Portland SwitchBacks & Tabor

**thefodey** · 03-16-2010 06:16 PM

On thursday some friends and I are going to be hitting this area up. My first time there, just now getting back into downhill riding. Anyone want to meet up would be cool. Probably start at switchbacks and head to tabor later in the day. Doing Run 1 on the tabor cause of the cars.

**El Tadashi** · 03-16-2010 10:45 PM

I may head out to either switchbacks or tabor when I finish work that day. Any specific time you plan on being out there?

PS. You can get a better responce from other portland riders on the eastside longboard forum and the pdxdownhill forum

**thefodey** · 03-17-2010 01:14 AM

Yeah, I am waiting to be allowed to post on their forums, some moderator thing.

We are going to do day riding, start at 10 on tabor for just a bit, than head over to switchbacks, probably by 12 at the latest, and from there I don't know.

**enemy combatant** · 03-17-2010 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by thefodey

On thursday some friends and I are going to be hitting this area up. My first time there, just now getting back into downhill riding. Anyone want to meet up would be cool. Probably start at switchbacks and head to tabor later in the day. Doing Run 1 on the tabor cause of the cars.

Tabor is closed to cars on Wednesdays.

**MadMike** · 03-17-2010 10:17 AM

The pdxdownhill.com (pdxdownhill.com • Index page) forum should let you post right away. Just make sure that you're going to the new site, not the old one. The Eastside site is another story. You'll have email either Robin (robskey@gmail.com), or Eric Hovey (just PM Hovey on the pdx site) the Eastside site moderator to get a login response. Also if you come to one of the pdx or switchback series events you can talk to those guys and get it set up. Otherwise it might be a while before you get acces to the Eastside forums. Hope that helps.

Mike

**El Tadashi** · 03-17-2010 11:03 AM

The email is robskey"at"gmail.com :P

You have to email him or or contact Mr. Hovey like Mike said since they are flooded with spammers signing up. I may head out to switchbacks at around 3 or so. Tabor may still have some wet spots on the pavement so I just would recommend avoiding carving on them. Tabor is closed off to cars today and the at the top of the parking lot should be open too so it can be ran from the very top but, the pavement is still going to be a bit slick especially on run 2 since it is a bit more shaded.

**MadMike** · 03-17-2010 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by El Tadashi

The email is robskey"at"gmail.com :P

Oops, my bad. fixed it. Thanks Tad.

mike

**El Tadashi** · 03-17-2010 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by MadMike

Oops, my bad. fixed it. Thanks Tad.

mike

No worries.

**thefodey** · 03-17-2010 06:16 PM

Hey thanks guys, Just got set up to post on their forums.

However plans seem to change.

We are going to hit up daddies and stuff, than just skate tabor starting around 1. We are all scared to crap of big downhill its our first time. So I am expecting some good falls. Thanks for the info.

Also I know tabor is closed to cars on wednesdays, but I had finals.

**wooden** · 03-18-2010 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by thefodey

Hey thanks guys, Just got set up to post on their forums.

However plans seem to change.

We are going to hit up daddies and stuff, than just skate tabor starting around 1. We are all scared to crap of big downhill its our first time. So I am expecting some good falls. Thanks for the info.

Also I know tabor is closed to cars on wednesdays, but I had finals.

Shop anywhere in Portland EXCEPT FOR DADDIES, go to Rip City Skate or Next Adventure or any of the other shops, but please avoid Daddies at all costs.

Actually they probably won't be open anyway so that shouldn't be too big of a problem...

**mrmagoo** · 03-30-2010 08:54 AM

If it's closer, check out Skate Legion in Milwakie on 99E. Greg is amazing, and rides Mt Tabor on a regular basis. His son works half the days though.

Also Tabor isn't what i'd call BIG downhill. More like a rite of passage for prospecting DH riders in the portland area. I remember my first time though, got me pretty nervous

**El Tadashi** · 03-30-2010 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by mrmagoo

If it's closer, check out Skate Legion in Milwakie on 99E. Greg is amazing, and rides Mt Tabor on a regular basis. His son works half the days though.

Also Tabor isn't what i'd call BIG downhill. More like a rite of passage for prospecting DH riders in the portland area. I remember my first time though, got me pretty nervous

I will second this.

**enemy combatant** · 03-30-2010 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by El Tadashi

I will second this.

Fvkc, with all the hikers, strollers, bicycles, lost children, reservoir maintenance vehicles, windfall debris, damp patches, closed gates, potholes, and dogs on long leashes, I still get nervous!

There is no other thrill like screaming out of that last blind S-turn in full tuck and having a whole family mobbed across the road replete with baby carriage and pets and with no one looking at where they are going!

PS - the speed bump into the T-intersection on run two is still pretty gnar by anyones standards and the high curb at the hairpin has eaten more boards and baseplates than anywhere else in the galaxy!

**El Tadashi** · 03-30-2010 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by enemy combatant

Fvkc, with all the hikers, strollers, bicycles, lost children, reservoir maintenance vehicles, windfall debris, damp patches, closed gates, potholes, and dogs on long leashes, I still get nervous!

There is no other thrill like screaming out of that last blind S-turn in full tuck and having a whole family mobbed across the road replete with baby carriage and pets and with no one looking at where they are going!

PS - the speed bump into the T-intersection on run two is still pretty gnar by anyones standards and the high curb at the hairpin has eaten more boards and baseplates than anywhere else in the galaxy!

That is very true. Lately the sweeper before the speed bump has had people woundering down it without paying attention to anyone trying to get there attention. The left hander can get interesting when going through it when people are all over it too.

I have found the hairpin likes to eat wheels if you throw a big drift on it.

Tabor will definitely teaches you to keep on your toes.(It makes a great stepping stone for zoobomb for that reason.)

**Skitch** · 03-30-2010 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by El Tadashi

That is very true. Lately the sweeper before the speed bump has had people woundering down it without paying attention to anyone trying to get there attention. The left hander can get interesting when going through it when people are all over it too.

I have found the hairpin likes to eat wheels if you throw a big drift on it.

Tabor will definitely teaches you to keep on your toes.(It makes a great stepping stone for zoobomb for that reason.)

when is the next switchbacks race?