It has been a glorious mild winter in Central Oregon so far. Yes, we really want the moisture here, our reservoirs need it badly, but since we have no control over the weather, we figure we may as well enjoy it while it lasts.

We went and rode our 25 mile loop, checking out some areas we had been interested in but hadn’t had the time to ride thus far. We’re really trying to find a better route back to ridecamp, than down Laurel Lane for a mile. I think we may have it nailed, but a little more scouting will tell us for sure.

We also test drove a tracking app we had learned about recently. It was used at the Scottsdale 100 Ride with success. There was a gps class at the recent PNER convention and this app was highly praised for its many charms. I just upgraded our membership, so haven’t tried the turn by turn voice navigation yet, but there’s time for that. I have uploaded the Ride with GPS app in both of our phones and it seems to be tracking the miles a little tighter than Endomondo, which is what I usually ride with. I tracked our trail with Endomondo, Ride with GPS and Gaia the other day and they were all very close in mileage. This is encouraging since we want to give our riders every opportunity to succeed at this ride.  Don’t worry! There will still be lots of lime and ribbons will still be utilized for our rides.

I’ll give as much info on Ride with GPS as I can. It’s not hard to find! I’ve also made a new tab on the Grizzly and Outback Station 3Peat web pages where you can find information on the GPS apps we endorse.

Want to learn more about the sport of distance riding and endurance in the Northwest? Plan to join us at the 2019 PNER Convention, held at the Sharaton Hotel, near PDX airport, January 25-27!

More information on the convention can be found on the PNER website.

Convention Info

There will be a fresh supply of ride flyers for the Grizzly Mtn Ride available at the EDRA booth and the PNER ride flyer table!

See ya there!

Max & Darlene

Everyone at the Grizzly Mtn Ride hopes you’re having a terrific holiday season!

Oh yes we have started working on the 2019 Grizzly Mtn Ride! The permit is a done deal, and have have lots of trails to choose from. That’s the easy part this year!

We’ve been working on an online form for folks to fill out. This should simplify things for our Ride Secretary and Assistant Manager, Carol Giles. If you have trouble with the link, please contact Darlene Merlich asap, so she can fix it!

Below you will find a rough copy of the 2019 ride flyer.

As usual, everything is subject to change!

You can sign up online here:

I have linked my Google drive below with the GPS tracks for the Grizzly Mtn Ride.

GPS files for Grizzly Trails

You should be able to download the gpx or tcx file onto your phone and they will open up in your Gaia App.

Sue Summers will be available to help you with any issues you may be having getting the tracks into your Gaia. I am “stupid lucky” at it. That means I hack around until I get it, then I don’t recall how I got it. Sound familiar?

Darlene

More like trail keeping, right? ♥

Our pre-registrations are coming in like crazy, thank you! If you’re just reading this and haven’t sent in your registration, no worries, bring it with you! However, please drop a note to Carol Giles (lawdoc@crestviewcable.com) and give her your details so she can include you on her spreadsheet that she’s going to hand off to Karen Leiman, who will be in charge of registrations at camp. Thank you for all your help, Carol and Karen! SO APPRECIATED!  So far, we’ve have had just over 60 registrations sent in. THANK YOU! A few more signed up for the 75 and we’ll have full fields in all three distances!

I received a call from Gail Williams (PNER Ride Manager Extraordinaire!) tonight. She has offered to come and be our in camp timekeeper. THANKS SO MUCH, GAIL!!

PNER President, Kristen Grace, will be running our out vet check. Many thanks to her for that!

It truly takes a village to put on a ride. I love this village.

View from the Grizzly Mtn Ridecamp 2017 ~Photo by Kay Ickes

⇒ Gate Keepers

Several folks have stepped up to volunteer, thank you so much! We will need 2-4 gate keepers (mostly lined up, thank you!). Two on the Rimrock Loop, on each side of an active grazing allotment with cows in it, and two on the Warner loop, also bordering an active grazing allotment. We will need a couple on the Tribby Loop, as well.

⇒ There’s an out vet check?

YES! The Rimrock Loop has an out check at 15 miles. All distances are going through here. Ride management will transport your crew bags out and there will be a horse ambulance available. Crews are welcome. Driving directions below. Hold times have been announced, however, like all things distance riding, subject to change!

Driving directions from the Grizzly Mtn Ride Camp to the out vet check on the Rimrock Loop:  Driving Directions to out VC – Rimrock Loop

⇒ Weather

Welcome to Central Oregon, where the weather changes hourly in the spring! All indications are pointing to a mostly sunny day, near 60° or better. YES!

⇒ Dinner!!

I see on the sheet that we have approximately 35 people signed up. Please go have a look and if you can’t sign up for food because the sheet won’t cooperate, please contact me, endrncrider@gmail.com, and I’ll get you on there. Please get your name on there soon! Chef Woody needs numbers by this coming Wednesday, April 18!

You can still register for the Grizzly Mtn Ride!

Please send your entries to:

Carol Giles (lawdoc@crestviewcable.com) electronically.

If you want to print and send your registration in, you may still do so! Send them to me at the following address:

Darlene Merlich

14481 SW Twin Lakes Rd

Powell Butte, OR 97753

You may also register on site, however, if you choose to go this route, please send Carol an email with your information so that she can get you on the registration sheet. If you’re a maybe, just let her know. She’ll make the notation!

We need as accurate as numbers as possible so we can make sure to have enough food for everyone!

Don’t forget to register for your Friday meal!  ⇒ Friday Meal Spreadsheet