northbend 

Our very own @mountaindave carried the torch for 2018 when Reed cancelled the “Official” Cino last week.
I drove over on Friday to Dawn n Dave’s arriving that evening, I heard music playing in Dave’s Bike Barn when I got out of the car so I figured that would be where I’d find him…

I arrive and find Dave in his bike barn by NBend, on Flickr

I found him inside, making some final adjustments to the bikes while my Son’s band, Khemmis was playing on the stereo…
With only a few days to prepare, Dave had been in touch with a handful of people who wanted to ride. A simple plan was put forward: Meet Saturday at 8am at the school in Kila, bring your own food, drink and Overnight bag to be hauled in Dave’s SUV that was pulling duty as the SAG wagon. We’d take turns driving SAG during both days and we’d try to stay together to ensure no one got lost.
Saturday Morning in Kila, a rain squall moved through while we were preparing for the ride. Thankfully it stopped before we set out. Dave makes some final announcements before we head out.

Dave goes thru the pre ride details by NBend, on Flickr

The 2018 Cino ride participants: all 9 of us. L to R:
Matt, Me, Pete, Claire, Josh, Richard, Mandy, Dave and Dawn

Group shot by NBend, on Flickr

northbend 

We fiddled around long enough at the start that the roads were mostly dry when we headed out of town. Pete, a bike forums member from Minneapolis, rolled out of a Gitane. I don't remember his handle on the forum here so apologies for not being able to tag him

Pete by NBend, on Flickr

Dave drove SAG up to the top of Browns Meadow Pass. A traditional stop in the Cino, we didn’t have the “Bacon Lady” this year but we did have plenty of cold beers to choose from as we rested.

On top of Browns pass by NBend, on Flickr

I took over SAG duties for the descent off of Browns Pass. This is normally the most technically demanding descent of the day - waterbars, ruts, sand and rocks demand your attention and I was thankful to be driving in a cushy SUV instead of riding it. My shoulder is not fully healed yet and it spared me a lot of pain trying to negotiate all that on a bike. When things mellowed out again, I got out the camera and snapped some shots as the riders traversed the ridge before the final drop to the lunch site

My turn at driving SAG by NBend, on Flickr

Everyone heads out to the lunch stop by NBend, on Flickr

More regroups and photo opportunities

rounding the corner by NBend, on Flickr

Cattle guard by NBend, on Flickr

northbend 

Lunch was had by the waterfall.

The lunch stop by the waterfall by NBend, on Flickr


I pulled my bike off the rack, dusted it off for the ride to Hot Springs after lunch.

Dusty detail by NBend, on Flickr

This is my favorite section of the day 1 route - the forest opens up as you pass into drier, hilly grasslands. I stop at one point to take photos as the others pass by
I swear Pete had a huge smile on his face the whole day

Pete on the descent by NBend, on Flickr

It’s easy to see why:

Pete passing by by NBend, on Flickr
Richard was on a stunning Vanilla custom rando bike.

All smiles by NBend, on Flickr

Dave came thundering by last…

Dave comes thundering by by NBend, on Flickr

I caught his water bottle flying out of the cage has he sped by.

And I catch his water bottle ejecting as Dave tests the limits to his new bottle racjs by NBend, on Flickr

northbend 

A regroup on the top of Sullivan Hill. This is the hill that most folks talk about because it is steep washboard, covered in large gravel rocks. Warnings are issued then down we go

Regroup at the top of Sullivan Hill by NBend, on Flickr

A rancher friendly to the Cino cause put out a water hose for us for our last true water stop on day 1. It was very much appreciated.

The last water stop before Hot Springs by NBend, on Flickr

The rest of the ride into Hot Springs was uneventful. In past Cino’s, a volunteer was always posted on the outskirts of town to greet you and hand you a cold beer for the triumphant ride into town. Not this year. We stopped by Alamedas (the finish line at the previous Cinos) and hung out there for a little bit talking with Pete and Richard’s wives waiting for them to arrive. They both had chosen to just do the 1st day. We said our goodbyes to them then we quietly rode to the Symes resort and got checked in. After a shower, a few of us got dressed and headed to a local restaurant for dinner. I went for a soak in the Hot Spring pools before going to bed. I slept like a baby through the night.

On Sunday, there are 6 of us for the return ride. We leave together and ride out of town, regrouping at the top of the first larger hill once the road turns to gravel.

Me on Day 2 by NBend, on Flickr

At 6’8” Josh casts a long shadow on the road

Josh casts a long shadow by NBend, on Flickr
Claire arrives

Claire on Day 2 by NBend, on Flickr
Dave n Dawn get ready to take off

Dawn and Dave by NBend, on Flickr

The road is well graded this year making to rollers on day 2 so enjoyable

gravel rollers by NBend, on Flickr

The SAG follows us as we head to 9 mile hill

Claire is followed by the SAG by NBend, on Flickr

We decided as a group to ride partway up 9 mile hill before breaking for lunch

Me riding at the beginning to 9 mile hill by NBend, on Flickr

We found some shade at our lunch spot, ate lightly then did the final grind to the top of Browns Meadow Pass. Dave and I rode together for most of the way until the final 1/2 mile, then he had enough of me and rode on ahead, I didn’t have the energy to keep his pace. We regrouped at the top and had a celebratory beer before descending to Kila. The descent was a little rough on my shoulder and I was so happy to reach pavement again. A final spin into Kila and we are done. It was a fine weekend. Very intimate in comparison to Cinos in the past, I found myself missing little things here n there about the traditional Cino but it was still a very cool time.

2018 Cino was in the books and I am so thankful that Dave stepped up to organize this at the last minute. You did a great job, my hats off to you!

Cino, baby by NBend, on Flickr

cb400bill

Wonderful ride report northbend! Great pictures, as well.

Sir_Name 

plonz 

So nice bikes, great ride and all that stuff. Major props for Khemmis I'm an old 80's rivet head and count on my 25 year old son to keep me up to speed on what's worth listening to in modern metal. Khemmis gets high marks from him and I like their style of what I label as black stoner metal. You done good there..

Drillium Dude 

Thanks for the nice pics, they bring back some memories Looks like the day came off great after beginning wet. Good show!

DD

mountaindave 

Great write-up Matt, and that new camera is awesome! Sorry about ditching you the last 1/4 mile of 9-mile hill, the music and excitement got the better of me!!

The ride was great, the people were wonderful and I always love riding with old friends; we had some very cool bikes. The thing I think we missed out on this year was meeting so many people from far and wide, seeing their bikes, hearing their stories, learning their "secret touches" to their builds. I hope to remedy that next year - wish me luck!

I'll post up some pictures once I get a chance to sort through and edit them.

Viva il Piccolo CinoI

Choke 

Looks like it was a great weekend.

I wish I could have been there...

rccardr 

Well done!

djkashuba 

Thanks for keeping the flame Matt and Dave!

-D

non-fixie 

gugie 

Great ride report, Matt! The fact that you rode this so soon after breaking your collarbone is, well, so Matt of you.

;-)

obrentharris 

Thanks for the fine ride report.
Great job guys! I'm glad you kept the flame alive. One of these days I hope to join you.
Brent

mountaindave 

Here are some more shots.

Rollout on the road from Kila: northbend, my other friend named Matt, Robert


Rollout on the Rails to Trails section from Kila: Josh, Claire, Mandy (Josh's spouse) and Dawn


This guy's pretty photogenic


First ascent on dirt: Robert and Josh


Near Brown's Meadow: Dawn

mountaindave 

Even more from Day 1

Near the top of Brown's Meadow Pass: @northbend


Claire with Robert and Pete in the background


Robert and Pete


You are correct, Matt, Pete was smiling all day long!


Group shot at the waterfalls - left to right: Claire, Mandy, Josh, northbend, Pete, moi, Matt, Robert (Dawn was wandering around the falls)

BluePx10

bironi

Thanks for the ride report Matt.
Thanks Dave for the effort.
I was planning on attending, but jury duty intervened.
I'll try again next year.
Byron

nesteel 

That Dave is a helluva guy.

northbend 

Thanks, I am very proud of my son. In addition to recording and releasing a new album this year with all the touring and interviews related to that, he received his Doctorate from the University of Colorado all while working at the University to support himself and his wife. He shares the love for Vintage Cycling with me and is a veteran of 2 Cino’s.

Ha! …who else could I be?

Your sentiment is one that I think everyone has after Cino. Hopefully, you can come back next year.
It was really a pleasure meeting you, Pete.

This is a great picture, Dave. Thank you again for everything

I hope that Cino will return next yearn with more riders. Dave, I will be happy to help out in any way I can to make this happen

mountaindave