Mt. Hood Cycling Classic

Hey Everyone,

Mt. Hood Cycling Classic is getting last minute details taken care of and the community of Hood River is looking forward to seeing all of you next week. A couple important items to remember and new information.

* First Shimano has stepped up and given us some really cool RS 80 wheel sets to give away as prizes. The GC winner of the CAT 3 men's race CAT 4 Men's Race and Masters 35+ race will each receive a set along with cash. We are also putting up a set for the CAT 3 men as well as the Pro 1-3 women's category as a monster prime during the crit. We also have a PRO stem and handlebar set for the CAT 4 men's race valued at $700 for a prime as well. The wheel sets have are the new carbon/aluminum rims , and wheel sets are under 1500 grams and require no special brake pads. The best of both worlds! Retail is $900 a set. We know that Hood is a climbers race so we are working hard to provide a little love to those sprinters that can make it to the final stage!

* Wy'East Stage still has snow covering the final mile of road 48. I am afraid you will not get a chance to ride the course in its entirety unless you hike through the snow portion. We will have it plowed in time for the race so do not stress.

* Techinical guide for the OBRA fields will be posted by the end of today. Remember it is preliminary and we may make changes to the final guide handed out at packet pickup.

* Packet pickup is available for the Pro 1-2 men and Pro 1-3 women on Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. at Hood River Inn. For CAT 3, CAT 4, and Masters Men you can pick up your packet earlier from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday or on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Toll Bridge Park (stage 1 start location). CAT 3-4 women you can pick yours up at any of the before mentioned times and locations as well as Friday before from 11:00 to 12:30 p.m. at the Discovery Center in The Dalles. Directions and drive times to each of these locations is in the prelinary techinical guides.

* Neutral Support is available to all categories. We will have wheels and water on hand. Wheels will be collected through a wheel lotter for each stage and be neutral.

* Shuttle service will be available leaving every 35 minutes on the stage #2 time trial finish taking riders back to the start. Also shuttle will be available to take CAT 3-4 women from the finish area at Mt. Hood Meadows to their start at Billy Bob Snow Park at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. You are welcome to drive yourselves as well.

* ONLY A COUPLE DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER. REGISTERATION CLOSES SUNDAY! REGISTER NOW TO BE SURE YOU GET IN.

Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions please refer to the techincal guides as I will be a little busy the next 10 days and am afraid my response time to your questions will be slow as I am up in the booneys clearing snow! Up to date info will be posted on Facebook and Twitter from here forward.

We look forward to everyone coming in for yet another great race. It is going to be awesome!

Sincerely,
Chad