david auker

Hi, OBRA members=



Brad Gebhard has temporarily relocated, and I thought I'd share a few

words from this classy Oregon racer!



David



====Brad sez:====



Yes I am in France it is excellent. I am living on the edge of the alps

next to a large alpine lake. The City is called annecy and it is between

Geneva and the Italian border.



I did a race last weekend. They have these massive races, 980 riders all

with licenses and different categories. The pros start at the front and

the cat 5 or whatever they are start at the back. It was an epic race

over massive climbs that this years tour went over including the cold de

columbiere. All of the riders names were painted on the road from tour.

It was awesome, 140 kilometers in 4'07. I am going to be a climber yet.



I am in France for 3 years. It is going to be excellent. There are

literally thousands of riders in this town. Everyone looks like a

hardcore roadie. In addition there is a lot of mt bike riding in the big

hills around the lake.



The weather has been incredible here and i ride to work every day over

some very nice roads. There are a lot of bike paths and lots of bike

path racers for me to compete against. There is several more races this

season and I hope to get in good enough shape to survive.



The Tour de L'Avenir started here in Thursday and there was a lot of

team cars driving around. The rode straight up into the Alps. The tough

life of a pro.......





Hope all is well in Oregon



Brad



<brad_g-@salomon-sports.com>