mhcc@gorge.net

Dear OBRA Family,

I am deeply sorry that this has turned out to be such a disappointment for a number of riders out
there. I especially am sorry to those of you who have come these past two years and supported us in
the CAT 4 and 3/4 women's fields. We very much appreciate your support. I want to stress to all of
you that there is a lot that went into making this decision and it was not in any way shape or form
taken lightly or made without months of discussion. On one hand I am happy to see that we made such
a difference and that some feel so passionate about the event yet on the other I do not like to see
disappointment. Our mission to put on the best race possible has not been without tremendous
sacrifice personally and financially. For the past two years the core group who owns the Mt. Hood
Cycling Classic put every dime available into it to make it the best possible event sometimes even
financing it out of their own pockets so that this could be a great event for everyone. Our
commitment to you the riders is huge and many of you will never fathom to what degree.

Unfortunately as shortage of staff, volunteers and in some cases time out on the courses has forced
us to make tough decisions. Remember the majority of the race is run in a community of only 8000
people smaller than Eugene, Bend, and even Baker City and this is one huge event. In regards to
the CAT 3/4 women's race we truly felt that this event was not a good fit for a beginning level
woman rider. We saw our field size go from 45 in 2006 to 19 in 2007. That is a vicious trend and
one that told us we did not have the right format for this demographic of rider. Last year I spent
more time trying to promote the women's 3/4 race than just about any other field in the race sending
repeated emails out to OBRA chat, NW Cycling Chat, and even a direct emailing to the licensed 3/4
OBRA women directly in which I pleaded for them to come to the event. The numbers however tell the
story. Out of the couple hundred licensed 3/4 OBRA riders we received 8.

Again on behalf of the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic I want to say thanks for all those who have
supported us and our sincere apologies for those we have disappointed especially the riders who
competed last year. We have worked tirelessly without any benefit whatsoever except for the smiles
on everyone's faces and we will continue to do the best job we can. And do not discount all the
other tremendous races still on the calendar for 3-4 women such as Willamette, Elkhorn, Eugene
Celebration, Wallla Walla, Wenatchee and the High Desert Omnium. That is still a huge number of
stage racing opportunities compared to any other region. Make sure and show them your support!

Sincerely,
Chad

------- Original Message -------
From : Fischer, Jim E (Corvallis)[mailto:jim.fischer@hp.com]
Sent : 1/18/2008 10:27:10 AM
To : obra@list.obra.org
Cc :
Subject : RE: Re: [OBRA Chat] Mount Hood Cycling Classic changes

Posting for someone not setup on the chat...

Hello OBRA list,
I have never felt the need to post anything to the OBRA list before. But, I feel so strongly about
the changes made to the MHCC that I am compelled to respond!

As a woman racer who has raced the MHCC for years, I am offended, disappointed and outraged at being
eliminated from Mount Hood this year. Every year, women from all over attend this stage race. The
decision to eliminate the women's cat 3/4, men's cat 4, and make the men's 3 field race with the cat
2s is very disappointing to the racers who have supported this race since it started. A large number
of Oregon racers are in the lower, and apparently unworthy, categories. Eliminating these fields
eliminates many of the Oregon racers and many of the people who have been strong supporters.
Apparently, the UCI ranking is worth alienating many Oregonians/lower level racers from this race.

If it's volunteers that are in short supply, then at least give us a chance to get our family and
friends involved, donate to youth groups in exchange for help, require a few volunteers from each
lower level team... There are other options.

It's nice that the pro women are excited. However, the Hood River area will still suffer road
closures (rolling enclosures for Pro fields) and there will be less tourism to offset the
inconvenience. Has this been considered?

For the last week I have been researching rental houses for our team. I have now contacted the
rental agencies to tell that the our categories have been eliminated and we will no longer need the
five day accommodations for the racers and their families who were coming with us. There is no way I
will travel to Portland or Hood River to watch people in a race that I have been exiled from.

Heather Paris

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

Luciano bailey

Well said I would gladly volunteer if that would halt the cuts.

Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:52:43 -0800From: anita.dilles@gmail.comTo: obra@list.obra.orgSubject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Mount Hood Cycling Classic changesHaving watched the Mount Hood Cycling Classic last year, (parts, anyway) and handed off water to the men's field, I, too, was excited about being able to compete this year. Eliminating half of the women riders (Cat 3 AND 4), due to a lack of volunteers is, as Kristen said, quite a blow to the women racing in the area. (Sorry also to the Cat 4 men.) And, as Heather said, and I will reiterate, if it's just volunteers that are needed, at least give us a chance to get people involved before cutting fields.-Anita Dilles
2008/1/18 Kristin :
I have to say as a female racer new to the sport, I was looking forward to the chance to compete in my first stage race, especially because I would be getting the chance to race next to such amazing female athletes from around the nation. This is really a blow to me and other women racing in the area. I'm very disappointed we did not get a chance to respond to the apparent lack of volunteers. Kristin Wille

On Jan 18, 2008 10:27 AM, Fischer, Jim E (Corvallis) wrote:
Posting for someone not setup on the chat...Hello OBRA list,I have never felt the need to post anything to the OBRA list before. But, I feel so strongly about the changes made to the MHCC that I am compelled to respond! As a woman racer who has raced the MHCC for years, I am offended, disappointed and outraged at being eliminated from Mount Hood this year. Every year, women from all over attend this stage race. The decision to eliminate the women's cat 3/4, men's cat 4, and make the men's 3 field race with the cat 2s is very disappointing to the racers who have supported this race since it started. A large number of Oregon racers are in the lower, and apparently unworthy, categories. Eliminating these fields eliminates many of the Oregon racers and many of the people who have been strong supporters. Apparently, the UCI ranking is worth alienating many Oregonians/lower level racers from this race. If it's volunteers that are in short supply, then at least give us a chance to get our family and friends involved, donate to youth groups in exchange for help, require a few volunteers from each lower level team... There are other options. It's nice that the pro women are excited. However, the Hood River area will still suffer road closures (rolling enclosures for Pro fields) and there will be less tourism to offset the inconvenience. Has this been considered? For the last week I have been researching rental houses for our team. I have now contacted the rental agencies to tell that the our categories have been eliminated and we will no longer need the five day accommodations for the racers and their families who were coming with us. There is no way I will travel to Portland or Hood River to watch people in a race that I have been exiled from. Heather Paris_______________________________________________OBRA mailing listobra@list.obra.orghttp://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obraUnsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org-- www.runbikeswim.net _______________________________________________OBRA mailing listobra@list.obra.orghttp://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
_________________________________________________________________
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shane.young@oregonvelo.com

I am wondering where the disconnect is? How can the Tour of Walla Walla have the Cat 4 womens field fill up in 6 days but the Mount Hood Cycling Classic cut out the 3/4 women because of low turnout. Are the races that different? Is it the time of year?

Shane

----- Original Message -----
From: Fischer, Jim E (Corvallis) jim.fischer@hp.com
To: obra@list.obra.org obra@list.obra.org
Sent: 1/18/08 1:27 PM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Mount Hood Cycling Classic changes

> Posting for someone not setup on the chat...
>
> Hello OBRA list,
> I have never felt the need to post anything to the OBRA list before. But, I feel so strongly about the changes made to the MHCC that I am compelled to respond!
>
> As a woman racer who has raced the MHCC for years, I am offended, disappointed and outraged at being eliminated from Mount Hood this year. Every year, women from all over attend this stage race. The decision to eliminate the women's cat 3/4, men's cat 4, and make the men's 3 field race with the cat 2s is very disappointing to the racers who have supported this race since it started. A large number of Oregon racers are in the lower, and apparently unworthy, categories. Eliminating these fields eliminates many of the Oregon racers and many of the people who have been strong supporters. Apparently, the UCI ranking is worth alienating many Oregonians/lower level racers from this race.
>
> If it's volunteers that are in short supply, then at least give us a chance to get our family and friends involved, donate to youth groups in exchange for help, require a few volunteers from each lower level team... There are other options.
>
> It's nice that the pro women are excited. However, the Hood River area will still suffer road closures (rolling enclosures for Pro fields) and there will be less tourism to offset the inconvenience. Has this been considered?
>
> For the last week I have been researching rental houses for our team. I have now contacted the rental agencies to tell that the our categories have been eliminated and we will no longer need the five day accommodations for the racers and their families who were coming with us. There is no way I will travel to Portland or Hood River to watch people in a race that I have been exiled from.
>
> Heather Paris
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

Dave Aldersebaes

I can see the need for changing the fields around, but as the leader of a 2nd year, 30 person team who planned on sending a mens 3, a mens 4, and a womens 3 and womens 4 team to the event, I am saddened as well that there wasn't at least a chance to rally the needed support, be it volunteers or money. I myself would be in a position to provide both.

Is there any way we can revisit this, and be given a series of parameters that must be met to keep these fields alive? To at least give those affected a chance to provide the needed resources to continue the race as is!

I would respectfully ask for a reconsideration on the part of the organizers, and ask to seek out a way we lower category (but equally enthusiastic!) racers can help to preserve our categories in the race.

From the initial response, I'd say the volunteer problem is already solved. So what else might we need?

I hope there is a resolution that benefits us all in the OBRA community and surrounding states, not just folks who might, maybe, possibly end up in Beijing.

Thanks for your time.

Dave Aldersebaes
Captain, Ironclad Cycling Team
rider15@gmail.com

Leibowitz, Flo

My work schedule has never permitted me to do this race since it begins on a weekday and I'd lose another day traveling to it. However, if the 3/4 women had to provide support as a condition of participation, I would be there one weekend day...with bells on. That offer is still good, sisters.

________________________________

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org on behalf of Kristin
Sent: Fri 1/18/2008 10:35 AM
To: Fischer, Jim E (Corvallis)
Cc: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Mount Hood Cycling Classic changes

I have to say as a female racer new to the sport, I was looking forward to the chance to compete in my first stage race, especially because I would be getting the chance to race next to such amazing female athletes from around the nation. This is really a blow to me and other women racing in the area. I'm very disappointed we did not get a chance to respond to the apparent lack of volunteers.

Kristin Wille

On Jan 18, 2008 10:27 AM, Fischer, Jim E (Corvallis) wrote:

Posting for someone not setup on the chat...

Hello OBRA list,
I have never felt the need to post anything to the OBRA list before. But, I feel so strongly about the changes made to the MHCC that I am compelled to respond!

As a woman racer who has raced the MHCC for years, I am offended, disappointed and outraged at being eliminated from Mount Hood this year. Every year, women from all over attend this stage race. The decision to eliminate the women's cat 3/4, men's cat 4, and make the men's 3 field race with the cat 2s is very disappointing to the racers who have supported this race since it started. A large number of Oregon racers are in the lower, and apparently unworthy, categories. Eliminating these fields eliminates many of the Oregon racers and many of the people who have been strong supporters. Apparently, the UCI ranking is worth alienating many Oregonians/lower level racers from this race.

If it's volunteers that are in short supply, then at least give us a chance to get our family and friends involved, donate to youth groups in exchange for help, require a few volunteers from each lower level team... There are other options.

It's nice that the pro women are excited. However, the Hood River area will still suffer road closures (rolling enclosures for Pro fields) and there will be less tourism to offset the inconvenience. Has this been considered?

For the last week I have been researching rental houses for our team. I have now contacted the rental agencies to tell that the our categories have been eliminated and we will no longer need the five day accommodations for the racers and their families who were coming with us. There is no way I will travel to Portland or Hood River to watch people in a race that I have been exiled from.

Heather Paris


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

--

www.runbikeswim.net

Anita Dilles

Having watched the Mount Hood Cycling Classic last year, (parts, anyway) and
handed off water to the men's field, I, too, was excited about being able to
compete this year. Eliminating half of the women riders (Cat 3 AND 4), due
to a lack of volunteers is, as Kristen said, quite a blow to the women
racing in the area. (Sorry also to the Cat 4 men.)
And, as Heather said, and I will reiterate, if it's just volunteers that are
needed, at least give us a chance to get people involved before cutting
fields.

-Anita Dilles

2008/1/18 Kristin :

> I have to say as a female racer new to the sport, I was looking forward to
> the chance to compete in my first stage race, especially because I would be
> getting the chance to race next to such amazing female athletes from around
> the nation. This is really a blow to me and other women racing in the area.
> I'm very disappointed we did not get a chance to respond to the apparent
> lack of volunteers.
>
> Kristin Wille
>
>
>
> On Jan 18, 2008 10:27 AM, Fischer, Jim E (Corvallis)
> wrote:
>
> > Posting for someone not setup on the chat...
> >
> > Hello OBRA list,
> > I have never felt the need to post anything to the OBRA list before.
> > But, I feel so strongly about the changes made to the MHCC that I am
> > compelled to respond!
> >
> > As a woman racer who has raced the MHCC for years, I am offended,
> > disappointed and outraged at being eliminated from Mount Hood this year.
> > Every year, women from all over attend this stage race. The decision to
> > eliminate the women's cat 3/4, men's cat 4, and make the men's 3 field race
> > with the cat 2s is very disappointing to the racers who have supported this
> > race since it started. A large number of Oregon racers are in the lower, and
> > apparently unworthy, categories. Eliminating these fields eliminates many of
> > the Oregon racers and many of the people who have been strong supporters.
> > Apparently, the UCI ranking is worth alienating many Oregonians/lower level
> > racers from this race.
> >
> > If it's volunteers that are in short supply, then at least give us a
> > chance to get our family and friends involved, donate to youth groups in
> > exchange for help, require a few volunteers from each lower level team...
> > There are other options.
> >
> > It's nice that the pro women are excited. However, the Hood River area
> > will still suffer road closures (rolling enclosures for Pro fields) and
> > there will be less tourism to offset the inconvenience. Has this been
> > considered?
> >
> > For the last week I have been researching rental houses for our team. I
> > have now contacted the rental agencies to tell that the our categories have
> > been eliminated and we will no longer need the five day accommodations for
> > the racers and their families who were coming with us. There is no way I
> > will travel to Portland or Hood River to watch people in a race that I have
> > been exiled from.
> >
> > Heather Paris
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > OBRA mailing list
> > obra@list.obra.org
> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >
>
>
>
> --
>
> www.runbikeswim.net
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

Kristin

I have to say as a female racer new to the sport, I was looking forward to
the chance to compete in my first stage race, especially because I would be
getting the chance to race next to such amazing female athletes from around
the nation. This is really a blow to me and other women racing in the area.
I'm very disappointed we did not get a chance to respond to the apparent
lack of volunteers.

Kristin Wille

On Jan 18, 2008 10:27 AM, Fischer, Jim E (Corvallis)
wrote:

> Posting for someone not setup on the chat...
>
> Hello OBRA list,
> I have never felt the need to post anything to the OBRA list before. But,
> I feel so strongly about the changes made to the MHCC that I am compelled to
> respond!
>
> As a woman racer who has raced the MHCC for years, I am offended,
> disappointed and outraged at being eliminated from Mount Hood this year.
> Every year, women from all over attend this stage race. The decision to
> eliminate the women's cat 3/4, men's cat 4, and make the men's 3 field race
> with the cat 2s is very disappointing to the racers who have supported this
> race since it started. A large number of Oregon racers are in the lower, and
> apparently unworthy, categories. Eliminating these fields eliminates many of
> the Oregon racers and many of the people who have been strong supporters.
> Apparently, the UCI ranking is worth alienating many Oregonians/lower level
> racers from this race.
>
> If it's volunteers that are in short supply, then at least give us a
> chance to get our family and friends involved, donate to youth groups in
> exchange for help, require a few volunteers from each lower level team...
> There are other options.
>
> It's nice that the pro women are excited. However, the Hood River area
> will still suffer road closures (rolling enclosures for Pro fields) and
> there will be less tourism to offset the inconvenience. Has this been
> considered?
>
> For the last week I have been researching rental houses for our team. I
> have now contacted the rental agencies to tell that the our categories have
> been eliminated and we will no longer need the five day accommodations for
> the racers and their families who were coming with us. There is no way I
> will travel to Portland or Hood River to watch people in a race that I have
> been exiled from.
>
> Heather Paris
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

--

www.runbikeswim.net

Fischer, Jim E (Corvallis)

Posting for someone not setup on the chat...

Hello OBRA list,
I have never felt the need to post anything to the OBRA list before. But, I feel so strongly about the changes made to the MHCC that I am compelled to respond!

As a woman racer who has raced the MHCC for years, I am offended, disappointed and outraged at being eliminated from Mount Hood this year. Every year, women from all over attend this stage race. The decision to eliminate the women's cat 3/4, men's cat 4, and make the men's 3 field race with the cat 2s is very disappointing to the racers who have supported this race since it started. A large number of Oregon racers are in the lower, and apparently unworthy, categories. Eliminating these fields eliminates many of the Oregon racers and many of the people who have been strong supporters. Apparently, the UCI ranking is worth alienating many Oregonians/lower level racers from this race.

If it's volunteers that are in short supply, then at least give us a chance to get our family and friends involved, donate to youth groups in exchange for help, require a few volunteers from each lower level team... There are other options.

It's nice that the pro women are excited. However, the Hood River area will still suffer road closures (rolling enclosures for Pro fields) and there will be less tourism to offset the inconvenience. Has this been considered?

For the last week I have been researching rental houses for our team. I have now contacted the rental agencies to tell that the our categories have been eliminated and we will no longer need the five day accommodations for the racers and their families who were coming with us. There is no way I will travel to Portland or Hood River to watch people in a race that I have been exiled from.

Heather Paris