Adventure Sports Journal // April/May 2015 // Issue #84

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4 ASJ — April/May 2015

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Table of Contents

departments

7 8

Editor’s notE

The moral case for energy reform

Ear to thE ground

News & notes from the outdoor industry

Photo: Phil Boyer

Photo: Rick Gunn

18 20 22

Photo: Wildflower Triathlon

10 12 13 15

EPiC Environmental Partnership Campaign honoree The Honnold Foundation

features

goal 100

One hundred days of whitewater

trails for all

Building MTB trails for all types of riders

PEaCE PEdalErs

Around the world on a tandem bike

dEstination

26 34

family mattErs

DON’T MISS AN ISSUE – Subscribe to Adventure Sports Journal

liquid imagEry

Nelly’s surf photos of Timmy Reyes

Half Moon Bay

Stand Up Paddling with kids

EvEnt ProfilEs & CalEndar

2015 Essential Race Calendar

advEnturE dirECtory

Marketplace advertising from regional companies

14 17

skiing shasta

Cover Photo

Still time to earn your turns

Adrienne Schneider checking out one of the new berms on the Corral Trail.

WhEn in drought raft it out

There are still rafting opportunities despite the drought

Photo by Anthony Cupaiuolo/First Tracks Productions

Mail a check for $20 to PO Box 35, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 along with subscriber name and address, or order online at adventuresportsjournal.com/subscribe.

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asj contributors

Advanced inflatable kayaks

Are you training for an event or a lofty outdoor goal this year?

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My outdoor aspirations and my training regime are one and the same: to get out in the backcountry, challenge myself and enjoy the wilderness as much as I can.

PUBLISHER Cathy Claesson cathy@adventuresportsjournal.com EDITORIAL/MARKETING Matt Niswonger matt@adventuresportsjournal.com

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After kayaking 115 days of whitewater in 2014 and another drought year looming, my goal is to bodysurf more while at home in Santa Cruz and climb some Sierra alpine classics.

EDITOR-AT-LARGE Pete Gauvin CONTENT DEVELOPMENT Michele Lamelin michele@adventuresportsjournal.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Leonie Sherman, Kristin Conard, Haven Livingston, Tim Hauserman, Emily Vernizzi, Pete Gauvin, Aaron Bosworth, Dave “Nelly” Nelson

AdvancedFrame® Length: 10’5” Width: 32” Max.Wt.: 300 lbs

havenlivingston

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Leonie Sherman, Anthony Cupaiuolo, Dave “Nelly” Nelson, Aaron Bosworth, Cathy Claesson, All-Outdoors Rafting, Phil Boyer, Wes Schrekengost, Haven Livingston, David Clock, Rick Gunn, Ben Fish, Kevin Joell, Dylan Haskin, Terri Schneider

timhauserman

emilyvernizzi I’ve never done much high-elevation backpacking, so my goal is to go above 10,000 feet this year.

COVER DESIGN Brooklyn Taylor brook@adventuresportsjournal.com DESIGN ASSISTANT Lindsey Johnson

petegauvin

ADVERTISING

Nothing major, maybe a few paddleboard races.

I’ve considered doing the Cal 100 paddle race on the Sacramento River in May but a hundred miles is daunting, even with the downstream current.

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Cathy Claesson I 831.234.0351 cathy@adventuresportsjournal.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Geoff James I 415.828.8322 geoff@adventuresportsjournal.com

kristinconard

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Charlie Pankey I 775.546.3065 charlie@adventuresportsjournal.com EVENTS & DISTRIBUTION Steve Shaw steve@adventuresportsjournal.com

PROUD MEMBER

6 ASJ — April/May 2015

I’m training for the Capitola half marathon this May. This is my first half marathon and my training is going well so far.

aaronbosworth I’m getting ready to do Bend’s Pole Pedal Paddle event in May.

All content © Adventure Sports Journal 2015. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the editors.

ADVENTURE SPORTS JOURNAL PO BOX 35 Santa Cruz, CA 95063 Phone 831.457.9453 asjstaff@adventuresportsjournal.com

I am looking forward to riding some centuries.

One is the Lost and Found Gravel Grinder in Lake Davis, CA. It’s a century ride on dirt, gravel and pavement.

davenelson I am training for the Santa Cruz City Am Annual Golf Tournament this August. It’s tough though because what I really need is a golf psychologist!

EDITOR’S NOTE

The moral case for energy reform real change happens when compassion leads the way

Outdoor athletes know that true prosperity is not at risk because of environmentalism.

That’s because true prosperity is having the time to play outside.

ASJ editor Matt The implications of Niswonger hanging this are not difficult out with his to comprehend. daughter Mia after The people who are a day at the beach bringing this to our attention don’t have some hidden agenda. We simply cannot afford to continue to use our atmosphere for carbon dumping and this is a basic, safe assertion that is grounded in common sense.

So what now?

As I’ve mentioned previously in this column, large-scale energy reform is within our grasp and currently underway in California. Energy experts agree that the deployment of solar capacity in this state has been an unprecedented success in terms of the cost per watt installed. This is happening in real time and California is proving to the world that large-scale replacement of fossil fuel based electricity is quite possible if enough people are willing to get behind the cause.

What California’s solar initiatives are also proving is that listening to people who want to use scare tactics to paint energy reform as a red state vs. blue state issue are completely missing the point.

We don’t need to sacrifice anything meaningful to address climate change.

We just need to trust our hearts and take a stand for what’s right.

Kristin Conard’s article entitled Solar Climbers on page ten shows what happens when compassion leads idealism. Top climbers Alex Honnold and Cedar Wright traveled to the Navajo Reservation to install solar panels for under privileged residents of one of the poorest communities in the country.

The company Goal Zero contributed the equipment and now some very appreciative folks will be getting free, clean energy for the next twenty five years or more.

Outdoor athletes know that true prosperity is not at risk because of environmentalism. That’s because true prosperity is having the time to take your kids out for a paddle on a SUP as Pete Gauvin does on page 15, or the ability to ski down Shasta after climbing to the top as Aron Bosworth does on page 14.

In other words, true prosperity is having just enough money and time to play outside in California.

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NEW: Check out our updated website!

Go to adventuresportsjournal.com to view web exclusive content, videos, adventure events calendar, and more.

8 ASJ—Aug/Sept 2011

© PatitucciPhoto

n his recent book The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels, conservative author Alex Epstein argues that liberal environmentalists are trying to rob Americans of their prosperous lifestyle by portraying fossil fuels as evil. The real evil, he says, is the idea that prosperity is a bad thing and should be reversed in order to preserve the planet.

He urges clear thinking Americans to stand up and resist environmentalists who use climate change as an excuse to erode the benefits of prosperity. After all, prosperity has given us modern medicine, longer lives, and all the wonderful freedoms that previous generations fought so hard to achieve.

Presenting a similar argument, Republican senator James Inhofe recently brought a snowball on to the senate floor and dramatically threw it on the carpet to illustrate his point that climate change is a silly farce, especially given how cold the recent winter has been for everyone east of the Mississippi.

Echoing the arguments of Alex Epstein and the fossil fuel industry as well as the majority of the Republican party, Inhofe is dead set against supporting renewable energy of any type and sees President Obama’s recent veto of the Tar Sands pipeline as a job killer and a step backward in our efforts to achieve energy independence.

Here we see how the debate over climate change is becoming increasingly polarized leading into the 2016 presidential election. I say politicians like Inhofe and thought leaders like Epstein are missing the point.

As much as people on both sides of the political spectrum want to frame this as a battle of ideologies, the challenges presented by climate change won’t be solved by anger and rhetoric and polarization. Rather, the only way to move forward on this issue is to check our egos at the door and listen to what our hearts tell us.

The basic science is that we have been using our atmosphere as a dumping ground since the beginning of the industrial revolution. We didn’t do this on purpose, but we know from direct measurement and ice core analysis that we have increased the CO2 concentration in our atmosphere from about 315 ppm to about 400 ppm in the last hundred years.

Photo: Devon Balet

I

www.deuter.com

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

7

EAR TO THE GROUND Outdoor News and Notes for the California Region is the equivalent of removing 2.5 million cars off state roads and highways.

For more information, visit the Solar Energy Industries Association® website at seia.org.

California cements place as America’s leader in solar energy

Marco Osborne sends it long and low to a 1st place pro men finish at the 2014 Northstar Livewire Classic Enduro.

Photo: Mary DiNapoli

California Enduro Series’ (CES) Northstar Enduro makes history California Enduro Series (CES) Round 6 — the Northstar Enduro at Northstar California Resort — makes history as the first-ever California race on the North American Enduro Tour (NAET).

CES and Northstar Enduro organizers are working hard to organize an extraordinary event, and are excited to welcome NAET riders to this year’s course.

The two day Enduro race takes place Saturday and Sunday, August 29-30,

2015. As one of the most prominent mountain bike parks, Northstar is the perfect location for an epic and memorable multi-day Enduro.

“Mountain bikers consistently rank our park among the best in the world,” says Northstar’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Bill Rock. “We are thrilled to take part in this series, providing us an opportunity to showcase our park to world class riders and allowing them to enjoy our unmatched views and trails.” californiaenduroseries.com Adventure Sports Journal is proud to sponsor the California Enduro Series.

The recently-released U.S. Solar Market Insight 2014 Year in Review reported that California is leading the way for solar power in the United States, and stands poised to become the first state in the nation to have 10 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar capacity – enough to power nearly 2.5 million homes.

In 2014, California added 4,316 megawatts (MW) of solar electric capacity, bringing its total to 9,977 MW – just 23 MW short of cracking the 10 GW barrier. The report went on to point out that California had big increases last year across all solar sectors. Of the new capacity added, 615 MW were residential, 307 MW were commercial and 3,395 MW were utility scale.

Together, these installations represented an $11.7 billion investment in the state.

From an environmental perspective, solar installations in California are helping to offset more than 11.7 million metric tons of harmful carbon emissions, which

Klean Kanteen moves to bigger headquarters Klean Kanteen is expanding its headquarters, moving to a larger facility in its hometown of Chico. The move will be completed this spring and will allow the company to house its offices and its distribution center under one roof.

“We recently celebrated our ten year anniversary, and are now sharing the growth and prosperity of Klean’s future with all of the employees making it happen,” said President and CEO Jim Osgood.

The new building is 50,340 square feet and will also house the brand’s co-brand print shop. The materials for the doors, desks and interior accents were crafted from fallen walnut trees and harvested from local farms. The new building is also accesible via public transport and bike paths. kleankanteen.com

Your All Season Resort

Over the river and through the woods...

... to Sorensen’s Resort you’ll go for fishing, hiking, biking or just plain relaxing. Our cozy log cabins are nestled in dense aspen groves in beautiful and serene Hope Valley, just 16 miles from South Lake Tahoe.

8 ASJ ASJ—Aug/Sept — April/May2011 2015

Sorensen’s Country Cafe is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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at home in nature

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Kialoa Paddles introduces paddle blades made from post manufacturing diaper scraps

Ski more, spend less at Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and more

Kialoa Paddles introduces their new Recycled Fibrlite™ Composite Paddle Blades made from post manufacturing diaper scraps. These blades are the first high performance composites to repurpose excess material and by keeping it out of landfill, KIALOA Paddles is doing their part to change the world, one blade at a time.

Vail Reorts’ season pass, the Epic Pass, is on sale now with unlimited access to 11 U.S. resorts—including Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Tahoe area—offering more than 32,000 acres of terrain for the 2015-16 winter ski season.

Skiers and snowboarders can put just $49 down by Sunday, April 12, to lock in the lowest guaranteed pass price for next season, with the balance due in September. The Epic Pass pays for itself in less than five days of skiing and offers a 35 percent savings compared to lift ticket purchases at the lift ticket window.

“The Epic Pass continues to offer the best deal in the ski industry with access to legendary resorts across the country and some of the best skiing and riding in the world,” said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts. “This is the best time to lock in the lowest price for yourself, friends and family, and experience the benefits of owning a season pass for next ski season.” epicpass.com

Fibrlite™ is a material made of continuous strands of carbon fiber or fiberglass. Through advanced manufacturing processes, fibers are impregnated with a polymer made from recycled material, bonding the fibers together. Fibrlite™ has allowed Kialoa to create a paddle blade with excellent strength to weight ratio, while keeping the paddle affordable. Fibrlite™ has incredible impact strength, which allows Kialoa to build lightweight, high performance paddles, with exceptional durability. kialoa.com

F

rom seaside getaways to mountain retreats, the Pacific Yurt goes where you want to be.

Call today for a brochure:

1.800.944.0240 www.yurts.com

Cottage Grove, Oregon

No One Knows Yurts Like Pacific Yurts

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Surftech to open new showroom May 1

Photo: Called To Creation

Jeff Kendall-Weed joins WTB’s global sales team Pro mountain bike racer Jeff KendallWeed was recently welcomed to the WTB global sales team as their International Sales Lead. Kendall-Weed previously served as the International Sales Manager for Ibis Cycles, for whom he races as part of Team Ibis Retro Cellars.

He’ll continue to race on his Ibis Mojo HD3 outfitted with a WTB saddle and tires, competing for the third year in a row in the California Enduro Series as well as a number of other events.

Kendall-Weed is well known for his enthusiasm, passion and motivation both on and off the bike and is sure to be a great asset to the WTB team.

Surftech is excited to announce the opening of its new flagship store in their home town of Santa Cruz, California just in time for summer. The store will offer surfers and paddlers a complete selection of Surftech’s pinnacle products, including surf, SUP and prone paddleboards, Surftech and Bark apparel and accessories, in addition to limited edition items. All of the 2015 Surftech boards will be on display in a showroom designed to pay tribute to Surftech’s rich history and Santa Cruz roots, while also focusing on the company’s innovation and cutting edge technology. The store’s design includes details that are native to Santa Cruz, like reclaimed redwood counters and local photographer’s and artist’s works on display throughout the showroom. The original Surftech showroom is located in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Be sure to drop by Surftech’s new flagship showroom when you’re in the Santa Cruz or Monterey Bay area. To contact the store, call 831-479-4944.

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one year six issues $20

Nordic Skiing in Tahoe I Best Winter Beers I Event Calendar

Dec 2014/Jan2015 Issue #82

Revival on Donner Summit the tower of lies

a short history of Cerro Torre

murphy mack: bike racing may never be the same Meaningful Change with Ecology action

HOLIDAYNG GIFT GIVI GUIDE Chris Bertish

big wave surfing & ultra distance SUP

Mail a check for $20 to PO Box 35, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 along with subscriber name and address, or order online at adventuresportsjournal.com/subscribe. www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

9

EPiC: Environmental Partnership Campaign

Solar Climbers Alex Honnold and Cedar Wright bring solar power to the underprivileged through the Honnold Foundation

By Kristin Conard

A

lex Honnold. He may be known best for his freesoloing and speed ascents of big walls, but the California dirtbag/professional climber is more than just a rock monkey.

In 2012, Alex started the Honnold Foundation (honnoldfoundation.org), which “seeks simple, sustainable ways to improve lives world-wide. Simplicity is the key; low-impact, better living is the goal.” Simple living is important to Alex, and by living in a 2002 Ford Econoline E150 van with no electricity, no running water, and no central heating or air conditioning, he doesn’t have the typical American carbon footprint.

Alex has been reading environmental non-fiction in his downtime from climbing for the past four or five years. That combined with seeing people living with very little on his world travels brought him to the realization that while he has a relatively small impact on the world thanks to his van living, he leaves a large carbon footprint because of all the flights he takes. He thereby made a commitment to focus on doing as much good as he can for the world. While, of course, still climbing.

Alex agreed to a phone interview about his foundation on one of his rest days, and when I spoke to him while he was doing some low-key climbing around Vegas, he seemed psyched to talk about something beyond fear and risk (other interviewers, take note).

It started with the most basic question: Why not just climb? Why a foundation? “I wanted to find some way to do as much good as harm. And if I was going to do that, I might as well do it publicly to help inspire others and draw awareness to the issue. Over a billion people in the world live without access to power and water. It’s hard for us to even imagine that.”

The focus of the Foundation has been on helping to fund and provide grants to smaller organizations that offer sustainable ways to better people’s lives around the world, and much of that focus has been on solar energy. As Maury Birdwell, Executive Director of the Honnold Foundation says, “We act essentially as a

back-end support system for our partners.

By connecting them with the right people, providing funding, and/or giving them broader exposure we try to enable projects that might have struggled otherwise or not gotten as far. We recognized early on that there’s a lot of talented, passionate experts out there and the shortage is not in good ideas, but making them happen.”

For Alex, that focus for the Foundation seemed obvious. “It just seemed like the simplest solution for so many different problems to me. When I was first starting the Foundation, I was looking for projects to support. I didn’t have a particular plan, I was looking for things that inspired me and capture my attention. Now that I’ve looked into it more, I realized I was looking for something that not only helped the environment but that would help make peoples’ lives better. I’m totally open to other solutions, and we’ve worked with other projects and supported other things. Solar just seems like a clear-cut solution. I have solar panels on my van, and I’m charging my laptop by solar.”

One of the Foundation’s initial projects was with SolarAid, which supports entrepreneurs in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and more by training them and getting distribution in place for them to sell solar products in their communities. The more solar products in use, the better as it’s a superior alternative to kerosene, where 25% of someone’s income might be spent on kerosene. So, with a solar lantern, you give people back 25% of their income and you give them a

Around 18,000 homes on the Navajo Nation don’t have access to electricity and the propane and kerosene lanterns are polluting and dangerous alternatives. Bringing in solar systems means healthier and more sustainable living.

10 ASJ ASJ—April/May — April/May2013 2015

huge boost to their health, since burning kerosene in a confined space can be toxic and dangerous.

Another project the Foundation has supported from the get-go is GRID Alternatives, which Alex describes as “the first world version of SolarAid.” It’s worked to give power and energy savings to low-income families in the Central Valley of California. “The people who have the most need can save a percentage of their income, gets the solar market going, and it reduces their impact.

I supported the launch of the Sacramento project, and it’s good to think of doing something in the local community.”

This year’s Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour features a film in which Honnold and Cedar Wright climb desert towers and install some solar panels in Sufferfest 2: Desert Alpine. You get to see, along with a rescued puppy, some of the work in the Kayenta region of the Navajo Nation that the Honnold Foundation has made possible. This was the first trip where Alex did some hands-on installation work with the Foundation, and his hope is to continuing this combination of humanitarian work and climbing.

Elephant Energy, under the name Eagle Energy (“There are no elephants in Arizona,” Alex explained to me, so in Arizona, they called it Eagle Energy), administers and runs the Northern Navajo Solar Entrepreneurs project, and the Foundation helped with funding and installation support. Around 18,000 homes on the Navajo Nation don’t have access to electricity and the propane and kerosene lanterns are polluting and dangerous alternatives. Bringing in solar systems means healthier and more sustainable living, and it’s not just installing some solar panels and leaving. The initiative includes creating jobs and providing education and training for

EPiC

Adventure Sports Journal’s PHOTOS Opposite page, clockwise from top: Cedar Wright and Alex Honnold take a welcome break from pedaling bikes and climbing desert towers to install solar panels on a Navajo elder’s home.

(GoalZero); A SolarAid entrepreneur distributes solar lights in his community. Through local programs like this one, SolarAid has distributed over 1 million lights in Africa thus far (SolarAid); A Navajo woman utlizes her new simple, clean GoalZero solar light system to operate her loom long after the sun has gone down (GoalZero).

This page, top: Alex Honnold installs solar panels on the roof of a Navajo home deep in Monument Valley during the kick-off of the Northern Navajo Solar Entrepreneurs Project (GoalZero); bottom: An African child displays a simple solar light that provides a cheap, clean alternative to kerosene.

With this technology children are not only healthier, but can better study at night, giving their future even greater opportunities (SolarAid).

the communities.

This project also brought in one of Alex’s sponsors, Goal Zero, who “actually drove down from Salt Lake with a van full of product, and there were four of them physically down there installing with us.”

Alex’s goal is to continue to do hands-on projects that bring together climbing and foundation work, and he’s looking to put together a trip to Africa this year. It’s not just about getting people to think about problems and realities of climate change and energy poverty, it’s about actively doing something to fight it. “These issues are fundamentally more important than going climbing.”

“Humans are humans,” said Alex.

“We have the same needs and wants.

In some parts of the world $1,000 can fundamentally change someone’s life.

If I’m just trying to help people out, I should do it where there’s the most need.”

Maury said the idea for the Foundation came about on a drive from some local rock climbing in Boulder. “He nonchalantly mentioned how he wanted to begin channeling his career toward improving the world through the causes he was passionate about. I think Alex has a unique, honest voice that lends him a lot of gravitas. It’s nice to hear a celebrity talk about changing lives in Africa or some such, though when they fly over in their private jet for a photo op it’s hard to take completely

seriously. He has a very matter-of-fact presentation style that isn’t preachy, just someone who sees the opportunity to chip away at a large problem. At the end of the day that’s the real goal: to inspire others to be a part of the change they’re passionate about by showing them how even a relative little can make a big difference.”

Alex is uniquely fortunate to be able to help as much as he does. Many climbers live out of vans, and far fewer have the money to use to help others better themselves. When you’re as talented a climber as Alex is, it’s likely tempting to focus solely on climbing, doing bigger and more impressive projects, and only focusing on what you want to do for your sport ... perhaps spending your money on luxuries like a house or a car with less than 150,000 miles on it.

Granted he is still pushing boundaries in climbing, and he’s not giving it up to be a solar salesman, but “Over the course of a couple of years, I’ve been accepting that there is a lot of need in the world and a lot of legitimate problems and accepting that I was able to do something.”

“People want the world to be a better place, but they think they’re just one person. To some extent, I can donate in the thousands, but there are plenty of people out there that are making billion dollar impacts—you can’t let that discourage you from doing something.

With the Foundation, we’ll have done a little bit of good in the world.”

EnvironmEntAl PArtnErShiP CAmPAign ASJ’s EPiC program is designed to bring awareness to non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting stewardship and access for the adventure sports community throughout California.

Our mission is to provide inspiring coverage of California’s epic terrain, and to help the outdoor sports community preserve and maintain access for future generations.

We encourage outdoor non-profit organizations based in California to contact us for the chance to be featured in our publication and receive FREE display and web advertising space.

Doing great work in California?

We want to help you reach your highest potential!

For more information, email michele@adventuresportsjournal.com Photo: Ansel Adams Wilderness by James Bradley

adventuresportsjournal.com • facebook.com/ASJmag www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

11

Liquid Imagery Timmy Reyes

By Nelly

I

’ve been good friends with Timmy for a long time. He’s rad and he lives to the beat of his own drum. Timmy doesn’t really like contests, yet he does really well in them.

He missed making the World Tour by one heat last year. We have traveled all over the world together and his surfing and tube riding is some of the best I’ve seen ever!

He’s a great ambassador for O’Neill and for surfers worldwide.

Hometown: Huntington Beach

Stance: Regular

Specialty: Barrels & travel

Sponsors: Body Glove, Pearson Arrow surfboards Favorite waves: O’Neill, Firewire, Smith, Prolite Goals: Have fun traveling and shooting while surfing in select contests

1

What do you like to do when you aren’t surfing? I love golfing with Nelly, Bud and Ratboy (and taking their money), and hanging out with my girl Megan.

2

To see more of Nelly’s photography, visit adventuresportsjournal.com/nelly

4

3

PHOTOS: 1. Timmy showing why he’s one of the best tube riders in the world.

2. Timmy doing a massive air near Santa Cruz.

3. Post surf at The Lane.

4. Big frontside air in Santa Cruz.

DESTINATION

Half Moon Bay A QuAint CoAstAl town with something for everyone

By Kristin Conard

I

f you’ve driven between San Francisco and Santa Cruz along scenic Highway 1, you’ve passed through Half Moon Bay. Chances are, you were on your way to somewhere else, and your experience was that of stop lights and fast food restaurants along a congested main thoroughway. But Half Moon Bay is so much more than what meets the eye as you pass through, for just off Highway 1 is the heart of Half Moon Bay, and it’s worth taking some time to explore this quaint beach town.

WILD HISTORY AND CLAIMS TO FAME Up to 50 separate Ohlone native groups once lived along the coast in what is now Half Moon Bay, and Highway 1 and Highway 92 both follow former trails created by these Native American people. Later, during Prohibition, rumrunners used the inlets, coves, and dense fog to help get booze into San Francisco.

Historic downtown has been the site of settlement since 1869, and the area has become known as the site of the wildly impressive and dangerous Mavericks surf contest at the break a couple miles offshore from Pillar Point Harbor.

Half Moon Bay is also known for its free annual art and pumpkin festival (pumpkinfest.miramarevents.com). This year’s 45th event, October 17 and 18, boasts the tagline “World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay Pays Homage to the Great and Almighty Gourd.” You can get pumpkin in just about everything from coffee to beer and spa treatments and check out pumpkins the size of small cars.

HORSES TO HIKING OR BIKING On the water, you can wander along Johnson Pier at Pillar Point Harbor and look for signs or use the FishLine app to see which boats have fresh fish to sell. For a closer look at the harbor, Half Moon Bay Kayak Company (620-773-6101, hmbkayak. com) offers kayak and SUP tours and rentals.

Riding a horse along the beach feels free and natural, and it gives you a unique perspective on the world. Sea Horse Ranch (1828 Cabrillo Hwy N, 650-726-9903, seahorseranch.org), offers guided trail rides along the beach and bluffs.

Head into the hills for hiking and biking.

With the construction of the Tom Lantos Tunnels on Highway 1 between Pacifica and Montara, the section of highway known as Devil’s Slide is now closed to vehicles, but open to hiking and cycling. It’s a relatively short stretch (1.3 miles) with incredible views and restrooms and parking lots at each end. Another former highway enjoyed by hikers and cyclists is the Old San Pedro Mountain Road by which you can access other trails in McNee Ranch State Park.

You’ll need a mountain bike for this one while a road bike would work for Devil’s Slide.

Another nearby trail destination is Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space (openspace.org). With 24 miles of trails and up to 1,600 feet of elevation gain, you’ll enjoy a beautiful mix of hardwood forest and coastal scrub, plus some views of the coast.

DOWNTOWN DESIGN Garden Apothecary (gardenapothecary. com, 329 Main Street) is packed with a variety of air plants and stylish garden tools. You’ll love the heavenly scented selection of handmade, organic bath products made by the owner like balsam, lavender, and lotus bath salts and cacao and cardamom massage oil.

Another design happy store is Abode (417 Main Street, abodehalfmoonbay.com), a light and airy shop with jewelry, candles, furniture, and more. Many of the items are inspired by nature and made by local Bay Area artists.

Oddyssea Inside Shop (617 Main Street, oddyssea.com) is an “interactive retail shop” with natural history style curiosities.

Kids and adults alike can enjoy different rotating events in the garden outside—dig for hidden treasure, break your own geode, make a mason jar lantern, and rent an electric bicycle to ride around town.

BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER Half Moon Bay Bakery (514 Main Street) may be small, but it’s filled with deliciousness featuring a range of sweet and savory treats like artichoke bread and old-fashioned donuts. Other popular spots for breakfast are the Moonside Bakery and Café (604 Main Street, moonsidebakery. com) and the 3-Zero Café (3zerocafe.com) at Half Moon Bay Airport.

At the northern end of Main Street is Pasta Moon (315 Main Street, 650-726-5125, pastamoon.com). Most of the ingredients at this Italian restaurant are locally sourced, and could be from a farm just five minutes away. Portions are large and they make their own pasta and sausage in-house.

For more fresh and local ingredients, try It’s Italia (401 N Main Street, 650-7264444, itsitaliarestaurant.com). Enjoy courtyard dining, dishes like roasted squash blossoms and mesquite grilled steak, and some of the softest, tastiest pre-dinner bread that you’ll ever have.

You may have to park along the highway at Sam’s Chowder House (4210 Cabrillo Hwy N, 650-712-0245, samschowderhouse. com), since the lot fills up quickly because of the restaurant’s fresh fish and ocean views. The large restaurant has patios

Above: View of Half Moon Bay from Sam’s Chowder House. Left: A quiver of kayaks ready for rentals at Half Moon Bay Kayaks.

with fire pits, live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and a menu with options from hamburgers and meatballs to its famous lobster roll. The ice cream topped with olive oil and sea salt? Definitely better than it might sound.

Another beachfront dining destination is Half Moon Bay Brewing Company (390 Capistrano Road, 650-728-2739, hmbbrewingco.com). With ten of their own beers on tap year-round plus a rotating seasonal selection, they take their beer seriously. And you can enjoy your brew out on the dog-friendly patio.

At La Nebbia Winery (12341 San Mateo Road, 620-726-09463, lanebbiawinery. com), you’re just outside of town with views of the hills, and you can play bocce ball with a glass of wine or debate which of the five wines in your tasting flight is the best. Half Moon Bay Art Glass (hmbartglass.com), located at the winery, offers glass-sculpting classes where you can make and take home your own glass pumpkin or jellyfish lamp. It’s hot, a bit intense, and thoroughly awesome to create your own piece of art out of molten glass, and you’re guided safely through the process.

HOSTELS TO HIGH-END Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel (8800 Cabrillo Hwy, 650-728-7177, norcalhostels. org/montara), just north of Half Moon Bay, was originally a fog signal station built in 1875, and you can book a bunk or private room for $27 and up.

Half Moon Bay Inn (401 Main Street, 650-726-1177, halfmoonbayinn.com) is in the center of downtown, and it’s a Spanish Revival style building built in the 1930s.

Each room in the boutique hotel is uniquely decorated with a focus on eclectic elegance and comfort. The inn is dog friendly and rooms run $140 and up.

Perfect for a romantic and memorable once in a lifetime style getaway, The RitzCarlton, Half Moon Bay (1 Miramontes Point Rd, 650-712-7000, ritzcarlton.com/ en/Properties/HalfMoonBay) is perched on a secluded bluff just south of downtown and boasts a worldclass spa. Their hot herbal poultice treatment with herbs like camphor, turmeric, and lemongrass, helps work out your kinks and knots, so with less pain and inflammation you’ll be able to hit the trails harder the next day. Rooms from $455. www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

13

Ski Shasta Hotlum-Wintun Ridge: A California Classic Words and photos by Aron Bosworth

I

f you have driven Interstate 5 through Siskiyou County, you’ve likely found your gaze pulled toward the glistening white of 14,197 Mount Shasta. It’s difficult not to: Shasta’s summit is striking. Rising 10,000 feet above the northern California landscape, the mountain is both alluring and awe inspiring. Indeed, thousands are compelled to attempt to climb Mount Shasta annually.

Mount Shasta’s call beckons to backcountry skiers as well. Skiing off Shasta’s summit can be likened to a rite of passage for the California ski mountaineer. For many, the taxing climb and exhilarating ski become an annual pilgrimage.

As the second-highest peak in the Cascade Range and the fifth-tallest in California, Shasta offers some of the longest ski descents in the state. One of these, located on Shasta’s eastern aspect, is the Hotlum-Wintun Ridge. Rewarding the skier with nearly 7,000 feet of vertical descent, 4,000 feet of which is sustained 40-degree (and slightly steeper) skiing, Hotlum-Wintun is one of California’s finest runs and a ski mountaineering classic by any standards.

Beyond the draw of the vertical, HotlumWintun offers a descent that tends to ski well during lean snow years (which is crucial for recent winters) and is a relatively safe route that lacks crevasses, fumaroles and significant rockfall hazard.

Located on the quieter east side of the mountain, Hotlum-Wintun also sees substantially less climber traffic than the popular and often over-crowded Avalanche Gulch route that begins at Bunny Flat on Shasta’s south slopes.

While the Hotlum-Wintun Ridge can be completed in a long day with an early alpine start, there are advantages to completing the climb and ski in an overnight, not the least of which is allowing fresher legs for the objective’s highlight: the descent. A bench around

14 ASJ ASJ—June/July — April/May2012 2015

9,800 feet affords a comfortable base camp to break up the climb.

Though it is called a “ridge,” the HotlumWintun Ridge route doesn’t actually stay on a distinctive ridge; rather, it ascends a large snowfield that separates the Hotlum and Wintun glaciers for much of the route before traversing onto and above the Wintun Glacier. The ideal season to ski the route is typically between late April and early June when winter avalanche hazard has subsided and prime corn snow forms as part of the daily freeze-thaw cycle. Keeping a close watch on the weather with a keen eye for cold, freezing nights and sunny, relatively warm, light wind days at higher elevations will set you up for optimal conditions. Always carry a map, compass and GPS, and the knowledge to use them, in the event weather limits visibility and route finding.

Skiing off Shasta’s su mmit can be likened to a rite of passage fo the Califor Main Image: Ascent in red; r nia ski mo descent in blue. Above: 12,000 u ntaineer.

For many, foot perspective from Shasta’s the taxing east side. Bottom left: Push to c limb and exhila Shasta’s summit. rating ski become an annual pil grimage. snowfield via the traverse, or opt for

The Route: The Hotlum-Wintun Ridge route is considered Grade II. A rope isn’t necessary, but crampons and ice axe are a must. Skiers should ensure their self-belay and self-arrest skills are up to snuff, as a fall near the summit where the route is steepest could result in a long and dangerous slide, particularly if firmer snow is encountered near the summit. It is best to time a descent for no later than midday to ensure quality corn snow; if conditions are too warm, as can happen in the early afternoon, the snow can turn to heavy slop below 12,000 feet.

The Hotlum Wintun Ridge begins on the east side of the mountain at the Brewer Creek Trailhead, located at 7,300 feet.

Depending on timing, snow may extend below the trailhead, ending car access and requiring a skin up the road to the trailhead. If snow reaches down to the trailhead, skin westward through tree line, and aim towards Shasta’s summit. If the snowline is higher than the trailhead, hike the Brewer Creek Trail along its southward track until you encounter snow. It’s a good idea to mark the trailhead with a GPS waypoint if this is your first time on the route, particularly if snow extends to the trailhead covering the Brewer Creek Trail. Skiers will not be able to see the car through the trees on their descent.

With either approach, the route emerges above tree line, following the low-angled slopes south of the adjacent

Brewer Creek drainage, which is formed by a large moraine on the right. Ascend to the bench around 9,800 feet. If you are planning on setting up base camp, this rocky bench has good sites. Brewer Creek flows adjacent to the north, and it is typically open by mid-spring. Check with local outdoor shops or the ranger station on current water access. If you are climbing earlier in the season or are unsure whether the stream will be accessible, bring extra fuel to melt snow for drinking water.

The Hotlum-Wintun Ridge ascent is easily discernable from the bench as it heads straight up the large snowfield above.

Skin or hike 2,400 feet up the snowfield in the direction of the spine of rocks that divide Wintun Glacier from the snowfield, trending left. The seracs and crevasses of Hotlum Glacier should remain far to the right on the other side of the snowfield.

Continue climbing to the traverse located at a grouping of rocks known as Lunch Rocks. This is where climbers/skiers traverse south below a buttress to a wide chute directly above Wintun Glacier and a recommended spot to put on crampons.

The route becomes steeper above the traverse, exceeding 40 degrees in spots.

It’s a bootpack from here on out. Climb 2,000 feet of steep terrain, a phenomenal pitch for the descent to come. Continue up the wide chute to the summit.

The ski descent follows the same wide chute that you previously ascended.

Either traverse back to your ascent route at Lunch Rocks and descend into the large

a steeper and more consistent pitch that drops down the Wintun Glacier to around 10,200 feet. If you descend the Wintun Glacier, inspect and plan your traverse back across the Hotlum-Wintun Ridge to the snowfield above camp. Take care not to drop too far down toward the Ash Creek drainage or you’ll be skinning out. There typically are a couple of navigable snow ribbons that cut across the ridge and connect the Wintun Glacier and the snowfield.

The upper 4,000 feet of consistent, steep corn skiing and the spectacular views and dramatic scenery of Mount Shasta make this one of California’s best. Enjoy the turns, and ski back to camp (or car) via the lower section of snowfield. This is a California classic not to be missed.

Logistics: Summit passes are required on Mount Shasta for anyone climbing above 10,000 feet. They cost $20 and can be purchased at local ranger stations in Mount Shasta City or McCloud, at local outdoor shops, or at the self-issue stations at trailheads. Free self-issue wilderness permits and humanwaste packout bags are also required for overnight stays in the Mount Shasta wilderness. Both can be obtained at the trailhead.

Aron Bosworth is cofounder and chief adventure officer at Outdoor Project, an online resource and social community combining field guides and maps, inspiration and planning information to provide the absolute best resource to plan your next outdoor adventure. Learn more about Mount Shasta and other adventures at outdoorproject.com.

Family Matters

Stand Up with the Children

Whether passenger or pilot, tips for introducing kids to paddleboarding

By Pete Gauvin

K

ayaks and canoes have long been the vehicle of choice when venturing out on the water with kids. But with the explosive growth of stand-up paddling – the fastest growing outdoor sport over the past five years – more and more parents are introducing kids to paddling on boards.

Paddleboarding is an excellent way for parents to get outdoors with children, get some low-impact exercise, soak up a good dose of fun, and teach tykes about water safety, paddle skills and the marine environment.

Here are some guidelines and suggestions for getting out for a little SUPin’ with little ones, whether riding on the board with you or going solo on their own board.

Toddlers – Along for the Ride: I started paddling with my daughter when she was two. With her toddler’s PFD and sun hat affixed, I’d sit her on the front of my board just in front of the grab handle a foot or two, always in sight, where she could hold on to the deck rigging or lie on her belly.

On a big touring-style board or inflatable 12’6 SUP, it was a dry ride, though she liked to drag her fingers through the water as I paddled. I’d keep the paddles short, generally under an hour, but long enough to put in a few miles on calm water. A couple times when she was feeling especially clingy, I’d paddle sitting down with her between my legs until she felt comfortable and the experience absorbed her apprehensions.

These outings provided interesting stimulation for her and needed outdoor exercise for me without the need for a babysitter.

With your toddler in front of you, be extra careful when paddling in shallow water or through kelp which can grab your fin and send you down on top of your child. When in doubt, paddle from your knees.

Groms – SUPin’ Solo: As a general rule, based on the experience of rental oufits, age 7 or 8 is the range in which kids are ready and able to start paddling on boards themselves – with supervision and in protected water. That said, it’s not uncommon to see kids as young as 5 or 6, or even younger, piloting their own pintsized board.

Consider things like your child’s comfort in and around water, their ability to receive a little instruction and their motor-skill development before putting he or she on the water to fend for themselves. Of course, calm, protected water with little wind ensures a much greater chance of success and encouragement for the future.

Start on flat water, and keep them near shore, but far enough from docks and rocks

PHOTO: Young SUP’er on her way to circumnavigating Lake Tahoe, or a pintsized portion there of.

(Cathy Claesson)

and boats and things that can knock them off their feet with the slightest bump. At the beach, venture into the waves only when under a when under a couple feet and away from crowds.

Keep instruction lean and simple; do not overwhelm them with technique tips and how-to drills. Emphasize no more than three skills or points at a time. The bare basics are: forward stroke (reach forward, plant the blade, pull), applying brakes (on the front of the blade, backstroke from hip forward), and turning (backstroke, paddling on one side). Show them and practice on land first. Once on the water, limit the coaching and let them make errors; it’s the quickest way to learn.

Beware of the wind. Stand-up paddling is challenging in windy conditions for anyone, especially for children. If there’s a chance the wind may come up, have them stay close to the dock or beach, or make certain they head up wind first so you know they can get back when they turnaround. Paddling from the knees is the most effective technique for combating a stiff headwind.

Gear and Boards: Kids should wear active flotation (foam vests, appropriate for their weight range), not the popular CO2-inflated belt-pack PFDs, which are legal only for adults. More important, they should wear a leash that keeps them with their board should they fall off.

The most important piece of gear to ensure SUP success for your child is an appropriately sized paddle. Handing them an adult-sized paddle with a long shaft and overly large blade, particularly if it’s heavy, will make learning exceedingly awkward and challenging.

If you’re in the market for either an adult or children’s SUP board, consider inflatables as well as hard-shell boards.

Today’s inflatables pack a lot of performance and convenience into a goanywhere package that can withstand lots of abuse and won’t bite back as hard should a bit of childhood roughhousing ensue. A bonk to the head with an inflatable is less likely to send your little one to the ER. And you’re less likely to need a ding repair shop for the board if they run it up on the rocks or ram it into a dock.

All things bound to happen in the evolution of a young stand-up paddleboarder.

Former ASJ Editor Pete Gauvin is a certified stand-up paddle instructor with 101 Surf Sports in San Rafael, www.101surfsports.com, and the father of a four-year old girl who still prefers play time with pink unicorns to paddleboarding.

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California Whitewater

When In Drought Plenty of rafting despite low water levels

By Emily Vernizzi

D

roughts. They’re rough. They cause all sorts of trouble, but don’t jump to too many conclusions. Many people assume that a drought means no rafting, but that’s not the case in California.

Despite what you’d think, there are still plenty of incredible rafting options even when Mother Nature leaves us pretty high and dry. In normal snowpack years, rafting outfitters do offer trips on a wider variety of rivers, but even in a drought there is rafting fun to be had in the Golden State.

How is this possible?

There are over 800 rivers in California with over 1200 dams along them. The reservoirs behind these dams come in all shapes and sizes and are positioned at all different elevations. During a drought, media outlets tend to focus on the large lower elevation reservoirs, such as Shasta, Oroville, Folsom, Don Pedro, and others. These reservoirs have huge water storage capacity and play a major role in supplying California with agricultural and urban water needs. When their levels are low, the state’s water supply is in trouble. These “mega reservoirs” require consistent normal to above-normal precipitation years to remain full.

More importantly for rafting, it’s the little-seen and less-discussed high elevation water storage reservoirs that are the deciding factors for the wellbeing of the rafting season. Luckily, these higher elevation reservoirs generally fare much better than the lower elevation ones during years with low snow and rainfall. They’re much smaller and do not need as much precipitation to refill. Even if the snow isn’t packin’, all rainfall also plays a crucial role in the refilling process.

Some of the most popular whitewater rafting trips offered by commercial outfitters take place on stretches of rivers conveniently located between the fuller high-elevation reservoirs and the not-so-

Reservoir-release rivers will be flowing similar to most years, just without high water flows in the early months of the season that occur after winters with above-normal snowfall.

full lowelevation reservoirs.

Flows on these Main image: Rafters rivers are enjoy the thrill of Class consistent and II-III Rapids on the South predictable Fork American. Inset: as they are Remote canyon of the Middle Fork American. determined by a Photos courtesy of set schedule of All-Outdoors Whitewater controlled water releases from the Rafting Company. upstream dams.

Reservoir-release rivers will be flowing similar to most years, just without high water levels in the early months of the season that occur after winters with normal snowfall. There is a great variety of trips, ranging from mild on the American River to wild on the Tuolumne River, even during times of drought.

Releasing water The upstream reservoirs release consistent flows in all types of water years for many reasons: creating hydropower, municipal supply, agricultural supply, government licensing agreements, river & delta ecology, and recreational agreements.

Basically, there are many government mandated licensing agreements that require the high-elevation reservoirs to release water to meet downstream obligations. Reliable recreational flows figure into these licensing arrangements when it comes to the timing and the amount of water released from the upstream reservoirs. After many years of working together with the organizations managing the reservoirs upstream of the whitewater sections (Sacramento Municipal Water District for the American Rivers and San Francisco Water & Power for the Tuolumne River), the rafting community has established a symbiotic relationship making sure the release schedules work nicely for all parties involved.

California rafting companies offer a wide variety of rivers and itineraries allowing for memorable trips even during years of drought, so go ahead and plan that rafting adventure!

Emily Vernizzi is a rafting specialist who works and blogs for All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting – family owned and operated for three generations by the Armstrongs. All-Outdoors has been offering river trips for over 50 years. aorafting.com

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17

Whitewater

Goal 100 What one hundred days of whitewater taught me

By Haven Livingston

T

o kayak one hundred days of whitewater in the course of one year may not sound like an extreme or lofty goal, until you understand the circumstances.

The first and most prohibitive factor was location. Living over three hours from the nearest available whitewater river was not going to help my cause. Sure, if I lived in Reno I could visit the whitewater park nearly every day of the year if I wanted. No big deal. The second barrier was that I was too broke to buy a dry suit, which is essential for winter paddling. The third factor, well, all the rest can fall into the general category of: that’s just a hell of a lot of days, especially in a drought year!

Setting goals for ourselves is what keeps us going. Look around you. The people who have big dreams and annoy you with their ever-scheming ramblings are also the ones who come back with rabbit hole tales from strange and heroic (or humbling) adventures. Without goals it’s too easy to stick in the same grind and refuse to admit that we are bored with it, or worse, afraid to change it.

It had been a long time since I had set any athletic goals for myself and when a friend dropped the idea of logging 100 days of paddling in one year, I stole it and ran. The number 100 carries an air of achievement, with lollipop shine, but the purpose was practical; I wanted to be a better boater, faster.

I wasn’t one of the lucky few who started kayaking before I could walk, though I have become friends with many who did. Watching videos of my friends bouncing down crystalline class V runs in remote granite gorges gutted me. I knew my skills were light years away from that. The only way I could imagine reaching that level was to kayak more and with the purpose of progressing in at least one skill on each day of paddling. The details would work themselves out along the way.

My year was filled with logistical and emotional challenges, but in the end I logged 115 days of whitewater kayaking and did become a better kayaker.

I’m not exactly running the gnar yet, (except one 30 foot waterfall!) but I am a lot closer and still having fun doing it.

So, how did I do it? More importantly, what lessons did I learn that can help you achieve your own wildest dream goals? Here are a few tips on what to expect along the way; it’s not all sunshine and glory, but it’s worth the deep sense of accomplishment in the end. Even if you don’t reach your end goal, you’ll never again have to wonder what would happen if you tried.

Dream plan: Maybe you want to climb El Capitan, or sail to Baja or keep up with your daughter in her next SUP race. It’s okay to set your goals a little higher than you think is possible to achieve, it will make you strive harder. Keeping track of what you already do is a good place to start. I counted up my kayaking days from the previous year and projected how much more time I could spend the next year. Looking at the long term picture puts things in perspective when the goal seems overwhelming. Build in recovery time and other activities to prevent burn out.

Cashed out: Think you’re too broke for new equipment or travel? Think again. Craig’s List and used gear shops are great for second-hand equipment. For big ticket items, try crowd sourcing. My dry suit was a collective birthday present from friends and family who gave cash gifts to an online registry. To save on gas and vehicle costs, carpool with friends or check ride share boards (Craig’s List). Don’t forget to pitch in when your friend is the one driving!

Time-less: If PHOTOS time, not money, is your Main photo: Absorbing the limiting factor, tap into scene at Pit River falls (Phil vacation and sick leave or Boyer). Above: The boof stork rearrange schedules for begins delivering boof strokes. more consecutive days off. Offer to be furloughed Box Canyon Sacramento River (Phil Boyer). Bottom left: Posttwo days a month or consider asking for a leave huck glow on the Pit River (Phil Boyer). Bottom right: of absence and realize California’s unknown gem, that you can still have a North Fork Smith River on great time with a little Thanksgiving weekend (Haven less income. Cancel a few Livingston). Right page: PBR: subscriptions or meals out Paddle Burnt Ranch Gorge, to make up the difference Trinity River, Rapid #3 (Wes if you have to. Money can Schrekengost). be earned, time cannot. If you can’t live without the work, take it with you. In the evenings after boating I would camp out with my lap top in friends’ living rooms.

Community: The more people you tell about your endeavor, the more support you’ll get, and the more harassment if you stop. Sharing photos or blogging about your challenge will allow friends to virtually journey with you. Other boaters who were following my posts would know exactly how many days I had paddled and holler encouragement to me on the river. Some even made bets on how far over or under I would be.

Non paddling friends congratulated my progress and told me about their own aspirations.

Education: We in the West are fiercely independent, but if we can manage to swallow just a little bit of our inner John Wayne and take a class, we could learn a lot, a lot faster. One friend told me he swam eleven times his first time river kayaking. A weekend of whitewater classes could have saved him a

18 ASJ ASJ—June/July — April/May2012 2015

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Setting go als for our selves is wh keeps us g at oing. Look lot of bruises, to his body a r o Th u nd you. e people w and his ego. h o h a v e I was too cheap to big dreams and annoy spring for a class, so you with t heir everscheming r I took a workshop amblings a and sought out the re also the ones who c best mentors I could o m e b ack with ra find. Caution; expert hole tales f bbit athletes can be rom strang e terrible teachers. I and heroic (or humbl ing) adven choose to paddle tures. with friends who are patient, fun and give me constructive critique. They never question my decision to scout or walk around a rapid. If you are beginning in a technique based sport, e.g. kiteboarding, golf, competitive swimming, or advancing to expert levels of any sport, seek professional instruction. If you’re already at the badass level, mentor someone else. You never know how much you don’t know until you try to teach someone else.

Friends will miss you: For me to succeed in my 100 days I had to spend more than 100 away from home.

That meant missing out on a lot of events and time with friends. It’s a trade-off though, because facing challenging or scary moments with new friends quickly creates bonds that last a lifetime.

Celebrate! Plan a party for when you reach your goal and be sure to invite anyone who contributed to your success. Friends new and old can come together and who knows, you may just even inspire someone else to set their dreams into action.

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after your trip at O.A.R.S. River Park Campground and you’ve got the perfect trip for you and the crew.

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O.A.R.S. River Park Campground is a great place to unwind before and after your day on the river

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What comes next? Avoid postachievement-depression. Don’t expect to set dream goals back to back. Let one big goal lead to smaller and more quickly achievable goals. I paddled over 100 days in 2014 and am feeling pretty good on class IV. 2015 will be a fun year of becoming solid on class IV and adding back activities that I missed last year, like climbing and gardening. Whatever the goal, make it yours and always, always make it fun.

Factoid: Before you strap a leash on your riverboard or SUP and head to the nearest whitewater, hook yourself up with a river specific quick release waist belt. Leashes open the door to dangerous entanglement hazards on a river. When you become separated from your board leashes can catch on rocks. Surf style leashes leave you dangling by the ankle and unable to reach down to release it with the current pushing you underwater. Ankle release straps are a no-no in rivers; currents are stronger than you think! Check out NRS waist belts for a better option. www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

19

Trails for all and all for trails Is there a mountain biking trail for everyone?

By Tim Hauserman

E

very mountain biker loves to roll along on a beautiful piece of single track, but mountain bike enthusiasts come in a wide variety of ability levels, making one person’s lovely romp through the rocks, a trail to be avoided at all costs by another. Given this wide disparity in ability and desire, imagine being the folks trying to build and maintain the trails to meet the needs of all the riders (and in almost all cases hikers, runners and equestrians as well).

Craig Smith from Olympic Bike Shop in Tahoe City says that Lake Tahoe gets “the full gamut of people renting or repairing bikes, from experienced riders from around the country looking for something challenging and difficult, to those who want to take the family out mountain biking as part of their Tahoe experience.” Then there are the locals: occasional riders out for a relaxing spin, endorphin addicts who are more focused on the uphill grind then the downhill thrill, and the group of bike riding experts who can ride over just about anything.

Garrett Villanueva, who has been building and maintaining trails for the US Forest Service since 1998, says that “the Forest Service has 365 miles of trails that are maintained within the Lake Tahoe Basin. They lie on steep, mountainous terrain with granite and sand. Trails are challenging to say the least. Even our easiest trails may be too difficult for inexperienced users.” The Forest Service, which is where the vast majority of trails in the region are located, also attempts to meet the needs of all the users, including hikers, dog walkers, horse riders and runners. “We don’t go out to build super gnarly trail, the landscape decides the trails.”

In addition to the Forest Service, there are two other major players who actively build and maintain trails in the Tahoe region: The Tahoe Rim Trail Association, which takes care of Tahoe’s 165 mile signature trail that circles the lake, and TAMBA, the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, a volunteer organization dedicated to “stewardship Photos: Top set, clockwise: Armstrong Connector Trail (Rick Gunn); TRTA volunteer workday on the Van Sickle Trail (TRTA); TAMBA volunteers work on armoring a techinical line rock drop option along the Cold Creek Trail (Ben Fish); TRTA volunteers work on a raised trail bed section through a riparian area to protect water quality (TRTA); TAMBA volunteer on the new Snapdragon Trail (Kevin Joell).

Left: The new Monument Pass Trail (Anthony Cupaiuolo, First Tracks Productions). Below: Kids enjoying some easy singletrack during the Meyers Mountain Bike Festival (Ben Fish).

of sustainable multiple use trails.”

Clay Grubb has volunteered thousands of hours building and maintaining the Tahoe Rim Trail. While the Rim Trail in its early years did not allow mountain bikes, now most of the trail is open to bikes (some lies in wilderness areas or has other restrictions). And the master trail builders at the TRTA now design and maintain trail with mountain bikers in mind. They are installing banked turns, and try to make the trails flow.

Grubb says, “We build some optional features, and create speed control. We are getting better at putting in steps for different levels of ability.” But the TRT still is a loop around the entire lake that needs to follow a set course, and much of that course goes through ridge top terrain that is rocky and challenging for mountain biking. Grubb says one solution is to “build more beginner and intermediate level trails elsewhere.”

Max Jones, former mountain bike racer, TRTA trail crew leader, and operator of the Flume Trail Shuttle, agrees that there is a probably a big demand in the area for trails that an entire family can ride.

He says for example, that “Northstar is missing the boat.” The ski resort has an extensive mountain biking park served by lifts with trails that are primarily either jaw dropping, technical downhills or more placid dirt roads. Jones says, “what people like are twisty, turny, and flowy trails.” Sure, continue to provide

trails for riders who like to don gladiator gear and bomb down the fall line, but also create a few long, smooth single track trails that satisfy the intermediate rider, since like skiing, the market is in the middle.

While in general the Tahoe region has handled the mountain biker-hiker conflict fairly amicably, there are definitely still some Tahoe Rim Trail hikers who after spending their day standing aside while 100 bikers roll by, are not in favor of making the trail any easier to ride. As Jones says “Some have thought if we make it too smooth it will attract too many bike riders. They’d rather leave it rough and unridable.”

TAMBA Trails Director Kevin Joell says, “Everyone has different opinions of what a good trail is, usually most influenced by their riding style and/or bad experiences.

Our job as trail stewards is to find that middle ground. To make trails fun to the widest range of abilities; to provide the widest range of trail types within an area; to ensure we protect the land manager and our group(s) from unnecessary risk

Want to help create and maintain an awesome Tahoe trail network? Both TRTA and TAMBA use volunteers to work on trails. Go to tahoerimtrail.org or tamba.org to learn more.

20 ASJ ASJ—April/May — April/May2013 2015

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS JOIN

Your membership helps leverage our negotiations with elected officials and land managers to create more mountain biking opportunities.

and liability; and in the Tahoe Basin, to ensure the work we are doing is always providing an improvement to lake clarity.

It is not always an easy balance.”

Most trail building and maintenance is now focused on making trails more flowy and smooth, to make them more rideable and more environmentally sustainable.

Villanueva says, they are incorporating flow elements on more heavily used trails. “What leads to damage on the trails is excessive speed. We are trying to design trails to consider the speed of the users.” Which can be a challenge since many of the “trails were not designed, they just went there.”

Adding to the challenge is that as mountain biking technology has improved, bikers can boldly go where they could not go before. And so the experts are looking for more and more difficult trails to conquer. In addition, most of those putting in the long hours volunteering to work on the trail are understandably folks who have a passion for riding. These are people with great riding ability who look at a trail and say, “Oh, yeah, I can ride that.” One solution is to have some less skilled riders join the maintenance crew so they can say, “Really? You can ride that?”

The goal for the agencies is to create enough legal trails to meet the needs of everyone. How many trails is enough, and how difficult those trails should be is a continuing question, but a lot of folks are doing their best to provide that solution.

In the meantime, perhaps a system of marking and rating trails so that riders know what they are getting into, would be helpful. A green, blue, black system like ski areas would probably be the easiest to understand. Of course the tricky part is deciding who comes up with the ratings.

One place around Tahoe where the desires of many different users has come together is the Burton Creek/Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area network of trails outside of Tahoe City. These trails combine miles of easy to intermediate loops, with a the opportunity for a lot of climbing and more challenging sections as well. The network is so extensive and convoluted,

RIDE

PHOTOS: however, that it was easy to Top: Rose to Toads Ride get lost. Two on the Tahoe Rim Trail years ago, when near the bench (Ben Fish). the Tahoe Cross Country ski area Left: TAMBA volunteers folks opened work on Corral Trail up a bike rental Enhancement Project operation at the (Ben Fish). base of the trails, Right: The TRTA they got a grant workday on the Marlette from the North Peak section of the TRT. Tahoe Resort Bottom right: Riders Association to testing out the new install a series jumps that TAMBA built of trail signs last year on the Corral and maps at key Trail (Rick Gunn). intersections showing the primary routes.

Don’t worry experts, there are still no signs pointing to the most difficult trails.

You will have to find those on your own.

But the less experienced rider will be able to find their way home.

TAMBA Crew Leader Jake Dore is optimistic about the future. “The trail network in South Lake is getting better and better, and all user groups can enjoy them. We want trails that challenge us, but that we can also take our kids on.”

Join us for organized rides supportive of all abilities on trails in Santa Cruz and Soquel Demonstration State Forest.

VOLUNTEER MBoSC is powered by our volunteers. Join our board, committees and project teams to make a difference.

GIVE

Donations to MBoSC remain in the local community for YOUR trails and bike parks, and we are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Tim Hauserman lives in Tahoe City. He wrote the official guidebook to the Tahoe Rim Trail as well as Monsters in the Woods: Backpacking with Children. He has been road and mountain biking around North Lake Tahoe for a long time, and writing this article turned him on to some new riding possibilities on the other side of the lake.

MOUNTAIN BIKING PROMOTES 3 community 3 Opportunity

3 Achievement 3 Sustainability

JOIN MBoSc.ORG

PHOTO: BRUCE DORMAN

MBoSC is sponsored by ADvENTURE SPORTS jOURNAl

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

21

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Peace Pedalers

Around the world on a tandem bike

O

ver 1,000 total strangers accepted Jamie Bianchini’s invitation to ride on the world’s first open-invitation, intercultural expedition around the planet.

Jamie piloted the front seat of a custombuilt tandem bike while leaving the rear seat open to invite “guest riders” to join the journey and share the exhilarating cycle touring experience. If that’s not cool enough, the bike frames, called “Black Sheep Tangles,” could be converted from a tandem to a single bike, which allowed Jamie to rip up the world’s singletrack trails with new local friends. His 81-country expedition took over 8 years to complete, with regular recharge breaks on the trails and in the surf of his current hometown of Santa Cruz, CA. Not surprisingly, a journey of this magnitude was sprung from humble beginnings. After a series of spectacular business flops drove him into bankruptcy and the love of his life kissed him goodbye, Jamie hatched a crazy plan that just might make everything right. His life lacked purpose, passion, and connection with his fellow man. So he decided to go for a

bicycle ride … around the world … on a tandem … solo … inviting everyone he met to join him.

“I felt inspired to make the journey mean more than simply fulfilling my own personal desires,” explained Jamie. “By inviting strangers to ride with me I hoped to do my part in creating more peace in the world by reducing unnecessary fears and prejudices between people. I wanted to demonstrate that language, cultural and religious barriers could easily be overcome with a genuine desire to connect, learn and explore.”

Jamie started the project with his best friend Garryck. They both saved for two and a half years and found over 40 corporate sponsors to kick off their dream expedition called Peace Pedalers. The tour got off to a great start in Japan and Korea but it was not long before he ran into his fair share of adversity. “There was a bike theft in China, a near-death bike crash in Malaysia and escaping machine gun fire in Mauritania just to name a few,” reports Bianchini. “But what amazed me was how total strangers Left: A guest rider’s in every part of the world came out of mom in Hungary.

Below: Summer nowhere to help in Copenhagen, keep me stay safe, Denmark. fed, housed, warm

and supported me in fulfilling my vision and mission of the expedition.”

It was this constant stream of kindness and compassion demonstrated by total strangers on his journey that began to inspire Jamie to take the expedition to a new level. Starting by delivering hundreds of tandem bike rides and gifts to orphanages throughout Asia he continued the adventures of compassion and contribution through Africa, Europe and Latin America. Jamie rallied partners, sponsors and fellow guest riders to help donate 100 bikes to an impoverished township in Cape Town, disperse hundreds of doses of life-saving Malaria medication to small African communities, start a school for AIDS orphans in Uganda and bring fresh water to a community suffering from sickness and death in Bolivia.

“I realized it was not only easy to connect deeply with people in every corner of the planet but it was just as rewarding to work together with them to be of service in the communities I traveled through,” explains Jamie. “But as exciting and rewarding it was to be out on the road I eventually longed to get back to the Bay Area to finally settle down and raise a family in Santa Cruz. After seeing a huge chunk of the planet there was no place on earth that had such a perfect combination of great trails, roads, waves and community.

My bike was pointed to Santa Cruz since day one.”

S

o just how does a globetrotting Bay Area mountain bike addict and surf bum find a life partner to settle down with? Turns out she found him. After several unsuccessful attempts to recruit a road-worthy mate — from online dating websites to travel flings-gone-serious — it was a guest rider who hopped on 22 ASJ ASJ—Aug/Sept — April/May2011 2015

PHOTOS Clockwise from

for a planned far left: Jamie looking 17-kilometer for riders in Guatamala; ride that turned Wild Coast South Africa; into a lifelong Always a giggle nearby in adventure. Their Cambodia; “My girlfriend doesn’t talk back” in first child was Portugal. conceived in Ecuador and they’re now living with their two kids in Santa Cruz. Well, kinda.

T

rue to character, Jamie is now embarking on a 12,000-mile Family Book Tour USA through 36 states to share his book A Bicycle Built for Two Billion. Jamie and his family will be traveling across the country to share his inspirational stories via free multimedia events at bookstores, KOA Campgrounds, bike shops, Rotary Clubs and other venues that request presentations.

Of course, their book tour itself has a twist almost as exciting as Jamie’s tandem bicycle adventure. Their family will be driving an 8-seater SUV and towing a 33-foot Heartland RV trailer that sleeps 10. Why so much space for just a family of four? The family plans to use the spare seats and beds to keep the original expedition’s spirit of openness, trust and connection alive as they invite others they meet around the country to join the tour, connect, camp and find ways to contribute along the way.

“Our open-invitation Family Book Tour was just a dream my wife and I concocted when we talked about how to share the book and our messages with the country,” reports Jamie. “But I had just been laid off from work, so I didn’t have the money to buy a big RV nor enough to pay the camping fees for such a huge nationwide tour. So we had to get creative.”

Jamie visited a large RV tradeshow where he met Heartland RV’s Vice President

Jamie pilo ted the fro nt seat of a cu stom-built tandem bi ke while le aving the rear se at open to invite “guest ride rs” to join the journey an d share the exhilaratin g cycle tou ring

Coley Brady. “I could see it in Jamie’s eyes when he shared his project and vision that he lived from the heart. So Heartland RV set him up with our top of the line North Trail travel trailer to keep his family comfortable on his tour,” reports Brady. Jamie then reached out to Mike Gast, VP of communications at KOA Campgrounds who agreed to allow Jamie and his family to stay free of charge at 32 KOA campgrounds around the nation. “KOA Campgrounds believes deeply in the importance of both family adventures and giving back to the community. When we saw what Jamie did for the global community and his plans for his nationwide tour we wanted to help make it happen,” reports Gast.

Jamie’s passion for adventure and community service while out traveling will continue on his USA tour as he raises fund

Jamies’ top five tips for bike touring

1

Go even if you think you’re out of shape – you get in shape very fast and the pain leaves in a week or so.

2

Stay with local families – on a bike you are vulnerable and perceived less as a potential threat. Relish this benefit of cycle touring and connect with others.

PHOTOS Top left: No and language needed in former awareness for Tibet. Top right: Lltang, several worthy causes. He’ll be China. Middle left: Groovin’ in Ghana. Middle right: visiting KOA’s Jamie’s oldest guest rider Cancer Care at 98, Slovenia. Bottom Camps along left: Students of Good Hope his route to give School for AIDS, orphans rides to kids and the needy—founded with terminal

by Jamie and a guest rider. cancer, raising Bottom right: School supply funds to expand delivery in Swaziland. the Good Hope School in Uganda he co-founded and search for donors to bring more bikes to Africa with Bicycle Relief Fund and clean water to those in need with Charity: Water.

3

Don’t count pounds & ounces – your bike becomes your home and life.

If you want something, bring it. It shouldn’t be a race anyways.

4

Be flexible – Having a schedule is nice, but if a host wants to invite you to a village celebration be willing to extend the stay.

5

Leave the ego at home – egos on bike tours can be dangerous. Pack awareness and an intention to let the road help you grow.

The Family Book Tour’s first free multimedia slideshow presentation will be at Spokesman Bike Shop in Santa Cruz at 6.30pm on April 18. They’ll depart the Santa Cruz KOA on April 25 and head to San Luis Obisbo, Ventura, Pasadena, Orange Country, San Diego in May. They’ll loop back to Northern California and the Bay Area in September and October. aBicycleBuiltForTwoBillion.com.

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

23

Athlete Profile

Terri Schneider From Bhutan with Love

By Leonie Sherman

E

ndurance athlete Terri Schneider inspired me to ride my bike for two hours before I even met her, just to get to our interview. Over the past two decades she has coached and consulted with hundreds of athletes, encouraging people to push harder and reach higher than they ever thought possible. She started running at age ten because it “seemed like fun” and she’s been at it for more than forty years, winning some of the most grueling races on the planet. Though she travels widely in pursuit of adventure and challenge, she always returns to where it all started.

“I was lucky to grow up in Santa Cruz when it was just a sleepy surf town, even before the University came here,” she says, tucking a strand of chin length golden hair behind her ear. “I literally grew up at the beach.” The youngest of five children, she started Junior Guards in 1971, the first year they allowed girls into the program.

“That was my summer thing all the way through college,” she explains.

At Santa Cruz High she competed in running, earning a scholarship to Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Ready for “something different,” she threw herself into the emerging sport of triathlon and won her first race in her age group. At her second Hawaii Ironman competition she placed tenth for all women, and decided to go pro and travel the circuit, competing in Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. “I just loved combining racing with adventure travel,” she says, leaning forward with excitement. “I didn’t have one of those upper class childhoods where your parents take you on vacation to exotic places and bankroll a gap year. So the travel bug hit me late in life, but it hit hard.”

In 1995, an ad in a magazine caught her eye and she enrolled in the first Eco-Challenge race with a team of friends. The race lasts seven to ten days and combines kayaking, hiking, mountain biking navigation and technical rope work, all in a remote location. “I had to learn four new sports for that event,” she laughs. “We just winged it. Our whole team had to learn all this new stuff just to compete. But I don’t tend to think about if I can do something; I just try to figure out how I can do it.”

How she does it is through a deep understanding of her own physiology, an eagerness to face her fears and a willingness to suffer. “Adventure racing is entirely mental, the crux is all in your head,” she insists. “It’s not about health or fitness; it’s about flogging the human body into submission.”

Terri has competed in seven Eco-Challenge races and dozens of triathlons, ultramarathons and mountain bike races on six continents, most recently organizing and co-creating and producing an International Marathon in Bhutan. “Any race is just the cherry on top, the icing on the cake,” she explains. “The journey is what captures the experience. The finish line is a place where you arrive, but it’s how you got there that shapes you.”

Terri’s journey as an athlete began in an entirely physical realm, and quickly brought her to psychological challenges as she faced fears and pushed beyond her own perceived limits. “Now what I find most satisfying is helping others,” she explains. “And immersing myself in other cultures. I’m constantly learning and growing and I hope to continue doing that for the rest of my life.”

“Friends have told me I have the intelligence and charisma to make a million bucks, but I’ve chosen a different path,” she says, an intense gaze piercing her purple-rimmed sunglasses.

“I’ve chosen to follow my Left: Boys of Sakteng, Bhutan passions. My definition of success looks different than a village in the easternmost the standard American edge of Bhutan. Bottom ideal.” corner: A monk assesses the morning mist at a monastery Three years ago, the above Punakha, Bhutan. remote Himalayan country Below: Looking down onto the of Bhutan captured her morning light cast on a village interest and she keeps rice paddy. Taken while on a returning to explore and run. Photos by Terri Schneider. motivate, coach and consult. She’s done an

expedition crossing the country and works with Top: Terri at the Bhutan the Olympic Committee International Marathon awards there to train a whole new ceremony. (Dylan Haskin) generation of Buddhist Middle: Prayer flags can be athletes. found every where in Bhutan She was less than 48 including on a hike at 17,000 hours off the plane feet. (Terri Schneider) from Bhutan when I interviewed her and she is already planning to go back in the fall, to compete in the Tour of the Dragon, 268-kilometers of mountain biking that many consider the toughest one-day bike race on the planet. After competing (”I just want to cross the finish line,” she admits) she will lead a thirty day trek and conduct running clinics throughout the country, mostly to kids groups. “I love going to Bhutan, but I’m basically there as a volunteer, so it does take away from my business. Finding that balance is really important.”

With hundreds of satisfied clients and medals from all over the globe, Terri sees her primary gift not as an athlete or coach, but as a motivator. “I don’t see humans as having limitations,” she explains. “I’ve seen people do things that nobody thought were possible. I love showing people a bigger side of themselves. I’m just a mirror for people when I do that.”

Towards the end of our interview, an old friend passes by and they stop to chat. As Terri explains what she’s been up to for the past six weeks, her friend smiles and tells her he wishes he had her life.

“I get that all the time,” she says with a gracious smile.

“And I’ll tell you what I tell all those other folks. ‘What are you waiting for? Do it now!’”

Read Leonie’s Q & A interview with Terri Schneider at adventuresportsjournal.com/terri-schneider-interview

14 ASJ 24 ASJ—June/July — April/May2012 2015

Event Profiles

a sneak peek at some of the season’s best upcoming events Marathon and Half Marathon courses journey onto the Surfer’s Path, a tour along coastal bluffs offering views of legendary surf breaks including Steamer’s Lane, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Miles will melt away as you enjoy breathtaking views and watch surfers ride the waves. surferspathmarathon.com

GROVELAND GEARS & GROOVES TRIATHLON June 6, Groveland

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL

WILDFLOWER TRIATHLON

This eco-conscious, family-friendly event was created as a Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (MBoSC) fundraiser to celebrate the world class mountain bike facilities, riders, and cycling industry of Santa Cruz county, with proceeds benefiting local bike projects. Growing year after year with the generous support of its sponsors, volunteers and community, the festival is a testament to the depth of the mountain bike culture in Santa Cruz County. The 6th annual event takes place at San Lorenzo Park the weekend before the Sea Otter Classic in nearby Monterey. Activities include bike demos, skills clinics, an all-new poker ride, the popular aerial jump bag, a vendor fair, expanded kids’ area, a beer garden and food court, raffles, live music and more. santacruzmountainbikefestival.com

Wildflower is known all over the world for its festivallike atmosphere, challenging courses and some of the happiest volunteers on earth. Some of the greatest triathletes in the world have participated in the Wildflower. For many athletes, this event is on their bucket list of places to compete, for others it’s a yearly celebration of their commitment to a healthy lifestyle and for yet others it is a place for family and friends to get together for fellowship. No matter how you look at it Wildflower is a “can’t miss” event. Options include the Long Course Triathlon (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run), the Mountain Bike Triathlon (.25-mile swim, 9.7-mile mountain bike, and 2-mile run), the Olympic Distance Triathlon (1.5k-swim, 40k-bike, 10k-run), or the Wildflower Squared (Long and Olympic). In addition to the race events, the Wildflower includes camping, live music, expo areas, lake swimming and fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and kayaking, paddleboarding and boating (rentals available). tricalifornia.com

April 11-12, Santa Cruz

SEA OTTER CLASSIC April 16-19, Monterey

Debuting 25 years ago as the Laguna Seca Challenge with a total of 350 athletes and 150 spectators, the Sea Otter Classic is now regarded as the world’s premiere cycling festival hosting over 10,000 athletes and 65,000 fans.

The “celebration of cycling” attracts professional and amateur athletes alike who make the annual pilgrimage to participate in some of the sport’s most competitive and enduring events. Mountain bike races include cross country, downhill, dual slalom and short track. Road cyclists compete in circuit, criterium, and road racing.

Cyclocross and non-competitive events are also offered.

The event hosts the largest consumer bike expo in North America, and features an international food court, entertainment, bike demos, stunt shows, and carnival activities for children. seaotterclassic.com

May 1-3, Lake San Antonio

The Groveland Gears and Grooves Triathlon, presented by the Groveland Area Partnership, is a three sport event scheduled to take place in and around the town of Groveland, near Yosemite National Park. The course includes a one mile swim on Pine Mountain Lake, a five mile run from the lake to Pine Mountain Stables, and a 25-mile bike ride through the Stanislaus Forest, to the Rim of the World, and back to Groveland. After completing the course, participants are treated to a post-race BBQ, and live music – The Paul Chesne Band – at Mary Laveroni Park in the early evening, sponsored by the Iron Door Saloon (the oldest continually running saloon in California) in conjunction with the Gears and Grooves Triathalon. grovelandgearsandgrooves.com

INCARNATION 100 June 6, Santa Rosa

This is a new event for a great cause. The ride starts and finishes in historic downtown Santa Rosa and will appeal to avid and recreational cyclists alike. Starting and finishing in historic downtown Santa Rosa, there are three different course coptions. The 45-mile route takes a leisurely path through Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley and West Sonoma County. The 100-km route is almost idential to the the 45-mile route but includes the hidden em and challenge of Sweetwater Springs Road — a secret favorite of many Sonoma County cyclists — which skirts the entrance of Armstrong Redwood State Natural Reserve. The 100-mile route is a challenging grand tour of Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and West Sonoma County. Incarnation 100 benefits three vital homeless service entities: The Living Room, Sunday on the Table and St. Andrews Food Program.

Discounts available for group registrations of 10 or more.

Incarnation100.org

SURFER’S PATH MARATHON & CAPITOLA HALF MARATHON May 17, Santa Cruz & Capitola

The Surfer’s Path Marathon, Capitola Half Marathon & Relay events welcome runners with an enchanting blend of nostalgia, natural beauty and invigorating activities. Whether you choose the 26.2-mile Marathon, 13.1-mile Half Marathon or Relay, you will be treated to scenic courses, featuring breathtaking views of the Monterey Bay coastline and a series of world renowned surf breaks. An ideal destination event, participants can experience a quintessential California vacation. Create a memory that you will treasure forever by achieving your athletic goal in this picture postcard setting. The

SURFTECH JAY RACE June 20, Capitola

June 20 marks the 14th Anniversary of the Jay Moriarity Memorial Paddleboard Race. The “Jay Race” as it has become known, is held in honor of one of big wave surfing’s favorite sons, the late Jay Moriarity. Jay was known as much for his fearless big wave surfing as he was for his positive and always friendly attitude. To stay in shape for the winter big wave season, Jay became an avid paddleboarder and could regularly be seen logging countless miles on his paddleboard on the beautiful waters of the Monterey Bay. With the summer paddling season just around the corner, the world’s top traditional and stand up paddle athletes are training 26 ASJ — April/May 2015

hard in preparation for this year’s special event. In addition to the 12-mile long course endurance challenge, there is also a 2-mile short course race for those not yet ready to paddle for hours on the open ocean. The Waterman Challenge will once again feature a 500 meter swim, 1,000 meter SUP and 1,500 meter prone race to determine who is the best overall water athlete. Just before the Waterman Challenge takes to the water, the highlight event of the day – the Mini Jay Race – will have parents and spectators cheering on kids under 10 years old. Mini Jay racers will first paddle a short water race course then hit the beach and run through a labyrinth of creative beach obstacles all while being sprayed by their loved ones with super soakers. With many different races and events, the Jay Race offers fun on the water for paddlers of all shapes and sizes. jayrace.com

EPPIE’S GREAT RACE July 18, Sacramento

Registration is now open for the 42nd Annual Eppie’s Great Race® coming to the Sacramento area on Saturday, July 18, 2015. This event – known as “The World’s Oldest Triathlon” – has been implemented each year as a fundraiser benefiting programs for the Sacramento County Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) that support mentally and physically challenged people. To date, Eppie’s Great Race has raised more than $1 million for TRS, accounting for over 20% of the program’s budget. Both teams and/or individuals can compete in divisions from Junior to Iron Person, 14 -70 years and older. Participants run 5.82 miles, cycle 12.5 miles, and paddle 6.35 miles, on a racecourse located on and alongside the American River Parkway. Early bird discounts available. eppiesgreatrace.org

EPPIE’S KIDS DUATHLON October 18, Sacramento

The 10th annual Eppie’s Kids Duathlon, presented by Eppie’s Great Race Foundation, is a running and cycling race for children and a great day of wellness fun for the entire family. Taking place at Sacramento’s Discovery Park on the American River Parkway, the new course site allows parents and friends to cheer on the kids.

Participants receive food, goodie bags, shirts, and prizes. Upon completing the race, the whole family can enjoy fun, hands-on cooking and gardening activities, fitness obstacle courses, bounce houses and climbing walls, free health screenings, food and entertainment, among others. Adults and kids alike can earn more about growing and gardening, as well as cooking easy, healthy meals. eppieskidsduathlon.org

SIERRA CUP MOUNTAIN BIKE RACING SERIES Nevada City Dirt Classic #1 – May 2 Pine Nut Cracker – May 16 Ridin’ High at the Ranch – May 30 Kirkwood Mountain Classic – July 12 Great Tahoe Flume Race – August 23 The Sierra Cup Mountain Bike Racing Series returns to USA Cycling sanctioning for 2015 to assist in providing qualifying opportunities for riders in the region that would like to race at Mountain Bike Nationals in Mammoth. The series will be the USA Cycling Regional Championship for Northern California and Nevada.

Series points winners in each of the 23 categories will receive Regional Championship medals. All of the races have been in the series previously, although some are run by separate promoters. The series starts May 2 with the Nevada City Dirt Classic #1 just outside of Nevada City. The Pine Nut Cracker continues to be a favorite on May 16 in Gardnerville. Ridin’ High at the Ranch on May 30 treats riders to the fun, flowy singletrack of Susanville Ranch Park in Susanville. The Kirkwood Mountain Classic at Kirkwood Resort on July 12 gives riders one last high altitude training opportunity before Mammoth. The series final is the Great Tahoe Flume Race on August 23 with fabulous trails and views above Tahoe. SierracupMTB.com.

SUPERPRO RACING EVENTS NorCal Spring Classic – April 11-12 Road to Mendocino – June 25-28 Mendocino 100 – July 11 Mendocino MTB Madness (M5) – August 21-23 SuperPro Racing presents an eclectic array of races and non-competitive recreational events that appeal to a broad spectrum of cyclists. SuperPro’s founder and organizer Murphy Mack is well renowned for his creative, fun events whether on gravel, asphalt, dirt, or a mix of all three. With its NorCal CycloCross and California Gravel Gauntlet series’ wrapped up for the year, SuperPro looks ahead to its remaining events.

Its homage to the Spring Classics of Europe – the

NorCal Spring Classic set for April 11-12 – features rough roads, long miles, big climbs and screaming descents Registration includes top-notch support, post-ride buffet, craft beer and more. On June 25, the Road to Mendocino – a 4-day 365-mile odyssey – will kick off in the high-desert plateau near Reno and will culminate on the coastal California craggs. The route takes riders on some of the most inaccessible forest roads in California with spectacular views. The uber-popular Mendocino 100 mountain bike endurance race takes place July 11 on a great mix of singletrack and forest road on a course that’s one non-repeating loop. Race either 100 miles or 100 kilometres (62 miles). Camping available nearby, plus hot showers, great food and local craft beer. Wrapping up the warm weather season is Mendocino MTB Madness from August 21-23, an epic retreat featuring three fully supported days of amazing singletrack riding in and around the 50,000 acre Jackson State Forest. The family-friendly event includes rustic accommodations with fire places and hot showers, farm to table hot meals three times a day, bottomless kegs of local craft beer and wine, nightly fun and games, daily yoga sessions, mechanical support, skills clinics, and kids’ activities. superproracing.com

CALIFORNIA ENDURO SERIES Battle Born Enduro – May 9 Wild Wood Adventure Enduro – June 13-14VP EnduroFest – June 27-28 Ashland Mountain Challenge – July 11-12 Northstar Enduro – August 29-30 Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro – September 24-27 The California Enduro Series (CES) promises another great year of Enduro racing. In its third year, CES proves its commitment to growing this popular cycling sport by expanding its schedule to include additional fun and challenging venues, offering more race categories, and maintaining equal pro payout to both men and women for series overall top placement. The 2015 schedule includes the Battle Born Enduro at Peavine Mountain in the Reno/Tahoe area, benefiting The Poedunks trail stewardship organization; the Wild Wood Adventure Enduro on the Mendocino coast in Caspar, presented

by Mendocino Bike Sprite; VP EnduroFest at China Peak Mountain Resort in Lakeshore; Ashland Mountain Challenge at Lithia Park in Ashland presented by Ashland Mountain Adventures; the Northstar Enduro at Northstar California Resort in Truckee; and the series finale Kamikaze Bike Games Enduro at Mammoth Mountain in Mammoth Lakes. californiaenduroseries.com PHOTOS Opposite page, clockwise from top: Wildflower Triathlon; SurfTech Jay’s Race; Surfer’s Path Marathon; Sea Otter Classic (Loui Traub); Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival (Michele Lamelin).

This page, clockwise from top: SurfTech Jay’s Race (Nelly); Sierra Cup Mountain Bike Series (KC Mares); Eppie’s Great Race; Eppie’s Kids Dualthon.

2015 Essential Race Calendar Visit us online for a full listing of upcoming California events.

Go to AdventureSportsJournal.com and click on the EVENTS button.

Adventure Racing APRIL 11— Peninsula Greenways 5k & 10k, San Carlos. go-terraloco.blogspot.com 12 — Down & Dirty National Mud & Obstacle Series, Castaic Lake State Rec. Area, downanddirtymudrun.com

Biking 11 — Gold Rush Challenge, Sonora, goldrushar.com 11 — Urban Dare, San Jose. urbandare.com AUGUST 8 — Urban Dare, Long Beach. urbandare.com

MAY 9 — Dawn to Dusk Adventure Challenge, San Luis Obispo ccadventure.com 23 — Urban Dare, Sacramento. urbandare.com JUNE 6-7 — 24 Hour Adventure Race Bishop. an epic journey through beautiful and challenging terrain alloutadventureseries.com

APRIL

JULY

OCTOBER 25 — Mud Mash, San Luis Obispo. A 5k run with tough trails and various obstacles. www.MudMash.com NOVEMBER 1 — Down & Dirty National Mud & Obstacle Series, Folsom Lake, downanddirtymudrun.com

11-12 — 6th Annual Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival, San Lorenzo Park Proceeds from this event will benefit projects and organizations that support mountain biking in Santa Cruz County. santacruzmountain bikefestival.com 11-12 — Nor Cal Spring Classic, Los Gatos rough roads, long miles, big climbs and screaming descents. superproracing.com 12— Napa Valley Dirt Classic.

22-mile circuit, hilly, double track and single track…fun course. www.puc.edu/Pioneers/NVDC/ 16-19 — 25th Annual Subaru Sea Otter Classic, Monterey.

10,000 athletes and 50,000 fans. SeaOtterClassic.com

JULY 14–19, 2015

18 — San Diego Tour de Cure, Tour.Diabetes.org 18 — Tierra Bella Bicycle Tour, Santa Clara. actc.org 12 — Bike Around the Buttes, BikeAroundTheButtes.com 25 — 17th Annual Ridge-toBridge, Marin County. Hike or ride through beautiful south Marin, RidgeTrail.org 26 — Chico Wildflower Century, Chico. Four rides to choose from. ChicoVelo.org 26— Ship to Shore, Long Beach. A ride, not a race, for all levels; Tour.Diabetes.org MAY 1-3 — Boggs 8-Hour MTB Race, Cobb. 8-9 mile course with lots of FAST single-track. bikemonkey.net 2—Nevada City Dirt Classic #1 Nevada City, CA Sierra Cup Mountain Bike Series, sierracupMTB.com

SEPTEMBER 11–12, 2015

2 — Wine Country Century, Santa Rosa. 200km, 100m, 100km & 35m. srcc.com

23 — Heartbreak Double Century, Palmdale. Spectacular course, PlanetUltra.com

3 — Delta Century, Lodi.

StocktonBikeClub.org

17 — Strawberry Fields Forever, Santa Cruz County.

3 routes; 30, 65 & 100 mile.

StrawberryFields.org

3— Grizzly Peak Century, Moraga. Hilly; 75,109 and 102M. GrizzlyPeakCyclists.org 9 — Tour of the Unknown Coast, Ferndale. California’s toughest century. tuccycle.org 9— Battle Born Enduro at Peavine Mountain. Reno/ Tahoe area. Round #1 of the California Enduro Series. californiaenduroseries.com 16—Pine Nut Cracker Gardnerville, NV Sierra Cup Mountain Bike Series, sierracupMTB.com 16— I Care Classic Bike Tour.

Five routes, call 408-782-6287, go to icareclassic.org 9 — Motherlode Century, Lotus. 3 routes; 28, 64 & 100 mile. motherlodecentury.com

22-25 — 50th Annual Great Western Bike GreatWestern BicycleRally.com 29-31 — The Coolest 8 and 24 Hour Race. Cool, CA. northlanderevents.com 30 — Eastern Sierra Double Century. Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, Mono Lake & more.

This is road bike heaven!

PlanetUltra.com 30—Ridin’ High at the Ranch Susanville, CA. Sierra Cup Mountain Bike Series, sierracupMTB.com 30 — 40th Sierra Century, Amador & El Dorado. www.SierraCentury.org

SEPTEMBER 24–27, 2015

ENDURO

102 MILE GRAN FONDO

DOWNHILL

70 MILE MEDIO

CROSS COUNTRY

42 MILE PICCOLO

KAMIKAZE

SHORT TRACK

PROLOGUE TIME TRAIL

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POST-RIDE PARTY

EXPO

AND MORE

LEGENDS OF KIDS RACES THE KAMIKAZE AND MORE EXPO

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 800.MAMMOTH OR VISIT MAMMOTHMOUNTAIN.COM EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FACILITIES UNDER PERMIT FROM INYO NATIONAL FOREST.

30 28 ASJ—April/May ASJ — April/May2013 2015

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE 2014 MAMMOTH FALL CENTURY & GRAN FONDO

ENDURO DUAL SLALOM

CROSS COUNTRY PRO GRT DOWNHILL

bike • paddle • run • swim • triathlon

MURPHY MACK’S MENDOCINO MTB MADNESS

31 — The Wildest Ride in the West, Auburn. Three routes to choose from. wildestride.com JUNE 6 - Incarnation 100, Santa Rosa, a benefit for homeless services. Three different routes for avid and recreational cyclists. incarnation100.org 7— Silicon Valley Tour de Cure,Tour.Diabetes.org

27-28— VP Components EnduroFest at China Peak Mountain Resort. Lakeshore.

Round #3 of the California Enduro Series. For more info go to californiaenduroseries.com

27 — Climb to Kaiser, Clovis.

Rated as one of the 10 toughest rides. ClimbToKaiser.com 27 — Alta Alpina Challenge “Riding the Wild Sierra.” 4 routes. altaalpina.org/challenge JULY

13 — Canyon Classic Century, Modesto. canyonclassiccentury.org

11 —Mendocino 100 Mountain bike endurance race, 100 miles or 100 kilometres (62 miles). superproracing.com

13 — CF Cycle for Life, Half Moon Bay cycle.cff.org 13-14 —Wild Wood Adventure Enduro On the Mendocino coast in Caspar. #2 of the

California Enduro Series. californiaenduroseries.com

25-28 —Road to Mendocino — Starting in the high-desert plateau and ending on the coastal California craggs, this is a 4-day, 365-mile odyssey from Reno to Mendocino. superproracing.com

11 — Tour of the California Alps - Death Ride, Markeleeville. Five pass ride, 129 miles and 15,000 feet of lung busting climbing. Or just ride one, two, three or four passes. DeathRide.com 11-12—Ashland Mountain Challenge Lithia Park in Ashland, Round #4

of the California Enduro Series. For more info go to.californiaenduroseries.com

3 DAY/3 NIGHT ADVENTURE WEEKEND

12—Kirkwood Mountain Classic Kirkwood, CA. Sierra Cup Mountain Bike Series, sierracupMTB.com 14-19—USA Cycling National Championships, Mammoth, top riders from all over the country will come to compete for national titiles in cross-country, short track cross-country, downhill, dual slalom and the new addition of Enduro. mammothmountain.com July 30 - August 2 — Downievlle Race and Festival, Downieville. All-mountain World Championships, XC Adventure Race and Downieville Downhill.

DownievilleClassic.com AUGUST 1 — 53nd Marin Century & Mt Tam Double, San Rafael.

MarinCyclists.com

• GUIDED RIDES ON 50,000 ACRES OF SINGLETRACK • 3 NIGHTS CABIN LODGING WITH HOT SHOWERS • ALL MEALS INCLUDED, COOKED BY A PRO CHEF

AUGUST 20-23, FT. BRAGG, CA REGISTER ONLINE:

WWW.SUPERPRORACING.COM

SIERRA SPORTS MARKETING Promoting environmentally and socially sustainable events Battle Born Enduro - May 9, Reno, NV Race #1 of the California Enduro Series

Sold Out but volunteers needed - www.battlebornenduro.org

USA Cycling Regional Championship Series Qualifiers for MTB Nationals at Mammoth!

May 2 May 16 May 30 July 12 August 23

Nevada City Dirt Classic #1 Pine Nut Cracker Ridin’ High at the Ranch Kirkwood Mountain Classic Great Tahoe Flume Race

Nevada City, CA Gardnerville, NV Susanville, CA Kirkwood, CA Lake Tahoe, NV

www.sierracupMTB.com or find us on facebook - ‘Sierra Cup Mountain Bike Series’

Fall Sunset Series - Thursday evenings in September, Reno, NV Weekly MTB races for all levels. (September 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th)

Tour de Peavine - October 25, Reno, NV

10 to 40 mile dirt fondo routes on amazing trails, great food, and local beer.

Proud to support TAMBA and other fine trail organizations.

“Without trails, where would we ride?”

GrovelandGearsAndGrooves.com • For more info: griefer831@gmail.com SPONSORED BY

www.sierra-sports.com for more information www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

29

2015 Essential Race Calendar Visit us online for a full listing of upcoming California events.

Go to AdventureSportsJournal.com and click on the EVENTS button.

Biking, cont.

AUGUST 1-2— Mt Shasta Summit Century, Four rides to choose from, ShastaSummitCentury.com 8— Annadel XC, Santa Rosa.

Race singletrack; bikemonkey.net

29-30 — Northstar Enduro at Northstar California Resort, Truckee. Round #5 of the California Enduro Series. californiaenduroseries.com SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

11-12 -- Mammoth Gran Fondo, Mammoth, 42 mile, 70 mile, and 102 mile races through the beautiful Mono County. fallcentury.org

TBD — Santa Cruz Super Enduro at Soquel Demonstration State Forest (Demo), Santa Cruz Mountains California Enduro Series finale. californiaenduroseries.com

15 — Tahoe Sierra 100 Endurance Race Soda Springs 15 — 12th Annual Tahoe northlanderevents.com Sierra Century, Squaw Valley TahoeSierraCentury.com 21-23—Mendocino MTB Madness (M5) Three fully 24-27 — Kamikaze Bike supported days of amazing Games, Mammoth includes singletrack riding, family-friendly , Round #6 of CES Enduro, and includes rustic accommodations also downhill, crosscountry, kids with fire places and meals. races and much much more. superproracing.com californiaenduroseries.com 23—Great Tahoe Flume Race Lake Tahoe, NV. Sierra Cup Mountain Bike Series, sierracupMTB.com

27 — Princess Challenge Women’s Bike Ride, Folsom.

A cycling event for women and girls with trail rides from 15 to 64m. PrincessPromenade.com

26-27 — Bike MS: Waves To Wine Ride, From SF up Hwy 1 to Sonoma County.

Two days; 40, 75 or 100 miles; wavestowine.org

3 —Toujours Fidele, Camp Pendleton, half marathon, 10K, 5K Kids 1K. mccscp.com 10-11 — Coastal Challenge, Santa Monica. Route options for every level, bikems.org

18 — TBF MTB 50-Miler, Granite Bay, Folsom Lake.

TBFRacing.com

Paddling APRIL 18-19 — Kern River Festival, Kernville. Slalom race, freestyle competitions, wild water events, and the exciting Brush Creek Race over a series of natural, breathtaking waterfalls. www.

KernFestival.org

4 - Bluerush Boardsports SUP Cup #2, Angel Island, www. bluerushboardsports.com 25 - The Sacramento River Gold Rush II SUP Event, Sacramento, paddleguru.com MAY

17 — Solvang Autumn Double 9-10 — Reno River Festival, Century, Solvang.PlanetUltra.com Truckee River, Whitewater Park. Paddling, music, 19 — Bay to Bay, Irvine to San yoga, food, beer and clinics.

RenoRiverFestival.com Diego. www.bikems.org 16 - Ghostryders SC Davenport Downward

Fat Tire Tuesday CMYK CES Logo

Ryders Cup, Davenport, www. davenportpaddlesurf.com 17 - Bluerush Boardsports SUP Cup #3, Sausilito, www. bluerushboardsports.com 24 - California 100, Chico, riversforchange.org 26- 27 -- Wine Tasting on the Toulumne River http://www.oars. com/our_adventures/winetrips JUNE 13 - Thunderbird Paddle Race.

Incline Village, For more info go to bigblueadventure.com 20 — 14th Annual Jay Moriarty Memorial Paddleboard Race, Capitola One of the premiere paddleboard races on the West Coast. JayRace.com JULY 11 - Jam for the Dam Paddle Race, Tahoe, tahoecup.com TBD — American River Festival. Whitewater rodeo, slalom competitions and tons

of family fun along the river.

AmericanRiverFestival.org AUGUST 14-16 -- Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival, Tahoe, Races, clinics, demos, expo in a great festival like atmosphere on Lake Tahoe. tahoenalu.com SEPTEMBER 13 - Tahoe CupFall Classic Paddle Race, Tahoe, Go to tahoecup.com for more info.

18 - 19 -- 100 Mile Paddle Race LA to San Diego, Redondo Beach, paddleguru.com 26-27 — Feather River Festival. Party hard at the Feather River Festival. Hosted by the Chico Paddleheads, the festival weekend features a downriver race on the Class V Tobin run, a slalom event upstream, and a raucous party Saturday night.

ChicoPaddleHeads.org

Bike Demos • Skills Clinics • Poker Ride Shred Contest • Aerial Jump Bag Vendor Fair • Expanded Kids Area Beer Garden • Food Court • Raffles Live Music and so much more!

C-10 M-10 Y-10 K-100 C-0 M-25 Y-100 K-0

a mountain biking addict reflects on ... well ...

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World-class enduro events everyone from amateur to pro can enjoy!

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catch up with Sarah Hansing every Tuesday at pantone 3005 c adventuresportsjournal.com laughter ... guaranteed Pantone 123 c

#FTT 30 ASJ — April/May 2015

californiaenduroseries.com black CES Logo k-100

bike • paddle • run • swim • triathlon 26 — Big Sur International Marathon, Big Sur to Carmel. bsim.org

Run/Walk APRIL

MAY

4 — American River 50-Mile Endurance Run, Sacramento to Auburn. Run100s.com/ar.htm

2 — Miwok 100K, Stinson Beach. Run100s.com/miwok

19— Napa Valley Silverado Half Marathon, 10k & 5k, Calistoga. EnviroSports.com

2— Wild Wild West Marathon, Lone Pine. 50k, 26.2, 10 & 3 mile; LonePineChamber.org

11 —Hard Core Ridge Run, Camp Pendleton, half marathon, 10K, 5K Kids 1K. mccscp.com

2— Armstrong Redwoods, Guerneville. 9k, 17k, 30k & 50k.

PCTrailRuns.com 9 — Mermaid Run East Bay, Fremont. Women’s 5k, 10k, half marathon & Sirena18.

Fremont. MermaidSeries.com

11 — Mt Tam Wild Boar Half Marathon/10K For more info go to EnviroSports.com 12 — Trail Less Traveled, Oroville For more info go to UnderTheSunEvents.org

9 — Miracle Miles for Kids 6.2 mile Walk/Run, Morro Bay. Beautiful beach. mm4k.com

12 — Santa Cruz Half Marathon, 10k & 5k.

FirstWave-Events.com

9 — Quicksilver 50k & 100Mile Endurance Runs, San Jose. Scenic, hilly trails and fire roads. Quicksilver-Running.com

19 — Ruth Anderson Ultras 50k, 50M, 100k, San Francisco.

Run100s.com/ra.htm

9 — Muir Wood Marathon, Half Marathon & 7 Mile, Stinson Beach. EnviroSports.com

16 — Bishop High Sierra Ultra-Marathons. insidetrail. com 17 - The 420 Games Tour, San Jose, an athletic event to de-stigmatize responsible use of cannibis. 420games.org

beautiful late spring scenery. coepark.org 20 - The 420 Games Tour, Sacramento, 420games.org 20 —SF Summer Solstice, 6, 12 & 24-Hour, SF Test your limits and to reach your PR for the most distance covered.

PCTrailRuns.com

17 — Surfers Path Marathon, Capitola Half Marathon & Relay, Santa Cruz & Capitola. Runners will enjoy an enchanting blend of nostalgia, natural beauty & invigorating activities along the Monterey Bay coastline. www.

SurfersPathMarathon.com

21 — Run in the Name of Love, Carmel by the Sea, 5K run & 2K walk. bsim.org

17 — Bay to Breakers 100th, SF,12k, BayToBreakers.com

JULY

17 — Tilden Tough Ten-Miler, Berkeley. lmjs.org

12 — Pacifica Run, San Pedro Valley Park, Pacifica. 10, 21, 30 & 50k. PCTrailRuns.com

JUNE 6, 7, 13 & 14 —World Famous Mud Run, Camp Pendleton, half marathon, 10K, 5K Kids 1K. mccscp.com 13— Henry Coe 5k & 10k Run/Walk, Gilroy Easy fairly flat dirt trail course through the

21 — See Jane Run AllWomen’s Half Marathon and 5k, Alameda SeeJaneRun.com

26 — San Francisco Marathon. San Francisco for thesfmarathon.com

26— Big Sur Trail Marathon, Half Marathon & 5-Mile, EnviroSports.com

AUGUST

OCTOBER

1 — 35th Annual Squaw Mountain Run/Hike. Choose to run or take a more leisurely pace and hike, or Nordic walk (hike with poles). For the less energetic, let the cable car do the 2,000 foot elevation gain & join our knowledgeable guides for a beautiful & easy flower walk. squawmountainrun.com 15 - The 420 Games Tour, San Francisco, 420games.org SEPTEMBER 12— Lost Sierra Endurance Run, Plumas National Forest. lostsierraendurancerun.com

12 — Jungle Run, Los Gatos.

FirstWave-Events.com

12 — Headlands 50, 75 & 100-Mile Trail Runs, Sausalito.

PCTrailRuns.com

29-30—Badwater 135.

“World’s Toughest Foot Race” Death Valley to Mt. Whitney. BadWater.com

20 — Whiskeytown Relays 19.9 mile paved/dirt, for more info go to sweatrc.com

4 — Cow Half Marathon, Relay & 5k, Sacramento UrbanCowHalfMarathon.com 10 —Skyline to the Sea Trail Run, Boulder Creek, Marathon & 50k. PCTrailRuns.com 10-11 — Bizz Johnson Marathon, Half, 10k & 5k,

Susanville. Run through scenic Lassen National Forest. coastaltrailruns.com 18 — Folsom Blues Breakout Half Marathon, Folsom. folsomblueshalf.org 31 — Stinson Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & 7k, Stinson Beach. EnviroSports.com

NOVEMBER 1 — Mermaid Run, SF. For novice or experienced runners.

MermaidSeries.com

JAMES P. LENNANE Family Foundation

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• Team & Iron Persons Register Today: >> EppiesGreatRace.org << • July 18th: Run (5.82mi), Bike (12.5mi) & Paddle (6.35) on the beautiful, American River Parkway, Rancho Cordova & Sacramento, CA • “Like” us on

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31

2015 Essential Race Calendar Visit us online for a full listing of upcoming California events.

Go to AdventureSportsJournal.com and click on the EVENTS button.

Run/Walk, cont.

8 — Big Sur Half Marathon, bsim.org

DECEMBER 5 — Death Valley Trail Marathon and Half Marathon, Titus Canyon, EnviroSports.com 6 — California International Marathon, Folsom. runcim.org 6 — Jingle Bell Rock, Santa Cruz.. 5k walk/run benefit for Toys for Tots. FinishLineProduction.com 12 — Hark the Herald Angels 12k & 25k™, Angel Island.

EnviroSports.com

Run/Swim JUNE 6— Catfish Crawl Open Water Swim, Morgan Hill. 1.2 & 2.4-mile swims. USAproductions.org

21 — Orca Alcatraz Challenge Aquathlon & Swim, San Francisco. tricalifornia.com

AUGUST

13— Alcatraz Invitational, San Francisco. south-end.org

OCTOBER

8 — 22nd Annual Alcatraz Sharkfest. EnviroSports.com

17 — Golden Gate Bridge Swim, San Francisco. 3k WaterWorldSwim.com

29 — Bridge to Bridge, San Francisco. Golden Gate to Bay Bridge. WaterWorldSwim.com

18 — San Diego Sharkfest.

Tidelands Park to Coronado Bridge EnviroSports.com

16— Orca Alcatraz Challenge Aquathlon & Swim, San Francisco. tricalifornia.com 30 — Lake Tahoe Sharkfest.

1-mile swim on Crystal Bay. EnviroSports.com

SEPTEMBER 5 — Golden Gate Sharkfest.

San Francisco, EnviroSports.com 6 — 12th Annual Alcatraz Swim with the Centurions, San Francisco. 1.25-mile swim from Alcatraz to Aquatic Park.

WaterWorldSwim.com

NOVEMBER 8 — Big Sur Half Marathon, Monterey, Half Marathon, 5K & 3K bsim.org

Triathlon/ Duathlon APRIL 18 — ICE Breaker Triathlon, Granite Bay, Folsom Lake. 1/2mile swim, 14-mile road bike, 4-mile run. TBFracing.com

11— Millerton Lake Triathlon Fresno. triclub.com 19 — Silicon Valley Super Sprint Triathlon, Half Moon Bay. USAproductions.org 19 — Silicon Valley International Triathlon, USAproductions.org

MAY 1 - 3— Wildflower Triathlon, Lake San Antonio. A weekend of fun and sport. “The Woodstock for Triathlon.” TriCalifronia.com 9 — Folsom Lake International Triathlon & Aquabike, Folsom Lake. TBFracing.com 10 — Mother’s Day Triathlon & Duathlon, Granite Bay, Folsom Lake. TBFracing.com 17 — Morgan Hill Sprint Triathlon, UVAS Reservoir, Morgan Hill. USAproductions.org 17— Auburn Triathlon & Duathlon. World’s Toughest HalfIron, International, Mini & Long Course duathlon in Auburn.

AuburnTriathlon.com

30 — Tri-for-Fun Triathlon & Dufor-Fun Duathlon, Rancho Seco Park. TBFracing.com

JUNE 7 — Orange County Tri Series, Lake Mission Viejo. OCtriseries.com 6 — Groveland Gears & Grooves, Groveland Triathlon. Mile swim, 5 mile run, and 25 mile bike ride.

GrovelandGearsandGrooves.com 6 — Mermaid Triathlon & Duathlon, Alameda. Triathlon.

MermaidSeries.com TBD— The Reservoire Triathlon Morgan Hill. ThresholdRacingInc. com 14 – Sacramento International Triathlon, Discovery Park.

TBFracing.com 28 — Tri-for-REALTriathlon & Aquabike, Rancho Seco Park, Herald. www.TBFRacing.com 28 — California Sprint Tri Pleasanton. USAproductions.org

JULY 11 — June Lake Triathlon.

Beautiful high altitude alpine course. HighSierraTri.org 12 — Ironman 70.3 Vineman Triathlon Sonoma, VineMan.com 12 — Dip and Dash Aquathlon #1, Santa Cruz.

FinishLineProduction.com 18 — Eppie’s Great Race, American River Parkway, Sacramento. 5.82-mile run, 12.5-mile cycle, 6.35-mile paddle.

EppiesGreatRace.org 20 — Annual Tri for Fun Triathlon, Pleasanton. Run & bike.

OnYourMarkEvents.com 25 — Donner Lake Triathlon & Kid Triathlon, Truckee.

BigBlueAdventure.com 25 — Barb’s Race, Sonoma County. Women’s only half iron distance. VineMan.com 25 — Full Vineman Ironman, Sonoma. VineMan.com

2014

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32 ASJ — April/May 2015

April 11 — Santa Cruz MTB Festival, Santa Cruz April 16-19 — Sea Otter Classic, Monterey May 1-3 — Wildflower Triathlon, Lake San Antonio May 17 — Surfer’s Path, Capitola & Santa Cruz June 21 — Jay Race, Capitola July 11 — Death Ride, Markleeville

bike • paddle • run • swim • triathlon

AUGUST 1 —Semper Tri & Devil Dog Duathlon, Camp Pendleton, half marathon, 10K, 5K Kids 1K. mccscp.com 1 — Tri-for-Fun Triathlon & Dufor-fun Duathlon, Rancho Seco Park, Herald. TBFracing.com 2 — Folsom Olympic, Sprint & International Triahlon, USAproductions.org 2 — Tri-for-REAL Triathlon, Rancho Seco Park, Herald.

TBFracing.com TBD — China Peak Sprint Triathlon, Huntington Lake.

TBFracing.com 9 — Tri Santa Cruz. International Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon, Dip and Dash Aquathlon #2, Aquabike & Relays available.

FinishLineProduction.com 15 — Spare TimeTeam Challenge Triathlon, Folsom Lake, TBFracing.com 22 — Alcatraz “Escape from the Rock”™ EnviroSports.com

29 — The Dignity Health Women’s Triathlon Festival, Rancho Seco, TBFracing.com

3 — Mermaid Santa Cruz, Capitola. All women triathlon and duathlon. MermaidSeries.com

30 — Oakland Triathlon Festival, Jack London Square.

USAproductions.org

11 — Golden State Triathlon & Super Sprint Triathlon, Discovery Park. TBFracing.com

30— Dip and Dash Aquathlon #3, Santa Cruz.

FinishLineProduction.com

18 — Annual SuperKid Triathlon, Santa Cruz. This event gives your children the opportunity to be triathletes! 14 and under.

FinishLineProduction.com

SEPTEMBER 6— Bear Valley Triathlon, Bear Lake. OnYourMarkEvents.com 13 — Pacific Coast Triathlon, Crystal Cove. OCtriseries.com 11-13— The Triathlon at Pacific TriCalifornia.com 13 - Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz (Big Kahuna Triathlon), FirstWave-Events.com 27— 33nd Annual Santa Cruz Triathlon. SantaCruzTriathlon.org

OCTOBER 2 - 4 — Scott Tinley’s 20th Anniversary Triathlon,, San Luis Obispo. TriCalifornia.com

Alta Alpina arson Valley Challenge C 37 miles ~ under 1000 feet of climbing ll ro ut es er ra Fo ot hi fu n W ild Si On e of th e

June 27

2015

Riding the Wild Sierra Build your own epic adventure!

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www.AltaAlpina.org/challenge

NOVEMBER 8 — Surf City Challenge, Santa Cruz. Iconic long couse triathlon distance.1.2m swim, 56m bike & 13.1run. www.

FinishlineProduction.com 8 — Morro Bay Triathlon, Moro Bay. Olympic and Sprint distances. Beautiful coastal route with an alternative kayak and stand up paddleboard (SUP) courses, morrobaytri.com

View & list events for free on our at adventuresports journal.com

SQUAW VALLEY MOUNTAIN RUN Saturday August 1, 2015 at 9am

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34 ASJ — April/May 2015

Ongoing - Free Clinics @ Pacific Edge Climbing Gym, Santa Cruz. Topics include bolt & fixed anchor, bouldering, footwork, knots, belaying, slackline, spotting, system wall & womens only clinics. Offered monthly, check calendar or call for next date.

PacificEdgeClimbingGym.com, (831) 454-9254

PADDLING April 19 to May 17 — Stand Up Paddle Boarding Club, Santa Cruz Area. This course will focus on balance, paddling techniques, open ocean power paddling & core strength. This is a great way to improve your confidence while enjoying the camaraderie of a supportive paddling group.

KayakConnection.com or call 831.479.1121 Sundays, April 27 to May 25 — Sea Kayaking Club, Santa Cruz Harbor. This 5-week intensive sea kayaking course is a great way to learn how to paddle a closeddeck kayak and navigate open water. The club meets every Sunday, rain or shine! No experience necessary. Visit them online at KayakConnection.com or call 831.479.1121

May TBD — Free Demo Day Kayak Tahoe Sunday of memorial weekend from 10 -2 p.m.

Just show up ready to try kayaks and standup paddleboards from Ocean Kayak, Necky, Surftech, Bic, Amundson and others. Call 530-544-2011 for more info or check them out online at kayaktahoe.com

May 12-13 — Craft Beer on the Toulumne River, Groveland, whitewater thrills by day, then choice brews from 21st Ammendment pared with gourmet fare.

For more information visit OARS online at oars.com/beer-tasting 800-346-6277 July 9 — Craft Beer on the Toulumne River, Groveland, whitewater thrills by day, then choice brews from 21st Ammendment pared with gourmet fare. oars.com/beertasting 800-346-6277 August 21 - 23 — Wine Tasting on the Toulumne River If wine is the most civilized thing in the world, why not enjoy it in the wilderness on one of O.A.R.S.’ Wine Tasting on the River www.oars.com/ our_adventures/winetrips September 1 - 3 — Wine Tasting on the Toulumne River http://www.oars.com/ our_adventures/winetrips

Photo: Markus Greber

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