Active NorCal May/June

Northern California’s Sport, Fitness and Outdoor Magazine

™

May/June 2014 - Issue 3

Plan Ahead

Mud, sweat and fears

Can you survive tough mudder?

Active NorCal Summer

Celebrate Local Biking

6 10

Wilderness Camping Destinations Questions with Rick Bosetti

The Smoke Free Choice Everybody Wins

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contents

May/June 2014 Features Departments

18 Rick Bosetti

In a Q & A with the Redding Mayor and former baseball bigleaguer, we learn about his time playing baseball, his passion for the community and coaching the Colt .45’s baseball team.

22 Bike Month

Strap on your helmet, pump up your wheels and mark your calendars for the great Bike Month events coming in May.

26 Local Biking

You can cruise the streets with the Shasta Wheelmen or traverse the trails with the Redding Mountain Biking Club. Either way, there’s no doubt we’re living in paradise.

pg.30

Letters to the Editor

5

Youth Sports

8

Professional Sports

12 Extreme

pg.5

43 Fishing

It’s difficult, scary and very muddy. It’s probably the toughest event on the planet, but if you survive, you will be a Mudder for life.

45 Nutrition 46 Local 48

38 Camping

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pg.46

Get in gear for biking season with top of the line equipment from Village Cycle.

32 Cover Story: Tough Mudder

Publisher’s Note

15 Fitness

30 Product Spotlight

2

Whether you’re roughing it under the stars or lounging in your $80,000 luxury RV, we’ve highlighted six camping desti nations that are sure to get you abuzz.

activenorcal.net

Just for Fun

Cover photography by Tough Mudder May/June 2014 Active NorCal

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Publisher’s Note

I turned 28-years-old last month. Before you start making spring-chicken cracks, I have to say that what I’ve learned in my 28 years of living is to embrace the adventures and challenges that life presents to you. Let me explain.

Have you ever seen the dreadfully over-the-top movie Yes Man (2008) starring the frenzied movie star Jim Carrey? The premise of the movie is a down-in-the-dumps banker who can’t find success with work or his social life, until he enlists in a self-help program that encourages him to say “yes” to every opportunity that comes his way. His life changes forever…

Despite the blatant outrageousness of the movie, I think it really brings up a good point. Sitting on the couch and hiding from adventure is no way to live your life. In the 28 years I’ve spent on this earth, I have learned to try as hard as I can to say “yes.”

Of course, I would never recommend saying “yes” to everything. After all kids, you should always “Say No to Drugs” and any offerings of candy from strangers, right? But I have never regretted saying “yes” to a positive adventure.

Case in point—in the article I wrote on Tough Mudder (“Mud, Sweat and Fears,” page 32), I said “yes” to participating in probably the toughest physical event on the planet. Was it hard? Of course it was. But the memories and sense of accomplishment that I have trounce any hardships.

Just say “yes” to being Active. Are your friends inviting you to go camping (“Wilderness Camping Means No WiFi,” page 38)? Say “yes!” Have you considered doing a new workout (“Better Than A Pink Fat Lip,” page 15)?

Say “yes!” Are you thinking about joining a new local club (“A Bicyclist’s Paradise,” page 26)? Say “yes!”

There has recently been some negative publicity coming to our area, with Redding being ranked by a Gallup-Healthways poll as one of the worst cities in the nation for overall well-being. It was published in USA Today. The study was based on healthy behaviors, emotional health, obesity, smoking and places where people can learn new and interesting things.

We can sit here and talk about why this study is wrong, or we can do something to make our community a better place. It starts with YOU. Get up and say “yes” to activity.

That is the point of this magazine. You can’t say “yes” to the adventures you don’t know about. That’s why we will continue to bring you articles about all the amazing adventures you can do in the area. You decide which adventure is best for you.

If you’re seeing this magazine for the first time, make sure to fill out the subscription card in the magazine to get it straight to your mailbox every month for FREE. Get the all information that will help you get active.

While I may or may not be a spring chicken anymore, I have learned what makes me happy - Saying yes to life. Join me.

Stay Active!

Zach

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Active NorCal May/June 2014

activenorcal.net

Publisher Zach O’Brien

Editor

Chip O’Brien

Content Manager Ross Lawrence

Sales Manager Kevin Reinhart (530) 355-3018

Art Director Adrienne Rosone

Contributing Writers Angela Cordell Steven A. Marcuz Jake Cartwright Amy Pendergast Kayla Cook Annette Bryant

Active NorCal is published bimonthly by Active NorCal, 1350 Placer Street, Redding, CA, 96001, (530) 247-7330, Copyright 2013.

All rights reserved.

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Letters to the editor

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The newest fad in dieting today is gluten free foods. Most people I talk to don’t even know what gluten is. According to Wikipedia, Gluten (from Latin gluten, “glue”) is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat and related grain species, including barley and rye.”

Until recently, eliminating gluten from the diet was recommended only for those who suffered from an auto-immune disorder called Celiac Disease. But in the past five years more experts agree that eating gluten (and wheat specifically) can cause a host of other problems.

In 2002 after suffering from chronic digestive problems, my doctor recommended I try a gluten free diet even though I tested negative for Celiac Disease. This was a frightening idea for me since macaroni and cheese, lasagna and bread were my three favorite foods. I went gluten free for about three days, but the food available at the time was terrible. I abandoned the program, went back to eating all of my favorite foods and continued to have digestive problems.

Ten years later another doctor recommended I try a gluten free diet. This time I lasted a week without any discernable difference in the way I felt, so I gave it up again.

Last August I was having lunch with a friend I had not seen for a while. I told her I was feeling tired and fatigued with sore joints, headaches and brain fog. Is this what all aging women feel like, I asked. She challenged me to try a gluten free diet for at least 30 days. If I didn’t feel better by then, then I probably did not have gluten sensitivity. So I did.

I was amazed by how many really good gluten free products are available now.

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I saw your article about being gluten free (Gluten Free is not Pleasure Free, March/April 2014). My wife has celiac disease, as does my youngest son, so we are very familiar with gluten free products. Over the last few years more and more gluten free products have become available, some exceptionally good and some not so. Virtually all are more expensive than the traditional products. The biggest problem we have anymore is finding something she can eat at a restaurant. Some restaurants (Red Robin, Outback, Applebees) do have a gluten free menu but we like trying different places and many times she has to settle for just a salad. I copied your recipe for gluten free lasagna and we will probably try it.

—Bruce Gillette NutritioN

Gluten Free is not Pleasure Free

Stores like Orchard Nutrition and Holiday Market on Placer have a huge selection, and they all taste great. Trader Joe’s has a list of more than 300 gluten free foods in their market (Just stop by the customer service booth and they will be happy to give you the list. Be sure to try their todie-for chocolate chip cookies.).

Some of our local restaurants are jumping on the gluten free bandwagon. Mary’s Pizza Shack offers gluten free pizza and Wilda’s Grill will make any sandwich on gluten free bread. View 202 offers gluten free bread, and word has it they are

soon coming out with a new menu that includes gluten free and vegan items. My 30-day experiment worked and I’m still going strong after five months. I have more energy than I have in 20 years. My brain is clear and focused, my joints are pain free and my positive attitude is back.

I haven’t felt deprived of my favorite foods, either. For me, gluten free is not a fad. It is a new, healthier way of life.

Here’s my gluten free lasagna recipe. Try it and I guarantee you will not know the difference.

NORCAL

Active NorCal March/April 2014

“Love your magazine. Thank you for bringing active people in the North State together and in the loop! Good job!”

—Audrey Delong

NortherN CaliforNia’s sport, fitNess aNd outdoor MagaziNe

™

March/April 2014 - Issue 2

Balancing act The ArT of AdvenTure wiTh BAlAnced edge

Spring into Action

“A magazine for active people in Shasta County is just what this area has needed for a long time. I thought I knew just about all the active things you could do around here, but each issue I learn something new.”

—Kim Beck The Falls of Whiskeytown

(Almost) Climbing Mt. Shasta The Skinny on Boot Camps

The Warriors’ Secret Weapon

“There’s so much negative coverage of Redding even though there are so many people that still love it here. It’s nice to see a publication that highlights the positives in this town.”

—Rick Sims outdoors

The Falls of Whiskeytown IN PURSUIT OF NATURAL AIR CONDITIONING ZACh O’BrieN ANd rOss LAwreNCe

eciding where to hike in Northern California is anything but the path of least resistance. But when you wake up in the morning and have the hankering for a hike, considering hiking the Falls of Whiskeytown is a step in the right direction.

Trails leading up to the four major waterfalls in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area are beautiful, remote and moderate in difficulty. For those not familiar with the area, Whiskeytown Lake is located off Highway 299 west on the way to the small town of Weaverville. Its sapphire-blue water is a great place to cool off on a hot day, and the falls provide terrific natural air conditioning.

The park contains 39,000 acres and has nearly 70 miles of trails surrounding the lake, laced with streams and crystal-clear springs tumbling off Shasta Bally. Despite its close proximity to Redding, it’s just enough off the beaten path to deter the crowds often choking nearby beaches. Whiskeytown Park is a favorite of locals and the waterfalls provide some of the most striking scenery available in the area.

So lace up your hiking boots, grab some sunscreen and fill up your water jugs. We’re going on a hike!

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Active NorCal March/April 2014

Photo by Matt switzer

D

March/April 2014 Active NorCal

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“The Falls of Whiskeytown piece had some great photography. The magazine should have more great outdoors pictures!”

—Greg Burns

“When I first picked up your magazine I couldn’t believe that it was local. It’s great to see such a well-done, professional product come out of this area.”

—Pearl Bates

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Active NorCal May/June 2014

activenorcal.net

Youth sports

Shooting Lacrosse into the Mainstream Grassroots Growth in NorCal

By Ross Lawrence

A family heirloom, a Native American pastime, the fastest growing youth sport in America: There’s a lot more to the sport of lacrosse than just the field, players and equipment. In the past, lacrosse was primarily considered an East Coast sport with a solid foundation in collegiate programs via universities like Syracuse in upstate New York and John Hopkins in Baltimore. More recently, lacrosse has been scooping up enthusiasts from across the United States. A local organization, Redding Lacrosse, serves as one of the biggest promoters in the North State.

Redding Lacrosse, founded in 2006 by two moms, Lauren Knapp (the current girls varsity coach) and Donna Prigmore, was one of the first to gain widespread interest and participation in the sport north of Chico. Membership has ebbed and flowed over the years, but the group

has grown significantly. Redding Lacrosse is here to stay.

“The sport is big and growing in the Bay Area. It’s moved north and east into the Sacramento Valley up the I-5 corridor,” said Robert Auerbach, vice president for Redding Lacrosse. “Chico State and UC Davis have teams, which builds a good foundation for youth lacrosse in the area.”

To ensure that each Redding Lacrosse participant has a positive experience, its coaches are required to take training through the Positive Coaching Alliance, which teaches coaches and parents how to support and grow a sport while maintaining good sportsmanship, good attitude, and respect for the game. While the competitive aspects of lacrosse are important, the club strives to make sure that each and every player has a great time learning and playing it.

activenorcal.net

The Boys High School Varsity Redding Lacrosse team takes a break from practice at Enterprise Park to smile for the cameras. Sporting their equipment, the team displays their sticks (or crosses), which are comprised of a wood or synthetic rod and a shaped net pocket at the rod’s end.

May/June 2014 Active NorCal

5

Lacrosse facts: Lacrosse may have originated as early as 1100 AD, and was well established in Canada by the 17th century The traditional aboriginal Canadian version had teams ranging from 100 to 1000 players on a field nearly two miles long. The game was played from sun up to sundown for two to three days In 1856, the Montreal Lacrosse Club was founded and rules were codified to shorten the game and reduce the number of players to twelve Lacrosse was a summer Olympic sport in 1904 and 1908 with teams from the U.S. (1904 only), Canada and Great Britain.

Harvard beat Princeton 3-0 in the first college lacrosse tournament held in 1881 The first NCAA sponsored Men’s Lacrosse Championship was held in 1971, where Cornell defeated Maryland 12-6 Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns played lacrosse for Syracuse University, and is also in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame Duke University beat Syracuse to win the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship The field is 110 yards long by 60 yards wide.

Each team in men’s lacrosse has ten players, three attack men, three mid-fielders, three defensemen and a goalie Women’s lacrosse rules and field dimensions are different from men’s. Each team has twelve players, usually four attack, three midfielders, four defense and a goalie

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Active NorCal May/June 2014

The Redding Lacrosse Girls Varsity team faces off against Petaluma at the Redding Soccer Park for the annual Jamboree. In a faceoff, the referee places the ball in between the reversed pockets of the sticks of two opposing players; when the whistle is blown, the faceoff takers try to flick the ball out to their respective teammates.

“We just want to teach the sport and allow kids to continue to grow within their limits and desire,” said Auerbach.

“There are some kids that have made the decision to try to play at the highest level, but not everyone has to get a college scholarship to have fun playing lacrosse.”

In terms of helping the larger community, Redding Lacrosse president Jim Giacomelli simply wants kids to find something healthy and fun to do. “I want kids [in the area] to learn a new sport…to learn a team sport; I want kids to get out and be active,” said Giacomelli.

“We live in a great part of the state and there’s plenty of parks, but most of the time you never see anyone playing in them,” Giamomelli added. “I would just like to see kids out there playing any team sport.”

Rooted in Native American stick games (first seen by French missionaries in the 1630s), it took lacrosse some time to gain mass appeal across the country. But the culture, inclusivity and fast-paced nature of the game guaranteed that it would eventually find its place among more “mainstream” sports like football, basketball, and baseball. Lacrosse embodies important elements of other sports.

activenorcal.net

“The game is based on agility, speed and stick skills,” noted Auerbach. “In some ways, it combines the strategies of basketball, the physicality of hockey, with the up-and-down running of soccer.”

With the nationwide expansion of lacrosse has come a large group of passionate individuals eager to promote the sport.

There is definitely a lacrosse culture alive and well in North America, which is one of the reasons for the near-exponential growth of the sport. Whole families become absorbed into the lacrosse way of life.

“From the personal side - I played, my brother played, my sister married an All American lacrosse player from Cornell.

My granddaughter plays lacrosse. My nieces play lacrosse,” declared Auerbach.

“It’s become generational; [lacrosse] has been very good to my family.”

If you’re looking for a new way to keep active in Northern California, you might want to try lacrosse. It’s hard to deny the appeal of running down the field with the ball, juking past opponents, and scoring past the goalie with a 90 mph shot.

Whether you’re looking to get in shape, reap the social benefits of being a teammate or get active, pick up a lacrosse stick and see where it takes you.

NORCAL

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professional sports

San Francisco Giants Baseball is Back!

By Steven A. Marcuz

Center Field A. Pagan G. Blanco J. Perez

Left Field M. Morse G. Blanco J. Perez T. Colvin

Third BAse P. Sandoval J. Arias

Shortstop B. Crawford E. Adrienza J. Arias

Second Base M. Scutaro J. Arias

Rotation M. Bumgarner M. Cain T. Hudson T. Lincecum R. Vogelsong

Catcher B. Posey H. Sanchez

Spring has finally arrived, and that means one thing and one thing only: San Francisco Giants baseball is back! There are few things that get me more excited than knowing my next five months will be filled almost daily by the sounds of ball hitting leather, bat hitting ball, umpires grunting and the greatest fans in baseball cheering like no one else can. With a new season comes renewed dreams of a third National League pennant in 5 years, and potentially, another run at the World Series.

Giants’ fans have been spoiled as of late, bringing home two World Series trophies in the past four seasons. But last season brought everyone back to

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Active NorCal May/June 2014

Right Field H. Pence J. Perez T. Colvin

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First Base B. Belt B. Posey M. Morse J. Arias

Bullpen S. Romo (CL) J. Affeldt J. Lopez S. Casilla Y. Petit J. Machi D. Huff D. Law J. Gutierrez

STAY IN THE GAME WITH

Jerry Rice, one of the game’s most durable players, a 13-time Pro Bowl football player who owns 38 career records and three Super Bowl rings, shares his positive experiences with chiropractic care.

“I did a lot of things to stay in the game, but regular visits to my chiropractor were among the most important.”

“I am proud to communicate with the American public about the value of chiropractic care. Professional football is a very rough and vigorous sport, and I attribute my longevity and durability to a vigorous exercise program and chiropractic adjustments.

Chiropractic gave me the edge to succeed, not only on the gridiron but also on the dance floor.”

NFL Football Legend & “Dancing with the Stars” Celebrity — JERRY RICE

He continues to rely upon chiropractic adjustments to keep himself healthy and active.

Learn the facts about chiropractic care and find your chiropractor at www.calchiro.org.

Catcher Buster Posey is the face of the San Francisco Giants, and for good reason. Following his MVP season in 2012, he came close to leading the Giants in almost every important offensive category including runs, hits, RBI, walks, intentional walks, batting average, and OPS... earth, as San Francisco barely managed to finish third place in the NL West, with a meager 76-86 record. Manager Bruce Bochy would love to turn that around, and the Giants believe that their offseason moves have helped them get back into contention for not only another division crown, but another ring as well.

In Major League Baseball, everything revolves around pitching. AT&T Park is built for pitchers, and the Giants season usually rides on the arms of their rotation.

After finally seeing Barry Zito’s contract scratched from the books, Tim Hudson was added to the team, giving the Giants a

formidable pitching rotation of left handed ace Madison Bumgarner, “The Horse” Matt Cain, a newly signed and hopefully rejuvenated Tim Lincecum, journeyman Ryan Vogelsong and the recently acquired Tim Hudson. On paper, this is a rotation that few teams would like to see and will have a lot to do with the success of the team. The bullpen is also stacked, with Sergio Romo closing, and one of the most important set-up men in the game, Javy Lopez, returning after being resigned to stay with the team that has helped revive his career. Ever since the days of Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent, and Rich Aurillia, the Gi-

ants have depended heavily on their men on the mound, and this season will be no different.

Catcher Buster Posey is the face of the San Francisco Giants, and for good reason.

Following his MVP season in 2012, he came close to leading the Giants in almost every important offensive category including runs, hits, RBI, walks, intentional walks, batting average, and OPS (On-base plus slugging). The other key to the limited successes had by the Giants last season was right fielder Hunter Pence, who thankfully will be returning the Giants after being signed to a new contract in

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the offseason. Like Posey, Pence not only helps the Giants at the plate, but he is a defensive star and a guy that teammates feed off. He will always be remembered for his pre-game rallying of the team before a game with the Cincinnati Reds in the Divisional Round of the 2012 playoffs, where the Giants were able to stave off elimination, and eventually go on to win the World Series. Although these two men will be vital to the success of the Giants this season, along with a slimmer, healthier third baseman Pablo Sandoval, I believe the most important cog in the machine is centerfielder Angel Pagan. Giants’ fans watching last season saw the enormous effect his injury had on the team. His role as leadoff hitter is crucial for a team that struggles to not only get men on base, but has had a decade long issue with getting players across the plate. If he remains healthy this year, along with Posey and Pence, the Giants offense should be able to score many more runs than they were able to last season.

The Giants were not necessarily active in the offseason, but they were able to

make a few key additions. As mentioned earlier, Hudson, the notorious sinkerballer, left the Atlanta Braves and moved out West, where Giants fans are hoping he doesn’t turn out to be the next Zito (It should be noted that Barry Zito was a great Giant, and gave everything he had each time he took the mound. Unfortunately, his contract made fans constantly want more). Another addition to the team was leftfielder Michael Morse, who came over from the Baltimore Orioles, and at the moment is projected to start in the outfield alongside Pence and Pagan, ruining any chance at a play on words with the letter P. If he can stay healthy, he can add solid hitting to bolster the bottom of the lineup. But that can be a tall order, being as Morse has failed to play in more than 100 games in 9 of his 11 seasons.

Torture – a term synonymous with Giants baseball, and this season doesn’t look like it will be any different. The “Experts” are mostly picking the Giants to end the season a few games behind the Los

Angeles Dodgers, but I refuse to believe such a thing would happen two years in a row, and that is my official, completely biased opinion, which you can take to the bank. There’s nothing that says America like baseball, and that’s coming from a guy who’s writing this article wrapped in an American flag while feeding a bald eagle hot dogs and apple pie. I hope everyone enjoys the home runs, the strikeouts, and most of all, the torture.

NORCAL

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Extreme

A Career in Midair The Launch of a NorCal Native

By Zach O’Brien photography by John Reiser

Nick Dunne is a gainfully employed NorCal local, and I’m willing to bet his job is cooler than yours.

A normal work day for Dunne includes going to a massive stadium with thousands of fans ready to cheer him on. With flashing colored lights and explosions of fire all around him, he revs his 200-pound dirt bike up a narrow metal ramp and jumps 30-feet in the air, clearing a 75-foot wide gap—upside-down. For most, this would seem like something out of a dream (a nightmare maybe), but for Dunne, a professional freestyle motocross rider, it’s just another day at the office.

As a top FMX (freestyle motocross) rider, Dunne has solidified himself as a mainstay in the sport, but his rise to the top was neither straightforward, nor pain-free.

A life-long resident of Redding, his father bought him his first

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Active NorCal May/June 2014

bike when he was four. A year later he was already racing his bike at Redding’s Rodeo Grounds and then gradually moved on to riding in the Friday and Saturday night races in Anderson. It wasn’t until his early teens that he started getting serious about the freestyle aspects of dirt biking.

“The freestyle riding started when I was 13 or 14, just jumping little jumps,” recalled Dunne. “The lifestyle that was associated with freestyle was so appealing to me; it was more laidback than racing. All you did was just ride your dirt bike, hang out with your friends and have fun.”

After mastering smaller jumps and getting a better feel for freestyle, Dunne took his riding to the next level. Of course, good things take time, and building the courage to conquer a 75foot jump for the first time is not the type of thing one should

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“Riding freestyle is such an up-anddown game. One time, I broke six or seven bones in my foot and had to spend six months sitting on the couch.”

Dunne enjoys hanging out with his baby son Hunter. With the recent addition to the family, Dunne has had to find a balance between his extreme profession and spending valuable time at home.

rush. Eventually, he became comfortable using metal ramps and began entering amateur competitions. That’s where he got his big break.

In 2010, he won an amateur competition called AFMXA and was featured in the movie “On The Pipe 6.” During this breakout year he was approached by freestyle legend Brian Deegan and asked to join the famous Metal Militia team.

“Growing up, I always wanted to be part of Metal Militia,” said Dunne. “Signing with them was my biggest accomplishment, and a dream come true.”

Though signing his first professional contract meant he had officially “made it,” he knew he had to continue to progress to stay successful.

Years before Dunne burst onto the scene, the landscape of freestyle motocross had changed. Now riders were attempting new and more dangerous tricks, most notably the backflip. The backflip was once thought to be “the holy grail of FMX.” For most of the sports’ history it was considered to be an impossible trick. In 2002, the backflip was finally being performed consistently by the upper-echelon of riders in the industry, changing the sport forever.

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Active NorCal May/June 2014

In 2009, it had become clear to Dunne if he wanted to continue to excel in his sport he would have to learn the backflip. It took several years just to get over the fear of flipping himself upsidedown 25-ft above the ground. To ease the pressure of figuring out the daunting trick, he trained by flipping into foam pits.

That year, he made a personal pact to himself - land a flip or stop riding freestyle altogether. Needless to say, the hard work paid off.

It took him two or three years of going to different places and jumping into foam pits to get comfortable with backflips. Even a foam pit is not completely safe. “One time, my hand flew off and the bike smacked me in the head knocking me out for about five minutes in the pit,” revealed Dunne.

Ultimately reaching his goal of landing a backflip through countless acts of trial-and-error, Dunne was finally able to claim his place among the top riders in the sport. He no longer had to worry about abandoning his dream.

Now Dunne participates in big traveling FMX shows like Nuclear Cowboys, which take place in jam-packed stadiums around the country. In many respects, pro freestyle riders are similar to rock stars - they go on tours across the country, have thousands of adoring fans, and perform along with light shows and fire displays. And while it’s incredible to collect a paycheck for doing what you love to do, the life of a professional FMX rider has its fair share of discouraging moments as well.

“Riding freestyle is such an up-and-down game. One time, I broke six or seven bones in my foot and had to spend six months sitting on the couch,” explained Dunne. “The mental aspect is the hardest part about coming back from an injury. You might get injured once and never be able to come back, but you have to leave all that mental stuff behind you.”

Embarking on a new life adventure, Dunne and his fiancé Kaitlin just had their first child, a boy named Hunter. The new addition to his life might make him a little more cautious when approaching a ramp, but you could never tell by watching him.

Now, he makes the backflip look easy, performing various acrobatics while upside-down in the air, like the Kiss Of Death Indian Air. His most visually stimulating trick might be The Captain, where he poses like the mascot of Captain Morgan rum mid-air, resting his foot on the handlebars and looking at the crowd for approval. Think that’s impressive? He also does it upside-down.

Probably the most telling sign of Dunne’s character is that he’s remained grounded and humble despite his fame and success. Always happy to hang out with young fans or sign autographs, Dunne is an example of how determination, hard work and a “do-or-die” attitude will allow you to make your dreams come true. He is living proof for kids in NorCal that the possibilities are endless. You just might need to be a little crazy.

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NORCAL

fitness

Better Than a Pink Fat Lip Taking a Swing at Pink Gloves Boxing

By Angela Cordell

When I walked into Shasta Athletic Club, all I knew was that the class was called Pink Gloves and I was a little confused. If you think about it, the name seems like a contradiction. Boxing gloves are hard and associated with tough guys, power and even violence. Pink is associated with girly girls, fluffy cotton candy and summer sun dresses. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would I have to punch people? Was this Redding’s version of women’s Fight Club? Would it be a workout? And most important, would I get to wear pink gloves?

As the class started I was pleasantly surprised and relieved to be surrounded by a diverse group of women who didn’t look like they had any intention of beating me up. Since I had been on a bit of a workout streak, I was fairly confident that I’d be up for the physical challenge.

Our instructor, Ariel, was kind enough to share her pink gloves with me, but as soon as I slipped them on I got nervous. When we started warm-up punches, I got even more nervous! I mean, it’s hard to hit things. Or maybe I should say, it’s hard for me to hit things. As women, we’re not supposed to use our fists… right?

When I raised my gloved hand to hit the punching bag, I heard my classy, feminine mother’s voice in my head reminding me to act like a proper lady.

I paused. In that very moment of hesitation, one of my Pink Glove classmates turned to me and said, “Let loose on the bag.” I think she knew I needed permission to let go.

My first punch was surprising. I had already taken a few swings in mid-air, but that’s different than hitting something solid. Making contact with a punching bag is powerful. It’s a move that engages your entire body from head to toe. Each punch became stronger

and more powerful than the last. For a few moments I forgot myself and just started wailing. When I finally stopped, my classmate smiled and said, “It feels pretty awesome, doesn’t it?” Hell yeah, it did!

I asked another classmate what she was thinking about while throwing punches, and I loved her answer. She said, “It depends on the day. Sometimes I’m thinking about my stance and how I’m punching.

Sometimes I’ll start reminding myself that I can keep

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going even though my arms are tired and my heart is racing. Every once in a while, I think about that person in my life that really pisses me off, and I just go for it.”

Ariel is a wonderful and knowledgeable instructor who takes the time to meet each woman at her own fitness and skill level.

She was very patient with me as I stumbled through class with limited coordination and much less stamina than I thought I had. Did I mention that boxing is a tough workout? Pink Gloves is a cardio and toning workout all in one. As a woman who hates running on a treadmill, this type of fitness is right up my alley and far more effective. But it is hard.

I did punch someone, but it was an accident. Missing the punching pad that your classmate is holding can be painful for them, and embarrassing for you.

Thankfully, my boxing partner was very gracious. In Pink Gloves, everyone is on the same team, and there is no boxing ring. Well, not yet.

My favorite part of the class was asking my classmates what they liked most about the Pink Gloves program. One woman said she loved the cracking sound

of her gloves hitting the instructor’s boxing pads. Another said it reminded her of fighting it out with her sisters when she was growing up. They were all there for a different reason, but all agreed on one thing; they came to class each week because of the bond they were building and sharing with each other.

It’s clear that Pink Gloves isn’t your average self-defense or workout class. It’s a safe space to find the courage that lives deep down inside each of us. It is a group of strong women who have connected through unlocking a power inside of themselves that only a set of pink gloves can let out.

To find out more about the Pink Gloves class at Shasta Athletic Club, contact Charlie Hauser at (530)241-7711.

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Expo

Brought to you by Active NorCal Magazine

MAY 31, 2014 MT. SHASTA MALL 10 AM – 5 PM ACTIVE NORCAL magazine will host our premiere active event at the Mt. Shasta mall featuring exhibitors from all facets of the active Northern Californian community.

This exciting event will feature booths with information on youth sports, adult happenings, bicycling clubs, summer sports camps, summer activities, boating, hiking, healthy living and a variety of other en-

deavors that keep our community moving, fit and having fun. Research shows that 97% of Northern Californians like our area’s outdoor, sports and recreation activities most about our community. This event is the perfect opportunity for vendors and organizations to show the community what they have to offer and to bring us together in our commitment to healthy lifestyles.

Exhibitors Cost $200 per booth, $100 for non-profit groups u Booth at event u Booth includes table, table drape and chairs Call Zach O’Brien at (530) 247-7330 to register for the event.

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Q&A Mayor Rick Bosetti Shasta County Native and current Redding Mayor Rick Bosetti played six seasons for five different organizations in Major League Baseball between 1976 and 1982 before resettling back in his hometown. Beyond his mayoral duties, Bosetti also coaches the Colt .45’s, a local collegiate summer league baseball team. We sat down with him to learn more about his lifelong love affair with the community, his professional baseball career, the Colt .45’s and much more.

You grew up in Redding, right? What was it like leaving home to play professional baseball?

Yes, I was born at Mercy Hospital a month after it opened on the hill in 1953. First time I ever went away from home I was only 19. I was the last guy drafted in the supplemental draft in 1973, in the wintertime, and it was more of a favor I think by my scout because I had been drafted by the Army. It was the last year of the lottery draft, and the Army said, “You’re leaving [for Vietnam] in April,” and my scout came down and saved me. I had just done one and a half years at Shasta College, and of course my coach didn’t want me to leave. So they [the Philadelphia Phillies] just gave me fifteen hundred bucks and a plane ticket to Florida.

What’s your favorite story from your professional baseball days?

The Yankees and the Red Sox were going down to the wire [for the AL East division title]. It went down to the last three games, and we [the Toronto Blue Jays] went to play Boston for the last three games of the season, and the Yankees were in Cleveland playing their last three games. It was a day game, and the first day of the series [against Boston]. I was playing in the outfield, and this big roar came from the crowd behind me along with big boos. I turn around to look at the scoreboard at Fenway to see what was going on, and I realize the Yankees had just beaten the

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[Cleveland] Indians. The next day, Saturday, I see this kid who was working the scoreboard, and I say to him, “I’m gonna play a prank on my buddy with the Red Sox.” So, I go down to the Yankees/Red Sox game [score], and I put a 5 as the score for the Yankees, and a zero for the Indians, and then I put an “F” up for final [score], and then the fans just go nuts, and they’re booing and jeering. I couldn’t sneak out [from the scoreboard], and so I run out, and the coaches are going “whaaattt?” because they realize that the [Yankees/ Indians] game won’t be over for another two and a half hours. They start the same time we do. It was a good practical joke, it was fun.

Why did you return to your hometown?

Well, I married my high school sweetheart, and she was on the road with me and we were living in Toronto. When I got traded to Oakland she was there with me for that.

We had two kids, so when the games were over, it was natural to go home and be with your family. So, in 1981 we bought a little house in Redding. We raised four kids here [in Redding], a great, great city to raise your kids in, and I knew I wanted to be around all the good people here.

What was it like raising a family here?

It was wonderful. The greatest thing about this city is the generosity of the people, the generosity for charitable causes, the generosity [in the event of] tragedies.

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What spoke miles was after September 11, 2001 the fire department held a 24-hour fill-the-boot drive, and this city contributed over $160,000 in 24 hours. And down in Berkeley, CA, in a week, they raised $25,000. The young people here might say things like, “Redding is boring. There’s nothing to do,” but they’re just a little young to appreciate the kind of value in their community that parents, middle aged, and people that have been here their whole lives recognize.

What are your favorite activities to do here in the North State?

My wife and I have two small rustic cabins up on the Scott River, and we’re about 16 miles west of Fort Jones, so it’s the middleof-nowhere, and I love nothing better than being on the edge of the Marble Mountains.

You can jump off onto the Pacific Crest Trail within an hour of our place, there’s unlimited hiking potential. There are waterfalls and hundreds of lakes in the Marbles.

What’s the biggest difference between Shasta County now and when you grew up here?

The activities for the younger people are less diverse. Part of my goal at South City Park is to start up again some of these evening activities that aren’t baseball... maybe a concert. I can remember as a young person, Saturday night at South City Park was date night, so you cruise around.

Then, you’d go to Tiger Park with your buddies and hang out. That’s where you gathered. That doesn’t happen anymore.

I’d like to see teen center dances again. I’d like to make the park a safe place for kids.

That’s one of the things that the kids don’t have. I don’t think the kids here today are as “outdoor-oriented” because of all the technology that has jumped into our lives, I think the technology is a good thing, but too much of it is a bad thing, and I don’t think kids realize that until they’re older.

We didn’t have all the technology when I was in high school. We did things like waterski on the ACID canal behind a ’67 ford pickup truck. We did all kinds of stuff like that, and you’re not going to see kids doing things like that today. If you want to have a good time though, if you want to enjoy yourself in this area, there’s plenty of opportunities.

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What’s the City of Redding’s biggest accomplishment in the past 10 years?

I would say that our trail system has become not just nationally recognized, we are worldwide recognized now for our trails. Very few places anywhere in the world can brag about a river trail system and then connecting trail systems out into areas around the city where you can bike around the city and just see the most beautiful country over near the river and up on the hills. You could take a ride right now all the way over to Whiskeytown.

You can go to so many different places and that’s been tremendous for the community. The Sundial Bridge is having its 10th anniversary this year. That’s a City accomplishment. The Sundial Bridge is kind of like an anchor, and now it’s just everything is going out from it.

What do you like about coaching the Colt .45’s?

Being with 30 young kids. I’m 60 now, and my love for the game has never diminished. The game has changed somewhat. The attitude of the players has changed somewhat. But the basic ten-

Corner of Hilltop & Dana Dr., Redding 530.223.3575 • www.mtshastamall.com

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ants of the game itself has not changed, and when I can impart a skillset that might have taken me three years in the big leagues to learn and figure out, and be able to hand it to an 18 or 19 year old kid, for the one that gets it, and you look in his eyes and it clicks, and he appreciates it—that’s why I’m here, that’s what I’m supposed to be doing. And the other aspect of it is bringing my community down to this field. Tiger Field was built in 1923 at the confluence of highways 44 and 99. This was it. This was where they came. This was a hub. They used to draw 1,500-2,000 people back in those days. I just want to try to grab a part of that [history]. You got some of these kids coming up here from prestigious universities last year, so the kids that were here…they went back to their coaches, back to their teammates saying, “Hey, you need to go to Redding. It’s a cool place to play. It’s a cool town. You got these lakes, you got the mountains, you got all this.” I want our people that live in the city to come watch this, come experience this because it’s good quality baseball.

What should people expect from a Colt .45’s game?

You’re going to come and see high-level kids that have potential. You’re going to see names, you’re going to see kids here that in 3-4 years will be in the draft. The kids that come here, they are not only trying to advance their collegiate career, but they all believe they’re going to be professional baseball players someday. It’s a good time, it’s good wholesome family fun, it’s inexpensive. I get so excited when I’m sitting there in the dugout with the players, and I see 500 people watching in the stands and half of them are kids. They’re running all over the place and mom and dad are able to relax for a couple hours, and they know that they’re in a safe place.

Where do you see the Colt .45’s going into the future?

The 3-5 year plan is that we will have a 1,200 to 1,400 stadium seats, a seating capacity of 2000; we’ll be part of a prominent summer collegiate league. We will have frontline players coming to us from USC, UCLA, Arizona State, as well as the schools we already have. So when

people come they’re going “wow! Look at this pitcher on the mound throwing 92 mph.” We’re going to have 3 pitchers like that this year. I want to have a roster where I have 5 pitchers pitching like that. I want to have hitters that make the field look like a little league field because they’re hitting the ball so hard. I want to see 1500 people a night coming to the game, having a good time. It’s 2 months out of the year, they can get to see these kids, they get to own these kids, they get to make their attachments with these kids because we make these kids available. These kids clean up after the games.

They’re emptying garbage cans, they’re raking the field, and they’re doing it all.

We want fans to swarm like a hive of honeybees at the stadium every night. It all goes back to that sense of community; it goes back to these businesses that are making a profit. Employing people so that they can provide for their families, and making money and then putting that money right back into the community. I want to be a part of that. I want to take Tiger Park, and make it a place that’s safe for kids and families again.

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Get In Gear M a y

i s

B i k e

M on t h

By Amy Pendergast

Bicycling offers different things to different people…a sense of freedom, a fun thing to do, a way to connect with nature, free transportation, social or family time, a good workout, stress reduction, you name it. Whatever it may be, May is a great time to get in gear and go for a ride as communities across the nation celebrate Bike Month.

“It’s all about encouraging more people to ride bicycles more often,” says Sara Sundquist, who has coordinated various bike month events in Shasta County since 2003. The Bike Month celebrations in Shasta County center around a Bike Challenge in which participants are entered into a drawing each day they ride and a wide variety of bicycle related events.

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“It was incredibly fun! The Challenge really brought our close knit staff even closer together and built team spirit,” says John Stein, Team Captain of Living the Dream (Sports LTD), which was the top ranked team in the 2013 Bike Challenge. John’s wife often surprised team members with baked goods and fresh cut watermelon and a team member hosted a BBQ that employees rode to after work. “There was also friendly peer pressure encouraging everyone to participate.”

The most inspirational rider for members of Living the Dream was co-worker Sandy Cameron, 46 years old. Sandy says she ‘was not a bicyclist’ and had not really ridden bikes in 15 years. During the 2013 Bike Challenge she rode a bike to work every work day – 16 miles each way. Not only did she lose 20 pounds, she also went through three bikes in two weeks, beginning with her old hybrid bike, then a bike borrowed from a team mate, and finally a new bike she purchased for herself. Sandy continues to ride that new road bike 30 to 50 miles per week.

“I was lucky enough to live near two of my coworkers and our schedules overlapped so two or three of us rode to work together each day,” says Sandy about her experience in the Bike Challenge. “It was motivational to know I’d disappoint them if I didn’t

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ride to work with them.” Sandy says she now knows ‘how great it feels to be out there riding’ and has a whole new respect for bicyclists she comes across while driving, slowing down to wave and giving them plenty of space when she passes.

This year’s Bike Challenge is free for Shasta County residents and offers an entry into a free drawing each day you ride a bicycle to work, school, errands, restaurants, the park, or other destinations from May 3 to 18. Where

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This year’s Bike Challenge is free for Shasta County residents and offers an entry into a free drawing each day you ride a bicycle to work, school, errands, restaurants, the park, or other destinations from May 3 to 18.

Where else can you win a prize for simply riding your bike? else can you win a prize for simply riding your bike? The Bike Challenge also encourages worksites and schools to form teams to compete against each other and for experienced bicyclists to reach out to those who don’t ride often and encourage them to give it a try.

“I enjoyed seeing people experience the thrill of bicycling for the first time, or for the first time since childhood,” says Keith Williams, a participant in the 2013 Bike Challenge. Keith appreciates that he doesn’t have to waste extra time exercising since he bicycles to work and errands, and bicy-

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cling helps him think more clearly and save money on transportation.

Bike Month events provide great destinations to bicycle to. Eight businesses and organizations are offering Energizer Stations. Those who simply stop by while riding a bike receive free refreshments, such as fresh juice at Country Organics & Roots Juice Bar or a bicycle themed book for kids at Turtle Bay Exploration Park. The Shasta Wheelmen will provide valet bicycle parking and free pancake breakfast tickets to the first 150 people to arrive by bike to the Rodeo Week pancake breakfast on May 16 in downtown Redding.

There is a wide range of events planned, such as yoga for bicyclists, social events, and organized rides, with a full schedule of Redding area events at www. healthyshasta.org/bikechallenge.

Chico area events include “Walk and Roll Wednesdays” with Energizer Stations, bicycle safety events at schools, and a chance for students to win a bike.

Other community events include a Garden Tour by Bike, Children’s Bike Swap, and Bike Chico! Cyclebration. More details are at www.bikechico.org.

Time to dust off your bike, pump up those tires, and get bicycling!

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We’re living in paradise, a bicyclist’s paradise to be precise. Expert or novice, mountain biker or road biker, Northern California is home to some of the most diverse, fun and beautiful biking routes available in the world.

A Bicyclist’s Paradise

By Ross Lawrence

This explains the fervent devotion

many NorCal people feel toward taking their bikes out for a sunny spin. Two Redding biking clubs, the Shasta Wheelmen and the Redding Mountain Biking Club, promote the sport and strive to increase awareness about the amazing opportunities available.

After years of promoting and accommodating biking in the NorCal area, the Shasta Wheelmen and Redding Mountain Biking Club have no intention of putting on the brakes. In addition to organizing several rides a week and spreading information about biking in general, these clubs provide extra incentive to ride when some might be tempted to stay inside.

Other members are waiting for, even counting on riding partners.

President of the Wheelmen, Charlie Finkel, also notes that as a participant in a club with over a hundred members, “There’s always going to be somebody of your same skill level.”

Cruising the streets with friends is also positive from a safety perspective. When you’re riding with others, cars are more likely to see you, give you a wider berth and are less likely to harass you. In addition, biking organizations serve as an outlet for riders interested in socializing with other like-minded enthusiasts, and participation can foster friendships that last a lifetime.

“The relationships that I’ve developed with some of the members of the club have been an important part of my life,” disclosed Wayne Wilson, board member of

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the Wheelmen. “Socializing while you’re riding, socializing after the ride, that’s the best part.”

On the other hand, if you’re more of a loner, or someone who enjoys to bike in solitude you can still have a great time biking in NorCal. There’s nothing like flying down a road or trail on a sunny spring day, refreshing beads of sweat and the wind cooling you off, looking at either side of you and seeing deep green rolling hills with snow capped mountains off in the distance. Feeling the tread of your tires move across the pavement and listening to the soothing sounds of your gears is an awesome experience. Isolation in such circumstances helps you realize the enormity and beauty of NorCal. “I really enjoy riding by myself,” said Finkel. “Sometimes you really get into the Zen of it. There’s always the great feeling of riding by yourself and enjoying that, and you can think a lot; I think some of my greatest thoughts come when I’m riding by myself.”

Many appreciate bicycling because of its inclusivity. No real limitations exist in terms of who can participate; whether you’re young, old, tall, short, fast, slow, novice or expert you can still get out and ride.

“A testament to bicycle riding – we have a member who is 86 years old and riding regularly, and a lot of members in their 70s who kick butt,” declared Finkel.

He added, “I personally think [riding] adds to longevity, and helps with your overall health.”

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Bicycle Safety 1. Check your bike regularly to make sure it is in good working order – especially the brakes and tire pressure.

2. Follow the rules of the road and ride predictably – ride on the right side of the road, stop at red lights and stop signs, and keep a steady line.

3. Be visible – wear bright colors; use lights and reflectors.

4. Plan your route – the route you bike may be different than the way you would drive to a given destination. Streets with low traffic and slower speeds are safer and more enjoyable to ride, and you may be able to utilize trails or shortcuts that are not available to cars.

5. Carry supplies such as a tube or patch kit, a bike pump, water and a cell phone.

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6. Bicycling is more fun with others so invite a friend or coworker to join you.

7. Adjust your bike to fit your size – if you stand over your bicycle, there should be 1 to 2 inches between you and the top bar on a road bike, and 3 to 4 inches on a mountain bike.

8. Always wear a properly fitted helmet.

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Another appealing part of being involved in the biking community is that you experience the thrill of organizing rides, and specifically rides that have never been done before. The fact that people who have been living and riding their bikes in Redding for decades still discover new routes on a regular basis highlights how perfect the Shasta County area is. Places in the region exist like the Swasey recreation area with trails appropriate for beginners, intermediate, and advanced riders. Locations like Swasey, which provide diverse terrain, allow inexperienced or younger bikers to gradually raise their level in one centralized location.

Living in Northern California, it can be easy to the take the weather and gorgeous natural surroundings for granted. For those who get out and ride on a regular basis, it’s easier to appreciate the grand beauty that surrounds us here.

“I went 3,400 miles and looked at all types of serene terrain and scenery, and you know we have right here in our backyard some of the best,” explained Finkel who recently went on 48day ride across the country. “I couldn’t find anywhere else that rivaled what we have here. We have everything here. We’ve got

mountains. We’ve got hilly terrain. We’ve got lakes. It’s really a paradise here.”

Riding conditions are so good in NorCal that they have actually lured people into the area. Joel Kwiatkowski, a board member of the Redding Mountain Biking Club, chose to move to Redding in part because of how easy and fun it was to mountain bike there. A native of the northeast, Kwiatkowski, who started riding 45 years ago on harsh improvised trails in the woods behind his house, loves the sport of mountain biking because of the thrill and adrenaline rush it produces as well as the health components. Being able to ride year round and spend the whole day darting through interconnected trails is what the experienced mountain biker really loves about the North State.

“I’ve worked in several other states, and I’ve never found another place that is quite like the Redding area in terms of the diversity that’s here,” expressed Kwiatkowski. “The variation in terrain, the natural beauty, and how you can combine the trails together; it’s why I love riding here.”

Avid bike riders love the sport for a range of reasons, but it’s hard for any of them to find fault with what’s available here in California. If you’re looking for flat ranchland or farmland to cruise through, we have it. If you want to ascend a mountain and end up riding amongst the pine trees, go for it. For a bicyclist in NorCal, the world is yours. The combination of the scenery, the diversity of the landscape, the sheer number of trails, the weather, and the passion of bike riders in our region ensure that Northern California will remain a rider’s paradise for many years to come.

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Bike Month Events Calendar May 3rd Learn from the Pros – Flat Repair Clinic at Sports LTD (RSVP required).

Give Me Wings Super Century (with the Shasta Wheelmen) – Road biking event with choices of 26, 41, 63, 103 or 126 miles offered; rest and snack stops along the way and a meal after the ride (Foothill High School in Palo Cedro).

Dam-Bridge Ride - Community-based bike rides for two different skill levels. 10-mile ride for families with children 9-12 and a 32-mile ride for adult riders and families with children over 12 (Sundial Bridge, 8 a.m. to noon).

Fire Trek Century 2014 - Enjoy a Metric Century or a Metric 1/2 Century ride through scenic Shasta Valley in Siskiyou County, California (Shasta Valley, 8 a.m.).

May 3rd-18th Bike Challenge - Be entered into a free drawing each day you ride your bike to work, school, errands or wherever you need to go. Register a worksite or school team, or as an individual at healthyshasta. org/bikechallenge.

May 4th Shasta Living Streets’ Family Bicycling Day on Parkview Avenue (10 a.m.-4 p.m.). A section of Parkview Avenue will be closed to car traffic.

May 7th Bike to School Day – children are encouraged to ride their bikes to school.

Caltrans Slow Ride Competition May 8th, 15th and 22nd Blazing Saddles Mountain Bike Race (Swasey Recreation Area, 6 p.m.).

May 14th Lunch Ride on Sacramento River Trail with Caltrans.

May 16th Free Pancake Breakfast & Valet Bicycle Parking, (6 a.m. to 10

a.m., Roaring Gulch (Downtown Redding)). Valet bicycle parking and FREE breakfast tickets for the first 150 people who bicycle to the Asphalt Cowboy’s famous outdoor pancake breakfast.

Come see us for all your cycling needs.

Bike to Work Day Bike to Happy Hour for a Bicycle Commuter Festival (at Carnegie’s, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.).

May 17th Whiskeytown Duathalon – 3 miles of running, 8 miles of mountain biking and an additional 3 miles of running (Shasta Mine Loop Parking Lot, 8:30 a.m.).

Anderson Century Bike Ride - This ride offers something for every level of cyclist, from the family who wants to get out and ride to the hardcore cyclist looking for their next Century (Anderson River Park, 6 a.m.)

The Bike Shop

3331 Bechelli Lane • Redding, CA 96002 Phone: 530-223-1205 thebikeshopredding.com Tuesday-Friday 9-5:30 and Saturday 9-5

May 21st 11th Annual Ride of Silence with the Shasta Wheelmen (Sundial Bridge, 7 p.m.).

“Finally a place to find everything I want to know about the things I love to do in NorCal”

May 24th Northern California Cycle Challenge presents: The Art of Survival Century. 45 mile and 35 mile family ride (Tule Lake, 7:30 a.m.)

June 12th Bike Challenge winners announced at Market Street Faire (Market Street Square, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

Energizer Stations Enjoy FREE refreshments when you arrive by bicycle at an Energizer Station!

May 7th: Shasta Regional Transportation Agency (7 a.m. to 9 a.m.).

May 7th-16th: Country Organics and Roots Juice Bar, and Brew Craft Coffee.

May 9th: Sundial Bridge hosted by Caltrans District 2 (3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

May 13th: Turtle Bay Exploration Park at Sundial Bridge (7 a.m. to 9 a.m.).

May 15th: Redding Rancheria Health Center (6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.).

Northern California’s Sport, Fitness and Outdoor Magazine

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Meet the Shingletons – Elton, Bradley, Ashley and Taylor.

They are gearing up for Bike Month with some of the most advanced equipment on the market. They went to Village Cycle at 3090 Bechelli Lane in Redding to try out these new bikes, helmets, protective equipment and accessories for the biking season.

Synchro Helmet by Mavic $125

Helmet- Maja BMX Helmet by Kali Protectives $40

Roubaix Jacket by Endura $80

Rapido Short Finger Gloves by Endura $25

Synapse Road Bike by Cannondale $1350

Arum BMX Bike by Subrosa $450

Team Print Water Bottle

by Cannondale $6 Carbon Water Bottle Cage by Full Speed Ahead $10

WR-41 Road Shoes by Shimano $120

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cover story

Mud, Sweat and Fears Can You Survive Tough Mudder?

By Zach O’Brien

The words What the heck did I get myself into? leapt to mind several times during my first experience with Tough Mudder (TM). I knew I was paying for 3 ½ hours of pain, but I had no idea how much more there was to it.

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I can’t recall how I heard about Tough Mudder back in 2010, but as soon as I did I knew I had to do it. A few of my work colleagues had decided it was a fun challenge, and might force us to get into great shape for the summer. Everyone was enthusiastic about the idea at first, but when the dust settled there were just three of us – my boss, his girlfriend and I – driving I-80 towards Squaw Valley Resort for an adventure.

The energy at Tough Mudder was palpable. We felt a sense of camaraderie with fellow Mudders from the very beginning. Anticipation was high as we gathered near the start with hundreds of other soon-to-be Mudders. People were jumping up and down, both nervous and excited at the same time. As a group, we recited the Tough Mudder Pledge: “I understand that Tough Mudder is not a race, but a challenge.

I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time.

I do not whine - kids whine.

I overcome all fears.”

As the gun sounded we raged off with a spring in our step we wouldn’t feel again for the rest of the day. We burst through the initial starting line, “smoke” and headed up the hill. Our first challenge was—you guessed it—mud. Men in military uniforms screamed at us to drop down and crawl under the barbed-wire fence and through the pool of mud. Six minutes in, and we were caked in mud.

With enthusiasm in our bodies and mud on our faces, we looked up at our next challenge—a giant hill to conquer and summit. This was no ordinary hill, but a snowless black-diamond ski run clearly chosen to break us.

This is when we stopped running and started pacing ourselves.

After summiting the hill we met Arctic Enema, our next challenge – a pool of ice aptly named. Jumping in a pool of ice, swimming under an obstacle and resurfacing on the other side is tough, but the biggest shock was the effect it had on our bodies. Our muscle functions nearly shut down, and still near the beginning of the race no less. The muscle paralysis would be felt for the next few obstacles.

Next we arrived at possibly the most difficult obstacle – Everest. It is a large quarter-pipe (a term used to describe a large wall sloped at the bottom) covered in remnants of mud from the Mudders who attempted to summit it before us. This obstacle was hardly even possible to complete without the help of others. Luckily there was a large group of strong Mudders waiting at the top to help pull us up. We got a running start, leaped with all of our might and grabbed the arms of our fellow Mudders. They helped pull us to the top. “Paying it forward” is very important in Mudderland - staying to help at least one other Mudder climb up Everest is only polite.

About TM Standing atop Everest watching the teamwork being displayed by one complete stranger after another, I couldn’t help but think of how this epic event came to fruition.

Tough Mudder was founded in 2010 by second year Harvard business student Will Dean. He comprehended the potential of his idea when he set a goal of 500 participants for his first event, and 5,000 showed up. During the boom of the fitness industry, Tough Mudder stood apart from the others by offering a social, team-based challenge compared to the typical, individual race.

TM has since hosted over 100 events with over 1.3 million participants.

If that doesn’t say enough, 4,000 people (so far) have had the Tough Mudder logo tattooed on their bodies. The fanatical engagement of Mudders is something else. Each event serves as a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization whose goal is to help U.S. soldiers wounded in combat to adjust to life back home. So far Tough Mudder has raised $6.5 million for the organization.

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Active NorCal May/June 2014

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Upcoming Tough Mudder Near You!

Whistler, British Columbia l June 21-22 Portland, Oregon l August 9-10 Northstar-At-Tahoe l August 16-17 Seattle, Washington l September 27-28 SoCal l October 25-26

Beyond Everest After conquering my fear of heights on Everest, we took a short jog over to the Monkey Bars, a long climb from bar-to-bar across a pool of freezing-cold water. When I realized my upper-body strength was not up to par, I actually enjoyed the free-fall into the frigid watery pit. After using a rope to climb up the next obstacle, a 15-foot wall, we continued the long hike up the mountain.

Near the summit we encountered snow left over from the unusually harsh winter. The subsequent obstacles included crawling 50-yards under a large net, hauling a huge log up a hill and hurling ourselves over two 12foot walls. For most of us the walls were another challenge that could only be accomplished with the help of fellow Mudders. Only truly elite athletic specimens could conquer the walls on their own by using a running start to claw up the wall like a cat climbing a tree.

Tough Mudder Demographics

1.3 million participants to date

10-15,000 people per event

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Training for TM At this point I was starting to feel the elevation at the Squaw Valley summit.

I couldn’t help thinking how much better I would have felt if I had worked harder at my training. As a big, strong young guy, I considered myself to be in decent shape. Maybe I hadn’t taken the training process seriously enough.

I had been doing two hours of conditioning 3-5 times per week. I felt good in those situations, but was not prepared for the strength I would need for certain TM obstacles.

The advice I could give to any Mudder-in-training is to work on your upper-body, core and legs. Try a boot camp, which will improve your overall strength while incorporating cardio. Cross fit enthusiasts tend to really excel.

As we came down the hill we approached another large wooden wall, immediately followed by a small pond aptly named Walk The Plank. After

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average age

70% male

30% female

May/June 2014 Active NorCal

35

climbing the wall you are immediately “encouraged” by men in military uniforms to jump into the cold pond, about a 15-foot drop. After the climb, make sure to take some deep breaths to conserve oxygen before taking the plunge. After a 50-foot, ice-cold swim you finally make the shore.

Don’t simply blow off the “Can You Survive Tough Mudder?” title. In 2013, Avishek Sengupta drowned on this very obstacle at the Mid-Atlantic Tough Mudder. His family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. This is why training and an emphasis on safety are critically important while considering participation. While safety is everyone’s first consideration, there is still real danger involved.

Wet, tired and cold, we crawled out of the cold water and made our way to the next obstacle, the Boa Constrictor. This is a series of large corrugated pipes that you have to wiggle through like a snake. The bottom is, of course, filled with mud. With an exhausted limp and nearing the tenth mile, we managed to maneuver through it and the next two obstacles—two more giant wooden walls, and large, billowing stacks of hay to maneuver over. If you’re keeping track, that’s six large wooden obstacles we’ve conquered so far. Finally, at the very limit of our endurance, we made our descent.

The Mudder Way At this point I separated from my group. I took the steep descent slowly in fear of slipping on the loose rocks in my flaccid state. Though it was downhill, this is where my Mudderness was tested. About halfway down I saw a man waiting on the side clutching his arm. He waved me over and it was obvious the arm was broken. “Must have slipped on the rocks,” I thought, though I didn’t even bother to ask.

A passing Mudder kindly gave us a thermal blanket and we created a makeshift sling. Seemingly in a hurry, the victim thanked me profusely before taking off down the hill to catch up with his group. I had performed my Mudderly duty.

I completed two of the three final obstacles, climbing up a net and tightrope-walking across Twinkle Toes, a thin piece of wood stretching across a large pool of water, before seeing the obstacle that can make even the Toughest Mudders shake in their muddy boots – Electro-Shock Therapy.

They saved the scariest obstacle for last.

The finish line was in sight, but dangling in front of me were about 1,000 live electrical wires loaded with 10,000 volts each. These will knock even the biggest, baddest Mudders on their butts. I puckered up and blasted through without getting fried– completing my first Tough Mudder.

Finishers are awarded a t-shirt, a Tough Mudder headband and a complimentary beer. To the victors go the spoils. A big party was in progress behind the finish line, but all I could think about was gorging down a big meal and going home to heal my wounds.

The pain experienced during the ordeal was real enough, but my sense of accomplishment afterwards trounced it all. I wear my Tough Mudder shirt with pride, only to be stopped by fellow Mudders anxious to re-live the experience. Now part of an elite club of tough people, that sense of accomplishment is likely to stick with me. Though I will probably never bear a Tough Mudder tattoo like 4,000 other people, I will forever wear a metaphorical tattoo in my heart. Once a Mudder, always a Mudder.

NORCAL

Think you’re up to the challenge?

For more information about upcoming Tough Mudders or to register, go to www.toughmudder.com

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McArthur Burney

Lassen Peak

Chip O’Brien

The insistent bzzzzzzzz of a mosquito roused me from sleep, but

my eyes refused to open in hopes it would just go away. It didn’t. I was so warm and comfy in my tent I didn’t want to move, and then it struck me.

I wasn’t in a tent. I was “roughing it” in an $80,000 luxury RV with indoor plumbing, conditioned air, onboard entertainment system and satellite linkup. Welcome to camping in the 21st century.

Camping may have changed a lot over the years, but enthusiasm for this family-friendly harbinger of fair weather has blossomed well beyond the walls of any tent. Northern California is stuffed to the gills with great places to camp from remote and rugged, to packed and plush.

When I was a kid camping meant a flat, clean area near a lake or stream where you could not see anyone else. There was usually a fire pit and it was within reasonable walking distance of an outhouse and a water pump; and you’d better boil the water before drinking it unless you wanted to dance the dreaded “green apple two-step.”

Today campgrounds have evolved to keep up with a changing world.

State or Federal parks and larger private campgrounds are more likely to try to be all things to all campers. They typically offer campsites with hookups designed for those battleship-sized campers, as well as more primitive, socalled environmental campsites more suitable for tents. Most have access to lakes or streams for more traditional family activities like swimming and fishing and hiking. Some offer activities for kids, environmental tours guided by park rangers and even open-air stages for evening theatrical performances. In larger campgrounds you can expect daily visits from campground hosts, flush toilets, laundries and hot showers. A modern definition of “wilderness” might be anyplace on the planet that does not provide wifi.

And those kids will just have to quit whining about it.

Trying to choose particular NorCal campgrounds to discuss is like trying to pick which grain of sand to discuss on a beach. The following is a small glimpse at just a few popular camping areas from among the hundreds of NorCal options.

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Active NorCal May/June 2014

Hat Creek

Castle Crags State Park

Did Tarzan Dive Off Burney Falls?

The story was well known to me, but we at Active NorCal always check our sources.

If you Google “Tarzan, Burney Falls” or anything similar, you’re bound to find numerous entries claiming that actor and Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller dove off of Burney Falls in one of the first Tarzan films in the 1930s.

This old yarn had always bothered me for a couple of reasons. First, the water in Burney Creek is frigid. I don’t care if its a hundred degrees

outside, I couldn’t see a pampered Hollywood movie star leaping from a 129-foot waterfall into 22-feet of ice water. I put some excellent Shasta County historical bloodhounds on the trail, but no one has been able to document the story. I did, however, discover a few interesting tidbits about Johnny Weissmuller, our favorite Tarzan.

That famous Tarzan yell (Ahhhh-ia-ia-ia-ia-iaia-iaaaaaaa!) was actually produced in the studio partly

by playing a tape of someone yodeling, backwards. Weissmuller, however, always told his fans he made it up, and he did learn to imitate it very well.

In 1958 he was playing golf with some friends in Cuba. His group was suddenly surrounded by a band of armed rebel fighters, and their prospects did not look good. Weissmuller leaned back, cupped his hands around his mouth and let fly, Ahhhh-ia-ia-ia-iaia-ia-iaaaaaaa! The fighters recognized the yell and started

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yelling “Tarzan! Tarzan!” Weissmuller and his friends were escorted to safety.

If it turns out there is any truth to the story of Weissmuller diving from Burney Falls, you will read about it in Active NorCal and I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. On the other hand, if I ever dove into 40-degree water, I know exactly what the first thing out of my mouth would be, Ahhhh-ia-iaia-ia-ia-ia-iaaaaaaa!

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Battle Rock We know people died, and that Joaquin Miller (The Poet of the Sierras) was wounded in the battle but eventually recovered. There is a plaque in Castle Crags State Park telling at least part of the story of Battle Rock, and opinions about exactly what and why it happened run along racial lines.

The plaque marks Battle Rock, a granite spire in the park indicating the spot where in 1855 the last battle in the United States was fought between local Indians and white men where the natives used bows and arrows.

Mountain Joe DeBlondy and Joaquin Miller (The Poet of the Sierras) had recently started a trading post at nearby Soda Springs (Dunsmuir), hoping to profit from the influx of gold-crazy miners pouring into the area. One day when the post was vacant, a group of natives plundered it and carried away a good quantity of food. Apparently not noticing that a bag of flour was leaking, they left a white, dusty trail for the posse DeBlondy gathered to follow. The trail led up Castle Creek past Castle Lake and toward the granite spires up above.

When the miners attacked the Indians were caught off guard and their primitive weapons were no match for guns. Several Indians and miners died or were wounded.

The miners felt that to leave the plundering of the trading post unanswered would invite more theft and aggression by the Indians. An Indian woman told Joaquin Miller they had plundered the post because the miners had turned the river inside out looking for gold ruining the salmon run, and their people were starving.

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Active NorCal May/June 2014

Castle Crags

McArthur-Burney Falls

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park There are 121 campsites in this park and they can accommodate everything from tents up to 32-foot RVs. There is easy walking access to both the falls and beach on Lake Britton. There is also a small store where you can pick up everything you forgot to bring and a snack bar. The picnic area gets a lot of attention from some rather well trained Stellers Jays, a large, noisy blue jay with a pointy head. Tear a piece of bread from your sandwich and toss it into the air. If the birds are having a good day your piece of bread will not hit the ground.

The park’s official name honors two pioneer families who also have nearby towns named after them. In an effort to protect the falls in perpetuity, the McArthur family purchased the property and donated it to the state in the 1920s. The second name is for Samuel Burney, the first white settler in the area where the town now is. It’s interesting how Sam’s demise connects to another campground in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Whiskeytown Lake The campgrounds around Whiskeytown Lake are so close, yet they seem so far away. Oak Bottom has separate areas for both RVs and tent camping; along with a boat launch ramp, swimming beach and store. Brandy Creek specializes in RV camping. Boulder Creek, Brandy Creek, Horse Camp and Peltier Bridge are more primitive campgrounds offering just fire pits and outhouses.

Peltier Bridge is a particular favorite of mine because it is on Clear Creek, a terrific fishing stream. Most of the campsites are shaded at least part of the day, making them an excellent choice when NorCal hits triple digits. The stream not only offers gentle background music, but also natural air conditioning. Since Whiskeytown is a very good place to run into bears, be very careful not to leave food where hungry bruins can get at it.

Castle Crags State Park Another larger campground, Castel Crags offers 76 developed campsites and six environmental spots. This one is popular because it is right off I-5, has 28 miles of hiking trails and easy access to the upper Sacramento River for fishing, swimming and sunbathing. Hiking up the Crags is another hugely popular activity, and even kids can make it.

Lassen Volcanic National Park Between eight different campgrounds in the park, there are almost 500 campsites available for any kind of experience you want to have. Some have

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flush toilets and others vault toilets. Others have pay showers and laundry facilities close by. The entire park is gorgeous, but more than most other campground offerings, Lassen has elevation. The campgrounds are found between 5,700 and 6,800 feet, meaning they open later than others in the area. When camping anywhere in the park, be prepared for chilly conditions after the sun goes down. Many campers have been unprepared for 30-degree nighttime weather during the summer.

Hat Creek These are a few of the less fancy campgrounds, but still clean and immensely popular with families who prefer to avoid the megacamping experience. All six are on the banks of upper Hat Creek making them very popular with anglers. These areas are liberally stocked with trout throughout the fishing season. Bait, lures or flies are OK and there’s a five-fish limit per day. There are also abundant private campgrounds up and down the Hat Creek corridor. The public camps are Big Pine, Bridge, Cove, Dusty, Hat Creek and Rocky.

Shasta Lake This is a huge recreational area and a NorCal headliner. There are at least 15 public camps on the lake including Ski Island, the only boat-in campground. Swimming, boating and fishing are the big draws here, not to be eclipsed by a few of the non-traditional activities available, like spelunking.

Everyone knows about Shasta Caverns, and everyone ought to go at least once. But Samwel Cave is less well known, less commercial, and free. To gain access to the cave, stop by Lake Shasta Visitor Information Center in Mountain Gate (530) 275-1589, exit 687 off I-5 about eight miles north of Redding. There is a $10 deposit required when you pick up the key to the gated cave door, but your money is returned when you bring the key back afterward. You can get to the cave either by boat on the McCloud arm of the lake, or by driving to the McCloud Bridge Campground 17 miles off of I-5 on Gilman Road. From the campground drive south on Fenders Ferry Road to the kiosk marking the trail to the cave entrance.

Technology has definitely added to the landscape of options available to campers, and you can still rough it if you want to. But if you camp in an $80,000 motor home, just try not to have nightmares about that insistent bzzzzzzzz in the middle of the night. It could be a mosquito, but it could also be a miniature, blood-sucking drone sent to find you... by the IRS. Sleep well.

NORCAL

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Active NorCal May/June 2014

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Fishing

Tip Your Hat to Great Fishing Chip O’Brien

Talking about fishing Hat Creek as if it were one, homogeneous fishery is like saying all California anglers are the same. It just ain’t so. Hat Creek is an iconic fishing stream named long ago in a hailstorm of profanity.

In addition to its riffles, runs and pools, Hat has been made into a hodge-podge of dams, diversions, ditches and draws, all holding fish.

The lowest three miles before it enters Lake Britton helped jump-start the California Wild Trout Program. Through the course of its almost forty-mile length, Hat Creek wears many different, ah, hats.

It first sees daylight when it gushes out of the volcanic earth in Lassen Volcanic National

Park. It leaves the park a diminutive spring creek holding small, wild trout before merging with other subterranean waters at Big Springs near Old Station. There it begins taking on the characteristics of the fine trout stream that it is.

Upper Hat Creek is wildly popular with bait and lure fishermen who love the sizzle of fresh trout over a campfire. Upper Hat, along Highways 44 and 89, is liberally stocked one or more times a week during the fishing season, which starts the last Saturday of April and runs through November 15th. Anglers may keep up to five fish per day, with 10 in possession. Toward this upper end Hat runs through six public and one group camp-

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At Hat Creek, fisherman Larry Kaster shows off his freshly caught Brown Trout—a rare find in this river.

Whether you choose to bait or fly-fish, this river has something for everyone. Just be sure to review the different regulations on Upper, Middle and Lower Hat Creek.

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What’s in a name?

Names almost always make for a good story, and Hat Creek is no exception. Of course, not everyone may agree that a chosen name is appropriate.

According to an 1878 article in the Redding Independent, “This is said to be the most beautiful stream on the continent and is certainly deserving of a more appropriate name.”

With a name like Hat, you know there has to be a story, and there is.

It was in the early 1850s when John Fallansbee, Drury Harrill, John Dreilbiss and others struck out on horseback searching for the best route to plot a road to the Lassen Peak area. While fording an unnamed stream one of the horses tripped on a rock causing Drury Harrill’s brand-new Peruvian hat to fly off his head and get washed away in the swollen currents.

“After failing to recover it,” reads the 1888 account from the Shasta Courier, Harrill “made the air blue with his sulphurous remarks.” At this point and apparently unable to resist the temptation, John Fallansbee stood up in the stirrups of his horse and proclaimed to the world, “Let this stream which has just been so thoroughly damned be known hereafter as Hat Creek.” And so it was.

–Reprinted from “California’s Best Fly Fishing” by Chip O’Brien

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Active NorCal May/June 2014

ground where angling is a huge draw.

The stream moves at a good pace in these upper reaches and there is ample deep holding water. This is family fishing at its best, and a lot of kids have become hooked on fishing for life after catching their first trout on Hat Creek.

After leaving these upper public campground areas, Hat meanders through a checkerboard of public and private lands along Hwy. 89. There are private ranches and campgrounds providing river access for a fee. As the stream arrives at the broader valley floor the gradient begins to flatten out and Hat becomes a classic meadow stream twisting and turning intermittently through open pastures and tall stands of trees.

Just upstream from the tiny town of Cassel, most of the original flow of Hat Creek magically seeps back down into the earth again. It is the renewing waters of Rising River, a huge tributary spring on private land, that brings Hat back to life bigger and broader than ever. All this takes place on private property, but public fishing begins again in Cassel, another popular fishing spot where the character of the fishing begins to change.

Cassel is where Hat Creek begins its transition from principally a bait, lure and hatchery trout fishery, to its inevitable transformation into a wild trout stream with special angling regulations. In Cassel and down through the Cassel Campground and Forebay, bait, lure and fly anglers share the same water very amicably. There are so many fish in this section, both hatchery and wild, that everyone seems to have a great time.

Because of all that private water above Cassel, the stream here is a tantalizing combination of hatchery trout (like up above) and larger wild trout that drift down from the private water. Most of the really big fish are rainbows, but there are also a few wild browns the size of Buicks known to frequent this water chowing on hatchery fish. There are also giant pikeminnows in this section who do the same, and removing a few of these bruisers permanently will only benefit the trout fishing.

Below Cassel Forebay the stream takes another joy ride through a massive pipe before pushing into the turbines of the Hat 1 Powerhouse at the head of Baum

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Lake. Though technically a reservoir with a dam at the bottom, the best fishing water on Baum Lake is toward the upper half of the lake and is anything but still. Like the Cassel water just above, Baum has both hatchery and wild trout.

Another huge spring called Crystal Lake gushes into Baum down and around the corner from the powerhouse. The area where Crystal Lake water merges with Baum Lake (Hat Creek) water is always jam-packed with fish. Heading downstream, Baum Lake is the lowest point bait fishing is allowed, and the end of hatchery fish. All of the water downstream is dedicated to wild fish and the special angling regulations preferred by dedicated fly fishers.

Some people may consider it elitist to reserve a section of stream for one type of fishing to the exclusion of others, but this is not exactly accurate. Only bait is prohibited below the Hat 2 Powerhouse, which means anglers may fish with lures as long as the hooks are de-barbed. Two fish, 18-inches or larger may be harvested, but it’s considered something of a sacrilege here, and it’s only the bottom three miles of a forty-mile stream.

The last three miles of Hat Creek below the Hat 2 Powerhouse is very special.

To devoted fly anglers and wild trout advocates, it is even sacred. It used to be a lot like the water up above, full of hatchery fish and bait fishermen throughout the season. In the late 1960s a plan was hatched between Trout Unlimited, Pacific Gas and Electric and (then called) the California Department of Fish and Game. A small dam was built where the stream enters Lake Britton and scientists used rotenone to poison all remaining fish below the Hat 2 Powerhouse. Wild Hat Creek rainbows and brown trout from the Trinity River drainage were stocked in that section, and then they just left it alone to see if the wild fish would get a foothold.

Over the next decade the fly-fishing in those three miles of Hat became the stuff of legends.

Today we are left with not one, but three different Hat Creeks. Upper Hat is bait fishing Nirvana. Middle Hat, through Cassel and Baum Lake, is popular with everyone. Lower Hat is a cathedral to fly fishing and wild trout.

NORCAL

Nutrition

5 Superfoods for Better Health

By Annette Bryant

istock.com

The old adage “we are what we eat” has never been more true as science digs deeper into the health benefits of the foods we eat, and the long term effects they will have on our quality of life. Although most nutritionists avoid using words like “super foods,” there is ample data pointing to certain foods as possessing preventative and healing qualities. These can affect how well we feel now and into our golden years. Dozens of food items are identified as having these benefits, but here are our top five super foods choices: Salmon Rich in Omega 3s and high in low fat protein, this fish has shown to reduce the risk of heart disease in numerous studies. A diet rich in Omega 3 also has a positive effect on arthritis, memory loss, depression, joints, eyes and overall cardiovascular health. One of the most exciting new findings claims that a diet including fish and other Omega 3s at least three times a week reduces the risk of cancers including breast, colon, prostate and leukemia. What’s more, with 16.9 grams of protein and only 120 calories in a three-ounce serving, this delicious fish is a total winner.

Avocado Rich in Vitamins E, K and B6 as well as potassium, magnesium, antioxidants and Omega 3, avocados have shown to improve heart health, lower blood fat levels, work as an anti-inflammatory and help fight cancer. Because they are a low carb, low sugar food, avocados even out blood sugar levels and help fight diabetes.

Eat them twice a week.

Wasabi Wasabi (or Japanese horseradish) may have been created as a way of flavoring sushi and other raw fish products because of its affects as an antimicrobial. Antimicrobial agents are responsible for fighting bacteria and are thus a natural antibiotic. This root plant, normally made into a condiment, also has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to stop the growth of certain cancers. Include it in your diet twice a week – and if you don’t like the condiment, try wasabi covered dry pea snacks available at most grocery stores.

strated when the candy has at least 60 percent cocoa content, the higher the better.

With powerful nutrients like potassium, magnesium, copper, iron and flavonoids, dark chocolate helps lower blood pressure, improve blood flow to the brain for better perception and reduced risk of stroke. It also helps with depression. The flavonoids help protect against Type 2 diabetes and the Theobromine ingredient has shown to harden tooth enamel. Moderation is key here. Eat a small amount of dark chocolate three times a week and savor the flavor and health benefits.

These five simple foods, incorporated into your weekly diet may change your health destiny. Why not grill some salmon tonight, served with guacamole and a teaspoon of wasabi? Finish the meal with a bowl of blueberries and a piece of dark chocolate. This is healthy eating at its best.

NORCAL

Blueberries This powerful fruit is not only delicious but is packed with antioxidants, phytoflavinoids, potassium and Vitamin C. With their anti-inflammatory properties, these little berries help prevent heart disease and cancer. Blueberries are so versatile that you can have them with any type of meal and in smoothies, salads, yogurt and ice cream.

Dark Chocolate Now we’re talking! One of the great super foods is also one of the most craved.

Not to be confused with milk chocolate, the health benefits of dark chocolate have been demon-

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May/June 2014 Active NorCal

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local

10 years with the Sundial Bridge Celebrating Redding’s Icon

By Ross Lawrence

Everyone has a way of knowing that they’re close to home. Driving on Highway 44, you know you’re in Redding if you see Sundial Bridge’s 217-foot white pylon towering over the trees in Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Redding’s masterpiece compares with just about any bridge in the world, and ten years after its completion (July 4th, 2004), NorCal will have two full weeks of events and activities to celebrate all that the bridge has meant to the town since its construction.

Though initial conceptions of the Sundial Bridge were met with some resistance from Redding locals, the landmark has proved its worth by ramping up the tourism industry in the area, and serving as the “gateway to the Sacramento River.”

An architectural marvel, the structure perfectly balances human ingenuity with the amazing natural surroundings in Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Standing on the bridge on a clear day and looking down at the sun-sparkled Sacramento River, you feel like you’re on a massive sailboat traveling down the river’s gentle current.

“A lot of people were skeptical about the bridge just because of the cost and because it was a big change,” recalled Kim Neimer, Director of Community Services for the City of Redding. “But, I think once people saw the bridge and how beautiful it is, it really softened them up.”

Some noteworthy events taking place during the 10th anniversary celebration are original dance performances by the Bandaloop (who will be flying off the bridge’s 217-foot pylon), nightly concerts at the Riverfront Ampitheater, an LED light show, the 1st Annual Sundial Splash Community Float, and finally, a spectacular fireworks show at the Civic Center on the 4th of July. Labeled as “vertical dance pioneers” Bandaloop and their performances will be

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quite the spectacle as they utilize all the bridge’s potential as an artistic backdrop.

Also, families and competitive individuals alike will enjoy cooling off at the Sundial Splash Community Float and race down the Sacramento River on June 28th.

“I’ve tried to get Bandaloop here before, and I’ve always wanted to do a community float,” said Niemer. “It’s a great opportunity to do all these things we’ve wanted to try out for a long time.”

With all that Redding has been through in recent years, the 10th anniversary activities will be a great way to bring the community together to commemorate a landmark that in many ways embodies the best things about the city. The bridge and its surroundings bring out the friendliness and sense of community so prevalent in Redding.

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“As a community, this recession hit us pretty hard, and we’re still climbing out of it,” expressed Nieman. “So, [the 10th anniversary festivities] are a great chance for the community to pivot and say ‘let’s come together, celebrate and turn the page to move forward in a more positive direction.’”

So, come out to the Sundial Bridge this summer to embrace and celebrate all that’s great about Redding. The anniversary events will not only commemorate the past ten years, but they will serve as a starting point for a more prosperous community in the decade to come. As a NorCal resident though, whether you’re peaking out from the Sacramento River Trail, boating down the river, or driving down 44, when you see Sundial Bridge, you’ll know you’re home.

NORCAL

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just for fun

Summer Adventures at Camp McCumber

By Kayla Wagner

For me, it’s an extra special spot that holds childhood memories of outdoor adventures and making new friends. My journeys to Camp McCumber started in the first grade. Every year, my mom would take a group of us to camp, always stopping at the dam on the North Fork of Battle Creek on our way down Deer Flat Road for pictures and then making our way up to the campgrounds.

The excitement started with picking out a bunk in one of the cozy wooden cabins. The rest of the week was full of canoeing on Lake McCumber, making up skits, getting creative in the arts and crafts room, singing around the roaring campfire and wondering how Tadger (the mythical Camp McCumber creature) managed to steal our clothes in the middle of the night and hang them on the flagpole. Each day held a new adventure, and by the time camp was over I never wanted to leave.

Camp McCumber is the perfect place for kids to try new things and come to appreciate nature. Just seven miles east of Shingletown and 12 miles west of Lassen Volcanic National Park, the camp is located on 40-plus acres of wooded space covered in ponderosa pines and Douglas-fir trees. The campground is nestled beside beautiful Lake McCumber offering an abundance of waterfront activities from canoeing to swimming to fishing.

Campers are sure to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife, and learn all about the natural beauty of the area.

The campground hosts an endless amount of activities for

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kids to choose from, including hiking, archery, baseball, volleyball, badminton, soccer, arts and crafts, nightly skits, and more— there is something for everyone. And for kids that are not avid campers, this campsite offers the activities of outdoor camping while supplying the comforts of home: electricity, hot showers, cozy cabins and freshly cooked meals.

Camp McCumber hosts a variety of camps for local organizations such as churches, charter schools and science programs, and it is even available for private events. The Shasta Family YMCA holds two week-long summer camps for kids age 8 to 15. Session I: Myths and Legends is July 13–19 and Session II: Lights, Camera, Camp is July 27–August 2. The Lions Diabetic Camps are earlier in the summer, with the Youth Camp (age 8 to 17) from June 22 –28 and the Family Camp for diabetic youth age 5 and younger from June 13–15. Both of these camps give kids the opportunity to explore nature, find new talents, try new activities, and gain independence.

The diabetes camps have a special focus on helping kids with diabetes learn how to take care of themselves responsibly while living a normal, healthy lifestyle. For more information about either of these camps, visit sfymca.org and lionsdiabeticcamp.org.

Camp McCumber truly is an outdoor playground for kids, and a wonderful place to spend a piece of the summer. Campers are sure to be talking about their experience long after it ends and looking forward to going back time and time again.

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NORCAL

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