Pole, Pedal, Paddle . . . The Event, The Happening
The annual “Pole, Pedal, Paddle” has become emblematic of the active Central Oregon lifestyle. And, certainly, no other event brings folks together as this one does for the citizens of Bend.
Pole, Pedal, Paddle–The Race
Competitors (individuals, pairs, teams, and special teams in a variety of age groups and social configurations) race from Mt. Bachelor
to the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend. All proceeds from the race go to MBSEF (Mount Bachelor Sport Education Foundation). The race itself consists of six legs.
1. Alpine–a raucous clomp uphill in ski boots (often ancient rear entry Hansons or Salomons, with cross country boots stuffed inside!),
then a hairball descent rounding gates and culminating near the main West Village Lodge. This is an older age group and still it looks a bit like the “Chinese Downhill.”
2. Cross Country–either skate and classic diagonal; takes the intrepid racers on an 8 km loop around the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center
3. Cycling–From the Nordic Center, an enervating 22 mile descent (mostly!) down Century Drive to Bend. No drafting permitted!
4. Running–Again the natural scenery is divine (especially if you are a spectator!) . . . a 5 mile “jaunt” along the wonderful Deschutes River Trail.
5. Kayak/Canoe–much tougher than it looks (this leg definitively settled the women’s elite division winner when the three-time former winner and defending champ capsized twice); a breath-sucking upstream paddle for 1/2 mile, a 3/4 mile coast back downstream, then lung-busting 1/4 mile sprint back up.
No oarlocks allowed . . . but almost anything else is.
Flotation devices required.
6. Sprint–Didn’t look like a “sprint” to me, but rather a mad 1/2 mile gallop through throngs of appreciative and cheering onlookers.
Pole, Pedal, Paddle . . . The Winners
I’m of the opinion that anyone who finished the event is a winner. But officially, the men’s elite division winner was (for the fifth consecutive year) Marshall Greene. For the women, first time winner was Stephanie Howe.
Whew! I’m tired.
