The Hot Chocolate Run

While it's usually all bike racing at Pioneer, once in a while we help out with other events. Since we weren't heading out to Portland for the USGP we were able to once again lend a hand with the Hot Chocolate Run . Now in it's 4th year this local running race is a benefit for Safe Passage a local organization that provides support and shelter services for victims of domestic violence. It's a great event and it benefits a great charity. This was our 2nd year helping out with the race, providing equipment and logistical support.

One of the highlights of the run is that as soon as you finish you are handed a cup of steaming hot chocolate in a commemorative mug. It's a nice touch for a race in December. Of course somebody has to get all those mugs ready, and this year we were asked it we could handle that in addition to our regular event duties. No problem right?

Well this event is a big deal in the Valley. And it had doubled in size in each of it's 4 years- which means this year they were expecting 2500 participants. And each participant gets a mug, so when UPS called to tell us we had 81 cases coming it was time to make some room in the garage....

It all fit, but just barely.

Stuffed!

Whew! Another long time between posts. Cross season might be our favorite time or year but boy is it a lot of work. Check the truck and trailer after the CSI cross race. And that's just the first load- we had to do a second run after unloading all of this stuff. At the start of the season it all fits in nicely, but by this time of year it's just chuck it in the trailer and sort it out later...

For the CSI:

1 officials platform
2 tents
2 sets of hurdles
4 custom railroad crossings
5 course crossings
5 bike racks
200 feet hard fence
600 feet fabric fence
750 step in stakes
14,000 feet of tape

all that and a whole lot of labor. Next season it looks like the race will be a 2 day affair. Maybe it's time for a bigger trailer????