Eugene Cathcart has been fired up about mountain biking since he was a kid. Growing up in Flagstaff, Arizona he had the opportunity to ride great trails, race as a junior, and attend a few trail work parties. In the year 2000 he visited Oakridge for the first time to race the Cascade Cream Puff, a 100 mile mountain bike race (at that time it was three laps on the Alpine Trail). Captured by the beauty of the area and the awesome event he took to heart the mantra of the event "It's all about the trails and the community." In 2005 Eugene moved to Oakridge to work at the Willamette Mountain Mercantile (the local bike shop), and Oakridge has been his home ever since. Eugene still loves riding bikes and can still be found at the Mercantile. For Eugene it's still all about the trails and the community!

1. What’s the one thing you wish all mountain bikers knew before hitting the trail? “I guess I would say:  Biking is all about having fun and enjoying being outdoors and in nature. It doesn't matter how far you go, how fast, or what road or trail you ride. Just focus on having fun!”

2. Favorite trail snack? “Dried mangoes and dark chocolate.” 

3. What’s the longest ride you’ve ever done in one go? “Longest mountain bike ride ever in one day was 122 miles during the 12 hours of Willamette Pass back in 2003 (I think?).

I've also completed the Cascade Cream Puff 6 times.. those were long days too. And once I did 200 miles on a road bike riding from Bend to Medford (195 miles, plus 5 miles in town there to make it an even 200)”