Candi Murray

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X-From_: llsmi-@earthlink.net Sun Mar 26 16:45:40 2000

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From: "Larry Smith" <llsmi-@earthlink.net>

To: "Candi Murray" <cmur-@teleport.com>

Subject: My personal inspiration...

Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2000 08:41:06 -0800

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The Tour of Willamette means a lot to folks all over the

country. For that reason alone I've continued to battle

beauracracies, permit processing, politics and community

apathy for the past four years. The inspiration and source

of renewal for me comes from conversations with riders

traveling from around the country to race "Willamette".



I just spoke with a Cat 3 rider in Colorado that is making

Tour of Willamette his first race after hip replacement and

chemo for bone cancer treatment. He graduated from UO

several years ago and is eager to come back with his wife to

race over roads made famous by pros like Knickman, Phinney,

Willet, Rodgers, Zabriske, Schmeer, Jackson, Kurreck, etc.



Last week I spoke with Ruthie Mathes about her d=E9but at

"Willamette" 17 years ago. We laughed about her diet as she

drove with experienced racers from Boise to Eugene.

Remember the days of carbo-loading? Well, she ate bread all

the way across Oregon getting ready for "Willamette". She's

coming back this year for the first time in years, because

there's finally room in her schedule to race at her favorite

race in America.



Tour of Willamette means different things to all who come to

race. Each has a personal story about riding these great

roads in one of the most beautiful places in America. For

some it's a place to return to their passion for cycling.

For some it's a place to see old friends and make new ones.

For some it's a place to be selected to their national team

or earn a spot on a trade team. For others it's a place to

see if they still have what it takes to survive tough

climbs, pouring rain, narrow roads and the best competition

assembled in one place for six (or three) days of racing.



Sadly, the local cycling community and the community of

Eugene doesn't get it. I'm at a loss to find the answer to

why the community (cyclists and townsfolk) do not support

this event. I've always known that the race was bigger than

what I can manage alone, so I keep asking everyone I know if

they know someone that will help. Once again I find myself

starring into the teeth of the monster--a volunteer pool

that is empty. If I won the lottery today, then I would be

able to hire all of the people that I need for a great

event.



Instead, I'm just hoping that I don't lose anymore money

than I've lost in previous years. So I'm asking you if you

know what it takes to motivate and mobilize a volunteer pool

to save the Tour of Willamette from the embarrassment of

lost or misdirected riders, poor results compilation and

inadequate press coverage.



Thanks for your ear and your heart...



Larry