Kriis Schamp
Greetings OBRA-racers,
We are still about two months away from the 3rd edition of the Portland MTB Short Track Series, but this Saturday we are already kicking off the '07 short track season with an all-new short track race at Bear Springs Trap (Mt Hood Nat'l Forest). Like last year, I am helping Petr Kakes and Eric Tonkin staging a pre-series short track race closer the mountain.
Last Monday, Petr went out to clear the course and he told me the trails are in great shape! According to Eric Tonkin, "the short track course will start/finish at the registration area (on Rd. 2130) with a short, flat paved section that turns a hard right onto a steady but not too steep gravel climb. Then, the course turns right onto a sweet single-track descent that drops back to the start/finish area." Should be a blast for pros, beginners and everyone in between, and a great training opportunity for anyone who wants to get in race shape by the time we kick off the Portland series.
Also, the full XC course (for Sunday's races) will be set up and marked on Saturday, so there you have all the ingredients for a great MTB weekend for you and your friends/family: pre-ride the XC course on Saturday morning, race short track on Saturday afternoon, camp overnight at one of the nearby camp grounds (more info below) and be all fresh and ready the next day to go hard in the XC race (starting at 10am). As a bonus, the weather forecast for this weekend looks about perfect.
For more info, check the race flyer (link on OBRA home page) or contact Petr (Skibowlbikerace@aol.com).
Hope to see you this weekend at Bear Springs Trap!
~Kris
www.portlandracing.com
PS: People can camp in the "Bear Springs Campground", located just off of Hwy. 216 just prior to the Bear Springs Ranger Station. There is also camping at "Clear Creek Crossing CG" on Rd. 2130, located about 2.5 miles past the start/finish area (which is also the Day Use area) of the Bear Springs Trap race.
PS 2: Pre-registration for the Portland MTB Short Track Series has officially opened. For all the details, go to www.portlandracing.com/registration.html