Spring is here! Oakridge is as green as one can imagine this time of year. The tulips are blooming, the apples are blooming, birds are all about, and the grass is a growin'. Typically this time of year here is a mix of beautiful sunshine, and nurturing rain showers. This year has been no exception!

After our unusually dry and warm winter the elements seem to have settled into a more normal routine. Two days ago is was warm and dry, trails were clear after many hours of volunteer trailwork, and those who had the day off were likely outside. Then came a BIG WIND. Woosh it picked up everything in it's way, including part of our roof! Branches fell, leaves blew, and we ran for cover. Not long afterwards here came the Oregon rain.

If you're not from here you might imagine a big lightning storm, and black clouds the size of the Cascades, but it's not like that. In Oakridge, Oregon when the rain comes it's usually very quiet outside, not even a breeze. There will already be a layer of low hanging grey clouds floating in and out of the green hills around down, and maybe some mist hanging on the Willamette. Then when you're not even paying attention, pit, phmph, pap, dit, dot, dap, some little innocent drops hit the ground.

It's like the tide coming in then. Incrimentally, almost imperceptibly, the water comes. A few drops turn to many drops, to lots of drops. Before you know it's a downpour. Still it's calm though, hardly a breeze around. Then after a while, maybe a few minutes, maybe a few days, the water retreats just as innocently as it came.

Little by little it lets up, and before you know it there are no more drops coming from the sky. The birds usually notice first and they call out, "come out, come out, the rain is gone it's time to fly.."

And you know what? Those little guys and gals are right! It's time to go! Whether by bike, or boat, or foot, or wing, the Oregon springtime is a great time to get outside.

Check out our new "Trail Conditions" page on our website to see up to date conditons if you're thinking of taking a flight our way. There you'll find current information for most of the Oakridge mountain bike trails updated frequently.

High Alpine Tr. Open

It's mid February, and many areas of the country are covered in snow. My hometown Flagstaff, Arizona experienced the second largest storm in recorded history this winter-54" in one storm. Yet here in Oakridge, it feels as if winter never really showed up. There's not much snow at Willamette Pass, to the and the reservoirs around here are pretty low. But, on the bright side the roads and trails around here are mostly open.

Only two days ago my friend and I rode the Alpine Trail from Kate's cut in trail (above Windy Pass on 1912). It was a crystal clear day, and it was amazing to look across the North Fork drainage at the Three Sisters to the east. We were able to drive up 1912 to around 4000' before hitting snow on a north facing corner. We were dropped at the edge of the snow, and biked on the snow about a half mile further to the trail.

Once on trail, there was very little snow. We hit a couple short patches climbing up the trail towards the meadow. The meadow was clear of snow on the western side, although it began about half way across the meadow and we had to walk about 100 yards on the eastern side.

Once past the meadow there is a 20" tree down on the trail. However beyond that the trail was in prime condition. Many people have been out doing treadwork already this year, and the trail was at it's best. We had a great ride all the way down to the Westfir Covered Bridge.
Its raining outside tonight, and the snow level may drop again. But, there's no snow base below 5000', and I don't think it will stick around for long.

Eugene

Tele Fest and Ibis Bikes

This weekend brings a great festival, the 2010 Telemark Festival (TeleFest) at Hoodoo. An annual event sponsored by Bergs Ski Shop in Eugene, TeleFest is a great time for all. Free lessons, lots of demo stuff to try, great skiers to meet, and lots of evening fun. There is usually a gigantic bonfire at some point, and always lots of good people to connect with.
It is Sat and Sun and Hoodoo. Volunteer for the event and get a free day pass, or buy a day pass and get free demos and lessons. If you want to volunteer, show up early and start looking for a way to help.

Also in the news, the Mountain Mercantile is now a dealer for Ibis Bicycles. Originally a small US manufacturer building steel, aluminum and ti bikes Ibis has re designed their rigs and now offers full carbon full suspension bikes made over seas. Built around the solid DW suspension design Ibis bikes climb well, descend well, and look great. While the manufacturing is overseas the bikes are assembled in California. The guys and gals at Ibis are super knowledgeable, friendly, and honest. Check out their website: http://www.ibiscycles.com

If you are interested in checking one out in person we will have one in the shop within the next couple of weeks, and hopefully we will have some demo bikes on the way for the spring and summer.

Hope to see you in the mountains.

Eugene

SNOW!

22.9 degrees and still snowing! Last night brought about 10 inches to the base of Willamette Pass and the surrounding country. Gold Lake Snow Park should be in great shape for cross country skiing and snow shoe adventures. The surrounding high country should be shaping up well for winter expeditions as well.

We should be receiving bindings for our Alpina X terrain skis any day now. They're not quite cross country, not quite telemark. A single camber ski with scales and quite a bit of shape. Once bindings are mounted they will join our rental fleet. All of our cross country equipment rents for $15 per day including boots and adjustable poles. See our rental page for more info.

Enjoy the snow and the holidays!

Winter Returns for Winter Solstice

Thankfully the snow has returned! Cooler weather here in Oakridge means snow in the high country. Typically there is about a 13 degree difference in temperature between Oakridge and Willamette Pass, so when its 45 here it is 32 there. Looking at the upcoming forecast for the Oakridge area in conjunction with the Lane County Cascades forecast it looks probable for the Willamette Pass area to receive between 10 and 15 inches of snow in the next 24 hours followed by cold clear weather. Cross country ski, snowshoe, and downhill conditions should be premium.

The Mercantile is open over the holidays 9-6 daily, however we will be closed Christmas Day and New Years day to celebrate the season with our friends and families.

Enjoy the snow, and stop in for a cup of hot tea or hot chocolate by the woodstove on your way through town.

Spring Already?? Hopefully Just the Last of Fall

Since our last post the weather has been fairly dry, first very cold, and now quite warm. Gold Lake is still skiable, but we here at the Mercantile have been breaking our bikes out and taking advantage of the great trail conditions. Two days ago Justine and I rode lower Alpine trail. Up rd 5828, down to the Alpine Trail to the covered bridge, then up the North Fork to rd 1910 two days ago. Then yesterday we pedaled out to Larison Cr. trail and did an out and back from the bottom.

The trails are in great shape. We found a downed tree on Larison Cr, but aside from that the trails awesome.

It feels like it's in the 50s today, and the highway 58 cam at Willamette Pass is recording 40 degrees, skiing is out. So, making the best of things Norm and John Luc are meeting me at the house in a few minutes and we're heading out for ride again. I'm lobbying for another Alpine Trail adventure while conditions are good.

Keep an eye on the Hwy 58 camera for up to the minute conditions reports from up high, and feel free to give us a call if you need some beta for the Oakridge area.

Happy Trails

Cross Country Skiing at Gold Lake

Saturday morning at the Merc: start fire in woodstove, roll out rental bikes, get coffee from Double Trouble, check the Willamette Pass cams (19.8degrees at 9:15 am) brrrr.

Remember how fortunate I am to live and work in Oakridge.

People roll in, grab some rental xc skis and snowshoes, we talk about the snow conditions up high. Its a good life we live here in Oakridge, and although I'm here at the shop today instead of up in the snow I'm thankful to be a part of the season and the energy of the place.

One of the key organizers of the Hoodoo TeleFest came by our shop yesterday. She invited us to come join in the fun January 9-10. I'll be there with some friends from Oakridge and of course some goodies from the Mercantile for the winners of the infamous uphill downhill race. The years I've attended TeleFest it has been lots of fun. There are free tele lessons, lots of great gear to try out, I love trying my luck at the uphill downhill race, and my personal favorite part; night time unicycling on the often icy slopes.

This year I'm going to be volunteering as a beginner/intermediate tele instructor. We need more volunteer instructors as well as volunteers for registration, and lots of excited students too! If you are interested in volunteering give us a call (541)782-1800, or just show up early on Saturday morning and let one of the people at registration know you want to volunteer instruct.

Well, the sun is shining once again here in Oakridge and it's time to chop some more wood.

Thanks for readin'

Eugene

Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Rentals in Oakridge

Snow is on the Cascades, and its time to put our skis and snowshoes on! Gold Lake snowpark is already a lot of fun this season. My friend and I grabbed some rental skis here at the Mountain Mercantile and hit the trails last week to find a couple of feet of fresh white stuff waiting for us. Since then there have been a number of sunny days and cold nights, so I'm guessing that things have gotten a bit icy and fast since then, but that can be fun too. Derrick and I are going to head out after work tonight to find out. Full moon, clear skies, good friend, should be fun.

This year the Merc is offering a full selection of cross country skis for rent. We have four different models of Rossignol xc skis, both with and without metal edges. Also new for this season we are renting the new Alpina X-Terrain skis. These back country skis offer the scales of a cross country ski with the width and stability of a parabolic tele ski. We are anxiously waiting for the NNN BC bindings to show up for these skis so we can mount them up and try them out.

We are also continuing our snowshoe rentals this year, and have added to our rental fleet of Atlas snowshoes.

Our rental pricing is as follows:

Cross Country or Back Country ski rental: $15 (includes poles and boots)
Snowshoe Rental: $8 (includes poles)

We are open everyday from 9am-6pm.
48080 Hwy 58 (just past the stoplight on the right if you are coming from Eugene)

Stop on in on your way out to ski to hang out by our woodstove and have a cup of tea or hot chocolate, we'll have the fire blazing and look forward to seeing you.

MBO and Mo'

Yea! Mountain Bike Oregon, MBO, is here this weekend! Greenwaters park is full of campers, bikes, tents and more tents. There are demo vans from lots of companies-GT, Pivot, Mongoose, Mavic and more. The beer garden is always a hit once the sun gets low, and the bikes are back home for the evening, and it's time to recollect the best parts of the good day.

This is the 5th year for Mountian Bike Oregon, and the event is always getting better; better support for the riders and guides, better beer, better execution overall.

The shop is rocking along well. We have a new porch on the front of the shop to park your bike under while you chill out with buddies and watch the ever interesting traffic pass by on Highway 58. Norm Coyer built the structure, and we're proud to look at his fine craftsmanship every day. Come check it out!

Danielle and other community leaders have been putting a lot of energy into the 1st annual Oakridge Keg and Cask festival. Happening August 29, the festival is a mix of seven local breweries and wineries hosting a party and tasting on 1st St here in Oakridge, out in front of our local brewery The Brewers Union Local 180. It's 15 bucks, you get to taste a bunch of good brews, a sweet custom glass, and best of all all of the proceeds, 100%, go to the Oakridge Food Box and the Chamber of Commerce. Make sure to check out the myriad musicians who will be onsite and also at Greenwaters park.

With all of the riders passing through this summer it's fitting that someone wrote a review of the ever popular Alpine Trail. Check it out: http://www.mtbresource.com/TrRvwAlpine.html

Cheers,

Eug

Calling All Puffers!

The Cascade Cream Puff is just around the corner... the gnarliest ride you'll ever love.

When you're in Oakridge make sure to stop in and say 'hi' or pick up some spare brake pads, tubes, snacks or maps!

If you don't know about the Puff, visit: http://www.cascadecreampuff.com/

Summer's Here!

Things are in full swing here at the Mtn Merc!

Whether you need some bug spray, bike shoes, fleece clothes, bike repair rental or service we are stocked and ready to assist you on your adventure!

Always ready and happy to give directions and trail advice- come visit us when you are in Oakridge!

Located across from Ray's at the only stop light in town.
541.782.1800

General Store

One of our customers gave us a neat little poem over the holidays. I'm not sure if they wrote it, or if it is from someone else's library, but it goes like this:

Someday I'm going to have a store
With a tinkly bell hung over the door
With real glass cases and counters wide
And drawers all spilly with things inside

There'll be a little of everything:
Bolts of calico, balls of string
Jars of peppermint, tins of tea
Pots and kettles and crockery
Seeds in packets, scissors bright
Kegs of sugar, brown and white
sarsaparilla for picnic lunches
banannas and rubber boots in bunches.

I'll fix the window and dust each shelf
And take the money in all myself
It will be my store and I will say:
"What can I do for you today?"

By: Rachel Field

I love the poem, and reading it makes me proud to be here behind the counter, listening for our tinkly bell to ring, so I can say "What can I do for you today?"

We don't have bolts of calico, or balls of string, jars of peppermint, or tins of tea, but we do have coats of Carhartt, jars of ski wax, boxes of bike tubes, racks of showshoes, and halls of skis. We have shelves of cast iron, racks of gloves, piles of goggles, stacks of Danner boots. Galoshes of all sizes, and tires both skinny and wide.

The past few weeks have been a lot of fun. So many new faces have come through the door, looking for advice on fun trails to ski, and telling tales of where they've been.

If you are in the area I'd suggest heading up to Salt Creek falls for a view of the frozen ice around the majestic falls. From there you can snow shoe on the area trails, or continue on up the highway to Gold Lake Sno Park or Willamette Pass where there are lots more trails to explore.

Happy Holidays! Get out there and have some adventures.

Thriving Oakridge Style

Just a quick post to remember last years good rides (Shuman, Mac, and Eug at Waldo in October) and to remind us all to get out and enjoy the nice fall weather even if it is November.

Eugene is in Flagstaff enjoying the sun and wind and lasting friendships, Mac and Danielle are raising their family and keeping real, and Derrick is tending to the shop and thriving in the ridge again after a few years away.

We love seeing you all in the shop and out on the trails. Share your thoughts about the shop or anything else on your mind by commenting on our blog posts.

Two recent pictures I took riding the Hardesty Trail with a few friends. It is a continual and consistent 6 mile gravel road climb up from Highway 58 to access the trailhead. Once there you are rewarded with an awesome swooping downhill just a bit shorter than the climb. As you can see there are some good technical and off camber bits of trail to keep you on your toes.

Just today it started feeling like fall in earnest here in Oakridge. For the first time in many weeks cloudy skies obscured the sun, and we had a cool and grey Western Oregon day.

Summer Riding

Summer Riding.

This seasons riding has been top notch. A wet and long winter let to full rivers, and plenty of moisture to keep the ferns, oregon grape, and vine maple green throughout the summer.

We've had a great but early blackberry season, and now the huckleberries are popping out in force at high elevation.

There are literally hundreds of miles of single track trail within about 30 miles of our shop, and over the winter lots of trees and branches fall across the trail. Thanks to the countless, and counted hours of work by the Disciples of Dirt, local volunteers and the Forest Service the trails are cleared of debris each year, and by the early fall almost all of the trails are finally totally open.

So this time of year we like to enjoy the onset of cool weather, the absence of mosquitos at high elevation, and the turning of the leaves, as the trails dry out and we all prepare for the rain.

The pictures posted here are from a few of the local trails closest to Oakridge (within 10 miles of the shop!)

Come on by or give us a call to get the lowdown on what's riding good.

Spring in the Northwest

Spring? Isn't it summer yet? Well, not quite here in Oakridge.. However the deep snowpack we accumulated this winter is melting quickly, up to 5000 feet or more now on some of the southern slopes, but still clinging as low as 3500 on the northern faces.

We have been making the most of this cool and wet spring by doing some great bike rides at the lower elevations, skiing up on Diamond Peak, and gardening in the Salmon Creek community garden and at our homes.

The Merc is better than ever, stuffed to the brim with all kinds of spring and summer stuff. Chaco sandals, Haro bikes, Womens Carhartt clothing, and happy employees. This is my third summer at the Mercantile, and I still feel fortunate to be a part of such a positive and unique business every day I go to work.

The Cascade Cream Puff is coming soon, just over the horizon now as it happens on June 29th this year. Its a great event, and I'll be out there on the starting line for the sixth time if all goes according to plan. Whether doing it as a competitive event, or just as a great way to spend a long day on a bike riding some amazing trails, there really isn't a better organized or more professionally run bike event. Not entered? Come hang out at one of the aid stations, or volunteer to help with the race. Call the shop, or go to www.cascadecreampuff.com
to learn how to participate in a great event.

New Old Additions to the Shop

Now on display: very rare John Deere bicycle, nice old Schwinn and 100 year old tandem.

My dad, Dan Cleveringa, worked his magic on all three of these bikes and then gave them to Mac and I when we got engaged in 2006. They are now properly displayed for your enjoyment, come & see for yourself!

My favorite is the tandem, it has a wooden top tube, carbide headlamp, triple twisted spokes and wooden rims. The John Deere is like nothing you will ever see again with a square tank that opens, an open weave metal rack and wooden rims (which are metal plated and painted to look like wood). The Schwinn is classic head-turner. Dark red and cream paint, horn button in the tank and hearts in the chainring.

Huck's New Page

In order to keep the shop blog a shop blog, Huck now has his own.

Come see! www.williamhuckleberry.blogspot.com

Winter Tidings

Little Big Man-William Huckleberry Bowerman has been dominating the Mtn Merc blog recently, and those of us here at the Merc proper are feeling a little bit left out. So to properly compete with Lil' Will' we have some antics of our own to show you:
Steve, Mac and Eug out on a ride about a month before the baby was born.Eugene Shreddin' on the uni at Tele Fest.
Norm goes for the pass!
And from our very own Shameless Commerce dept: We have a few pairs of Scarpa tele boots available in like new condition for $250. Some have been worn a couple of times, some not at all. Mondo Point sizes 21.5 thru 25.5 available, with the exception of 24 and 24.5 sizes.
Eugene is gearing up for a big adventure to the bottom of the world! He leaves for Santiago, Chile on the 29th of January for a 6 week trip. He plans to backpack in the Patagonian Andes, where he hopes to find his friend Lindsay, learn a bit of Spanish, and clear his mind a bit. When he leaves Mac and Danielle will be back in Oakridge taking care of the shop, and of course introducing little Huck to Oakridge. We'll be happy to have them back! The community garden, the shop, and many of those loyal to our shop here in Oakridge all miss them every day.

If you like to ride check out our link to Coconino Cycles down in Flagstaff, Arizona. They're still shreddin' this winter, and will be up our way for the Handmade Bike Show in Portland during mid February. Stop in and see them at the show or on their blog to see some of their beautiful work, and meet a couple of great people.

Cheers!

Relaxing at Home

Today is an entirely foggy day here at the homestead.

Kris and Tom are in Northern California on a romantic road trip and Mac, Will, William and I are holding down the fort.

Liz, our midwife, will be here in 15 minutes to tell us how much bigger William has gotten in the last week. Our guess is that he's surpassed 11 pounds.

This top picture is Heidi and William. She was here for the entire labor supporting and encouraging us on. She's a gifted and strong friend.

My parents will be coming to visit in about a month, we are looking forward to that!