OBRA weekend packed with dirt, crits and climbs

Aug 13, 2010 by editor

SATURDAY, Aug. 14

Longview Grand Prix Criterium: Longview, Wash.
New on the OBRA calendar this year, this .5 mile criterium presented by Highlander Cycling will take place in the Longview Civic Center roundabout. The course is oval, flat and fast — good for pros and beginners. This is a FAST course! Three lanes wide, pure speed, pour it on and let it go! The race boasts a $2,300 overall purse plus merchandise and primes. The Pro/1/2 men will race 75 minutes for $1,000 six deep, with the winner pocketing $400 for his efforts. The Cat 1/2/3 women will race 45 minutes for $300-$500, depending on the size of the field. Racing starts with the juniors at 11:30. The last race of the day starts at 6:05 p.m.

National Track Qualifier: Portland
Alpenrose Velodrome in southwest Portland will start its busy weekend with the National Qualifier races for riders hoping to compete for national titles later this season. Racing starts at 10 a.m. and will include time trials, pursuits, sprints, keirin, points races, madisons and more. Medals will be awarded to top three finishers.

OBRA MTB STXC Championships: Sherwood
The Sherwood Equestrian Center debuted as a race venue during last season’s Cross Crusade and returns for 2010 to host the OBRA MTB Short Track Championships. The course is set between the trees and hills of the center and promises a mix of singletrack and short climbs among its twists and turns. Racing starts at 11 a.m. for the juniors and continues throughout the day, culminating with he Pro/Cat 1 races at 1:15 p.m. The hotly contested Kiddie Race goes off at 12:15.

SUNDAY, Aug. 15

Alpenrose Heartbreaker: Portland
The Gentle Lovers present a one-day track race at Alpenrose Velodrome featuring Elite keirin, points races and madisons. Racing starts at 10 a.m. Elite races have cash payouts, other categories will win merchandise.

OBRA Hillclimb TT Championships: Mt. Hood
Those blessed with the ability to ascend like agnels will get a chance to shine at Sunday’s hillclimb championships on Mt. Hood. Climb from Government Camp to Timberline Lodge on a beautiful maintenance road that gains 2,000 feet over 5.6 miles. The course climbs steadily through a wooded area of alpine fir on the narrow twisting road. The surface is somewhat rough due to old pavement, and the last half-mile or so is especially steep. Medals are awarded to OBRA Champions. Only full season OBRA members are eligible for medals. You may compete with a one-day license, but you will not be eligible for medals.

OBRA MTB XC Championships: Alsea Falls
Oregon’s premiere MTB promoter Mike Ripley has put together another beauty for the OBRA MTB XC Championships. The course at Alsea Falls near Corvallis is 50 percent singletrack with a big smooth climb. Although temps are predicted to hit the high 90s, the shaded course is 8‐10 degrees cooler than in the valley and offers 600 feet of climbing per lap. It’s a real Rollercoaster! Each field will travesre a 2.5-mile starter loop that climbs 150 feet before heading onto the larger 4.5-mile loop for laps. Racing starts at 9:30 a.m. for the Juniors and concludes with the last event going off at 1 p.m.