Oregon Racing in the spring-----Muddy!----Sunny days to come!
About Mudslinger Events
Back in 1985 a local group of Corvallis Riders headed up by Randy Pratt, Kevin Pogue and other influential riders started racing with only basic timekeeping and under 20 competitors completed the first race in the local area called the Triple Peak Challenge. The next year a series of events called Mudslinger mtn bike series was held in January,February and late March in Mcdonald Forest just outside Corvallis. I moved to the area in 1990 and had just purchased my first bike a Trek 800 from Collins Bike shop in Eugene and had competed in the Chainbreaker at the Flying M Ranch as a beginner in 1989. I met Randy at Peak Sports in early 1990 and he asked if I wanted to help and I volunteered in 1990 at the race. Paul Thomasberg was the National Pro at the time and came over from Bend to Pre-ride the course with Randy and give his input. That race in 1990 I watched as Paul Thomasberg came screaming down the downhill race (saturday) with his Tioga Disk wheel (What a sound----so cool) and I was hooked. The following year in 1991 I acted as the co-director of the event and 325 riders showed up and dish it out in the slop with Joe Murray and Jill Smith, Kris Otter, and Paul Thomasberg leading a bunch of racers around freezing terrain and snow that year. Randy Stepped down in 1992 and I formed the Corvallis Mtn Bike club with Jim Fisher and we worked on trails with 25 other Corvallis mtn bike Club Members and built strong relationships with OSU and Starker Forests. In those first 4 years we had 400+ each year and even over 500 in the late 1990ʼs. I moved to Bend in 1996 and Jim Continued the Mudslinger Tradition until 1999 when the OSU Cycling Club put it on for a year. I moved back in 1998 to Eugene and after the race did not happen in 2000, I brought it back out in its current location of Blodgett Oregon in 2001. Each race I direct I involve a local non-profit and make the community a part of the events and this is a critical part of the success of Mudslinger Events, along with the incredible support from Starker Forests and surrounding land owners that make the events possible. With my 3 Girls and very supportive wife (Andi) I continue to increase your adventure through the Mudslinger and other events that I produce throughout the year. I have raced for over 17 years and race expert 40+ currently and am also starting to run 10Kʼs and 15Kʼs this year as well to mix up my own experience along with my wife. I look forward to meeting you this season on or off the trail or road and making your outdoor experiences memorable.
Sincerely,
Mike Ripley and Andi Ripley
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