The 2014 Tour de Toro was an overwhelming success – well if your definition of success includes riding until complete muscle failure and exhaustion render your body utterly useless for at least a few days! Yeah! definitely, I think most people would classify that as admirable and worthy to strive for. Ok…Admittedly, the term “most” in this case might, maybe, potentially, possibly refer to a select group of individuals who could arguably just as easily pass most entry level mental illness tests for admittance into a psychiatric ward. But that’s just splitting hairs…
Seriously Bro’s, after having heard about a ride that climbs over 9,000 feet and rides every sweet trail in Toro Park over the course of the day AND is then followed up with a BBQ for all survivors..errrr, participants. Who wouldn’t be tossing on some Dumonde Tech and filling their bottles and pockets with nourishment at such a prospect? SO ENDURO BRO! After missing it previously, we resolved to make it a “must attend” in 2014.
Like any sweet event, it’s “off the radar” status only adds to the allure. In this case, the event was not confirmed until a few days prior which only added to the mystique- maybe we will ride ourselves into a tiny ball of goo this weekend and maybe we won’t. When the text came through confirming the nearest date, sheer terror was followed (kind of) with excitement and anticipation. Wild Bill and Mild Sue who run the wildly popular Ashland Mountain Adventures shuttle in Southern Oregon, would orchestrate the inflicting of pain followed by a well deserved gathering for the brave afterwards. With all that said, here are some pictures that managed to get snapped despite cramped hands and dehydrated mental acuity…
Anticipation building with all the finest riders waiting to get through the gate and shred!
The troops are excited to get things started! Note, the clear excess of enthusiasm. Smiles of exultation would be replaced by grimaces of pain…
The first time to the top of 1800 there were smiles, happiness, and high morale. In the morning, 1800 was quickly followed by Black Mountain, which is bigger and steeper than it looks in the background over Froy’s right shoulder. Impressively, Sherwin proved that 26″ wheels are far from dead as he rode past everyone walking up the trail. That was cool!
It’s possible that morale was starting to waiver for some after the second time up 1800, but honestly, have you met, Brett, Kelly, John and Froy? They were talking the game that is needed to forge ahead at this point. Arf!
Who even know’s how many times we have topped out the mountain at this point!?! However, based on the amount of people utilizing the bench, it has certainly been a few times! Young shredders Dillon and Mathew get in a well deserved break after not only shredding every down pointed trail, but also riding at the pointy end of the uphill assaults, too! Well done guys!
Same place. Same time. Different angle. Team IBIS Retro Cellar’s Anthony Medaglia (leaned over, white helmet) was absolutely demolishing the climbs! In much the same way that Sherwin attacked Black Mountain, Anthony proved that 26″ is still formidable by absolutely ripping to the top of the climbs aboard his 160mm, 26″ wheeled, IBIS Mojo HDR. The assortment of bikes was definitely interesting. With plenty of long travel, little wheeled bikes, but also a good amount of 29er’s as well. John Patullo is always fast and his 26″ Stumpjumper was on point. Adam Linder proved that age doesn’t matter aboard his Turner 29er, while Dave and John both rocked Specialized Camber 29ers – John rocking the 110mm travel S-works Camber that he rode to victory at the Santa Cruz Super Enduro a few months earlier and Dave riding the 120mm EVO version. Arts Cyclery own Tom Tom Duran rolled up in a sweet new Sprinter van, unloaded and proceeded to shred his Santa Cruz Tall Boy LTc for the day. One thing that made the day tough on most was the popularity of 1x drivetrains which placed a premium on laying down the power up each steep climb.
Enduro shredders! Muscle Milk Specialized’s John Hauer rocking his S-works Camber and IBIS iconic standout, Jeff Kendall-Weed aboard his new HD3, both still smiling at the last water break. Scratch that, I have never seen JKW NOT smiling! False hope! And seriously, did John really push that enormous front ring up all those climbs? Wow! Oh well, just one more climb. Just one more time! We can do it!
Our fearless leader triumphantly tops out 1800 for the final time – wahoo! Having screws removed from his foot didn’t seem to effect his assault on the brutal day in the least. Maybe it has something to do with that spiffy, new IBIS Ripley he was riding? Looking on in the background, Dave might be contemplating “I wonder how Bill’s foot feels?”. Not to be outdone, Dave is also riding fresh off a “post hardware removal surgery from his foot” as well – ROCK SOLID these two!
This bike was instrumental in conquering the day! New IBIS HD3!
Not only did we have to contend with leg searing climbs and arm pumping descents, but the unexpected surprise always adds an additional element of fun to the equation, like this massive downed oak consuming the trail. Some went through. Some went around. Did any go over?
Last time up top. Earned that final decent for sure! Is there a better bike to get you to the top? No time to contemplate, food is waiting!
Big thanks to Wild Bill and Mild Sue of Ashland Mountain Adventures!!! What a great day! Can’t wait until next year!