Kris Schamp
Hello OBRA racers!
For those of you who didn't receive the email I sent out this morning, here are a couple final updates ahead of Saturday's Kruger's Crossing Cyclocross Classic (http://www.portlandracing.com/cx).
1) One more day to pre-register and make a chance to win a Rolf Prima wheelset (and a call-up)!
That's right, we extended the pre-registration deadline with an extra day, so all riders who pre-register before end-of-day today (Thu 11/15) will receive a start line CALL-UP (check out the preliminary call-up list by category), and a FREE entry in our raffle of a $600 ROLF Prima ECX wheelset!
Online registration: http://www.portlandracing.com/cx/registration.html
Even if you prefer to pay at the race, we ask you to help us save paper and fill out the online accident waiver and release form... also a friendly reminder that we only accept cash or checks at the race.
2) Updated Race Course:
As always, we plan to make the race course fun and challenging for all racers! This year, we made a couple minor tweaks, in order to slightly increase the proportion of hard-packed roads and move the heart of the action (finish, registration, bonfire, live band, mechanical support and sponsor tents) closer to the main parking lot. This is also the area where we want teams to set up their pop-up tents (although you are free to put up tents anywhere along the border of the main parking lot).
A detailed course map is posted at http://www.portlandracing.com/cx/course.html
For those who like to pre-ride the course on Friday, we plan to have everything set up and marked by 2pm.
3) FREE Doggie Dash & Kiddie Races:
For the fourth year in a row, racers and spectators will get a chance to race their dogs (on-leash and sans bikes) in a FREE and all-for-fun doggie dash race on a shortened (0.4 mile) version of the course! To participate in the dog race, you must register your dog between 10 and 12:15 at the Doggie Race tent, which will be located next to the bonfire. Dog race staging starts at 12:30pm and the race starts at 12:45pm sharp. The kiddie races will be held on the same course, starting at 12:25pm.
4) NEW: "Heaviest Cross Bike" Weigh-In Contest:
With mud build-up being a perennial factor at Kruger's, we thought we might as well have some fun with it and organize an optional weigh-in after each race heat, where racers with top-heavy bikes make a chance to win a special "cross recovery & care package", courtesy of our sponsors Hopworks Urban Brewery and Bob's Red Mill! And don't bother putting those heavy bikes on top of your car... besides a fully set-up and free bike wash station (with plenty of hoses), we'll have Stewart Campbell of Bridge City Pressure Washing on site offering his pro-style bike cleaning service ($5/bike).
5) Bring your Cross Crusade Bib Number!
A friendly reminder that we will use the Cross Crusade bib numbers (both the large and small number!), so please bring them with you. If you haven't raced cross yet this season or if you plan to race a new category, you will need to pick up a new bib number at the registration tent. As usual, bib numbers go on the left side.
6) Ten More Reasons to Come Over to Kruger's Farm this Saturday...
- FREE mechanical support provided by the pro mechanics of our title sponsor West End Bikes (note: no neutral wheel support at this race);
- FREE coffee during the morning hours (in the back of the Kruger's Farm Market Store), courtesy of Nossa Familia Coffee;
- FREE hot steel cut oats served by Bob's Red Mill from 8 to 11am (featuring a special Kruger's Crossing topping: local honey from my backyard!);
- FREE raffle throughout the day, with more than $1,500 in prizes, courtesy of our sponsors West End Bikes, Specialized, Ibex, Osmo Nutrition and Portland Design Works;
- FREE sampling of Hopworks Urban Brewery's fine organic ales, starting at 1pm, right next to the bonfire;
- FREE parking: for the racers' and spectators' convenience, we've decided to make parking at Kruger's Farm FREE this year! The only thing we ask is to follow parking marshals' instructions at all times;
- Instant notification (via text or email) of post-race results through Athletepath (we will also post printed results throughout the day, typically within 30' after each race heat);
- Woodfire pizza, burgers, corn-on-the-cob, and various other food items, catered by Kruger's Farm Market;
- Live bluegrass music and all-day race announcing by Luciano "The Voice of Short Track".
- 20% OFF all goods (produce AND merchandise) at the Kruger's Farm Market store! Don Kruger has told me they will be stocking up on traditional Thanksgiving items (squash, yams, brussels sprouts, etc) and baskets, so make sure to bring your shopping list and load up on fresh and local goodies and some great holiday gifts. Besides, it's a great way to support the farm and thank Don Kruger for continuing to host bike races and welcome bike riders at his farm!
>From all the smiles I saw last Sunday in Hillsboro, it looks like everyone is ready to test their mettle and riding skills in true cyclocross conditions and this weekend is shaping up to deliver on all that and more. We are definitely ready to do our part to make this the most epic Portland cyclocross weekend of the season! I hope to see you on Saturday at the farm for some good times on and off the course. Bring your family and friends. Bring your dogs (at least the friendly kind!). Let's throw a party!
Cheers,
~Kris
PS: a reminder that our title sponsor West End Bikes is offering all Kruger's Crossing racers 15% off on any bike apparel, accessories and bike parts they have in stock! Just visit their store (located at 1111 SW Stark Street in Portland) and show them a print or electronic copy of this message.
This offer is good through the weekend. The discount does not apply towards bikes or out-of-stock item and can not be combined with other discounts.