Buena Vista-Railroad Bridge Campground
20.6 miles/2721 feet climbing

Welcome to the Pac-10 Colorado and welcome to the huge Denver market… I’m sure the Pac-10 is stoked on all that money.

Is Shaun White the most popular athlete in the world right now? I think he may be. Everywhere I go, people are talking about Shaun White and his secret Red Bull half pipe. His Olympic performance certainly has captivated many.

I’ve seen him ride in person once, in a half competition at Mt. Bachelor. When he walked through the lodge he was like a rock star, a teenage rock star back then.

Shaun White clearly is the face of these Olympic games in Vancouver.

The Pole Pedal Paddle is Bend’s most famous race. But it’s also popular in Salida Colorado and in Jackson Hole Wyoming.

• HERE is the link to Bend’s event.
• HERE is the link to the Jackson Hole, Wyoming event, which is in 35th year.
• HERE is the link to the Salida, Colorado event.

I can remember thinking Erik Henionen was delightful, polite young man when I interviewed him in high school when he was an elite cross country runner @ South Eugene. Apparently, he’s even cooler than that! Here is a great article in Runner’s World on the humanitarian work he is doing with the Peace Corps.

Henionen was a standout @ South Eugene where he finished an amazing 5th @ Footlocker Nationals before an impressive career @ the University of Colorado.