T. Kenji Sugahara

Well... here's some more news for you:

Jim Thiele suggested an idea for offering additional numbers. I'm
working out the details, but we may be selling additional sets of road
numbers (so you could have extras of your numbers) and may be able to
offer custom text. So, if you want to put your name or nickname (PG)
on it you could. I'll let you know as soon as I find out more.

In addition, Jeff Lorenzen passed along a description of the Hell of
the Cascades- for those who are curious.
The date is now scheduled for Sunday, July 20th (the day after the
Gorge Games Short Track)

The Hell of the Cascades is kind of an experimental race. It was born
out
of one of my favorite rides--the trip around Mt. Hood. It will begin
at the
Hood River County fairgrounds, then up Hwy 35 to 26, past Government
Camp,
then turning at Zigzag up Lolo Pass road. At the top of the pass, the
race
will descend six miles of gravel and eventually come out on Lost Lake
road.
At the Dee Mill, the race will turn on to the Dee Hwy and eventually
finish
at the top of Summit Drive, for a total distance of about 90 miles.

I say experimental because I intend to run only two fields, a "race"
field
and a "ride" field. I have permits for two 125 rider groups. The race
field
will have numbers to score separately and will be accompanied by five
or six
OBRA officials and some support vehicles. The ride field will have no
officials or support but will be cheaper. Both fields will have access
to
three feed zones with neutral bottles. Registration will be on a first
come,
first served basis, so all riders are welcome, but because of the
nature of
the course, I cannot offer any shorter distances.

Because of the number of agencies involved and roads used (State and
County Highways, Forest Service Roads, County Fairground and Schools),
the
permitting process is very complicated and there is a chance that the
race
will not come off. I'm keeping my finger crossed!

I created the event to share one of my favorite rides and to
capitalize on
the excitement the Mount Hood Cycling Classic has created for riding
in the
Gorge. I'd like to expand that idea that people come can out here and
have
amazing rides.

T. Kenji Sugahara
Assistant Director
Oregon Bicycle Racing Association
503-302-4935