Kris Schamp
Hello, everyone!
For those who didn't receive the email I sent out earlier today to the Portland Racing mailing list, here are some final updates about Sunday's Kruger's Kermesse Farm Crit & Bike Relay (http://www.portlandracing.com/kermesse).
1) Still time to pre-register, skip the lines on Sunday, get a call-up and... a chance to win a Chris King bottom bracket!
That's right, you still have until end-of-day tomorrow (Friday) to pre-register online, so all you have to do on Sunday is pick up your bib number (we'll use custom bib numbers for all races!) and you're all ready to go. All pre-registered riders will receive a call-up at the start of their race (check out the current call-up list with the 200+ racers who have registered to date...). In addition, we will raffle off a Chris King gift certificate - for a bottom bracket or headset of choice - among all racers who register online by end-of-day today. Our first grand pre-reg raffle prize - a $150 Showers Pass gift certificate - was won by Yuji Sumimoto, whose name was randomly drawn among all racers who did pre-register by Monday.
[link to online registration through Athletepath: https://www.athletepath.com/krugers-kermesse-cx-farm-crit-bike-relay/2015-08-30]
[link to current call-up/start list: http://www.portlandracing.com/kermesse/call-up-list.html]
Note: If you haven't renewed your OBRA annual license yet, you will be able to purchase a discounted CX license on Sunday for just $20! This license will cover your OBRA membership from now through the end of the 2015 race season.
2) The course, mechanical support and weather updates.
Yesterday, I dropped by the farm and pre-rode the race course (http://www.portlandracing.com/kermesse/course.html), which will be almost identical to the course we used the last couple editions (and which everyone seemed to like a lot!). The course runs clockwise, which makes for a great flow and no sketchy corners. To get an idea of what the course will feel like, check out the course preview video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTE-DoLo974. Or just drop by on Saturday between noon and 3pm to pre-ride (please no pre-riding the course after 3pm, because they are hosting another private event at that time).
On Sunday, our title sponsor West End Bikes will be on site to provide free basic mechanical support near the registration/finish area. Still, make sure to triple-check your bike before heading out and make sure it is all race-ready and suited for the conditions at hand. The latest NOAA weather forecast calls for something called "rain", starting on Friday and we might get some showers on Sunday. The good thing is that it will keep down the dust, soften up the bumps, and make the corners nice and tacky. Plus, for most racers it will be a welcome break from riding/racing all summer in 90+ degree weather!
3) Kiddie races and gourmet farm food.
It's Kruger's Farm, so expect a very family-friendly and spectator-friendly event. At 11:45am, we will organize two FREE races for the kids: a short loop around the concert lawn for the little ones (and beginner kids) and a longer one (consisting of a full lap on the main course) for the expert kids and U12 juniors. Kruger's Farm Market will be catering a variety of hot foods (including roasted corn, grilled sausages & burgers, and some vegetarian options) and serving beer and other beverages, so make sure to bring cash and some good appetite!
4) Double up on fun. Sign up for the 2-person relay race!
Like the last couple editions, we will wrap up the races at 1pm with a thrilling 45-minute relay race for 2-person teams. If you already plan to race solo, it's only $5 extra to race the relay. We'll stage the relay on a shortened 1 mile version of the course with the relay exchange area located just behind the finish. We still have plenty of room for extra relay teams, so consider giving it a shot. It is not just plain fun, but it will also provide a great opportunity to do intervals at race pace and get you all in top shape for cross season.
[more info about the relay race: http://www.portlandracing.com/kermesse/relay.html]
5) Belgian Primes, cool trophies, and a free raffle!
In good tradition, we will be raffling of a record number of "Belgian Primes" throughout the three solo race heats. Whenever the red, yellow and black Belgian flag gets raised during the race (at the last corner before the finish line), the first racer who passes the flag gets awarded one of the many primes provided by our local sponsors Bob's Red Mill, Hopworks Urban Brewery, Dave's Killer Bread and Nossa Familia Coffee (we will give away at least 40 primes during each solo race heat!). After the relay race, we will have a brief awards ceremony where the top-3 finishers in each solo category will receive a very cool laser-cut medal and a bunch of tasty goodies. And, as always, it pays to stay through the end, as we will wrap up the day by raffling off some great prizes, generously provided by our title sponsor West End Bikes and all our other fantastic sponsors!
That's it. I am looking forward to seeing you on Sunday at the farm... Bring your family. Bring your friends. Let's ring in the 2015 cyclocross season in style!
~Kris
Portland Racing
PS: we are still looking for one volunteer to help out on Saturday with set-up (10am-1pm) and 2 volunteers to help out with various tasks on Sunday (from 8am-11am and 1-4pm respectively). If you are available and like to volunteer (in exchange for a free race entry!), just reply to this email. I plan to fill these last slots on a first-come first-serve basis.
PS 2: a friendly reminder that West End Bikes is currently having their summer sale, where they offer 10-40% discounts storewide through September 6. The store is located at 1111 SW Stark Street in Portland and is open 7 days a week. Mark Ontiveros and his crew have been a generous supporter of the races at Kruger's Farm (and many other races in the area), so here is a great opportunity to return the favor while getting in on some great deals!