Kris Schamp
Hello OBRA racers!
We are just five days away from the ever-popular 2011 Kruger's Kermesse Farm Crit, so - for those who didn't receive the email I sent out earlier today - some final reminders and updates:
1) Register online TODAY, skip the registration lines on Sunday... and get a start line CALL-UP for your race!
Today is the last day to pre-register online at http://www.portlandracing.com/kermesse/online-registration.html.
As usual, we'll have an "express line" at registration for pre-registered racers, so all you have to do is pick up your bib number and you're all good to go. And to sweeten the deal, all pre-registered riders will receive a goodie bag, with an assortment of product samples -courtesy of our sponsors Hammer Nutrition and Nossa Familia Coffee - ... and a call-up for the start of your race!
BTW: even if you're still sitting on the fence and/or rather pay for your race on race day, please take a minute and fill out the online waiver and release form at http://www.portlandracing.com/kermesse-waiver-2011.php
2) Course details, gear advice & free mechanical support:
To get a feel of what to expect on Sunday, check out the updated course map at http://tinyurl.com/54rund . Racers will race a counter-clockwise loop of 1.8 miles for about 45'. All racers will finish on the same lap as the race leader in that particular heat. Categories within the same race heat will start with a gap of about 1-2 minutes (depending on field sizes). Please be courteous and safe when passing slower racers, especially during the first two laps, when everyone is still getting into the rhythm of the race. While racers will be allowed to race any type of bike, we strongly recommend to ride a bike that can accommodate at cyclocross tires. There are a couple short bumpy sections and off-camber corners, for which road tires at 90 psi might not be the ideal choice. Also, there is always a chance that some sections get a bit slick or muddy due to ongoing irrigation at the farm. There will be a 2-way pit area, where our title sponsor Bike N Hike will provide free mechani
cal support and where racers can stash spare wheels/bikes/tubes and any tools. Like in cyclocross, there won't be a feed zone, but you can load up your bike and jersey pockets with as much food and water as you like.
3) Farm Crit Team Relay... still a couple spots left!
After all the fun we had at the Ultra Short Track Team Relay (and the team relay we did at the 2008 Kruger's Kermesse), we decided to bring back the madness and wrap up the day of racing with a fun and exciting 30' relay race on a super-compact farm crit course (2 to 3-minute laps), featuring up to 25 teams of 4 to 10 racers. The entrance fee is $10/team. For more details and to sign up your team, just send me an email by end of day today at kris@portlandracing.com
4) Trophies, beer primes and a grand raffle, oh my...
Top-3 finishers in each category will receive some real cool medals and various farm trophies. Even if you are not racing in the lead of the pack, you might want to keep your eyes peeled for the elusive tricolore Belgian flag. Whenever and wherever the flag gets raised (not necessarily at the finish line), the first racer over 21 who comes through can put claim on a 22-oz bottle of Hopworks Urban Brewing organic beer! And, as always, it will pay to stay through the end, as we'll have some kegs of tasty HUB beer chilling and we'll wrap up the day by raffling off a variety of cool prizes generously provided by our title sponsor Bike N Hike, Chris King and Kruger's Farm Market.
5) Kiddie races, gourmet farm food, live music, and Hopworks beer.
Another reminder that this will be a very family-friendly and spectator-friendly event. At 11:45am, we will organize a FREE, fun kiddie race for the little ones, sponsored by Fun Reflector. Kruger's Farm Market and their various concession stands will be catering a variety of hot foods (including delicious wood stove pizza, roasted corn, grilled burgers & ribs) and serving beer and other beverages, so make sure to bring some good appetite and cash! And from 1 to 3 pm, we'll have a live band lightening up the scene with some energizing music. Please do NOT bring beer or any other alcoholic beverages from outside, because it's prohibited by OLCC regulations.
That's it. If you have any questions, check the race web site or just shoot me an e-mail. I am looking forward to seeing you - and your friends and family -on Sunday at the farm. Should be another fun one!
~Kris
Kris Schamp
www.portlandracing.com
PS: We are still short of 2-3 volunteers on Sunday to help with course marshaling, lap counting and tear down. If you are interested in volunteering - and get to race for free! - just shoot me an email.