Molly Cameron
In years past, cycling clubs would put on road races to help raise money
for their organization. It was an obligation that each registered club put
on a race, every year. This helped keep the road racing calendar healthy.
Now times change; and as bicycle racing consumer's tastes change, road
racing has suffered significantly from a lack of attendance, participation,
interest and volunteer staffing.
This is to be the the first year in several years that the OBRA road race
championships for men, women and juniors have been unified into one single
race day and venue. That is right, we are unifying the championships.
But, we don't have the manpower we need to put on the event and are at risk
of cancellation because there are just not enough people available put the
race on. This is compounded by the fact that this Sunday is Father's day
and many people are just not able to come and volunteer time away from
family.
After the disappointing cancellation of North Star Grand Prix's women's
race this year I did not expect we would be in a similar situation for
Rainier. Witnessing the cancellation of numerous road races and road stage
races in Oregon (Mt. Hood stage race, Columbia Plateau SR, Cherry blossom
stage race, Eugene Roubaix, Silverton RR) over the last several years it is
clear road racing needs help. We have lost so many great events and as a
passionate road racer, it breaks my heart to see these races disappear.
We need dozens more people this weekend to help us staff the OBRA
championships at Rainier RR this Sunday or we will have to cancel it. With
the very low number of pre-registrants combined with the history of
participation at the race the last 3 years and the very low number of
volunteers we have signed up, we will make the decision to cancel the race
in the next couple days if we don't get more people volunteer to course
marshal, drive lead and follow cars and help out.
Please forward this to your, friends, teams, to cycling fans and supporters:
3 easy steps to sign up for volunteer shifts:
1) Go to link.
https://volunteershiftsforranierrace.eventbrite.com
2) Use Password
PBStudio
3) choose shift (which actually says ticket)
You can also just email me and say hey, I'd like to help, put me to work.
And I'll put you to work.
Road racing needs help. Looking forward to putting on a great event, with
your help.
Molly Cameron
Portland Bicycle Studio
1435 nw Raleigh st.
Portland, Oregon
97209 USA
Service Course - 503.335.8356
portlandbicyclestudio.com
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