Jim Anderson

Want to learn about bike racing - check out these FREE clinics.

Racing season is in full swing in Oregon, and maybe some of you were
motivated this year to give racing a try for the first time. Good for you!
If you discovered a love for racing, but found you could use some help with
racing skills, don’t give up! There are experts out there to help you.

Every Monday night through August 25th you can head out to Portland
International Raceway (PIR) where River City Bicycles and Laurelwood
Brewing Company present the Monday Night Bike Race series. Races are held
at PIR in North Portland on a flat, closed, car-free circuit. There are
separate categories for beginners to more advanced cyclists, including
Novice (any age), Women (any age), and Masters Men (ages 30+).

Two organizations, Upper Echelon Fitness and Let’s Race Bikes!, offer free
Introduction to Racing Clinics at PIR right before the Novice race begins.

The Upper Echelon Fitness clinics are organized using expert coaches and
instructors. Their free, quick and concise clinics are offered at 5:45 PM
before the start of the Novice race every Monday night this season at PIR,
and UEF coaches will be available after the race to answer questions. The
Novice Open (all ages, Men and Women) starts at 6:15 PM. Other categories
are available; please see www.racemondaynight.com for full schedule.

The organization Let’s Race Bikes! offers its own clinic for women who want
to race.This initiative is a group of teams from all around Oregon with
women riders would like to see more ladies out on the road. Their free
clinics are offered the 1st Monday of each month (July 7 and August 4) at
5:45 PM at PIR, and their experienced racers, coaches, and members will
walk you through the basic steps to get you out onto the race track. The
Let’s Race Bikes! nights are also a great opportunity to meet other women
riders in the community.

Introduction to Racing Clinics focus on important skills to make you faster
and safer on the track, including:

Safely turning as a group
Basic race tactics
Race start and finish details and procedures
Course details, laps, distance, lap board, start line
Riding confidently and safely in a group while going fast around the track
Basics of drafting
Paceline basics
How to pin your number on (left or right side, correct placement)

These clinics, although offered before the PIR race, will teach skills that
are transferable to other races and race courses. The clinics are free.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take advantage of the Portland-area
race resources. The race series is a great opportunity for novice-level
riders to learn some bike racing basics with free clinics throughout the
season. Fast and fun racing for everyone – just show up with a helmet, road
bike and sense of adventure! Want more, check out all the details at:
www.racemondaynight.com.