Sometimes you gotta get away. We welcome the excuse to anyway, and last weekend we fully embraced it with a shop camping/biking/grilling trip out to the Tillamook State Forest. It was a great mid-summer opportunity to have our whole crew together in one spot for a little “R & R” (that’s “Ride & Rowdiness” for those of you keeping score at home).

A few folks went out straight from work on Saturday night and were joined by the rest of the crew on Sunday morning just in time for a little end-to-end shuttle on “Gale’s Creek”. What better way to kick off a campout and mountain bike trip than with a group ride along one of NW Oregon’s classic XC routes.

Timing was perfect as the weather wasn’t too hot, and the trail hadn’t become too dusty yet. The northern section of the trail is a ripping descent right back into camp, with a couple of options for extra credit points up for grabs on the “Triple C Loop”.

After a quick refresher and some “Precovery Beers” a smaller group ran a quick shuttle up to the top of “Raven’s Ridge”. It’s a solid DH track with a more raw and rugged kind of feel. Already getting a little dusty at the top, but seemingly not blown out yet. With so many other trails going in it looks like folks are spreading out their riding and not tracking out the older trails too early in the season.

Oh, and for those who haven’t made the trek to “Raven’s Ridge”yet, the views from the top are exceptional. If your riding is seeking inspiration, this trail has it!

Back in camp on Sunday night thecarb-loading commenced with some, grilling, and more than a couple of questionable meal decisions made by Tonkin himself.

Truly we have no idea…

A few other friends of the shop joined us for camping and hiking. Really a gem of a campsite with something for everyone.

With the shop closed on Mondays it gave us a chance to do a second shuttle day over on “Fear and Loaming”. The same folks who built out Raven’s Ridge many years ago really knocked it out of the park with this entirely volunteer-built trail. To think all of this is just an hour away from Portland.

Summer’s can get pretty hectic at the Bike Shop, and while we love the work, it’s important for us to get away and get our turn in riding too. But now that we’re back to building bikes we’re already daydreaming of our next getaway. Tonkin’s promised to bring the marshmallows.