rondot@spiritone.com

To obra racers.
First I have to put a huge shout out to Cross Crusade course designers. With the dry weather, I was expecting a good course at the Fairgrounds, but I got a great course. Last year was epic. Hard to beat. A true bonus for local bike shop maintenance work afterward. But I had mediocre expectations. Today they made the Fairgrounds the best course yet out there. It amazes me what a 4’ high mound of dirt and a pile of sand can do for young and old to have fun. Thanks Crusade for your constant “on the edge creativity” with your courses. You guys do set the standard!
That said. The other promoters are taking your research on “course creativity” and putting their own color tints on the courses they are designing. And like true committed artists with great talent.... are doing great things. What this means is we racers are indeed getting more and more super high quality courses to race.
Yesterday we had three options for racing in OBRA sanctioned Cyclocross. I had to choose one! Should I cry? No! That rocks big time.
The most important point I want to make....more than anything...is....
There is NO CONTEST between these different races, series or promoters. They in conjunction with their sponsors, volunteers and OBRA are working together to provide us with the very best they can on every day they put on a race!
I have not raced all over the country and this is no contest between USAC, OBRA etc...............but I believe we are maybe the most fortunate racers in the USA. It is due to these people using their creative talents to put these races on for us.
Thanks to all of you. Personally I have to say you help make me feel happy! Not just to ride / race my bike, but get to share these times with so many quality caring people.

On the TV note. I just heard on the TV in the other room (on OPB) that Oregon Field Guide is doing a segment on Cyclocross this coming Thursday evening. I do not know if it is a re-run most of you might have seen or where they might have filmed, but it seems I remember some crew or someone filming at Barton last year or year before. Anyway....if people are interested......Thursday night.
Next up the last Blind Date for the season!
ronnie