I concur with Rick and other OBRA supporters. I started racing in Oregon in 1981 and saw 3 USCF district reps before OBRA (actually it was Oregon Cycling Association - OCA - until Mike and Candi changed to OBRA because of telephoned death threats re: Lon Mabon and the Oregon Christian Alliance ....). OBRA by far has been the better provider to racers and promoters alike. I've raced in WA, CA, AZ, CO, PA, FL, and TX. I've also raced in the UK, France, and the Netherlands. The only place even close to OBRA was the racing in the Netherlands.
When I was younger I also carried a USCF license and could race out of state with no problems. Now I only get the USCF license when I go to masters natz.
In most cases cat 2 and cat 1 racers who are seeking higher goals will need to race and place in several states anyway. We do have the Cascade Cycling Classic which is a USAC NRC "certified" event. To my knowledge any race promoter can apply for USAC "certification," which often means more $$$ to be shelled out by the promoter, and for what value-added services or benefits?
I for one prefer the OBRA free market approach. If it aint broke, don't fix it.
Darell
Sent wirelessly via BlackBerry from T-Mobile.
-----Original Message-----
From: rick hammel
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 16:48:51
To:nicholasobrian@excite.com, obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] OBRA's Future...
Not that I have any fears we'd re-join the empire; but
it's always good to have some history lessons.
I've been racing since '91. I started in Ill-annoy
and moved to Oregon in Dec. '95. Simultaneous to my
own move, both Illinois and Oregon cycling leaders
were plotting their independence. Nestor Evancevich,
my first and only USCF (usac) Regional Rep in Illinois
was at the forefront. Nestor would go to Colorado
yearly and advocate for those of us who loved racing;
but would probably never rise to the Pro or Cat 1
level (when I started racing Cat 1s were as rare as
pros). Year after year the empire thought Nestor a
pest and ignored his advocacy, they in fact couldn't
stand him. Nestor realized what Candi and Mike Murray
also realized: our fees for USCF were more like a tax
used to support the very few riders the USCF cared
about: Pro cycling and the National Team system.
Nestor and the Murrays had enough and discovered
independence was the only avenue to breed respect for
everyday amateur racers. Nestor helped found
American Bicycle Racing and the Murrays founded OBRA.
My old team, Proctor Cycling / Peoria Bicycle
Club,chose not to follow Nestor and I've spent the
past 10 yrs giving them "i told you so's" ever since.
Typical cost for my old team's single day race has
been $40 or more over the past several years. The
only "HUGE" opportunities we're missing are negative.
Here's the ABR site:
http://www.ambikerace.com/about.htm
"ABR is a member organization of F.I.A.C. (Federation
of Independent Associations for Cycling) and accepts
licenses from F.I.A.C. member organizations A.C.A.,
O.B.R.A. and C.B.R."
Unlike post WWI Europe, I believe Oregon will not
repeat an unpleasant history.
Rick
--- nick wrote:
>
> I am writing this in hopes that it will spur
> some conversation on the issue of OBRA races
> becoming USCF certified. There is a "HUGE" missed
> opportunity that races in Oregon and South West
> Washington have because of the lack of
> certification. USCF is "thee" organization that
> governs racing in the US, NRC and amateur, from
> state to state every members points are collected
> and recorded for national ranking as well as for
> upgrading purposes (I do not wish to patronize
> anyone here so please understand that I have only
> explained this for reasons of those who are
> unfamiliar). My point here is that OBRA races are
> missing out on several levels; the most obvious in
> this case is the lack of national recognition (no
> one wants to travel to a race that they wont receive
> points for). Because of this OBRA races miss out on
> increased funds as well as more competitive fields.
> On a similar note for those of you that race mostly
> in Oregon and South West Washington you miss out on
> the ranking
>
> system as well as points if you were to compete in a
> USCF race (this is a tragedy seeing as there is a
> lot of great races in our neighboring states as well
> as Seattle). We all know that Portland has
> established itself as a cycling rich community, but
> just like the cities progressive nature we also
> should be following that example and become leaders
> in the progression of our sport instead of living in
> the past. USCF certification would be a phenomenal
> asset to racing in Oregon and South West Washington;
> increasing awareness, funding, competitiveness, and
> as a result more racing! I encourage everyone to
> comment on this topic and to start the
> conversations, good or bad, for or against, please
> speak up.
>
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