Kris Schamp
Hey everyone,
For those of you who didn't receive the email message I sent out yesterday, I want to pass along a couple updates about this Sunday's OBRA Short Track Championships in Cascade Locks (http://www.portlandracing.com/obra-stxc-champs/).
The weather forecast for the Gorge this weekend - sunny with highs in the mid 80s and a nice breeze to keep things cool - looks just about perfect for a fun and family-friendly weekend of racing short track and hanging back with friends and fellow mountain bike racers at the all-new easyCLIMB trail system in Cascade Locks!
1) Still time to register online!
You still have until end-of-day today to register online for Sunday's race, get your name added to the start-line call-up list, and make a chance to win a special sponsor care package (retail value $150), which we'll raffle off on Sunday among all pre-registered riders (no need to be present to win): http://www.portlandracing.com/obra-stxc-champs/registration.html
If you prefer to register on-site, please consider filling out the online waiver already and save time and paper on Sunday. And if you raced the Portland Short Track Series, make sure to bring your race plate (we're re-using the same plates). Also, a reminder to bring cash or checks and proof of your current OBRA membership (unless you plan to buy an OBRA license on Sunday).
2) Course conditions: all systems are go!
Last Sunday, we spent some time buffing out the trail and making the course all race-ready. To make the start logistics easier on both racers and officials, we scrapped the gravel climb shown at the beginning of the course preview video. Each race will now start right off the parking lot at the end of the gravel road (see updated course map at http://www.portlandracing.com/obra-stxc-champs/course.html). The basic course loop is about 1.1 mile long and features a short 60 ft climb along a smooth winding trail up the riverside bluff. As for bike and tire choice, mountain bikes (with low/medium profile tires) will be the weapon of choice. Racing a cyclocross bikes is definitely an option (and will make for good practice for the Double Cross cyclocross race, which will take place at the same venue), but I would definitely run high enough pressure to avoid pinch-flats on the rockier sections.
3) Make it a weekend!
Come out early on Saturday to pre-ride the course (which is already fully marked) and join us for NWTA's Dimwits Withbritelites' family fun ride, camp-out and movie night. We have secured a beautiful - and free - tent camping area, right next to the water and as soon as the sun goes down, we'll be showing some rad MTB movies (make sure to brig a comfy camp chair!), followed by an optional night riding session. Ed Fischer from Camas Bikes is bringing his mini skills park with skinnies for young and old to ride on, and on Sunday, Camas Bikes will provide free mechanical support throughout the day. Also on Sunday, Felt Bicycles will be on-site with a demo bike fleet for everyone's enjoyment (note: demo bikes will not be available for racing!).
4) Championship awards, cash purse and grand raffle!
This is an OBRA championships, so there will be much-coveted OBRA Championship medals on the line for the top-3 in each category and we'll have the biggest-and-baddest championships podium you will ever have seen, thanks to our local title sponsor SDS Lumber Company (BTW: they are truly a "role model" landowner, with a great track record of proactively working with MTB advocates for more riding opportunities in the Gorge). We will also have a $500 cash prize purse for the top-3 in the Pro Men and Women category, so expect some spectator-worthy race action during the last race of the day. Finally, after the awards, we will wrap up the day with our traditional raffle, featuring more than $1,250 worth of cool prizes and schwag, courtesy of our sponsors Sellwood Cycle Repair, Dirty Fingers Bicycles, Camas Bikes, Felt Bicycles, Hopworks Urban Brewing, Nossa Familia Coffee, Bob's Red Mill, Larabar and Hammer Nutrition.
That's it. If you have any questions, just shoot me an email. Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday in Cascade Locks!
~Kris
Portland Racing
PS 1: we are still looking for a couple hands to help out with registration, lap counting on Sunday. If you are available and like to help out (in exchange for a free race entry!), just shoot me an email at kris@portlandracing.com.
PS 2: if you plan to put up a pop-up tent on Sunday, make sure to bring some weights or anchors to keep your tent from flying over. Right now, it doesn't look like it will be super windy this weekend, but it's the Gorge so the wind can be gusty at times.