This image was sent to us by Tina and Russ Rainforth. Deschutes River Trail in Bend.

If you have any PV related photos to share, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will get your photos up.

Now that summer has begun, race results have started to pile in. Month of June racked up numerous podium finishes by various PVers:

3rd            Michael Kender     Pickett's Charge: Cat 2 Men 45-54
1st            Tina Rainforth       Portland Short Track Series: Cat 3 Women 19+
2nd/3rd     Brian Ratliff          2 Fast Twitch Fridays: Sprint B Sprint B, Fast Twitch Fridays: Sprint A
Alpenrose Thursday Series: Category 3
1st            Brian Ratliff           Fast Twitch Fridays: Sprint B Sprint B
1st            Ron Babcock        Bike Tires Direct TT at PIR: Master Men 40+
3rd            Ron Babcock        OBRA TT 40K
1st            Jeffrey Pollock      Bike Tires Direct TT at PIR: Men 3 Men 3
2nd           Jeffrey Pollock      OBRA TT 40K
3rd/2nd     Brion Barnett       Tuesday PIR: Cat 3/4 Cat 3/4
3rd            Brion Barnett       Swan Island Rose Festival Criterium: Masters Cat 4/5
3rd            Joseph Ryan        Tuesday PIR: Cat 4/5
3rd            Einar Traa            Bike Tires Direct TT at PIR: Master Men 60+ Master Men 60+
2nd           Malcolm Johnson   Bike Tires Direct TT at PIR: Master Men 60+ Master Men 60+
1st            Kendra Duong       Sisters Stampede MTB XC
2nd           Michael Girard       Sisters Stampede MTB XC, Portland Short Track Series: Cat 3 Men 19+

A big shout out to Jeffrey Pollock for finishing 4th (and representing PV) at the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic in Stage 2/3. Great job to everyone out there on the course in the month of June.

It has been fantastic to see a flood of new PV faces on the mountain bik e XC ci rcuit (including at least 4 new PV dirt ladies). If you haven't tried XC mtn bike racing, you are missing out on some epic courses, stunning scenery, and friendly race organizers.

June was also the month new gear was handed out. Big thank you for the guys at Castelli for making this happen and to our very own Sal Bondi at Swift Plus Creative Studio for cranking out another gorgeous design. PV's Paul-model-boy-Formiller is seen to the right sporting the latest garb, very hot. The caps have arrived so if you ordered one, please get in touch with Matt for pickup.  In addition, we have plenty of extras that can be purchased for $12.  We will be doing another gear order soon in time for the start of CX season, so stay tuned for ordering information.

Finally, new team gear is not without a team photo to show off the new kits. Thank you to all who attended, the team photo is a small gesture in appreciation to all our sponsors who have supported us through the years. What a handsome team! Photos will be available here to download. http://gallery.me.com/vduong/100144

Have a safe and fun month of July!

West Hills Challenge 2011

Upper Echelon is happy to announce The West Hills Challenge 2011. This is a an event using Strava.com to record times for climbing the popular training routes in the West hills of Portland.  The competition is now open and the climbs must be completed before the end of August 2011.

“On your left…”

With this issue of our web-letter Velocity, we welcome Vicki Quick, aka “VQ”, as our new club Communications Director. She takes over editing duties for Linda Jellison, for many years a tireless volunteer on behalf of the Club. Linda is off to new and exciting opportunities, beginning with a recent trip to Italy, and we’re gonna miss her. Ringrazia un milione, LJ!

Along with LJ, we say goodbye to “the guy with the creative eye”, Marc Altman, who supplied amazing pieces of artful creativity for the Velocity cover each month, capturing the essence of both cycling and PV in a very cool way. Marc, like LJ, is a past winner of the coveted “Black Jersey”.

Last month’s 2011 Monster Cookie ride, sponsored by Salem Bicycle Club, is behind us—and what a success it was! Some 60 PV members participated, and it seemed everywhere you looked at the lunch stop, there was a PV jersey or the familiar face of a fellow Club member.

Riders had a great day in the saddle, with the slightest of headwinds to Champoeg Park and then a sweet taste of tailwind on the way home. If you haven’t joined the Monster Cookie fun in the past, plan to be part of the PV peloton next year. The Cookie always is a great ride and big fun.