Out There Monthly March 2013

March 22-23

VOL. 9 // NO.7 // MARCH 2013

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ROADTRIp: Flyfishing at Rocky Ford Spring Creek

NEWS: Wild Walls Renovation, Method Juice Downtown

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EVERYDAY CYCLIST: Getting Good Bike Lights P.15

BOOk REVIEWS: Dam Nation and the Water Crisis P.11

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Out There Monthly / March 2013

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In This Issue p.5 / From the Editor

MONTHLY

Back For More

By Jon Snyder

www.outtheremonthly.com Out There Monthly / March 2013

p.6 / Out There News

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Jon Snyder jon@outtheremonthly.com

Method Juice, Wild Walls

Art Director

Renovation, Becoming Superhuman

Kaitlin Snyder Health & Fitness Editor

Dr. Bob Lutz

p.8 / Photo of the month

senior writers

Jon Jonckers, Derrick Knowles, Amy Silbernagel McCaffree

And Roadtrip DJ

By Marnie Rorholm & Brent Emmingham

Contributing Writers:

Wanda Daelin, Brent Emmingham, Hank Greer, Peter Wayne Moe, Erin Muat, Brad Naccarato Distribution Coordinator

p.11 / Book Reviews

Barbara Snyder To request issues please call 509 / 534 / 3347

Chinese Herbs and Dam Nation

Ad Sales

Jon Snyder: 509 / 534 / 3347

By Wanda Daehlin & Jon Jonckers

p.12 /Roadtrip

Out There Monthly

Flyfishing Rocky Ford Spring Creek

By Brad Naccarato

p.13 / What’s Your Gear?

Dave and Sue Smith: Tandem Bikeriding

By Amy Silbernagel McCaffree

p.14 / Cool Stuff They Sent Us ENO Hammock and Keen Socks

Mailing Address: PO Box 559 Spokane, WA 99210 www.outtheremonthly.com, 509 / 534 / 3347 Out There Monthly is published once a month

by Snyderco DBA/Out There Monthly. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. ©Copyright 2013 Snyderco DBA/Out There Monthly.

The views expressed in this magazine reflect those of the writers and advertisers and not necessarily Snyderco DBA/Out There Monthly.

Disclaimer: Many of the activities depicted in this magazine carry a significant risk of personal injury or death. Rock climbing, river rafting, snow sports, kayaking, cycling, canoeing and backcountry activities are inherently dangerous. The owners and contributors to Out There Monthly do not recommend that anyone participate in these activities unless they are experts or seek qualified professional instruction and/or guidance, and are knowledgeable about the risks, and are personally willing to assume all responsibility associated with those risks.

enonation.com

Printed on 50% recycled paper with soy based inks in the Inland Northwest

By Jon Snyder

PROUD MEMBER OF

p.15 / Everyday cyclist Finding Good Bike Lights

By Hank Greer

Out There Monthly also supports

p.16 / March INLAND NW OUTDOOR CAlendar & 6 Month Training Calendar p.18 / The Run List 8 Things Every Inland Northwest Runner Should Experience

By Jon Jonckers

p.22 / Last Page

On the cover: Joyce Merkel trail

Running Away From Junior High

running in Riverside State Park // Photo Jon

By Peter Wayne Moe

Jonckers.

DRINK LOCAL. rivercityred.blogspot.com • @rivercityred

4

Out There Monthly / March 2013

From the Editor: Back For More Two organizations that we’ve reported on before are ready for a 2nd act.

In 2008 the City of Spokane created the SMART program, a green business certification program to recognize businesses that strive to be local leaders in sustainability. The program worked with over 120 businesses citywide before it became dormant due to budget cuts and administration changes.

But now Sustainable Resources INW is reviving the program. Originally launched to certify businesses only within Spokane city limits, SMART will now be expanded into a regional program.

The SMART acronym stands for Sustainable Management of Assets, Resources, and Technology.

The goal, according Sustainable Resources INW is to “promote Spokane area businesses who adopt policies and practices that encourage good management of financial, built, natural and human capital.”

Businesses will once again be able to apply for recognition in eight categories: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Waste Reduction/ Recycling, Water Conservation, Green Building, Transportation, Historic Preservation and Pollution Prevention. New recipients will join the Spokane area businesses previously recognized by the City.

Applications for 2013 recognition are available now by contacting Kirsten Nolan at Kirsten@ SustainableResourcesINW.org. Local partners will

include Eastern Washington University’s Business Resource Center, Avista Utilities, Dept. of Ecology, the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System’s Waste Reduction Assessment Program (WRAP), and EnviroStars.

One business that might be a shoo-in for SMART certification is Cool Water Bikes. After almost two years of working hard towards a new location they are finally ready to open their doors at 224 S Howard St. in downtown Spokane.

So what is Cool Water Bikes? They are; “Spokane’s full-service non-profit bike shop refurbishing used bicycles and offering hope to youth on the streets.

Our mission is to empower youth on the streets to become wholehearted followers of Jesus Christ

and to exit street life. Bicycles are just one catalyst for building relationships and experiencing God’s grace.” Amen.

Cool Water Bikes will be having a grand opening on Friday and Saturday March 8th & 9th. Stop by and ask them what they mean by this quote on their website (coolwaterbikes.org); “Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live.”—Mark Twain Clearly there wasn’t enough traffic calming in Twain’s day.

Out There Monthly wishes much success on both these endeavors. It’s never too late for round two.// ------------------------------------------------------JON SNYDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF editor@outtheremonthly.com

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Out There News Keeping Downtown Healthy & Happy Method Juice Is Trying One Drink At A Time

By Erin Muat

Making juice at method in downtown spokane. // Photo courtesy of nick murto.

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Out There Monthly / March 2013

At first glance, Method Juice Café looks just like another vegan, extreme health, national chain juice bar. But it’s not a chain; it’s a single location, locally owned and operated, that reaches far beyond the simple omission of meat products towards a genuine concern for global health issues on a community level.

To reduce the billions of tons of non-biodegradable waste that goes into landfills, everything at Method is compostable—including packaging, straws, napkins, you name it.

In addition, all the fruit and vegetables grinded up in the juice come from local farmers, and even customers. “Everything is whole food and plantbased and it’s all made here,” said founder Nick Murto. Not only does Method use local food, but also local printing, utilizing Ross Printing, a company that prints just blocks away on East Sprague avenue..

The remains of the ground-up fruits and vegetables go back to the community as useful components of compost.

“All of our produce is organic and the pulp is highly valuable,” said Murto. “We have a farmer and some customers that come in each day and take our pulp to use as compost in their gardens.

We hardly throw any of it away.”

As another green component, Method sells reusable mason type jars with flip top lids. Use it to buy a juice or smoothie and get 50¢ off.

Nick Murto and Tyler Lafferty started Method Juice after a personal experience revolutionized their food ideology. Before, the founders were putting tons of processed junk into their system. But then, they tried a plant-based diet with incredible results: they had greater energy, weight loss, and better overall mood.

After making their own recipes, they decided to spread their health-food-revelation to more people by opening Method in August of 2011.

Murto and Lafferty, owners of the downtown hi-tech marketing companies Seven2 and 14Four, got the idea of Method from their business trips around the nation. They found Spokane greatly lacking in juice bars, specifically healthy, organic

and sustainable juice bars.

Method’s menu items, most of which cost $6, range from the typically healthy to the relatively strange. For example, the Essential combines apple, pear, orange, pineapple and ginger into a conventionally fruity blend, while the Daily blends carrot, tomato, beet, cilantro, celery, lemon, lime and a choice of jalapeno or ginger into a puzzlingly tasty combo.

SpoCool, a Spokane food blog, said that Method is “no Jamba Juice” with subtle flavors “not overtly sweet.”

The founders’ desire to spread their health concepts extends beyond their little Downtown café to online education. Method Juice Café even has a blog addressing national and international food-related issues, as well as other miscellanea, from healthy DIY recipes to information on food toxicity.

Method’s most recent blog, written by Registered Dietitian (RD) local Katie Nelson, outlines a brief history of food while advocating a return to man’s primordial diet to prevent a chemical-, antibioticand pesticide-laden “architecture” of individuals.

Method also challenges customers and anyone in general to follow the footsteps of founders Murto and Lafferty by going 30 days with less “booze,” less caffeine, more exercise, less refined sugar, less animals and no gluten.

Benefiting the community in more direct ways, Method now sells “Good Oats.” For every container of “Good Oats” purchased (a mere $3), one is given to 2nd Harvest Food bank to contribute to their School Pantry program. See goodoats.org for more details.

Located right across the street from the Downtown Bus Plaza on 718 W. Riverside Ave., Method Juice Café opens Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 4pm, and opens conveniently on Saturday from 10am to 3pm for those who don’t work in the Downtown area. // For more information, please contact the café at (509) 473-9579 or visit their website methodjuicecafe.com.

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7

Photo of the Month

Marnie Rorholm

dinner & auction

April Showers

benefiting the lands council

Join us for an exciting evening of good friends, a delicious dinner, and numerous live & silent auction items all to benefit our efforts to preserve & revitalize your Inland Northwest forests, water & wildlife

Saturday, April 13th 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm The Double Tree Hotel 322 N. Spokane Falls Ct. $65 / per individual $450 / per table of 8 Business Sponsorships Available For more information, contact Amanda Swan at 509.209.2851or aswan@landscouncil.org www.landscouncil.org PhotO: Marnie Rorholm “Fairchild Field Trip: the view from a KC-135, refueling an F-15. Taken 11/8/12. I was lucky enough to be a guest civilian on this mission.” Send your vertical, 3 meg. or less submission with caption to editor@ outtheremonthly.com. Best photos entries will be picked for upcoming issues.

Roadtrip DJ: March Brent Emmingham 1. “Karnivool -The Only Way”/ Gotye / Mixed Blood I’ll never forget the first time I heard this song. It woke me from a daytime nap on a warm summer afternoon. I spent the rest of the song in a hazy daydream watching the sun play through the leaves of a big maple tree. Most people only know Gotye from an overplayed pop song on the radio. This quirky rocker solidifies his musical diversity and talent.

2. “Trembling Hands”/ The Temper Trap / The Temper Trap The opening notes of Trembling Hands build to a crescendo, then reward the listener with a powerful and haunting anthem of hope and desperation.

3. “Steady As She Goes”/ The Raconteurs / Consolers of the Lonely Sure, Jack White may be weird. But maybe he’s a musical genius. Jack and his day job friends, The Raconteurs, have created a power-pop tune that captures both of those attributes equally well.

4. ”Who Knows”/ Gregory Douglass / Up & Away Ever heard a seemingly nondescript song that you later can’t-and don’t want to- get out of your head?

Here’s a lovely little jazzy number that will have you snapping your fingers.

5. “Pressure and Time”/ Rival Sons / Pressure & Time Taking a page from the likes of Led Zeppelin and classic Aerosmith, Rival Sons pound out a song reminiscent of the good old days of pure rock n’ roll. // 8

Out There Monthly / March 2013

Register Here Spokane River Run is managed and operated by all volunteers. 100% of the funds raised go to youth education and wellness programs.

Out There News “Becoming Superhuman” Event Mar 8-9 For the past two years, Spokane based personal trainer, nutritionist and OutThere Monthly contributor Ben Greenfield has been planning a live conference where you can come learn from the best-of-the-best in the realm of health, fitness, nutrition – and discover how to truly look, feel and perform the way you’ve always wanted to. The conference is now officially scheduled for March 8-9, 2013, in Spokane, Washington as the “Become Superhuman” live event.

Greenfield has lined up a world-class series of speakers in performance, fat loss, recovery, digestion, brain, sleep and hormone optimization to descend upon the Pacific Northwest for an epic conference that delves into non-run-of-the-mill, cutting-edge human performance, fat loss, fitness and health strategies.

When you register, you’ll get two full days of

access to all workshops, fed incredible locally grown, organic meals, given discounted insider access to one-on-one personal sessions with Ben Greenfield, have options for special breakout sessions and, for conference attendees only, complementary post-conference access to all video and audio recordings and transcripts of every session.

The goal of this live event is to give you everything you need for optimizing your body, mind and performance, whether you want to maximize fat loss, achieve an Ironman triathlon, or push your body and mind to the absolute limits of human performance. Registration is $297, and includes post-event recordings, food and complete informational packets with workshop notes and handouts. For full details, or to register now, please visit SuperhumanCoach.com //

MAjor wild walls renovation done

Alter-G at work. // photo jon jonckers.

Ready for weightless running?

There’s New Machine In Town

New features at wild walls. // Photo jon jonckers.

Decade after decade, Wild Walls climbing gym remains the powerhouse of Spokane’s best rock climbers. The premiere indoor climbing facility hosts the best regional competitions, maintains the greatest local climbing team, and fosters the best rock climbers in the Inland Northwest. In order to maintain their climbing superiority, Wild Walls recently finalized a massive transformation.

For starters, they removed the gravel rocks surrounding the base of the primary climbing pillars.

Next, they removed the minor wall that contained the gravel. Then they installed an entirely new climbing wall along the south wall of the gym.

They also added a spectacular bouldering wall in the northwest corner of the facility, and they upgraded the entire floor with significant padding.

Last but not least, the entryway and yoga studio received new wood floor.

“The old square footage was about 7000 square feet, and we’ve added approximately 2,500 more

with the new top roping and bouldering,” says Todd Mires, Wild Walls manager. “Removing the gravel helped a lot. The rocks were dirty, uncomfortable to walk on, and not in-line with the new image of the gym.”

The renovations occurred over a period of several months beginning last September, and each stage progressed relatively smoothly without too many interruptions. Now that the work is complete, climbers of every level are adopting the new additions, and many are stepping up their indoor training to prepare for outdoor spring and summer climbing.

Alex Rice, one of the area’s best climbers, reports, “One of my favorite additions would have to be the ability to top out while bouldering. This helps immensely with some of the tricky top outs that you could encounter outside. Also, to ease the climber’s mind, they have installed an awesome padded floor with extra thick bouldering pads blanketing the entire bouldering area.” //

Nothing on Earth compares to weightless running and, until recently, only astronauts and test pilots could make such a claim. For decades, physical therapists tried to recreate the benefits of weightless running by introducing patients to running in a swimming pool, but it’s never been completely effective; and it’s often prohibitively difficult.

However, the NEW Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill at B&B Physical Therapy has dramatically changed the way people view physical therapy. In a nutshell, the user wears a special neoprene ‘skirt’ that zips into a large air bladder, and once the air bladder is inflated around the legs, the user can control their buoyancy over the treadmill.

“Running on an Alter-G treadmill is a feeling like no other. Your body feels like it’s floating through the air, while your legs reach to regain contact with the ground. The reduction of impact is very invigorating,” says Spokane professional triathlete Josh Hadway.

In a perfect world, athletes wouldn’t over train, or get injured, or need physical therapy. But until that day comes the Alter-G is an excellent tool for

treatment of lower extremity and back injuries allowing people to walk or run without pain by decreasing their weight bearing and allowing them to be active sooner, thus speeding up their healing.

This is especially helpful for patients who have had surgery, fractures, or sprains.

“Of course it’s excellent for runners, triathletes and other athletes with injuries. But it can also be used for patients with neurological problems, like Parkinson’s disease, MS and many other diagnoses that cause difficulty walking. By decreasing weight bearing, the treadmill can make walking easier and make rehab more successful,” says Physical Therapist Mike Lauffer.

Admittedly, the Alter-G device was released in 2009, but B&B Physical Therapy is the first urban Spokane clinic to offer this brilliant technology.

This anti-gravity instrument appeals to everyone because it protects joints and healing tissue from impact while it encourages range of motion and prevents disuse atrophy. Some even argue it’s the safest and quickest return of motor control.

Finally, astronauts and test pilots can no longer claim exclusivity on weightless running. //

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Out There Monthly / March 2013

Book Reviews

Dam Nation: How Water Shaped the West and Will Determine Its Future Stephen Grace, Globe Pequot, 2012, 360 pages

THE CHINESE MEDICINAL HERB FARM: A CULTIVATOR’S GUIDE TO SMALL-SCALE ORGANIC HERB PRODUCTION Peg Schafer, Chelsea Green Publishing, 2011, 312 pages

For everyone from the casual gardener to the practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peg Schafer’s book is a wealth of information and inspiration. Interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has sky-rocketed in recent years in this country and around the globe. Schafer makes a passionate case for the cultivation of the medicinal herbs used in TCM, warning that if this does not happen, it is very likely that many of them will face extinction. In China, the majority of the herbs are collected from the wild and the harvesting is not done sustainably. Another issue is concern about the quality, contamination and correct identification of herbs imported from China. Tests done on herbs advertised as organic have revealed pesticide and heavy metal contamination. Sharply rising prices of imported herbs is another problem.

As her part of the solution, Peg Schafer cultivates a farm in Petaluma, California, specializing in certified organically grown Chinese, Ayurvedic (the herbal medicine system of India) and other Asian medicinal herbs. Her goals are to grow the “highest quality herbs with the best medicinal value possible” and educate future growers through her internships and through the adoption of practices in her book. Some of the strategies she employs are polyculture (herbs do better in combination with other herbs) and wild simulation— since the stresses of uneven water, temperatures and nutrients, insects, etc. all elicit responses in the plants that increase their medicinal value.

“Herbs are not vegetable crops—if grown luxuriously with excessive inputs, they become less potent,” writes Shafer.

Chapter 3 of Shafer’s book provides extensive information about cultivation of the herbs, from planning to seed starting and propagation to seasonal care and managing challenges. Chapter 4 includes information about harvesting and marketing the herbs. The second half of the book contains detailed information on 79 medicinal herbs, including color photos, descriptions, propagation and planting information, suitable companion plants, recipes and medicinal uses.

According to the author, there is a Chinese herb for every location in your garden, no matter in what growing zone you live. Some of them you may have already growing in your yard, such as honeysuckle, field mint or garlic chives. Perhaps, as I was, you may also be inspired to try something new, such as ‘codonopsis’ (“poor man’s ginseng”) or ‘Tulsi’ (sacred basil). // Wanda Daehlin

Grounded in history, Dam Nation takes a vivid look at the water crisis facing the West.

Perhaps it’s easiest to begin by saying Dam Nation is NOT a biased agenda about endangered species, or anti-urban sprawl, or even antidams. In fact, Stephen Grace crafts a very interesting drama around the Colorado River, and he shines a broad light on every significant issue from agricultural practices to dam construction to water policies, even international treaties. He weaves the story with pollution problems, flood control, and controversial dealings with aquifers and wells.

“The West was won not by men on horseback with six-shooters.”

From the Introduction, Stephen writes, “Mention water to a Westerner whose greatgrandparents homesteaded a patch of land as dry as a legal brief and listen to the stories flow. Water might not seem like a big deal to someone from a state that sloshes with rain, but people whose ancestors settled this water-shy region know that the West was won not by men on horseback with six-shooters……It was won by farmers and ranchers with irrigation shovels in hand – and by politicians and lawyers divvying up water rights in a dry land.”

Without a doubt, everyone has presuppositions about the material in this book. However, Stephen never focuses on any prejudice. He underscores the different practices at a given time period. He applauds the foresight of some Western metropolises, and readily shares the value of some great engineering feats. On the other hand, he also reveals the ugly problems concerning water rights on Indian Reservations. Unlike the region he describes, the writing is never dry, never dreary, and the chapters are never preachy. However the epilogue could be read from a soapbox.

Ultimately, the book rests on one point that shows up only at the beginning and the end.

Whenever one considers a resource—food, energy, water, habitat, etc—the only one that has NO alternatives is water. We can eat other foods, live different places, and tap different energy sources, but there simply is no alternative to water.

This isn’t just a concern for the municipalities of Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Los Angeles. This is an imperative topic for the entire Dam Nation. // Jon Jonckers

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11

Road Trips

Kick the Winter Blues at Rocky Ford Spring Creek Flyfishing The Scablands / By Brad Naccarato

Trout at rocky ford spring creek. // photo brad naccarato.

Just north of Moses Lake, near the town of Ephrata, lies one of Washington State’s true fly-fishing jewels- Rocky Ford Spring Creek. The unique geography of the “channeled scablands” that characterize much of the Upper Columbia Basin have given rise to miles of spring fed creeks like Rocky Ford. Underground channels beneath the basin continually pump cool, clean water throughout the central Washington watershed that eventually exits into the Columbia River. These desert creeks have a very unique biochemistry that has in some areas created very remarkable fish habitat…and well—monster trout.

To say that Rocky Ford has large fish may actually be an understatement. The word large, when speaking of trout usually places fish in the 14 to 18 inch range. The average fish at Rocky Ford is somewhere between 18 and 24 inches- with fish up to 30 inches in length. When first arriving at the creek, its crystal clear waters reveal all that is lurking beneath the surface. It’s easy to get the sense that this is some sort of a SeaWorld exhibit. How on Earth could something so large be swimming in something so small in the middle of nowhere?

Trout-Lodge Inc., the Pacific Northwest’s leading supplier of live Rainbow trout for public and private stocking programs, operates a fish hatchery on the three mile catch and release portion of the stream.

Early registration through March 31st

12

Out There Monthly / March 2013

What’s even more surreal is the prospect of actually catching one of these monsters and having to awkwardly wrangle it to shore.

Rocky Ford has a distinct advantage over the other desert creeks in this region however. TroutLodge Inc., the Pacific Northwest’s leading supplier of live Rainbow trout for public and private stocking programs, operates a fish hatchery on the three mile catch and release portion of the stream.

The stream was planted in 1994 with over 20,000 rainbows donated by Trout-Lodge. This was the first trout release following the initial plant after stream rehabilitation in 1988. In addition, it is planted randomly throughout the year with brood stock and smaller hatchery rainbows. The triploid rainbows that the hatchery produces are capable of thriving in the mineral-rich, spring-fed waters.

Add to the mix the area’s abundance of “Scud” shrimp as the main course for these fish, and you have a recipe for lunker trout. “Having little protein pellets as part of the diet certainly helps

to grow huge fish” says Sean Visintainer, owner of Silver Bow Fly Shop in Spokane.

If you’re looking for scenery and solitude, Rocky Ford may not meet your needs. The middle of the state is a stark contrast to its outer rim. Mountains and trees are replaced with vast, rolling farm lands and sage brush. With its central location, the Ford is also a very popular destination for anglers from both sides of the state but predominantly from the West side. This can make the weekends a little zoo-like with eager fisherman lining the banks, especially during the colder months of the year.

“The best time to go is when Snoqualmie Pass is closed,” quips Visintainer. “Weekends are wild but weekdays see a lot less pressure,” he adds.

So what does all that pressure mean in terms of the fishery? The fish are not easy to catch. The crystal clear waters make hiding nearly impossible especially when the fish are feeding toward the banks. Each fish sees a multitude of flies drug past its nose every day. This can create very well educated fish that will refuse all but the most perfect presentations. While “Scud” patterns seem to be the most consistent producers, big, nasty sculpin and leach patterns can get it done as well.

Rocky Ford is managed as a catch and release fishery with special fly-fishing only regulations. But perhaps the most important regulation is the one that restricts wet wading in its waters. “Those rules were put in place to protect the natural vegetation that is important to maintaining the stream’s balance” says Visintainer. He adds, “But more importantly, it protects anglers from the risk of sinking in the soft sand bottom of the creek.”

The milder winter temperatures of central Washington and the abundance of meaty food sources make Rocky Ford a legitimate year round attraction. As winter is bearing down on Washington’s other blue ribbon trout streams, The Ford maintains fairly consistent water temps due to its sub-surface origins. Stable water temps mean active feeding fish for anglers. In addition, the spring runoff that bombards other fisheries does not affect Rocky Ford, which, again, is due to the fact that it is mostly fed from underground sources. All of these factors combined make the Ford a perfect winter and spring destination for Washington fly anglers.

When you go: Rocky Ford is a about a 3 hour drive from the Spokane region via Interstate 90. Once you reach the City of Moses Lake, turn north on highway 17 and travel about 20 miles. Just before you reach Ephrata, you will see the signs guiding you toward the entrance to the parking area. Most folks choose to make a day trip out of it, but if you choose to stay the night, there are many dining and lodging options in the City of Moses Lake. //

What’s Your Gear: Dave and Sue Smith (tandem cycling)

A bicycle built for two has kept Dave and Sue Smith devoted to cycling. Now married for 37 years, the Smiths purchased their first tandem bike in 1996, when their son was about eight years old.

They took turns riding with their son, while the other parent rode a single bike. They completed a number of long-distance cycling group rides this way, including a tour of the San Juan Islands riding on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan in Puget Sound.

“Tandem cycling is kind of a niche thing, but the people who are into it are very into it,” says Dave.

The Smiths attend tandem cycling rallies and events throughout the Northwest, and have done extensive touring and long-distance trips using their travel tandem bike, which has a “coupled” frame that can be taken apart for traveling.

“It looks like a standard full-size frame, with an overall length of just over eight feet long, but it separates into three separate pieces—small enough to pack into two airline size suit cases. It even fits into the trunk of my Honda Civic,” he says. “Other specifications for our travel tandem bike include a ‘drum’ brake, which is an additional brake mounted on the rear hub that is used as a drag brake for long descents, especially when the bike is loaded for touring. That saves wear and tear on the rim brakes. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half to take it apart and pack into to the cases, and 45 minutes to an hour to re-assemble it.”

Last September, Dave and Sue rode 1,100 miles following the old Santa Fe Trail, from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to New Franklin, Missouri, which is located about 75 miles east of Kansas City.

“Although there were some really long and hard days, this has been our favorite ride so far,” he says.

“We camped every night on the Santa Fe Trail ride but had a truck to carry our tents and gear, so all we had to carry on the bike were things we might need during the ride that day.”

Every summer they try to attend the Northwest Tandem Rally, which is held in a different city in the Northwest each year. “Three years ago when the rally was held in Victoria, B.C., we rode with three other tandem couples from Spokane to the ferry terminal in Anacortes and then to on Victoria along the Galloping Goose Trail to the University of Victoria,” says Dave.

The Smiths try to ride year-round when local roads are dry. They enjoy popular road routes such as the Hangman Valley Loop, the Centennial Trail to Coeur d’Alene, Saltese Flats, and riding around Newman and Hauser Lakes.

By Amy Silbernagel McCaffree

Tandem biking is now a multi-generational pursuit for their family. They have ridden with their granddaughter (now age 15), and their daughter and son-in-law are tandem bikers. (Their son still enjoys cycling, but doesn’t ride tandem.)

TANDEM BIKE: Co-Motion Speedster Co-Pilot Tandem built with six S&S Couplers; made in Eugene, OR. -------------------------------------------------------DRIVE TRAIN: 28-42-54 chain rings, 11-34 cas-

used on all their bikes “so one pair of [cycling] shoes will work on any bike” they want to ride, he says.

-------------------------------------------------------CYCLING SHOES: Sidi Dominator.

-------------------------------------------------------LIGHTS: NiteRider Minewt 200.

-------------------------------------------------------HELMETS: Bell “Sweep”.

------------------------------------------------------CYCLING SHORTS/PANTS: Pearl Izumi Attack shorts and Sugois (Dave); SHE-BEAST (Sue).

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The Smiths try to ride yearround when local roads are dry. sette, Shimano Ultegra 9 speed shifters, Shimano Ultegra front derailleur, Shimano XT (Mountain Bike) rear derailleur.

-------------------------------------------------------BRAKES: Shimano V Brakes, with Travel Agent to be compatible with road brake levers.

-------------------------------------------------------WHEELS: Velocity Dyad – 36 spoke with DT Swiss Hubs.

-------------------------------------------------------TIRES: Continental Grand Prix 4-Season with Vectran 700c x 28mm.

-------------------------------------------------------SEAT: Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow (Dave), Terry Butterfly (Sue).

-----------------------------------------------------------------

PEDALS: regular Shimano mountain bike pedals—

CYCLING SHIRTS: SmartWool or Ibex.

--------------------------------------------------------RAIN JACKETS: Gore Bike Wear PackLite (Dave), Showers Pass Women’s Elite 2.0 (Sue).

------------------------------------------------------HYDRATION SYSTEM: Deuter CompactAir EXP 8 SL. --------------------------------------------------------PANNIERS/BAGS: Ortleib panniers, Arkel Trunk bag for the rear rack, Detours handlebar bag for the front, large triangular Nashbar frame bag, and small REI handlebar bag on the stoker bars.

--------------------------------------------------------BATTERY CHARGER: GoalZero Nomad 7 Solar Charger, with Guide 10 Battery Pack.

--------------------------------------------------------BIKE TOOLS: multi-tool, metric hex wrench set, spoke wrench, chain tool, Leatherman, and special coupling wrench.

--------------------------------------------------------SUNGLASSES: Adidas sunglasses with prescription photochromic lenses. //

2013/2014 Season Pass

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Sale ends April 30th 2013 Details at www.silvermt.com * weather conditions permitting March 2013

/ Out There Monthly

13

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Everyday Cyclist Bike Lights to help you see Instead Of Just Being Seen

As much as I ride bikes and enjoy cycling, you’d think I’d know something about the gear.

Sadly, I’ve never been much of a gear head.

While others speak at length about internal hubs, clown shoe rims, frame geometry and the like, my abilities limit me to recognizing a bicycle on sight, telling you what color it is, and, if I’m lucky, correctly naming some of the parts. When I’m in the company of more knowledgeable cyclists and they’re discussing the intricacies of swaged spokes or the merits of a compact double vis-àvis a triple, I just silently listen. It’s not that I’m afraid to show my ignorance, a risk I may have taken in the preceding sentence; I’m simply not into it.

That said, someone recently recommended a topic to me that I did take interest in last year— bike lights. In the past, most of my non-daylighthours riding took place on roads where the combination of street lighting, bike lanes, low traffic, and reflective clothing didn’t require a light to help me see where I was going. Instead, I used a light for the purpose of helping drivers see me.

Huckleberry’s, Super-1 (on 29th), Yokes (Spokane area), Albertsons (37th & 57th), Main Market Co-op RoastHouse.net | Spokane, WA

Over a 100 reconditioned bicycles.

Two kinds of lights: See or be seen. // Photo hank greer.

Taking great care of the customer and having fun doing it since 1983.

find us on Facebook!

www.northdivision.com North Division Bicycle Shop • 10503 N Division • 467-BIKE (2453) 14

rider and conditions. Rocks along the way are positioned by nature in a manner that implies a malevolent intent to flat your tires, bend your rims, careen off the course, or send you flying over your handlebars. Trees seem to lean in on you so their branches can grab your handlebars.

The darkness can mess with your depth perception and affect your ability to see hazards and react accordingly.

The Midnight Century begins at midnight on the first Saturday in August. You have some lit city streets at different points during the first 30 miles, but much of your night riding is on unlit, unpaved roads. The pale gravel and dirt roadways seem to absorb all but the brightest of lights. One consequence of that is it makes the short climbs appear less steep than they are. It’s not unusual to find yourself standing hard on the pedals to keep from stalling out and chunk-chunk-chunking your rear derailleur as you frantically shift to a lower gear. Also, since you can’t see very far ahead, the long ascents seem to go for miles. The washboards rattle your bike and bones, trying to free up anything that isn’t properly secured and bouncing your light up and down in time with your shaking body. In spite of all this, the fastest riders finish the 94-mile route while the sun is just peeking over the horizon.

So what light should you get? At the risk of being unhelpful in an article that should not be,

The darkness can mess with your depth perception and affect your ability to see hazards and react accordingly.

Need inexpensive transportation? Have a youngster that just grew out of their old bike? Have a project bike that needs parts?

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/ By Hank Greer

I aimed it straight ahead and set it to flash hoping to better catch the attention of drivers ahead of me. I even mounted a small flashlight on my helmet so it would shine at drivers when I looked their way. The lights I used were inexpensive, the idea being that replacement wasn’t be a big deal should one be lost, broken or stolen. It’s been my experience that you don’t have to spend a couple hundred dollars on a light for the urban riding environment. Granted, your mileage may vary and there’s no harm in having more light than you need.

There were two reasons I took a greater interest in lighting last year. One was the 24 Hour Round the Clock race (http://www.roundandround.com/) and the other was the Midnight Century (http://www.midnightcentury.com/).

It’s apparent from the names that both events involve riding at night. Good lighting is a must if you want to remain intact.

The 24 Hour Round the Clock race takes place on an 11- to 15-mile circuit of trails at Riverside State Park over the Memorial Day weekend. One lap takes 50 to 90 minutes depending on the

I really can’t tell you. Looking though the myriad of headlights available on the market, you’ll find the manufacturers advertise their brightness in lumens. What is a lumen? It’s a measure of visible light, but there’s more science involved.

I could go on about candelas and steradians, but there’s the risk of showing my ignorance again. What’s important is recognizing you need brighter, higher quality lights when you’re away from civilization than you do for urban areas.

Is the lumen rating listed for each light meaningful? Yes and no. The higher the number, the greater the amount of light. But lumen ratings may or may not be accurate. It’s not that the manufacturers are intentionally trying to cheat you. Rather, they often rely on the rating they get from the company that supplies the light bulbs to them.

All is not lost. There are plenty of resources to help you find the light that’s right for you and the type of night riding you want to do. On the web, enter “bike lights shootout” in your favorite search engine. Visit your local bike shops and see what they have to offer and what they advise.

Talk to cyclists who have experience and learn from them.

And maybe I’ll run into you one night.

Figuratively speaking, of course. //

Out There Monthly / March 2013

Lay-away and Financing programs

Cool Stuff They Sent Us At OTM we get a constant stream of new outdoor products in the mail: some mediocre, some very cool. Our “Punish Stuff ” gear column only features gear that we have thoroughly abused—and that takes time. Sometimes we don’t want to wait to tell you about a cool item and that’s why we call this piece “Cool Stuff They Sent Us.” Allow us to suggest these items:

Yaff Bars It was with great trepidation that I ripped open the package to try “the first energy bar designed to share with your dog.” But it was actually really good. The taste was great and it didn’t feel too heavy or sugary. Plus, the ingredients are all things a toddler could pronounce. The bars are called Yaff Bars and come in three flavors: Blueberry Carob, Banana Peanut Butter, and Honey Almond Cranberry. We couldn’t review from a dog taste-tester by press time. More info: muddandwyeth.com.

Keen Socks They make good shoes, so why not socks? The new Keen Olympus Hiking Sock is billed as “Incredibly durable,” which is the only thing you can’t really test with a quick tryout. I can report that they are warm, comfortable, and dark— which is really great if you want to wear them to the office in the winter. Features include a mesh panel for added breathability. More info: keenfootwear.com.

Mount Spokane, By Duane Becker This book has an amazing collection of early 20th Century photos of Mt. Spokane. It’s not just all about skiing either. There are chapters on the famous B-29 crash, the Civilian Conservation Corp, and the effort to build the first road up the mountain. Published by Arcadia Press, specializing in local history books all across America.

More info: arcadiapublishing.com.

ENO Doublenest Hammock It may still be a little too chilly to pull out the hammock, but why wait to plan your spring trips?

Eagle’s Nest Outfitters (ENO) are the premier maker of hammocks for outdoor adventure. The Doublenest is designed for two people, but can also work for one. It’s a cinch to set up anyplace you can find trees. I have a friend that swears by ENO hammocks for bike camping. They are light, pack up small and can be customized with rain tarps or insect shields to make a great tent substitute. More info: eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com. // Jon Snyder

Season Pass 13/14

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March 2013

/ Out There Monthly

15

Outdoor Calendar CLIMBING (Ongoing) Vertical Introduction. When: Tuesdays

and Thursdays 6 – 8, Saturdays 4 – 6 PM. Where: Wild Walls 202 W. 2nd Ave. In this class you will learn the fundamentals to climb indoors: fitting the harness, knot tying, and proper belay technique. This class (or previous experience and passing our belay test) is a prerequisite for top roping in our facility. Ages 12+, $35. Info: 509-455-9596.

(Ongoing) Introduction to Lead Climbing. When:

Last two Tuesdays of the Month 4 -6 PM. Where: Wild Walls 202 W. 2nd Ave. For climbers looking to further their climbing ability and increase the options available to them, our lead climbing class will prepare you for the world of sport climbing! With an emphasis on safety, you will learn proper technique for both lead belaying and lead climbing, as well as helpful strategies for efficient sport climbing. Experience required, $75. Info: 509-455-9596

(Ongoing Mondays & Wednesdays) Spider Monkeys Climbing Club. When: 5 – 7 PM. Where:

Wild Walls, 202 W. 2nd Ave. For kids ages 4 – 10 years. Please call ahead. Come climb and meet new friends! Info: 509-455-9596.

(March 7, 13, 26) Discover Rock Climbing. When:

6 - 8 PM. Where: Mt. Gear 2002 N. Division.

Everything you need to harness up, tie in and belay with confidence. This class is for those who wish to get into climbing, as well as for parents wishing to get their young ones climbing safely. $20. Info: 509-325-9500.

(March 27) Climbing Discover Rock- Women Only.

Come celebrate the new location for Spokane’s full-service non-profit bike shop. We sell refurbished donated bikes and new and used parts.

Info: 509-838-8580, www.coolwaterbikes.org

(March 10) Gran Fondo Ephrata. 78 miles of paved

and gravel roads. Info: rideviciouscycle.com

(March 22-24) Double Down Hoe Down. When: 8am-5pm. Where: Camp Sekani Park. Kick off the season- join racers from around the northwest and beyond for an annual downhill mountain bike event! Two races, Saturday & Sunday. Info: 509262-4122, http://www.allgravityseries.com/

HIKING/WALKING (On-Going) Wed & Sun Hobnailer Hikes. When: Varies. Where: Varies. Join Hobnailer hiking club for weekly 6-8 mile hikes in the Spokane area. Call 456-0250 for schedule or more information. Info: clcspo@msn.com (March 16) WTA trail work party. When: 8:30 – 3.

Where: Liberty Lake County Park. Join WTA for our first work party of 2013 to improve the “beaver trail.” Go to wta.org to sign up. Info: 206-6251367, wta.org

(March 18) Hiking Full Circle: The Pains & Pleasures of the Wonderland Trail, Tour du Mont Blanc & Loop Trips. When: 7:00 pm. Where:

Mountain Gear Headquarters. Hiking Full Circle by Rich Landers, Outdoors editor for The Spokesman-Review and author of “100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest” and “Paddle Routes of...”

Info: www.spokanemountaineers.org

When: 6-8pm. Where: Mountain Gear, 2002 N. Division. Fun-filled class is great intro to safety, knot tying, belaying and climbing techniques.

All equipment provided. $20. Info: 509.625.6200, spokaneparks.org

(March 28) WTA trail work party. When: 8:30 – 3.

Where: Big Rock. Join WTA as we continue to improve the trail leading to Big Rock. Check our website wta.org to sign up and for directions. Info: 206-625-1367, wta.org

CYCLING

ALPINE SKIING, NORDIC SKIING

(Ongoing) WOW Cycling Spokane. WOW is excited that Spring is here! Check our FaceBook page for upcoming rides and activities! Tailwinds to you!

Info: 509-951-6366, wowcycling.com

(March 2) Paws & Poles. When: 9AM. Where: 49 Degrees North. Cross country & snowshoe race with your dog at 49 Degrees North registration starts at 9:00am race starts at 11:00am – live auction after the race all proceeds donated to Spokanimal, cost $20 per person Info: 509-3259500.

(Ongoing) Belles and Baskets. Whatever style

your cycle, join other Spokane women for no-drop rides, treats, and friendship. Info: 509-951-4090, facebook.com/bellesandbaskets.

(Ongoing) BOMB Mountain Bike Rides. When:

Varies. Where: Spokane Area. Spokane BOMB (Believers On Mountain Bikes) is a non-denominational Christian group leading rides in the Spokane area April-October. Everyone welcome, helmets required. Info: www.spokanebomb.com

(Ongoing Monday’s and Wednesday’s) High Intensity Cross Training. When: Noon. Where:

U-District PT, 730 N Hamilton, Spokane. Take your fitness to a new level and improve your performance in hiking, biking, running, and MORE: Resistance Training, Cardiovascular Fitness, Injury Reduction, Innovative Exercises. Info: 509.458.7686, katie@udistrictpt.com.

(March 8-9) Cool Water Bikes Grand Opening.

When: 11am - 5:30pm. Where: 224 S Howard St. 16

Out There Monthly / March 2013

(March 22-23) 24 Hours of Schweitzer. When:

All-day. Where: Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Info: www.24hoursofschweitzer.com

PADDLING (March 25) Rafting the Grand Canyon. When: 7:00 p.m. Where: Mt. Gear Corporate Office - 6021 E Mansfield Ave Spokane Valley. Members of the Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club will present their recent February rafting trip on the Grand Canyon.

Info: 509-209-3066.

YOGA (March 4 - May 7) Iyengar Yoga Classes. When: Mon. 9:30am, Tues & Thurs at 6pm. Where: Sunflower Yoga. Learn the various practices of Iyengar yoga, taught with precision and alignment in a small class setting. Gentle and intermediate

Submit your event at www.outtheremonthly.com

SIXMONTHTRAININGCALENDAR CYCLING

smtrailrun.com

(April 2012 - August 2012) Baddlands Cooper Jones Twilight Series Races. When: Tuesday

(August 16-17) Spokane to Sandpoint Run/ Walk Relay Race. When: start 7:00 a.m. Aug.

evenings at 6 PM. Where: Cheney, Spokane, Rathdrum, Liberty Lake, Steptoe Butte. USAC Sanctioned bicycle racing. Info: 509-456-0432, baddlands.org.

16. Where: start Top of Mt Spokane Fun overnight run/walk relay with teams. Race ends in Sandpoint, ID. Info: 541-350-4635, www.spokanetosandpoint.com

(April 13) Ronde van Palouse. When: 11 a.m.

(September 21)River Run Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K, Wenatchee, Wash. Info: http://www.run-

Where: Spangle, Wash. Ronde van Palouse is a half road, half gravel, and 200% awesome bicycle race that will crush even the toughest riders.

Come get some. Info: 509.270.8347, http://www. spokanerocketvelo.com/races/ronde-van-palouse

(April 21) Komen Race for the Cure. When: 9:00

AM. Where:Downtown Spokane. 5k Race through downtown Spokane and Browne’s Addition. Info: 509-993-5471, tommyt@comcast.net

(April 28) Lilac Century & Family Fun Ride.

When: 7:00 am until 4:30 pm. Where: SFCC. The 20th Annual Lilac Century & Family Fun Ride.

First century ride of the season, with additional ride lengths of 66, 50, 25, and 15 miles. Info: 509850-2808, http://www.active.com/event_detail. cfm?event_id 66977

(May through August) The Inland Road Race Series. When: 11 a.m. Where: Inland Northwest.

Info: 509.270.8347, http://www.spokanerocketvelo.com/races/inland-road-race-series-generalinfo

(July 6) Lilac City Twilight Crit. When: 5 p.m.

Where: Downtown Spokane. Info: 509.270.8347, http://www.spokanerocketvelo.com/races/lilaccity-twilight-crit

wenatchee.com/

(November 28) Turkey on the Run, Wenatchee, Wash. Info: http://www.runwenatchee.com/

MARATHONS (May 11) Sunflower Relay and Trail Marathon.

Info: mvsta.com

(May 19, 2013) Windermere Marathon, Spokane. Info: windermeremarathon.com.

(May 26, 2012) Coeur d’Alene Marathon. Info: cdamarathon.com, 509-979-4370.

(September 7) Lake Chelan Marathon, HalfMarathon, 10K. Info: http://lakechelanmarathon. com/

TRIATHALON / MULTI-SPORT / ADVENTURE RACING (April 14) Rage In The Sage Mountain Bike Duathlon. Run 2.5 miles, Bike 10 miles, Run 2.5 miles. Info: 3rrr.org.

(May 18) 33rd Annual Troika Triathlon. Swim

RUNNING

- 1.2 Miles \ Bike - 56 Miles \ Run - 13.1 Miles.

Info: troikatriathlon.com

(April 21) The Spokane River Run. When:7:4

EVENTS

5am/8:30am/9:40am/10:15am. Where: Riverside State Park. Single track trail w/some wide paths: 100% dirt trail; Some rocks, roots and mud; No asphalt. Finish next to Spokane River. Info: www. spokaneriverrun.com

(March 8-9). Superhuman Live. Personal trainer/

author, Ben Greenfield, is hosting a conference.

Info: superhumancoach.com

(June 14) 10th Annual Bigfoot Golf Classic.

(May 5) Lilac Bloomsday Run, the 36th. Info:

www.bloomsdayrun.org

When: 1:30 PM. Where: Downriver Golf Course.

Info: 509-434-5064, www.bigfootgolfclassic.com

(May 11) Liberty Lake Trail run When: 9:00 am. Where: Liberty Lake regional park. 8 mile

(August 17) Kroc Amazing Race. When: 10am.

(June 1) Red Devil Challenge, Cashmere, Wash. Info: http://www.runwenatchee.com/

(Aug 4) Chewelah Peak Trail Run. When: 10am Where: 49 degrees North.10M and 3.5M trail races. All race distances will start at the Calispell Creek Lodge and will course through the Colville National Forest. Info: cptrailrun.com //

trail run, beautiful course, great food and challenging! www.trailmaniacs.com Info: 208-4572726, www.trailmaniacs.com

(July 20) Schweitzer Mountain Trail Run, Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Info: www.

Where: The Salvation Army Kroc Center Coeur d’Alene. This race is a scavenger-hunt throughout Coeur d’Alene. Info: amazingrace@kroccda. org //

Have an Event You Would Like to List? // Please visit www.outtheremonthly.com and click the “Submit Your Event” link. // Events MUST be sent in by the 20th of the month to be listed in the following month’s issue. Please follow the when, where format as seen in the calendar. Ongoing events need to be re-submitted each month.

Outdoor Calendar RUNNING (Ongoing) Fat Ass Trail Runs. When: Varies.

Where: Washington/Idaho. We meet 1-2 times per month for a trail run. FAT ASS is the name given to a series of low key runs that are frequented by experienced runners & walkers and characterized by the phrase “No Fees, No Awards, No Aid, No Wimps”. Yes, the runs are totally free to enter and are put on by passionate runners who are also running. Think of it as a bit like meeting some people for a bushwalk - except it’s a run. Info: 208-4572726, facebook.com/TrailManiacs (Ongoing) High Intensity Cross Training When: Noon. Where: U-District PT. Plyometrics, weights,

medicine balls, agility. Get strong for Bloomsday, Ironman, Spartan Race, Warrior Dash or Dirty Dash 2013! Info: 509-458-7686.

(March 2 - April 20) Women’s Beginning Running Group. When: Saturdays, 8:30am. Where: Contact Gals Get Going for location. Hosted by Gals Get Going, this is for women who have never run or are new to running. Info: (206)854-2143, Monica@galsgetgoing.com

(March 7- April 25) Gals Get Going Bloomsday Training. When: Thursday’s 5:30pm. Where:

tions.us

(March 1) It’s in Our Nature: Drawings & Prints by Viza Arlington. When: 5:00 PM-8:00 PM. Where:

Community Building lobby. Art fundraising event for Inland Northwest Land Trust featuring animal and nature drawings and prints by Viza Arlington celebrating the natural world around us. Info: 509328-2939, www.inlandnwlandtrust.org

(March 8-9). Superhuman Live. Personal trainer/ author, Ben Greenfield, is hosting a conference.

Info: superhumancoach.com (March 8) Benefit Concert with Todd Milne & Blake Abyss, Visual Vortex, and Terrible Buttons. When:

6:30 to 10:00 PM. Where: Unitarian Universalist Church, 4340 W. Fort George Wright Dr, Spokane.

Benefit Concert & Silent Auction Fundraiser for Pine Meadow Farm Center. Includes raffle for 1 CSA share from PMFC. Tickets $10, under 12 by donation. Info: 509-879-7392, zone1@pinemeadowfarm.org

(March 15-17) INW Motorcycle Show When: Varies. Where: Spokane Fair and Expo Center,

Spokane. Inland Northwest Motorcycle Show and Sale.. 100’s of bikes and accessories at incredible prices. See the Trial Riders Stunt team. You could Win $10k. Info: 509-993-4859, www.spokanemotorcycleshow.com

Mission Park East Parking Lot. Train for Bloomsday with other active women! Weekly coached workouts and motivation to do your best at Bloomsday 2013! All fitness levels welcome.

Info: 509.953.6360, galsgetgoing.com

(March 16) CPR Training Course. When: 9am-

(March 23) Mead Marching Madness. When: 10

(March 19) On Attention: Portal to the Natural World with author Paul Lindholdt. When: 7:00 PM.

AM. Where: Mead High School. 5k run benefiting the Mead High School Bandwagon. All runners/ walkers welcome, prizes for winners. Visit meadmarchingmadness.com to register. Info: meadmarchingmadness.com

EVENTS/MOVIES/MISC… (Ongoing) Spokane Table Tennis Club. When:

1PM - 4PM every Saturday. Where: Northeast Youth Center, 3004 E. Queen Avenue. $2/visit.

Info: 509-456-3581.

(Monday, Wednesday & Saturday) Spokane Table Tennis. When: Mon & Fri (7-930) Sat (1-4).

Where: 8121 N Division. We are Spokane Table Tennis the premier table tennis group in Spokane.

We offer free coaching, match play and monthly tournaments. Info: 509-768-1780, www.spokanetabletennis.com

(Tuesdays starting) Foam Roller Class. When:

5:30pm-6:30pm. Where: Structural Innovations 12929 E. Sprague Ave. Ste 104 Spokane Valley.

Description: Learn the basics of foam rollers and how to relieve pain/improve flexibility with it.

Pre-registration required. $15-class, $40- class & roller. Info: 509-891-2368, www.structuralinnova-

Where: Community Building lobby. Attention is the portal to the natural world and Paul will focus on green flash optical phenomenon to illustrate the habit of attention. Info: 509-328-2939, www. inlandnwlandtrust.org

(March 23) Side Country Emergencies Workshop.

When: 10am-2pm. Where: 49 Degrees N, Nordic Ski Area. Learn to prepare for and respond to the many potential emergencies that can arise when skiing the far trails or side country. $40, lunch included. Info: 509.625.6200, spokaneparks.org

(March 16) Cheesemaking 101 Workshop. When:

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Where: Sun People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200 Join Trish Vieira of Spokane Family Farms as she demonstrates how to make Greek style Yogurt and Mozzarella Cheese. $35 Preregistration required. Info: 509-368-9378, www.sunpeopledrygoods.com

(March 19) FREE BALLE Webinar Series: Local Money. When: 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Where: Sun

People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200.

Description: As dissatisfaction with large financial institutions erupts around the globe, “Move Your Money” efforts have been mushrooming across North America. Info: 509-368-9378, www.sunpeopledrygoods.com

(March 21) FREE Film Showing of “Growth Busters: Hooked on Growth”. When: 4:00 p.m.

Where: Sun People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200 Description: This film examines the cultural barriers that prevent us from reacting rationally to the evidence current levels of population and consumption are unsustainable. Info: 509-3689378, www.sunpeopledrygoods.com

(March 23) “Planting Tomatoes from Seed” Workshop. When: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Where: Sun

People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200.

Your new skills and techniques will allow you to avoid those tall, spindly tomatoes and get strong, stout stalks. FREE pre-registration required. Info: 509-368-9378, www.sunpeopledrygoods.com

(March 23) Radiant You Facial Party. When: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Where: Sun People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200. Free-preregistraton required. Learn the Dr. Hauschka cleansing protocol in 3 easy steps to a radiant you! Info: 509-3689378, www.sunpeopledrygoods.com (March 28) Vegan Cooking with Amanda Moulton.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING CALENDAR

When: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Where: Sun People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200. Learn how to make easy, quick and nutritious animal free mac & cheese as well as how to veganize your favorite cookie recipe! $10 preregistration required. Info: 509-368-9378, www.sunpeopledrygoods.com

(March 6) Permaculture 101 Workshop with Wakan Burrows. When: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.Where:

(March 30) Fermentation Workshop: Making Kimchi. When: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Where: Sun

Sun People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200.

Learn how with Permaculture, a whole-systems approach that can be applied to your backyard garden or small farm. $5 Preregistration required.

Info: 509-368-9378 www.sunpeopledrygoods.com

(March 8, 15, 22, 29) Basic Urban Beekeeping Certification Workshop with Jim Miller. When:

6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Where: Sun People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200. This 12-hour class covers basic urban beekeeping topics: European Honey Bee History, Flower Pollination, Equipment, How to get started and more! $30. Preregistration required. Info: www.sunpeopledrygoods.com

People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200.

Learn how to make your own delicious Kimchi at a hands-on workshop with Wakan Burrows. $20 Preregistration required. Info: 509-368-9378, www. sunpeopledrygoods.com

(March 30-31) Soapmaking 201 Workshop: Cold Processed “Beer” Soap. When: 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

and Noon to 1:30 p.m. Where: Sun People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200 Description: A two-day workshop making handcrafted soap. Make and take 2 1/2 lbs. or roughly (7-8) 4 1/2 oz. bars. $55. Info: 509-368-9378, www.sunpeopledrygoods. com //

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

(April 6) GS Cookie Fun Run. When: 9:00am. Where: Dwight Merkel Sports Complex. Description: 3 mile and 1 mile fun run, cookie treats, awards for age groups and random prizes. Fun for the whole family. $15 before March 30th. Info: 509 327 3803, bbkesc@earthlhink.net

6pm. Where: TBD. American Red Cross CPR/ AED for Professional Rescuer: Gain the skills to respond in an emergency. $45. Info: 509.625.6200, spokaneparks.org

Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200. Description: Topics include: chicken keeping regulations in the Spokane area, housing, breed selection, feeding and caring for chickens, raising chicks, and production. $20 Preregistration required. Info: 509-368-9378, www.sunpeopledrygoods.com

MAR 2013

classes also offered. Info: 509-535-7369 www. sunfloweryoga.net

(March 16) Intro to Chicken Keeping Workshop.

When: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Where: Sun People Dry March 2013

/ Out There Monthly

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By Jon Jonckers

Clockwise: Todd Jones and Linda Lillard trail running in Riverside State Park. Andy LeFriec trail running with his dog near Big Rock. Jeanne Armstrong trail running below High Drive. Lisa Bliss running on the Centennial Trail near Deep Creek. // All photos Jon Jonckers.

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Out There Monthly / March 2013

So you call yourself a runner. That’s fine and dandy; good for you. No one discredits the

Webster’s definition or the running lore from famed writer John Bingham, aka The Penguin, that posits “the process is the same whether you become a world-record holder, an age group champion, or a solidly back-of-the-pack runner like me.” You’re a runner if you run, but are you a true Inland Northwest runner?

Without a doubt, the Inland Northwest features an uncommon running community with attributes and conditions worthy of recognition.

However, running in this area is so much more than record holders or famous coaches. While many inner city metropolises host basketball devotees, and the southern States host football fanatics, it’s safe to argue that this region is ingrained with revolutionary runners. Beyond notable races, decent charity events and cool running venues, this area hosts a rich running tribe that refuses to be categorized by mileage or a stopwatch. Consequently, there’s an informal list that every runner in this area must do before they can call themselves a runner.

Please understand this is not a bucket list.

Admittedly, it isn’t all-inclusive either. But, these top eight are based on a number of informal surveys conducted throughout hundreds of miles of running among a variety of men and women, young and old, fast and slow, seasoned locals as well as fresh faces. If you can check off all of the following items, then maybe you can call yourself a local runner.

-----------------------------------------------#1 - Run the Centennial Trail If you can run it all at once, that’s fantastic. But realistically, it’s worth it to spend a little time throughout the year and travel every mile from Coeur D’Alene to Nine Mile Falls. The fact of the matter is that most people in the community only use about a quarter of the Trail. Riverfront Park receives the most traffic, followed by the

Spokane Valley, followed by Riverside State Park, and then remnant traffic is focused on those trailheads with the easiest access.

Undoubtedly, as much as the Centennial Trail is loved and appreciated, it is often misunderstood and undervalued. Depending on the lens through which one views it, some see the Trail as a corridor for fitness, others for nonmotorized commuting, and others for community outreach and connectivity, and still others revere the natural and environmental principles of preserving the Spokane River corridor for recreation and future generations. Most runners are actually a combination of those visions, and it’s fairly important to see all of it at least once if you can.

-----------------------------------------------#2 - Run SOME UNFAMILIAR-TO-YOU ROUTES If you only run the routes available from your front door, you are sabotaging your running experience and your training. If you only run from Manito Park via Manito Blvd to High Drive and back home, you are ignoring many of the best routes in the area. Beyond the Centennial Trail, make an effort to visit the paved paths at Liberty Lake or the Fish Lake Trail. Better still, both of Washington’s largest State Parks reside in Spokane County, and they’re both perfect running destinations. This doesn’t even include the fabulous trail running prospects at Dishman Hills or the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge.

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Be honest with yourself. There have probably been moments at stoplights where you’ve seen a place that you thought would be great for running.

Without a doubt, running around Tubbs Hill or Plantes Ferry is great, but if you’re only going to run in your neighborhood and never deviate to the unknown or the unique, then you might as well be running on a treadmill or a track. Think carpe diem!

-----------------------------------------------#3 - Run BLOOMSDAY Bar none, Bloomsday is the greatest road race in North America, and it regularly receives international attention for being the race every city wishes they could host. The 12km course features hills and bridges plus great water stations and a noteworthy finishers shirt. The fact is if you’re a runner in the Spokane area, you have to work at avoiding Bloomsday.

Now, picture yourself living in Pamplona, Spain, and you’re an adventurous soul known for taking risks and living large. Pretend for a moment that you’re a bold man or woman, and you laugh at danger. It’s possible to secure an adrenaline rush in other towns, but you live in a city known for

It regularly receives international attention for being the race every city wishes they could host. fantastic, high-energy charges that attracts people from all over the globe. Then, when someone asks you if you’re going to run with the bulls, you say, “Nah, it’s so crowded, and tough to find parking, and I don’t like celebrating with all those people.”

That sort of response taints your image.

--------------------------------------------------#4 - PARTICIPATE IN A LOCAL CHARITY RACE There’s never a shortage of charities or worthy causes. In a perfect world, you wouldn’t feel pushed to choose between charity races for cancer, or leukemia, or diabetes or MS. But, whenever possible, try to choose races or fun runs that are dedicated to LOCAL charities. This is not about singling out a race or excluding others, but, for example, the Justin C. Haeger Ten Miler dedicates all of its proceeds to Spokane’s Daybreak substance abuse clinic. The Monster Dash benefits the oneof-a-kind Active4Youth program. The Spokane Marathon features water stations hosted by local high schools, and the school with the best water station receives a cash reward for their crosscountry or track running program. In a nutshell, when one is reviewing their race schedule, runners or walkers in this community should take note of those races or events that invest in this community.

Nate Kinghorn, manager at Runners Soul, underscores a tangent related to the local charity races. He strongly encourages everyone to enter smaller races in the outlying community areas.

Nate says, “Go participate in a small town race.

Some of my favorite times I’ve ever had running have been at these events. Often times these events

are a major source of pride for a small community and a chance for them to show off. Plus, they have some of the best awards and raffle prizes. When I was little, I once won a case of Coca-Cola and a Slip-n-Slide at a small town 5k on the 4th of July!”

--------------------------------------------------#5 - Run WITH THE FLYING IRISH Beyond Bloomsday and Hoopfest, Spokane is home to the largest running club in North America – the Flying Irish. No joke, from March through November, the Flying Irish running club runs Spokane. Most Thursdays, the club meets at Ripples at the downtown Red Lion Hotel right off Division, but throughout the year the runners coordinate numerous running parties, even theme runs and pub-crawls. You have to see it first hand, and experience the shirting ceremony to believe it. In order to earn a Flying Irish shirt, a runner or walker must attend six times, and then stand up on the stage and tell an Irish joke (frequently something inventive about two nuns and a bottle of whiskey, or something about 3 pints of Guinness).

Brendan Dowling is the Grand Poobah of the Flying Irish, and he is deeply rooted in the club.

Yet, he’s well aware that Thursdays might not work for some people, or running in the evening is difficult for others. The actual club itself doesn’t really matter as much as the camaraderie.

Brendan says, “Running with one of the many growing local running clubs is one of the best ways to meet fellow runners or joggers. If you’re looking into getting into running, or just needing that extra motivation, it’s the best place to start.”

So, if the Flying Irish doesn’t fit your running style or your timeline, you should definitely consider some of these other outstanding running clubs. The SoHi running club, based on the South Hill, runs on Tuesdays. The Manito Running Club, based at Manito Park, runs on Saturdays.

If you’re ready for some significant speed, regular training and a lot of challenging runs, consider the Spokane Swifts (for women) or the Spokane Distance Project (for men). They’re always looking for fresh meat…runners.

--------------------------------------------------#6 - WATCH A RIVALRY HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY RACE If your idea of sport is a competition between two opponents battling back and forth in a flat rectangle with multiple referees, and lots of whistles and timeouts and various subjective penalties, then you’re probably not ready for the GSL cross country program. For over 25 years, Spokane harriers have won multiple Washington State cross-country team championships. More often than not, several Spokane high schools reach the podium of the 3A and 4A divisions. Nearly all of the Spokane high school coaches confess their greatest competition is the other Spokane schools – not the rest of the State.

Perhaps the greatest testament to this cross country excellence can be found in the recent 2011 Foot Locker West Coast Regional where 15 individual Spokane County male runners qualified, six finished in the top 50, and two runners qualified for the Foot Locker Nationals. Considering the Foot Locker West Coast Regional encompasses 14 states, if the city of Spokane raced and scored like a separate state, they would have placed second only behind California.

March 2013

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Due to scheduling conflicts, the Spokane high school runner’s achievements at Foot Locker fail to include the high school Nike Cross Country Nationals, or NXN. Since NXN started in 2004, twelve Spokane high school teams have qualified for the National race, and only Spokane has had a team in the top seven for all 9 years, including winning the National Title in 2008.

------------------------------------------------#7 - SERVE AT A WATER STATION Often, the best way to discover a fresh perspective on running is not to run. Instead, trade the race day intensity for the warm-heart of an aid station volunteer or a water station attendant.

Just think back to the moments in your own races when you craved water like manna from Heaven, and a selfless volunteer served you. Consider for a moment how much hard work encompasses a

Running the last forty-five miles with them as they face all their worst personal demons in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere. worthwhile race, and then magnify the importance of providing good hydration and nutrition.

If you’re recovering from an injury or if you’re saving yourself for another race, you’re the perfect candidate for serving at an aid station.

20

Out There Monthly / March 2013

Stealing from Item #4, if you don’t plan on racing a local charity, or you’re unable to donate funds to the cause, you can certainly contribute a portion of your time and help the runners and walkers at these events.

“Plain and simple, races don’t happen without great volunteers,” says Michelle Miller, a member of a group called the Marathon Maniacs. “I certainly wish more people understood how vital those water station volunteers are.”

-----------------------------------------------------#8 - PACE OR CREW IN AN ULTRA Not everybody will, or can, run an ultramarathon (some people are simply too smart to even consider it). But, in most cases, it’s relatively easy to vicariously experience the magic of running 50, or even 100 miles, by assisting a runner by pacing them for a portion of it. When you drill right down to the core, things happen during ultramarthons that don’t happen anywhere else.

Running becomes more than running.

Chris Morlan is a ridiculously tough runner, and he’s among the most respected runners in Spokane. Morlan has cruised the Bloomsday course under 40-minutes on six occasions. He has completed multiple sub-2:30 marathons, and raced in the 1996 Olympic Marathon Trials. Yet he cites pacing during an ultramarthon as one of his most rewarding running experiences.

“I’ve had plenty of exciting running moments, but nothing quite compares to the times I was pacing a competitor in the Western States 100 mile Endurance Run. I’ve done it twice with my training partner and standout athlete, Stan Holman, and once with my mother. Running the last forty-five miles with them as they face all their worst personal demons in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere. The pacer gets to be the one outside connection between months

of training and hours of perceived certain defeat.

Yet it’s all just one step at a time towards sunrise, and the runner pulls through with you.”

------------------------------------------------ Once again, this is an informal list. To be fair, readers would be surprised by how many thought the Bare Buns Fun Run should be included, and how many thought it was the worst idea ever. Just goes to show people have strange and different ideas about their running.

Altogether, only two of the items on the list are specific, and another two of the items don’t involve any running at all. Admittedly, Spokane might be the epicenter of the article, but from Wenatchee to Missoula, this running community capitalizes on equal parts of training hard and training fun. At the very core of it all, because this list exists, and because these opportunities exist, there’s so much room for self-improvement and

major breakthroughs.

Whether the items are done in one year or several years doesn’t matter. Whether the list is accomplished at 7 minute per mile pace or 17 minute per mile pace, each mile counts the same.

In the grand scheme of it all, the list is a touchstone for runners, but there’s no reason why mountain bikers or hikers or rock climbers couldn’t adopt a similar list. There’s nothing to prevent a group of mountain bikers from adopting the Flying Irish model on Thursday nights, or rock climbers to stop climbing at one area constantly and change to another venue periodically. Frankly, every trail hiker and cross-country skier in the community should make it a point to travel every mile of the Centennial Trail.

Or why not make it a goal to do the tasks on this list as many times as possible. //

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Last Page

Running Away from Junior High For the Mr. Knudsons of the World / By Peter Wayne Moe My older brothers and I all attended the same junior high in Spokane Valley, and we all had the same P.E. teacher: Mr. Knudson. He had nicknames for us. My oldest brother was The Moe Man. When the second brother entered Mr. Knudson’s gym class a few years later, he became Moe Man II, and Mr. Knudson changed the oldest to The Original Moe Man. When I came along a few years later, I was Moe Man III. Mr. Knudson, however, had two names that students could call him. We could never, of course, call him Bill. He was either Mr. Knudson or Coach Knudson. But as I was the fat kid in junior high– –fat and slow and never on any sort of organized sporting team, and therefore never in a uniform that would grant me the honor of calling him Coach––he was always Mr. Knudson to me.

Being the fat kid, P.E. was a struggle. Mr. Knudson made some events fun, like when he taught us the importance of grunting during the shot put. (When watching the Olympic shot putters this summer, I couldn’t help but think Mr. Knudson must have coached their grunts as well).

But my doom, the bane of my junior high existence, was the mile run, administered once in the fall and once in the spring. I dreaded the mile not only because I was slow, often the last to finish, but because I’d be flustered, red in the face, for hours

on end afterwards. I’d leave the gym sweating and beet red (despite my cold shower), and I’d have to get my books from my locker next to Erin and sit in math class next to Sarah and behind Laura––all girls I had crushes on, and, therefore, all girls I was terrified of. From my perspective, the mile run was a fount of endless embarrassment, not only during the run as the fast kids lapped me, but also for the rest of my sweaty and blushing afternoon, which, for a middle-school fat kid, lasts an eternity.

In the spring of eighth grade, as our P.E. class milled around the soccer fields in preparation for the mile run, Mr. Knudson approached me. He was wearing what he always wore: running shoes, sweat pants, a Horizon Jr. High polo shirt, a stopwatch around his neck, and a clipboard under his arm.

“All right Moe Man III,” he said, putting his clipboard on the ground, “You and me, we’re going to run the mile run together, and we’re going to do it under ten minutes.”

I scoffed. Internally, I told him––and myself– –oh no, Mr. Knudson, you don’t understand. I’m fat. I’m slow. I can’t run a whole mile, let alone in ten minutes. There’s no way. No way at all.

But with Mr. Knudson standing before me, hands on his hips, a smile below his mustache, I had no choice but to agree.

“We’re going to do the Rambo Shuffle,” Mr.

peter in junior high and peter today. // Photos courtesy of peter moe.

Knudson told me.

Bringing his arms up as if he were carrying Rambo’s machine gun, he said, “Pretend you’re

“You and me, we’re going to run the mile run together, and we’re going to do it under ten minutes.”

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Out There Monthly / March 2013

Rambo, just shuffling your way through the forest. Shuffle side to side, keep those arms up. We’ll Rambo Shuffle through this mile, together, in under ten minutes.” Mr. Knudson had the class assemble at the starting line. He blew his whistle, and we were off.

He said we would finish in under ten minutes; we Rambo Shuffled that mile in 9:56. Mr. Knudson encouraged me the whole way, doing all the talking as I put forth a Herculean effort.

I used to be teased a lot, called “Tank Ass” and the “Inventor of the 13-minute mile.” Perhaps that is part of the reason I run today, running away from that identity. But in my ten years of racing as an adult––the seventy-one races completed, the two races won, the Ironman finish, the Boston qualifications––it would not be an exaggeration to say that the mile Mr. Knudson Rambo-shuffled

with me in the spring of 1997 was a life-changing event. In those 9 minutes and 56 seconds, in that mile run, Mr. Knudson transformed me from “Tank Ass” to the person I am today.

I’ve been fortunate to have a few other Mr. Knudsons in my life. When I was learning how to cycle, my friend Brian took me under his wing and showed me all the good roads in Bellingham, cycling up and down Chuckanut Drive while explaining nutrition and hydration, pacing, race strategy, clipless pedals, arm warmers, how to change a flat or grease a chain, the value of chocolate milk as a recovery drink––everything I know about cycling I learned from Brian.

My uncle Don was another Mr. Knudson for me, inviting me on long cycling tours through western Washington and showing me––a headstrong and naïve twenty-year old––the value of patience in endurance sports. There was Brent, and later Jim, introducing me to tempo runs, plyometrics, and track workouts. I think too of Kelly, coaching my Master’s Swim Team for a meager pittance of $2 a head. I see other Mr. Knudsons regularly––they’re everywhere if you keep your eyes out for them: the older man I see at the track each Friday morning helping a middle schooler run a workout; my friend’s wife Rachel who leads a 5k training group for at-risk youth; Spokane’s own Mike Bresson and his Active4Youth foundation.

And so, please join me in raising a glass––a glass of ice-cold post-run chocolate milk––to the Mr. Knudsons of the world: would that we each have a Mr. Knudson in our lives, and may we also be a Mr. Knudson to those around us. //

March 2013

/ Out There Monthly

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