It didn’t start great, but 2019 turned out to be a very good year. Fingers crossed that 2020 will be able to match it.
- Things got off to a rough start when we were snowed out of two work parties in January and February that would have allowed us to finish Outer Limits.
- We had our annual work party at the Castle Rock Bike Park in February. We ended up doing numerous small jobs and also added a great new log ride along the paved path.
- With their first-place finish at the Four Hours of Pain in April, Sue Grandjean and Abra McNair became the first women to win a Growlers event.
- Dara Hartman and Ksenia Mueller were in town for the GGG reunion ride on May 4. About a dozen people from Growlers came out to join Dara and Ksenia for a ride at Coldwater as well.
- The Enchilada provided a great test for riders in May. We had a number of people who amped up their game by taking on the Taco or Chips and Salsa. When some of the Taco riders chose to forego climbing out of Predator to finish, I was forced to create the Chimichanga category to accommodate them.
- We were again at Coldwater in early June to do trail work on the loop around the lake. 70 volunteers turned out for the build.
- Nancy and Juntu organized a work party at Ape Canyon that saw Growlers collaborate with NWTA; the same was true at Coldwater and SHIFT. Nancy and Juntu continued to take on bigger roles with Northwest Trail Alliance.
- Tour de Gulch XXI drew 62 riders for the annual party on wheels. “The Band” attempted to play at the after-party. It was not a harmonious experience.
- Nancy, Suzie, April, and others teamed with Proper Cycle Werks to offer a series of beginner rides and skills clinics for women.
- We made some big breakthroughs at SHIFT in August by clearing the Sheep-Loowit-Toutle loop and also by finishing the long-awaited line from Marble Mountain to Ape Canyon. 112 volunteers were there to lend a hand.
- We again hosted the Bike Park Blowout in September, which is always a huge favorite with kids and families.
- Sterling Sobczak edged Garrett Madras by one foot to win the Growlers Gulch Climbing Championship in October.
- We were finally able to get a crew out to complete the awesome 5.1-mile Outer Limits line in November. Despite having to ride three to five miles uphill just to get to the work, 86 volunteers came out to help.
- GGR rang up 1,845 volunteer hours in 2019, and those are only the ones that were reported. We certainly had more than 2,000 overall. Incredible commitment.
- I finally got around to completing the total mileage assessment for Growlers and discovered that we have 55+ miles! What a remarkable accomplishment. Nothing screams We kick ass like that total. Thanks to all of those who have been a part of it over the years.
So, what’s on tap for 2020?
Unless the elements force us to cancel, we should be able to complete Lemony Snicket and Carnage in January. We will also make a dent in Piece, Pound, and the Outer Spike.
We will be at Coldwater and SHIFT, of course, and all the usual Growlers events will be on tap. If Lemony Snicket is finished, Bob will be introducing a new trials riding challenge.
And speaking of Bob, he and I will be training hard to prepare for our 70th birthday ride in July.
Join us in making 2020 a year to remember.