposed Action&#8221; for the project, which marks the beginning of the official 30-day public comment period. Bikers demonstrated &#8220;need&#8221; for the project with their initial comments and emails. Now we need to demonstrate support for the documented plan [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7394/timberline-needs-comments</link>
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		<title>St. Helens Vid Offers Cure for the Blues</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Next week, I will be doing a 60 @ Sixty presentation for my peers (Castle Rock senior citizens). Clearly, they are desperate for speakers. I decided to put together a slideshow that is more comprehensive that the one I published in July, which was about five minutes. My new laptop has a very robust version [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7381/st-helens-vid-offers-cure-for-the-blues</link>
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		<title>GGR Bids Farewell to Al and Tonya</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We hope it&#8217;s only temporary and that one day they will return to the fold, but for now we&#8217;re all saddened by the news that Al Hansen and Tonya Breedlove will be leaving for sunny Florida next week. Tonya &#8211; who is a human resources partner for United Natural Foods Inc. &#8211; has received a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7374/ggr-bids-farewell-to-al-and-tonya</link>
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		<title>Driver Decimates Critical Mass Ride</title>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7368/driver-decimates-critical-mass-ride</link>
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		<title>Snow Ride</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Dave, Denise, and I were the only ones dumb enough to show up for the Saturday morning snow ride at Growlers. There was a minimum of 3-4 inches of snow under the canopy, with 6 to 10 inches in spots. I was in 1-3 for almost the entire ride but it felt like 2-6. Because [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7336/snow-ride</link>
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		<title>Castle Rock Bike Park Information</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Castle Rock Bike Park – A Great Community Asset On January 24, 2011, the Castle Rock City Council approved construction of a bike park on a two- to three-acre site adjacent to the River Walk Trail. A local mountain biking group – Growlers Gulch Racing – presented a design and has volunteered to handle virtually [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7882/castle-rock-bike-park-information</link>
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		<title>Siouxon Ride Report</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A group from Growlers Gulch Racing ventured out to test the single-track at Siouxon Creek this past Sunday. The crew included Jeff and Dara Muldon, Sara Carlson, Ksenia Mueller, Denise Livingston, Wynne Lobel, and Ryan McMaster. &#8220;The tread was in great shape,&#8221; Dara said. &#8220;There was a few of inches of snow on the drive out to the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7313/siouxon-ride-report</link>
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		<title>First Ride for GGR Loaners</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Bikes for Beginners fleet has seen its first action! Dara Muldoon and Eric Albers brought out a large group for a ride at Growlers on Monday, February 21st. The 19-person crew included 11 kids. Several did not have bikes and borrowed rides from the GGR fleet, including the Giant Rainier (from Shane Oberg), the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7304/first-ride-for-ggr-loaners</link>
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		<title>Brigman Continues Winning Ways</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Lance Brigman of Growlers Gulch Racing got thing off to a quick start, racking up wins in two OBRA-sponsored events in February to begin the 2011 race season. The ageless one was first in 60+ at the Cherry Pie Road Race at Adair Village, Oregon, on February 19th on a course covering 26 miles. &#8220;Going up the hill [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7298/brigman-continues-winning-ways</link>
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		<title>GG5K Returns to Its Roots</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The  Board of Director has voted unanimously to make several minor adjustments to the 2011 Growlers Gulch 5K. We would like to make sure the 5K returns to its roots by emphasizing finishing as opposed to racing as the primary goal. Several people have noted that we are slightly competivite. Everyone should ride at his [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7283/gg5k-returns-to-its-roots</link>
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		<title>Dave Celebrates Another Birthday!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[He looks really old, but Dave is actually criminally young. Today, February 18th, he celebrates his 57th year on the planet. Growing up in the old neighborhood, Dave earned a reputation as a troubled youth. He and one of his arsonist buddies once set a grass field on fire next to our house. I had [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7268/dave-celebrates-another-birthday</link>
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		<title>Crew Breakdown for February 26th</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Meeting Time: Be at the intersection of the 9312 and 9319 no later than 8:30. If you aren&#8217;t sure how to get there, meet at 8:15 (Growlers time) at the gravel parking area just past Four Corners. Same as going to Growlers expect as soon as you go through the four-way onto PH-10 you will see a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7248/crew-breakdown-for-february-26th</link>
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		<title>GG Pioneer Mike Patterson Returns to the Fold</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Unless you rode  at Growlers back in the day, you probably wouldn&#8217;t recognize Mike Patterson. You also probably aren&#8217;t aware that he is a GG pioneer who played a significant role in shaping today&#8217;s ride scene. Patterson helped the Godfather purchase his first bike in 1995. The two of them hooked up with Jeff Lipton [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7116/gg-pioneer-mike-patterson-returns-to-the-fold</link>
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		<title>Board of Director Sets GG5K Ride Route</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Thanks to Bob Stanton for assisting with route planning for the 2011 Growlers Gulch 5,000. Bob&#8217;s incredibly precise GPS indicates that we will be covering 22 to 27 miles and climbing somewhere between 5,000 and 6,000 feet. There is a sliver of good news &#8211; this year&#8217;s route will require only one climb up the Ridge Trail. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7188/board-of-director-sets-gg5k-ride-route</link>
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		<title>Hinkle to Host Trail Resource Site</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Yes, it&#8217;s sad that Kelley Hinkle does not have a job. But he has been celebrating his unemployment by ramping up his riding schedule and doing more trail work. Kelley  has decided to take his contribution to area mountain bikers a step further by hosting a website that contains a wide array of valuable trail information. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7071/hinkle-to-host-trail-resource-site</link>
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		<title>Bike Park Organization Takes Next Step</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Al Hansen has done a great job of soliciting feedback for the bike park in Castle Rock. We&#8217;ve spent a lot of time discussing Where to? and What next? and decided that it&#8217;s time to break the project into manageable pieces and begin delegating. Please note that this isa mammoth project and an all-hands-on-deck situation. There may be only a handful of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7208/bike-park-organization-takes-next-step</link>
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		<title>Legacy-WTF Vid</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Probably the best video to date of the DH run off Legacy and down the new WTF line. Thanks to Kelley Hinkle.]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7150/legacy-wtf-vid</link>
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		<title>Sign-up Begins for Growlers Gulch 5K</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It may not be the Cascade Creampuff, but it&#8217;s not a piece of cake either. The sixth annual Growlers Gulch 5K will return to torment participants on Saturday, May 21. The ride route will cover 25 to 27 miles with approximately 5,000 to 6,000 feet of elevation gain. And if you think it&#8217;s too early to start training, think again. The Board of Director promises [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/7087/sign-up-begins-for-growlers-gulch-5k</link>
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