SSA Member
Single Speeds Anonymous

Specializing in SS, Trials, Dual-Slalom, & Dirt Jumping equipment

UUSSSC stands for Unofficial United States Single Speed Championship and was held in conjunction with Barbie Camp ... a bi-yearly celebration of the time change held by the Disciples of Dirt bike club out of Eugene, OR. Barbie Camp gets it name from the camp mascot ... a 3 ft tall Barbie. The '01 fall BC was held October 26-28 with the UUSSSC happening on the 28th.

UUSSSC, Sunday morning, 10am, Barbie Camp time (none of this silly Daylight Savings stuff). 9 singlespeeders gathered around the BC sign for a picture or two

(L-R) Brandon, "Jimbo", Wayne, "SpookySS", "Sparticus" (w/ camera), Jerry, "Shiggy", Barbie, "General Coonskins", "JRA" (holding bike) - photo courtesy of Richard Sweet

and then we had the rules of the day explained to us by the non-event dis-organizer, "Shiggy". Everybody had paid their entry fees for the event (two six packs of microbrew) and the beer was piled high near the cooking tent. We'd ride the Metolius Windigo Trail out and back for a total of about 17 miles. The route wasn't marked except for the trail signs that were already up. We'd roll out in a neutral start until we got to the beginning of the trail and then the event would begin. At the half-way point would be a "hidden" beer stash, and two brews had to be either consumed or carried. There would be a judge and that person would decide who the Champion would be (not necessarily the fastest rider). Bribing of the judge was allowed and even encouraged.

The Metolius Windigo Trail turned out to be a blast to "race" on. Winding through the Douglas Firs of central Oregon, I was grinning from ear to ear. We came to the first of several stream crossings and I elected to walk the logs over the first two. The weather was very cool and I wasn't too keen to get my feet wet. The next wet crossing came upon me all of a sudden ... deceptively looking like a little mud puddle. WRONG. About half way through, the bottom dropped off and you were in up to your hubs. Two more small stream crossings after that but by this time I figure I'm wet anyways so why bother. There's just something satisfying about blasting through with water flying everywhere. More fast and winding trail,

(F-B) "SpookySS", "Jimbo", "JRA", Jerry, Scott, "Shiggy" - photo courtesy of Richard Sweet

then a short downhill and I'm at the 1/2 way point. Much insanity ensues. Words won't suffice ... you really had to be there.

When I finally returned to camp (wet to the knees from the last stream crossing), the fire was going and everybody was having fun. I stopped off at my tent first to get my bribe for the judge, a Dragon Tongue Singlespeeds t-shirt and some stickers. Shiggy bribed the judge with a talking beer opener (I want one of those). More beer from the entry fees was consumed. We hung around the fire trying to warm our toes back up and then the judge started to hand out swag donated by the non-sponsor, Webcyclery. We egged on the judge to announce the champion. And the Official Unofficial United States Single Speed Champion is ... me! I have no clue why ... probably because I was the most unlikely to be the champion. My prize for winning was a 12 pack of McMenamins beer and a custom designed t-shirt.