Highlight of the Tribe Meet was having Steve Hoogendoorn, Vice-President of Yeti place the 9th Tribe Meet pint glass in my custom display case. I've yet to find a another Yeti freak who can claim attending all 9 and preserving all 9 pint glasses. Amazingly, pint glass #2 rode the Snowmass downhill course in 2003 in the ASR's bottle cage and survived. Tribemeet glasses represent gatherings in Snowmass , Salida, Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs, Fruita, Winter Park and Durango.Durango was the natural choice for the 25th Anniversary gathering. Part of Yeti's history, http://yeticycles.com/#/company/a_brief_history .
Durango has been the home of many past and present cycling icons including Ned Overend, Shonny Vanlandingham, Juli Furtado, Lisa Muhich, John Tomac, Missy Giove, Jimmy Deaton, Greg Herbold, Todd Wells, Travis Brown and Versus announcer Bob Roll.
The RV parking sucked for such an event but then I've never been 100% happy with many gatherings not under my control. Would have been nice to spread out the awning and set up with friend's
tents nearby. Over it. The food service and quality were tops this year and I did not see anyone going hungry. Keg beer cascaded beautifully all weekend.Saturday's ride caught us lolly-gaging after my announcement that these thing always run behind time. Not this year. The bikes and buses were loaded on time and Fred and I were lucky to flag down the last outbound bus and stand in the back for the hour plus mountain road ride to the top of Junction Creek. The ride group included the lion's share of the Yeti staff, international racers and Yeti brand distributors from Australia, Spain and the UK. The bulk though, were average "Joes".... Yeti followers from around the world including first time attendees, serious weekend warriors, bike shop owners and at least one honeymooning couple.
The mass start leading us to the 25 mile ride centered around the Colorado Trail was a treat to see. Everyone is confident in their own riding world but now suddenly paired up with riders of many backgrounds... Silently, many questioned if they could keep up with the group or had the wrong outfit on. A little bit like the starting line on any race day. Only a few scab brands present among the sea of Yeti turquoise, white and yellow.Amazingly, the large group spread out quickly with some not making it 200 feet without pulling out the Kodaks to begin digitally groping the high country scenery. We sped off with the first quarter of the group and never saw most after that. We actually had some "lone time" enjoying the singletrack swoops, ugly baby-head dodging chutes and enduring the quad burning misery climbs you really don't want company for.
We descended into Durango in small groups and immediately sought out food and water. Our group held Dr. Chris a local, who guided us into the best taco joint in town where we filled our bellies and then trudged across town for the Horse Gulch trail leading back to camp. The 4 mile climb in 98 degree weather was as taxing as any climb all day. Tom Fox of Optic Nerve fame was in the group and pulled away on the dusty climb not panting in the least. Pearl Izumi's Ben Molina, Fred and I brough up the rear with beer serious thoughts. Nice to climb out of the canyon and see the monstrous white tops of the Yeti party time canopy and awaiting kegs.
Spending time with other Yeti freaks is always a ball. Hosting our Great Britain friends and rubbing elbows with the company's brass made the trip well worth it. While we were on the road with Fred and Molly, Chris and Megan, COMOtion teammates, newly weds and the whole Yeti scene, I am reminded that none of this would be possible without the 100% support I get from my junior high girlfriend and bride of 37 years.... Teresa. Thanks again honey, I love you.
Huge kudos to all the Yeti staff, especially Sarah Rawley for putting it all together. Think I'll buy her a long sleeve jersey and leg warmers.
For a full official video account of what you missed, plug in to this link
http://www.yeticycles.com/#/features/tribe_gathering/1/
then start planning for next year! Now, I wonder where the 2011 Tribemeet will be? I still have 3 spots left in the pint glass display.
1 comment:
And a great ten days it was too .. wouldn't mind a copy of your photos at some stage too !
Fred
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