events - The Gorge is my Gym

Good morning,

Columbia Center for the Arts, on June 27th, presents the cycling film Rising from Ashes, a feature length documentary about the first Rwandan National Cycling Team and their six year journey to the Olympic Games in London. It’s not about the bike. It’s about second chances, how our past doesn’t have to define our future, and the triumph of the human spirit over one of the world’s most devastating genocides. The story is told by Forrest Whitaker and follows Team Rwanda. Producer, director and Editor T.C. Johnstone will be on hand to talk about the film. The team’s top rider Adrien Niyonshuti rode in the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic and will be riding in the 2012 Olympic Summer Games. There will be a reception in the lobby at 7:00. with the film beginning at 7:30.

Before you read on, please remember that this report is brought to you free of charge. Nobody pays me to do this unless you do! If the report saves you time, money, keeps you in the loop, or just helps you have more fun, please take the time to

make a donation. Suggested minimum: $12. That’s $1/month You pay more than that in gas driving to the beach. I know I’ve saved you that much. Kick down! Thank you for your support!

The wind will start out light this morning, and then pick up out of the west this afternoon. By mid-afternoon, we’ll see 23-26 at Stevenson and gusty 19-23 from Hood River to The Dalles. The wind will pick up overnight tonight, getting quite strong by tomorrow morning. There are a couple of things affecting the wind tomorrow: first, the location of an offshore low pressure system and second, the amount of clouds inland. That said, wind in the 28-32 range looks good to go for tomorrow, somewhere in the Gorge, but most likely not right at Hood River. Also, it’s looking like the strongest wind tomorrow will be before 2pm, so get it early if you like it strong. After 2pm, it’s going to back off into the 22-25 range. Some of you may like that better!

It looks like the westerlies will keep going on Saturday, with 21-24 likely. Sunday starts off light, but picks up to 21-24 in the late afternoon.

In the fun and free category tonight, the Gorge Kayak School, in the Nichols Boat Basin, has free standup paddle demos and lessons from 6 to 8. Also tonight, a slow-paced road bike ride leaves Discover Bikes at 5pm, the definitely not slow-paced Post and Pint ride leaves Dirty Fingers at 5:30, and the Triathlon Club, also not-slow, goes running at Post Canyon at 6pm.

Coming up this weekend; fun times at Hood River Community Ed on Saturday with a tour of county forestland with Doug Thiesies, everyone’s favorite forest manager. Preregistration is required, and it’s $15, but I think you’ll find the cost and time well worth it if you have any questions about how the county manages the tree farm. Also this weekend, Beacon Rock trail maintenance, Sternwheeler days, with real live mountain men, and Smudgepot playing at the Sawtooth on Saturday night. How one is supposed to get back to Hood River after partying at Sawtooth, I’m not sure, but we’ll all figure that out after the show.

Have an awesome day today!

Temira

Good morning,

Henni’s Kitchen and Bar is this week’s sponsor. In Washington? Hungry? Henni’s is here for you 7 days a week from 5pm-close. Chef Christiaan Erasmus earned his stars at many delicious restaurants, including Abruzzo in Hood River and Portland’s Fratelli. He’s moved on from Italian, to your benefit. At Henni’s, you’ll find curries, burgers, delicious pasta, and all sorts of mouth-watering small plates. Prices are quite reasonable, and the drinks are delicious. Like Henni’s on Facebook and know about the daily mixed drink specials. More importantly, Henni’s gives back to the community: Christiaan, a newly-minted citizen of the USA, put together the pig roast for the White Salmon Pool. Talk about giving back to your community… Henni’s supports White Salmon – you go support Henni’s!

make a donation. Suggested minimum: $12. That’s $1/month You pay more than that in gas driving to the beach. I know I’ve saved you that much. Kick down! Thank you for your support!

Today’s forecast: Happy summer solstice to everyone. It’s the longest day of the year today, so make sure you get out and enjoy some of the daylight. You have over 16 hours of daylight to enjoy today. I believe Dave Russell knows the exact amount if you need more details.

This lovely long-daylight, beautiful, gorgeous, sunny, perfect day is not a very windy kind of day. It’s going to start out easterly and stay that way today, with 21-24 in the western Gorge from Rooster Rock to Stevenson today, with light east wind everywhere else. Right now it’s in the twenties at Rooster and less than 10 at Stevenson, but models are still convinced it’ll be in the twenties at Stevenson by 11am, despite the current .03 gradient. So, let’s just believe the models. In the meantime, maybe a road ride is in order?

Tomorrow starts off with light wind, picking up out of the west at 17-20 in the afternoon in the western Gorge. On Friday, an approaching weather system is going to bring us more clouds, possibly some sprinkles, and strong west wind. Hooray!

For fun tonight, there are sailboat races at the Hood River Marina, the Post and Pinot women’s mountain bike ride leaving Dirty Fingers at 5:30, and the Kayak Shed’s shop paddle.

Coming up this weekend, it’s Steernwheeler Days in Cascade Locks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All sorts of local artists will be there, and there will be all sorts of cool demonstrations by real live mountain men. You’ll have to see it to believe it.

Also this weekend, your chance to give back with four days of trail maintenance at Beacon Rock. You don’t have to show up for all four. Just check out Washington Trails Alliance’s website for more details.

In mountain bike news, 15-mile is open. Cook’s Meadow is open. Falls Creek is open top to bottom with no downed trees. 450: not yet open. High Prairie: not yet open. Post Canyon is riding really nicely, except for 130 and bladerunner, which are dusty.

Have an awesome day today!

Temira