Kris Schamp

Greetings OBRA racers,

This coming Sunday we are kicking off the 2007 OBRA mountain bike race season with the inaugural Horning's Hustle XC MTB Race, just 35' from Portland. We hope to see you out there, either as a racer or a spectator. Here are a couple important updates we want to pass along:

1) Registration and check-in: As of yesterday, pre-registration has closed. If you have pre-registered, you will still need to check in at the registration tent on Sunday to pick up your pull-tab, which you will need to attach to your jersey. If you haven't pre-registered yet, you can register on-site on Sunday between 8:00am and 9:45am. We have only a limited number of registration volunteers, so please come early to avoid getting caught up in a last-minute frenzy of 100+ racers who all like to register at 9:30am. To further speed up the registration flow, please bring a completed waiver and a check for the correct amount (check our web site for race fees).

2) Volunteers: we can still use a couple hands to help out during the race (course marshalls, food station, lap counting). If you like to volunteer or know someone who likes to help out, contact Tom Hoffman (thoffman@equitygroup.com or 503-475-3417).

3) Parking: Horning's Hideout can accommodate a lot of cars, but since there is a $5 parking fee and even the US government acknowledges global warming is a fact, you might consider carpooling with friends. Per explicit request from the venue holder: do not park up the road. The neighbors don't like it (and they all have guns).

4) Spectators: since the race course will use part of the access road to Horning's Hideout, we recommend that spectators drive in before the start of the race (10am) to avoid being hold up while the race is on. We will have traffic marshals up the road to ensure that car traffic does not interfere with the race.

5) Sponsors, goodies & raffle prizes: Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, we will be able to take extra good care of our racers. Our food station will be stashed with plenty of Clif Bar goodies (bars, gels, and bloks) and energy drink provided by Portland-based sports drink maker Gleukos. At the end of the event, we will raffle off some great prizes, including:
- tires, helmets, beanies, a Bontrager wheelset (wow!), and various schwag donated by Trek.
- gift certificates and various bike accessories thrown at us by Portland's very own Bike Gallery.
- a much coveted assortment of "bike bling" bottles, courtesy of Portland-based Chris King.
Thank you sponsors!

6) Food: after the race, we will have the fine folks of PUMP (Portland United Mountain Pedalers) cooking up and selling hot food to raise funds and awareness for the Vernonia MTB Skills Park. So there's your chance to meet and support your local MTB trail advocates!

7) Race Plates: Don't forget to bring your 2007 OBRA MTB race plates! If you haven't renewed your OBRA license yet, you will have to do so on Sunday. Just make sure to schedule enough time before the start of the race.

That's it. This is the very first MTB race of the season and it's going to be a fun one! Bring your friends. Bring your family. Let's kick off the season in style!

Cheers!

~Kris & Tom

PS: Dogs are welcome at this venue, as long as they keep their owners on-leash at all times.