We have not been able to post the last set of updates due to some technical difficulties with getting the uploads to the site. Hopefully we will have them up soon with many more pictures, too.

I am happy to tell you all that with your support we have placed 11th in the men and 14th overall out of 548 starters. It was an incredible event and I would strongly recommend particpation to anyone who loves to MTB regardless of your riding level. You will find many friends and riding companions here!

Cheers,

EP

---

From: "rich cramer" <rpcramer@hotmail.com>
To: plewse@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] [OBRA Race] Is Cross Country racing dying?
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 13:44:34 -0700
did you post a final recap of your (transalp) race? maybe i missed it. i saw the post that was after 2 days or so???
it was good reading, i'm sure obra would enjoy a final update, thanks rich


>From: "Evan Plews" <plewse@hotmail.com>
>To: bengelen@comcast.net, raggy23@yahoo.com, obra@list.obra.org
>Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] [OBRA Race] Is Cross Country racing dying?
>Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 20:36:31 +0000
>
>
>I am still over here in Europe and without a doubt XC is still going
>stronger than ever here. It is amazing to me that there were many,
>many teams racing the TransAlp Challenge simply to finish.
In fact
>the majority of teams were not competing against anyone except
>themselves.
>
>Also was talking to Erik Tonkin about the Wisconsin series. WORS
>races are huge and getting bigger.
>
>I think there are probably several key points that have become
>apparent over the years I have been racing.
>
>XC racers either want the EPIC adventure race or the loop to loop
>spectator friendly race.
>Racing close to metro areas with lots of course gimmicks (stairs,
>jumps, etc) is good.
>Long, marathon type point to point races in the middle of nowhere
>are just as good.
>Neutral starts and finishes in towns are good.
>Big start/finish line banners are good.
>Mass starts are good for point-to-point/single lap races.
>Making a big deal with announcers, etc is
good.
>Bottom line--people come for an EVENT not just to ride in the woods!
>
>Bang for the buck is also important. When I was helping promote
>races a few years ago, we provided a shirt, meal and bottle for $25
>and still made money.
>
>FYI- The Transalp Challenge costs 500 euros. For that you get 8 days
>of racing in the Alps. Fully market course with motorcycle support
>for 50-125km per day. Two meals per day. Transport of baggage for
>each stage. Shirt, bottle, duffle bag for starters. Jersey, medal
>for finishers. Video. photo coverage of each stage played daily.
>Instantaneous results. Post race bash with 30 minute fireworks
>display. On and on.
>
>Just food for thought, but the community involvement over here is
>paramount and it definitely plays a role in making great events
and
>bringing people back. The 2006 race sold out in an hour or two...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>From: "Brian Engelen" <bengelen@comcast.net>
>To: "'Randy Dreiling'" <raggy23@yahoo.com>,<>
>Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] [OBRA Race] Is Cross Country racing dying?
>Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 09:35:10 -0700
>Randy, I think it's related to drive time.
>
>I did the State Games and I GREATLY appreciate everyone's efforts.
>But, Ski
>Bowl is still 1-1/2 hours from my house in Beaverton. I was gone
>from the
>family for the entire day.
>
>I remember MTB racing in Beaverton (Cooper Mountain) and Portland
>(Gabriel
>Park), back in the day.
>
>Also, I can't help but mentioning the 170 racers at the "near by"
>PIR
short
>track last Monday. Plus, Cross races are usually close to town.
>
>Thanks for reading,
>
>Brian Engelen
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: obrarace-bounces@list.obra.org
>[mailto:obrarace-bounces@list.obra.org]
>On Behalf Of Randy Dreiling
>Sent: Monday, July 24, 2006 7:51 AM
>To: obra@list.obra.org; obrarace@list.obra.org
>Subject: [OBRA Race] Is Cross Country racing dying?
>
>Hi All
>
>Hope you don't mind me putting this on OBRA race as
>this is 100% about racing.
>
>Minus the Bend area, cross country racing numbers are
>way down.
>
>WHY?
>
>I would have guessed gas prices, but Mt Hood is the
>closest race for many racers, yet there were only 60
>racers at the state games.
>
>I have heard people
say race fee's are up, BUT that is
>just not true, I have race flyers from 1993 and the
>race fee is the same or went up by $5 at most
>depending on your classes, this includes the late fee.
>In fact Hood's fee is now $15, which is less then the
>1993 rate.
>
>Is cyclecross getting so big people are skipping
>the
>summer XC races to race cross?
>
>Why do you think it is slowing down??
>
>Thanks
>
>
>Randy Dreiling
>Owner Oregon Adventures www.oregon-adventures.com
>Executive Director Oakridge/Westfir Area Chamber of Commerce
>www.oakridgechamber.com
>Mt Bike Oregon www.mtbikeoregon.com
>Other Oregon Adventures Events
>Oakridge FTF, 12/24 of Willamette Pass
>Willamette Pass Downhill/Super D's Series
>www.oakridgefattire.com A simple site to
download flyers
>
>__________________________________________________
>Do You Yahoo!?
>Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
>http://mail.yahoo.com
>_______________________________________________
>OBRArace mailing list
>obrarace@list.obra.org
>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obrarace
>Unsubscribe:
>obrarace-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>_______________________________________________
>OBRA mailing list
>obra@list.obra.org
>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>


>_______________________________________________
>OBRA mailing list
>obra@list.obra.org
>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org