Brian Vegter

> Hi Racers,
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> We couldn't be more excited about this year's edition of the BCCC. It's our 14th year and we're so happy that back in 2002, Nathan Hobson took it upon himself to create this great race and we're honored to continue it. Everything we do here is meant to challenge and push you beyond what you thought was possible. We believe in the ability of all of you to take on this race no matter your category, age or gender.
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> Once again our amazing volunteer crews from the community and the officials from OBRA will help make the race incredible. Many of them have been working with the race for over ten year and some are first timers. Just like all of you, they are committed to the race and it shows.
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> Since the forecast is for 90-100 degree temps, we've added a 3rd feed zone to Friday's Stage 1 at approximately the 77 mile mark. We'll have water in all the support cars as well. We recommend you bring three bottles with you. If you don't live at elevation like we do here, please make sure you're well hydrated before you arrive at the start line. There will be Osmo Active Hydration available to you at the start of the road races for adding to your bottles, both men's and women's specific formulas. In the neutral feed zones there will be plain water. We recommend you bring gels, salt tabs or energy chews with you. If you're on a team and have support, there will be a team feed area just past the neutral feed as always. You know what you need on the bike, so it's up to you to have it. The feed zones are the only places you are allowed to dump your empties or other pocket trash. We will also have a section of the feed zone with uncapped water bottles for just dumping over your head. This way you won't waste any REAL on bike bottles.
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> The new Stage 1 start is in Sumpter, OR, and it takes about 40 minutes to get there from downtown Baker City. If you don't pick up your packet on Thursday at Flagstaff, you can get it on Friday from 9-11:30 a.m. The City of Sumpter is being a very generous host and providing support to us from many groups, including their local volunteer fire department. We'll have a tip jar at check-in so if you'd like to show your thanks with a little $, that would be great. Another great way to say thanks is to patronize the businesses and restaurants in Sumpter on Friday night.
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> The riders meeting will be taking place at the start line before each group leaves. Make sure you show up early so you don't miss any info. All categories will be RIGHT OF CENTER the entire course, even at the finish. This is also true on the climb out of Prairie City. Do Not cross the white dotted line on this uphill. This is one of the best places for us to send traffic past the race and it's also where we expect to see other fields on the descent into Prairie City. It is an out and back course and we want to keep you all safe on these open roads. No crossing the center line for any reason. There can, and will be, on-coming traffic at times. You will be penalized if you are caught breaking this rule and could be DQ'd if you don't heed your officials regarding this rule.
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> Leaders jerseys will be presented as soon as possible on Friday in Sumpter for both the GC and KOM/QOM for all categories. Time, money and passion for this race go into the creation and design of these jerseys and if you are strong enough to win it, you are required to wear it. Yes, even in the time trial. If you choose not to wear your leader's jersey in any stage, you will be penalized 30 seconds.
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> The TT will once again start from the Baker City Church of the Nazarene where we did last year. Their crew from the NE Oregon Compassion Center will be helping out every day of the race and if you will bring a nonperishable food item to donate to them for the support they provide to the less fortunate here in Baker County, we'd greatly appreciate it. A donation box will be outside the entrance to the building where you can enter to use the bathrooms.
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> Now for some of the DON'Ts. Don't pee at the start or finish any place other than the Port-a-Potties. If you are caught publicly urinating, you will be DQ'd. We have ZERO Tolerance for this behavior. If you have to go while on course, choose your spot wisely. DON'T go in front of somebody's driveway. This can be one of the reasons races are cancelled or permits not renewed.
> DON'T throw your trash anywhere on the course EXCEPT in the FEED ZONES. It's understandable if you have a bottle slip out of your hand, but if you are seen blatantly littering, you will be DQ'd.
> DON'T spray paint or chalk the roads in any way shape or form, Someone did that last year on the Anthony Lakes route and we are lucky to still be able to use this route, let alone host the race. More than any incident ever, this one hurt me personally the most. The person who did this, not only doesn't respect the hard work I put into this race every year, they also don't respect the community that supports this race. If a culprit is apprehended, they can be charged with a crime.
> DON'T use foul language for any reason. It's especially inappropriate during the Crit, where children and other spectators are close by.. On this same note, DON'T wear t-shirts with foul language or inappropriate images on them. While you and your teammates might find it funny, some people in our little town won't and instead of just making you look bad, they get the impression that all cyclists are that way. The way you conduct yourself while here is a reflection of me, because I brought you here.
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> Okay, I'm done being Captain Bring Down. I love hosting all of you and I want to keep doing it for years to come so help me out in this way.
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> Paizano's Pizza and Barley Brown's Beer will be at the finish line on Sunday. This year we'll have Kina's Giant Cheesy Breadsticks with homemade veggie chili thanks to local superwoman Ann Mehaffy. Beers will be on tap and we'll have some Osmo Recovery mix on hand too. We've made the change to chili so we can have enough food for everyone, Last year spectators were taking pizza and so we ran out before all of you could have some. You can swing into Paizano's before you head home for the best pizza in the world. We'll also have the band, Last Giant from Portland, rocking at the finish line party as well.
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> We have some great cycling caps we made up for this year's race and if you really want to show us, and the world, how much love this race, pick one up for just $25. It will help us out as we prepare for the 15th edition of this great race in 2016, when we are planning to have as a 5 stage, 4 day race.
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> Neutral wheels will be provided to the Men P1/2 and women's fields. All other fields will have a wheel lottery enacted. Below is the list of riders who will need to provide wheels for Friday. Riders who will need provide wheels for Sunday will be announced on Saturday. We suggest you use a silver Sharpie to mark your tires with your name and bib #. This way it will be easiest to get them back to you in case they are given out to another rider. We have instructed our volunteers to take the bib# of any rider who gets wheels and the name and # of the wheel they are giving out. The drivers will bring wheels back to the start area as soon as they come in.
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> Thanks for coming to race with us in Baker City and let me thank our sponsors who help make this event possible. BELLA Main Street Market, BaseCampBaker.com, Rolf Prima Wheel Systems, Jamis Bicycles, Barley Brown's Beer, Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort, Paizano's Pizza, The Lone Pine Cafe, Osmo Nutrition, Haggen Northwest Fresh, Mad Habit, The Beerded Dog Growler Fill Station, Saint Alphonsus Medical Group, State Farm Insurance, Peterson's Gallery, Short Term Gallery, the Eltrym Theater, Always Welcome Inn, Subway, Range Tours and Shuttle Co., Flagstaff and Gentry Ford.
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> All of us with Baker Loves Bikes are so thankful for your continued support of one of the most difficult and picturesque races in North America. We have spent the past twelve months planning this year and can't wait to see you this week in Base Camp Baker showing off your form and fitness. It's going to be amazing!!!
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> See you in a few days.

Brian Vegter
Race Promoter
Baker City Cycling Classic
www.bakercitycycling.org
541.325.1689

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> p.s. to those of you driving through the Jordan Valley, O, we've heard from racers from last year that they got tickets for doing 62 mph in a 55 mph zone for around $300. I know from other small towns in the area that the police prefer to ticket tourists to locals, because it's easier on them since they won't see you around town on a regular basis. It's a drag I know, but I just want to warn you that in that area go the posted speed.
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> Friday Wheel Lottery
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> Men 3 Greg Stokes, Eric Gregg, Andrew Warren, Andy Anderson, Zach Schoenfelder, Dakota Gracey, Matt Radich.
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> Men 4-5: Jesse Llona, Tim Backoff, Geg Dufour, Josh Swartz, Scott Lucas.
> Master Men 4-5: Dexter Closterman, Joel Blatt, Luke Astell, Albert Passadore.
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> Master Men 1-3: David Hart, Uhl Albert, Mark Schaefer, Ron Sines, Stuart Smith, David Gordon.