Pacific Northwest - Blackberry bRamble Century in Eugene

The Blackberry bRamble Century and metric century is next Sunday Aug 3. The century takes you into the Lorane Valley wine country, past the beautiful King Estate Winery, Iris Hill Winery and Chateau Lorane Winery. The route continues in the Lorane Valley to a lunch stop in Crow, then on to Poodle Creek, Fernridge Lake, then catch the tailwind back into downtown Eugene to the finish on the banks of the Willamette River.

Here's the link, hope you can make it for this fantastic ride http://www.eugenegears.org/rides/bramble

Make a weekend of it in the People's Republic of Eugene!:D

Bump, the ride is this Sunday, see ya there!

Do we get a ride report or what? :p

:innocent:

Was that a "pretty please, with sugar"?:D

What a beautiful morning for a ride in the rolling hills around Eugene, sunny, cool at the start, riders eager for a great day. There were 310 riders, about half did the century, the rest the metric. I drove the SAG most of the day, but I also moved road signs, picked up food to take to the lunch stop, and counted money to take to the bank.

The wind kicked up in the afternoon, so there were places where the wind was in the rider's faces, but they are tough, and came to the finish smiling.

This is such a nice century ride, Oregon at it's finest! If you've never cycled in the Eugene area, put this event on your list for next year, I know you'll enjoy it. If you can't wait a year, let me know and come down to Eugene for your own personal tour with a Shifty rider.

Some of us chanced the "Closed" Wolf Creek Pass section that was taken off the route for this year due to the culvert construction. When we found it, it was entirely passable, but I can see how 100+ riders might have caused a problem. I am glad to have ridden that part though as it was certainly the most beautiful section and the best climb. :)

The culprit culvert
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/Blackberry%20Bramble%202008/th_IMG_1281.jpg (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/Blackberry%20Bramble%202008/IMG_1281.jpg)

These photos of the pass don't do it justice. The trees were much greener. Here are some of the switchbacks. Bonus points if you can spot the rider.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/Blackberry%20Bramble%202008/th_IMG_1304.jpg (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/Blackberry%20Bramble%202008/IMG_1304.jpg)

Wayyyy up.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/Blackberry%20Bramble%202008/th_IMG_1306.jpg (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/Blackberry%20Bramble%202008/IMG_1306.jpg)

This guy can haul a bike.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/Blackberry%20Bramble%202008/th_IMG_1231.jpg (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/Blackberry%20Bramble%202008/IMG_1231.jpg)


The ride was great. I was hanging onto a hill time trialist I met at the start... until we got to the climbs. He'd lose me by a minute at least. When I found out he was potentially going to Nationals I didn't feel so bad. :p Screaming down the descents was a lot of fun! He'd pull way ahead again in the corners though. Holy guts...

Nice photos and report. I was considering it this year (earlier in the year), but scheduling this year didn't permit.

Is that duct tape on that guys moto? Crazy looking set up.

Apparently, the guy is part of a competition with his coworkers to see who can make the gnarliest motorcycle. So, it probably is duct tape. Also, note the spikes on the fenders and the motor oil bottles mounted on the handle bars.