OBRA to sanction Echelon Gran Fondo hillclimb up Hood

Aug 4, 2010 by editor

PORTLAND –OBRA and Echelon Gran Fondo announced an officially sanctioned 21-mile hill climb portion of the Sept. 26 Echelon Gran Fondo with Team Radio Shack’s Chris Horner. OBRA will sanction the timed challenge for all riders who enter the 100-mile portion of the route.

With approximately 1,200 cyclists, The Echelon Gran Fondo will begin its ceremonial mass start in the town of Hood River at Sept. 26. All riders will proceed toward The Dalles, following the Historic Columbia River highway while riding alongside Horner. At mile marker 15, the 30-mile participants will turn back toward Hood River. At mile marker 30, the 60-mile participants will also turn for Hood River while the 100-mile riders will continue to the town of Dufur for the start of the hill climb. From Dufur to the KOM is approximately 21 miles straight up Mt. Hood, averaging about 6 percent grade and finishing just before Highway 35. There will be a TDF-like hilltop finish with some great food. After some hilltop festivities, riders will make the 35-mile downhill trek to Hood River for the festival and awards with the 30- and 60-mile riders.

START TIMES
8:30 AM: Mass Start times–All riders start together in Hood River, Oregon
9:45 AM: (approximately) 30 mile riders split and turn back to Hood River along the historic highway
10:15 AM: (approximately) 60 mile riders split and make turn towards Hood River
11:00 AM (approximately) All 100 mile riders arrive town of Dufur, Oregon

Hill climb start times: Town of Dufur
11:30 AM: Category’s 1-3 men**
11:40 AM: Category’s 3-5 men**
11:50 AM: Women’s–all categories**

*Since the event is chip timed, your time will still count no matter when you start the hill climb. You may leave before or after the sanctioned hill climb start time but it is recommended that you try to make the sanctioned start times.

Entry fees
$25 registration fee
$125 minimum fundraising (or donation)
$150 total (covers full gran fondo, food, after party and sanctioned hill climb)
additional fundraising over $125 is optional but encouraged

OBRA Points
OBRA upgrade points will be awarded according to actual finish times.

Awards/Prizes will be based by time less any time bonuses (time deduction).
Echelon will be awarding time bonuses (time deductions) for all riders for based on additional fundraising efforts:

Standard entry: $125 to $199 raised (no time bonus)

White jersey time bonus: $300 fundraiser level (5 minute time bonus)

Blue jersey jersey time bonus: $500 fundraiser level
(7.5 minute time bonus)

Green jersey jersey time bonus: $1000 fundraiser level
(10 minute time bonus)

Polka jersey jersey time bonus: $2,500 fundraiser level
(15 minute time bonus)

Yellow jersey jersey time bonus: $5,000 fundraiser level
(22.5 minute time bonus)