Joel Palanuk
Hello Racers,
We are looking forward to our third year of the Sisters Stampede, and really excited to show everybody the new course this year! The new course offers more passing opportunities, two climbs on fire roads, and no category overlapping on the upper section (meaning no lap scenario). The new design will make for better passing for you, and less impact on the trail.
Also new this year, is a parking, and registration location change. Please check out our printable map from the website! All parking will be just East of where people had parked the last two years (follow the signs). Do not enter at the large barn! This is the race officials entrance only. We will be filling the large field adjacent to where our start/finish area is located (please watch out for rodent holes!). The large venue tent will be next to the Start/Finish line, as well as a row of vendors. The AirLink Critical Care Helicopter will be landing at about 10am (leaving TBD), and will be on display for photos, or to talk to the flight crew (your kids will love it!). Any emergency response that they are needed for will pause any Stampede events.
There will also be a new cowboy leading out the Pro/Cat 1 Men on horseback. This guy is a roper, so be polite to each other, and to our volunteers please. The Pro/Cat 1 Women will also have a cowgirl leading them out on horseback!
Saturday Registration, will be at both bike shops in Sisters from 2pm to 5pm. Any pre-registered riders (either online or mail in) will pick up their packets at Blazin Saddles (413 W. Hood ave. 541-719-1213). All other non-registered riders can go to the same location as last year at Eurosports (182 E. Hood ave. 541-549-2471). The two shops are literally three blocks from each other. Race day registration will be near the start/finish area in the large tent.
Currently, there is orange ribbon on trees and shrubs marking the double track for people riding the course this week. Saturday Pre-ride will be marked in the morning. Anybody who is pre-riding the course on Saturday is welcome to park at Three Creeks brewing, but please don't park in the field.
Registration packets are filled and ready. Each rider gets a Stampede bottle, Hammer gel, Gorge delight, Three Creeks beer token, raffle ticket, Recovery food from Rays food place, AirLink chapstick, Hot Coffee from Sisters Coffee and awesome deals from Eurosports, AirLink, and Rays food place.
Please stay for the traditional Puerto Rican pig roast by Three Creeks Brewing, and enjoy live music from somebody who is rumored to be an American Idol finalist. Three Creeks brewing will also have many kegs of the annual Stampede "Ridge Trail Ale". The kids race will be organized by the Sisters Rotary club, and kids will be getting great prize packets from them, as well as the same obstacle course for kids while the race is going. Make sure you pick up a Stampede t-shirt from Benders Ink!
Race sponsors: The Peak 104.1, CenturyLink, Three Creeks Brewing, Five Pine lodge, AirLink, Blazin Saddles, Eurosports, In Focus eye care, Sisters Coffee, Ponderosa Forge, Sisters Athletic club, Benders Ink.
If anybody would like to volunteer, please contact: karly@sisterscountry.com (Volunteers get a t-shirt, and lunch).
Any other questions, or anything that I may have missed, then please feel free to contact me!!
Sending warm wishes to you all, and a Happy Memorial Day!!
Joel Palanuk