Mike Ripley
Hello OBRA
Happy New Year from my family and all the mountain bike race directors
across the state. I am looking forward again to bring the best I can to the
plate for your experience in the dirt in 2011. Special Thanks to Candi, Mike
and Kenji for giving me the opportunity to grow the sport of mountain biking
for all levels.
OBRA
Sign up now! Thats all I can say, its online and its the new year. If you
love OBRA then do it, you know you need a license, why make us work harder
and slow the race process down........thats my hardcore demanding ripley
tone...can you feel it?
Just a few highlights and info for you.
The 2011 Rivercity XC Series is back with the same classic 10 races to
challenge you and test your different riding skills across the state.
Starting in Echo Oregon on 3/12, we are expecting big numbers this year and
hope for another 10% growth especially in the Junior ranks. Thanks to all
the great sponsors from 2010.
http://www.oregonxcseries.org
Series Team Comp
Best 7 or 10 events From march 12th to June 26th. Will Sunnyside Sports take
the title again (I hope not, you know my bitterness towards Don Leet and
Sunnyside) Its all for fun but I hope your teams step it up, No team has won
back to back series titles since the new balanced points structure.
Categories
25 to set the pace. One of the most surprising and or solid classes was the
Women cat 2 35+, I look to see that field grow among others. Remember that
you can toss any race out over 7, so schedule at least 8 to allow for that
mechanical or bad race.
Juniors
This year with the assistance of John Wilson and Bill Walburton (Bend
Endurance Academy) Junior racing will surpass our solid numbers of 500
juniors competing last year to hopefully 1000. The Junior Cup will be any 4
events in the Rivercity Series to provide Juniors with the flexibility to
pick and choose the race they want to attend for the overall win.
I am looking for product for the Junior cup from any shop willing to
contribute closeout merchandise/parts, ect to help these new kids out. I
will have a link and request form that I will be sending out. One of the
biggest initial barriers is the expense of cycling and that Jacket or arm
warmers or tires that a junior can win/have for competing in at least 4
races will be huge for them.
Mudslinger Events
www.mudslingerevents.com
Just a little bit about my personal events.
*The High Cascades 100 7/23 (National Ultra Endurance Series) registration
is almost 50% Full, so I know Oregon Riders like to wait, its just the way
it is, but I do not want to leave you out. *
The Test Of Endurance 50 6/19 will once again double as a Kenda Cup West
Qualifier to provide the Best competition for 50 miles. Course records were
blown away last year, can that happen again? cat 3 riders only do 1 lap, so
do not think its too hard, I would never hurt you.
Mudslinger 4/23 Slightly shorter course, (logging) we are talking 2 miles,
and I plan on looking into utilizing it as a qualifier for Nationals (7/30)
Sun Valley Idaho, if all goes as planned.
Alsea falls Switchback "State Championships" Back for a great August course
in the shade. Can you say summer and swimming hole
High Cascades 24 9/10 & 11 Its in the works, January will be a busy month to
get all things set for registration to open. Only 200 spots (Solo, Team of 4
or duo)
Other NW events
Marathon Nationals 9/17 Bend Oregon. Chad Sperry will be the event director
and I will be course director to set a 80K sweet course in Bend.
Cascade Cream Puff 100 July 10th, Scott Taylor and his loyal Sidekick (me)
will stick it to ya in this classic of all classic 100 milers in Westfir.
Maybe a new course??
6 hrs of Mt Hood Great event last year and being its the week after the
series, should have a great turnout. Lots of fun
Super D
What Can I say........Great Job Brandon, Joe, Devon and Peter,Bill (probably
left someone out...sorry)
more thrills a minute with a few grinds to break you down. Super Fun at
Super D
Short Track
Kris Schamp king of ST and Portland racing will be at it again to bring new
riders and old foes to battle it out each Monday.
Salem, Bend, Southern Oregon, maybe even Eugene this year, Short Track is
the perfect way to get new people into the dirt and keep the legs spinning
and a good way to get ready for cx
Clinics
If you are a Team, try to get new blood on your team and hold a clinic, if
any of you would like to do a preview of my courses let me know, I would be
glad to take you out in the coast range for a preview
Thats it, More to come by early February
First race is in 10 weeks
Make a plan
train hard or race into shape.....
Most of all Have FUN!
Mike Ripley
Mudslinger Events
OBRA MTB Rep
Team Dirt
PO BOX 87
Monroe, OR. 97456
541-847-3030