Kris Schamp
For those of you who didn't receive the email message I sent out earlier today...
This coming Sunday, the Oregon XC MTB Race Series is coming close to P-town with the 3rd edition of the Horning's Hustle MTB Classic (http://www.portlandracing.com/mtb/). The weather forecast for this coming weekend is calling for dry, sunny skies, so we hope to see you out in North Plains as a racer or as a spectator.
Here are a couple of last-minute updates that I like to pass along:
1) Registration and check-in: Pre-registration has closed, but you can still register on-site on Sunday between 8:00am and 10:00am. 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 in the last 15' before the start of the race. To further speed up the registration flow, please bring a completed waiver (http://www.portlandracing.com/docs/hornings-hustle-waiver-2009.pdf) and a check for the correct amount (check our web site for race fees). If you have pre-registered, you will still need to check in at the registration table on Sunday to pick up your pull-tab, which you'll have to pin to the back of your jersey.
2) Race Course: In the last few weeks, a bunch of dapper volunteers have been working hard at Horning's Hideout, clearing trails, cutting some new trail sections and figuring out some new twists on last year's course. Check out the GPS based course map, courtesy of volunteer Jim Jonke at:
http://www.oregonbikeshop.com/horningtrails/
The rainfall in the past weeks has been significantly less than in previous years and there is no rain in the forecast for this weekend, so we expect a course that will be much less muddy and faster than last year. Still, there are a couple softer sections, so mud tires are strongly recommended. Like last year, the course will feature a rideable creek crossing, which will be a hoot.
3) Parking: Like in the past, Horning's Hideout will be charging a $5 parking fee per car. Please make sure to bring $5 cash (exact change please!), so they can keep the flow going.
4) Pre-riding Saturday: if you want, you can pre-ride the course on Saturday from 10am to 2pm. We will still be finishing up the final course set-up, but the basic course will be all marked. Please note that there is a $3 parking fee at Horning's Hideout, directly payable to Bob Horning.
5) Food, Beer, Music and a Easter Egg Hunt, oh my! As always, we'll make sure to take good care of our racers and spectators and make it more than just a race. The good folks at PUMP will come out to sell hot food (chili anyone?), all for the good cause of more and better MTB trails in our region. Racers over the age of 21 will also enjoy free post-race beer, courtesy of our local beer sponsor Hopworks Urban Brewing (you'll even have the choice between a Crosstown Pale Ale and a Velvet ESB!). To top it off we'll have a live performance of local rock & blues band Paradox. And for the little ones, we've decided to turn the kiddie race into a full-on offroad Easter Egg Hunt!
6) Awards and FREE Raffle: In good tradition, we will end the event with awards for all categories and a free raffle for all racers and volunteers. Besides medals for the top 3 finishers in each category, we'll have some great raffle prizes, including:
- $250 pro cash purse, $300 worth of gift certificates, and a bunch of nice bike components donated by our title sponsor Cycle Path.
- Three svelte bottom brackets, a couple headsets and other cool bike bling and t-shirts, courtesy of perennial local bike race sponsor Chris King.
- Cowbells, yes more cowbell, provided by OBRA's favorite real estate broker Tom's Home Team.
Thank you sponsors!
7) Race Plates: Don't forget to bring your 2009 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.
8) Volunteers: we are still in need of a couple more hands to help out during the race and with clean-up. If you like to volunteer or know someone who likes to help out, contact Tom Hoffman (thoffman@equitygroup.com or 503-475-3417).
That's it. Keep your eyes peeled on our facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?src=fftb#/event.php?eid=57578706178&ref=mf ) for any additional updates and random thoughts. And if you have any questions, check our web site or just shoot me an e-mail. Hope to see you on Sunday!
~Kris
Kris Schamp
www.portlandracing.com
kris@portlandracing.com