Northwest Fall Gathering Round 2 - China Hat / Bend Oregon Oct 2011

I'm trying to get the days off, but I need solid dates to ask for! It's a very long drive for us.

Either way y'all have to bring me birthday cake (10/26) !!

Coffee...any idea if the Husky guys have conflicts on the earlier date? Maybe we need to poll everyone who has shown an interest here to see how many have a problem with the earlier date.

Could someone compile a list of all events happening on the weekend of 10/22 10/23 and also for 10/29 10/30... and any other considerations that may be of interest. Once we figure out what the issues are I could contact hvna and seem what they think.

What I have been able to figure out...

14-16 Weekend WORCS in Adelanto and maybe still hunting season at China Hat (we crossed this date off)

21-23 National Endurocross in Boise and Local ISDE near Tillamook Oregon (3 hours away)

29-30 there is a Local XC 24 hour race at Goldendale (2 hours north of Bend)

Nov 4-6 WORCS Race in Arixone and maybe a XC Race at China Hat (so we crossed this date off)

I dont see any big event going on in Bend either weekend so lodging shouldnt be a problem.

So,
21-23 has an event that may draw Husky team away in Boise and an event that may draw locals away to Tillamook.We might want to ask HVNA if the Endurocross this weekend would influence who attends from Husky.

29-30 has an event that might draw locals and Halloween.

From what I know of local racers, Jake is one of the few regular participants and I sounds like he isnt in race form. Personally I will go to China Hat before either of the local races.

Sounds to me like if Husky can show up on the 21-23 then we can avoid the Halloween issue by doing it that weekend.

There are only two real events at Bend, One is done and the other is being held elsewhere this year. I think we are fine with most any date.

I was referring to the stuff that goes on in the town of Bend (for those unfortunate people who dont play in the dirt) ... bicycle races, concerts, festivals, golf tournaments and the like .... but the calendar appears to be clear...

You are right, the big China Hat stuff is done for the year ... sad to see the Fall Classic move to Tillamook, but the Lobos club members seem to be happy with the change. Maybe someone else will fill the void.

You aint from around these parts are ya pardner

Like Wally said pretty much anything is possible on any given day, but generally October to Mid November is pretty pleasant.
Hurricanes, tornadoes and flash floods are extremely rare though, and the volcanoes only go off at random intervals.

You can do both. It is only 5 hours from Boise to China Hat, less if you draft a convoy of Costco trucks across the desert. We can only afford one patrol car a week in Eastern Oregon ... you get to guess which day he is working Hwy 20.

Things are being worked on, more information (or not) soon.

edit: link for my reference
http://www.endurocross.com/schedule/

No offense intended, just adding a bit of humor to the discussion. I have made the Bend to Bay area (and further south, too) trip many times and I agree one has to be prepared for bad weather pretty much everywhere. No snowstorm I have ever driven in is as nerve wracking as barreling down I-5 bumper to bumper in pea soup fog. And a freak snowstorm closure near Shasta screws up travel all up and down the west coast for hours if not a day or two. That said the roads are passable almost every day of the year. Both I-5 and 97 are major travel routes and are well maintained and kept open in the winter. People in Bend would starve to death if they werent; the groceries come over the mountains from Portland every night. Much like going to Reno, usually no problem but when the weather turns not a good idea get in the middle of it.

Whichever weekend we end up with folks need to be aware that the riding area is at 4-5000 feet as are portions of most of the roads leading there. Vehicles and people should be prepared to handle everything from the norm of 50 during the day and 30ish at night to the improbable, but possible snowstorm.

Last year we enjoyed the normal temperatures mentioned above and were wishing for just a bit of moisture to dampen the dust. Winter didnt really show up until late December, but then it stuck around until May out there with some trails still having a bit of snow into June.

Here is the answer.

The last weekend, just before Halloween, is for the most part a 'dead' weekend for Husqvarna North America. The weekend before would not be nearly as good for them because of the Boise Endurocross.

In addition, as evidenced with some of the recent responses in this thread there are some serious conflicts with Cafe Husky members with the weekend before...

So, I do believe that the original dates I tentatively choose would be best.

Sound ok?

If so, and if people are trying to choose exactly what dates to be there, I would suggest earlier rather than later in the weekend i.e. arriving on Thursday evening and leaving Sunday in time to get home Sunday night would probably work better than showing up on Saturday morning and leaving on Monday in time to get home on Monday night.

Regardless, Saturday, sounds like the most important day to be there based on the feedback I've received.

Yo have my permission

On a more serious note, riding fast is not a requirement. Like last year the social aspect will be there. (tell your boss that in case that is an issue)