Escape Route Report: September 2007

Ivan and Eliza's Housewarming

Ivan & Eliza bought a beautiful house in Camarillo. Perfect for their growing family. This is a picture of them at the Country Club where they got married. Ivan, Neveah, Eliza, and baby Eden.

Dan, Ivan, and Kenny. Kenny is not silly at all.

Auntie Tati and Neveah. Somehow Nevie got chocolate all over her face. How could have that happened?

Mommy Oberon and Tati.

Guitars always seem to find me.

Got to meet one of Tati's long time buddies, Jeff. Super nice guy. He's off to Japan soon to set up computerized security systems. Glad I finally got to meet him before he ships off again.

Closing Weekend - Mammoth MTB Park 07

The end of summer and the closing weekend of Mammoth's MTB Park was appropriately punctuated with a snow storm. It was surreal riding bikes in the snow.

We warmed our bones at the Yodler and listened to the band Lava Moon (who kicked out the jams pretty darn good).

Sunday we found blue skies, cold temps, and some funny white stuff all over the ground.

Tati and I had a great summer riding our bikes at Mammoth & Northstar. The snow storm was a fitting end to the best summer ever.

Rapid Rod's 50th Birthday Party

Rod's 50th Birthday Bash! Blues band, tiki bar pool party. Rod's known for showing up to watch the moto races wearing a riding jersey, "outback" hat, and jean shorts. So, we all figured we'd make a proper tribute to his 50th by dressing like our buddy.

Tiki bar, Kevan, Tati, Dan, and "Margarita Mick" in the background.

Tiki time!

Carl shows Rod some love. Fudgie lookin' good buddy.

The band ripped!

I hate to quote this, but I have to, "...wastin' away in Margaritaville."

Proper use of a baby stroller.

You know you're doin' pretty good if the cops show up to your 50th birthday party. Well done Rod.

"I'd like to thank all my friends ... I think..."

Birthday boy! Cheers to 50 more Rod!

Heilman Weekend Visit

Tatiana and I finally got to see John and Heather's new baby Ellie. She's so cute and so easy going, just like her parents. We spent Saturday at San Elijo Beach and then Sunday brunch at Karl Strauss Brewery Garden.

Ellie and her proud mommy Heather.

Water was cold, the surf was small, but the beach was beautiful and it was really fun hanging out with John in the water.

The Heilman Family.

John and his "bald spot protector."

Me & Miss T at Karl Strauss.

Glen Helen National MX - 2007

Glen Helen AMA MX Nationals is the final round of the season. Riders are greeted with huge hills, dry hot, sunny, smoggy skies and probably the roughest track on the circuit. This year both the 250 (I refuse to say "lites") and the 450 class championships were to be decided at this race. We camp out the night before, raise a little hell, and then set up shop on top of one of the hills to watch the MX racing action.

Pre-race campout action...MORE COWBELL!!!

Glen Helen has huge hills and HUGE jumps. Ben Townley catches a little air here. (Photos by Junko Ikari)

Skyrockets in flight ...

RV.

Matt performed stunts for us all weekend for monetary bribes, like carrying all the ez-ups to the top of the hill. Here he earns $5 the hard way by climbing the hill in his boxers while Doug keeps him honest with the duck call. Or should I say Doug-call?

BT101 gettin' stylish over the new Mt. Whitney tabletop. This jump is basically a mountain that the riders catch air over as they crest the precipice. (Brad Sherrill photo)

Rod and Carl had a show-down on amateur day. As the picture clearly indicates Carl lost. He also sustained a few bruised ribs to go with the bruised ego.

Some of the Glen Helen hill people.

That's our red ez-ups in the bottom left corner. We had a great view of the entire track. (Cudby photo ... http://www.cudbyphoto.com/ )

Ryan Villapoto came away with the 250 championship. Here he battles with Josh Grant who impressed us all by being the first rider, 250 or 450, to clear the finish line triple jump. (Photo Brad Sherrill)

Mr. September. His likes are puppies, arguing with Darren, waffle irons, Early Times and late hours.

Video of our co-worker's brother Drew Gosselar clearing Mt. Whitney. He was super fast in his qualifiers, made the field, but had a horrendous crash on this same jump during the race. Todd also attempted to qualify, but didn't quite make it ... at least he didn't end his day in a steaming pile like Drew.

Labor Day Weekend 07 - Day 4/5

We ended our trip at our friends Daren and Julie's house on Lake Wildwood. It's a private lake near Grass Valley, CA. Let's put it this way, it doesn't suck.