Category: News

OBRA is excited to partner with the Girls AllRide Mountain Bike Camps to provide two scholarships specifically for two different OBRA junior members to attend any one of their camps in Bend, OR in 2021.

OBRA and Girls AllRide are offering these scholarships to help more young women feel comfortable in the sport of mountain biking.

Girls AllRide has a mission to use mountain biking as a tool for youth to build community, discover potentials and strengthen themselves – inside and out. The main goal is to help girls develop their mountain biking skills and have fun, while also helping them learn how to face fears, believe in themselves, and think positive, logical thoughts instead of reacting with fear.

There are a few steps for applying:

1. You will need to be an active OBRA member to apply for the scholarship. If you need to sign up for your 2021 membership, that can be done here: industry.obra.org/product/obra-junior-membership.
2. You will need to pick what camp you are applying for. Click here: ladiesallride.com/girls-allride to view all of the camps. *The Girls AllRide are running camps across the county but only Bend, OR camps are available for this scholarship.
3.  The third and final step is to fill out the application form. That can be done here: forms.gle/vefCoETrbrqA3uPc7.
4. Anyone who identifies as female is welcome to apply for this scholarship.
5. Girls AllRide runs camps for 9-13-year-olds and 12 – 15-year-olds. If you are between these age groups, you are welcome to apply for a scholarship to attend one of their camps.
6. All skill levels from beginners to experts are welcome to apply for one of the Girls AllRide Camp scholarships.

The application will be open through March 31st. From there, we will review all applications and notify the winners by April 2nd.

If you have any questions please email our Junior Racing Director, Joel Fletcher at jfletcher@obra.org.

Greetings OBRA Community,

OBRA has had a great start to 2021. Thank you to all of you that have renewed your OBRA membership and to our new members! And, thanks to the support you gave us through your memberships and contributions, OBRA is in a healthy position for success this year.

With the positive news of better vaccine distribution and the declining COVID-19 numbers in Oregon, we are hopeful that we may see some more “normal” racing opportunities later in the year. Please stay diligent about protecting yourself and others.

We have two races coming up in March; the Shasta Gravel Hugger and Echo Red to Red. The promoters of both these events have come up with solid plans and race formats that are in place to keep the racers, staff, officials, and volunteers safe while following their local COVID restrictions and guidance. It is also up to you to follow the risk mitigation plans they have implemented. We view the communities where our events happen as the key to maintaining racing opportunities for our members. When traveling to races, please do your best to be respectful of their citizens and minimize unnecessary contact. 

I met with the cyclocross race promoters last week and I think this could be one of OBRA’s most exciting CX calendars in a while. Almost all of the races are on the OBRA calendar https://obra.org/schedule There are some of our old favorites in Corn Cross, Heiser Farms, the Crossword Challenge, the Outlaw Series, and all the amazing Cyclocross Crusade races. There are also some cool new events starting with Left Coast Cellars CX on August 29. On September 11-12, there is Can Chaser CX at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond. This Brad Ross-designed course will utilize the rodeo arena and horse stables. On September 25, Clint Culpepper of Trophy Cup fame will be promoting Vanport CX at PIR which will run into the night under the lights. Clint is currently working with these early season weekend events to create an exciting new series. 

By now I am sure that most of you have read our announcement about the closure of Alpenrose. This is a special place for many people in our community. We have left the Blind Date Series on the calendar because I know that Tony and Joe are trying to find a new venue. Once they do, I know that series will be special again because of them and the community. Their passion and sense of humor are not going anywhere. The dirt may be different but the race remains the same. The same thing goes for the Cyclocross Crusade. I know many will miss that fantastic finish on the velodrome but it is the community and the culture that makes these races special. 

Although this decision is coming earlier than in past years, we are thrilled to announce that the 2021 OBRA Cyclocross Championships will be Bridge City CX at Oaks Park Amusement Park on October 9-10. It has been a goal of ours for this championship to be a two-day event with a day of non-championship category racing on Saturday (with some fun stuff thrown in) and the age group and elite championship races held on Sunday. We know that Erik Tonkin and the Sellwood community are up to the task and will produce an excellent weekend of racing. 

Finally, I want to thank OBRA’s newest business partner, Stages Cycling which is offering a generous discount to current OBRA members. This is a great benefit to our members from a company right here in our backyard. I also want to remind you of the Spot Insurance benefit for current OBRA members. For $59 a year, OBRA members get a $25K out-of-pocket medical benefit anytime they are injured while riding a bike including during OBRA sanctioned races. Find out more about these benefits by clicking on the links below.  

I look forward to seeing you (at a respectable distance) at the races.

—-

Chuck

Stages Discount: industry.obra.org/obra-stages-2021.

Spot Insurance: industry.obra.org/obra-and-spot-insurance.

Name? Mielle Blomberg

Location? Portland, OR

What team do you race for? Team S&M

What is the first OBRA race you participated in? Hood River Double Cross 9/19/2009 (beginner men because I thought all beginners raced together).

What do you enjoy about racing in OBRA? I enjoy the community support aspect of OBRA. You can participate at any level and find support. When I started racing road bikes at PIR, I was terrified because I didn’t know what I didn’t know. The senior women were so helpful and supportive in trying to teach me and help me have a great experience. There is a genuine desire to pass on knowledge to help new racers feel comfortable so they keep coming back. OBRA members also give back to the community with events like Pay It Forward to benefit families of Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, and Food Deliveries by Bike coordinated by Community Cycling Center to support families in need during the pandemic.

What is your favorite OBRA race? Favorite race? Can I pick two? For mountain bike racing, 6 Hours of Hood. It was my first real mountain bike race in 2010. For cyclocross (know how hard it is for me to pick one), I would have to go with Cyclocross Crusade Halloween Weekend. Both events have outstanding social elements that I have been missing so much.

What would you tell people who are thinking about racing for the first time? For the bike race curious, I would ask them what kind of racing they are interested in. Normally I would recommend a beginner-friendly race based on their interest and bike experience, suggest they join a group ride to gain pack riding experience or sign up for a beginner clinic. Clinics are a great way to get a feel for the genre of racing and meet other beginners. Large group rides are not happening currently due to Covid-19 restrictions, but eventually, we will be able to ride shoulder to shoulder again. Another recommendation, for cyclocross especially, ride the mountain bike or cyclocross commuter you already have. No need to invest in a new bike until you decide if racing is for you.

What new races would you like to try in the future? I would love to do Shasta Gravel Hugger in California. The route and views would be well worth the trip when I can travel with a group.

I have known Mateen for years. He has attended our Junior Cyclocross and Track Camps as well as Cyclocross clinics throughout the years. I have seen him grow up from a fast kid with a bike to a young man with a dream to encourage more Black People, Indigenous People, and People of Color (BIPOC) to ride bikes.

I recently sat down with Mateen for a virtual interview. Keep scrolling to give it a read.

–  Joel Fletcher (OBRA Junior Racing Director)

Name? Mateen Ky’Ray Richey

Age? 18 years old

Where are you located? North East Portland Oregon 

How did you first get into bike racing? As an 8-year-old kid, I went to the Blazers Boys and Girls Club. The program B.I.K.E saw me every day for the next couple of weeks and challenged me to ride laps around the club while not putting my foot on the ground….I’ve been with the program ever since.

What is your favorite thing about bike racing? My favorite thing about cycling is the challenges you face and how you stack up against them. One day you might not do well, but you always have another chance to test your skills. It’s all about perseverance.

What piece of advice would you give to others interested in racing? Put one foot in front of the other and give it your best shot. If you believe in yourself then you can do it!

Who has been most influential in your bike racing career? I have to give that to my coach John Benenate and to the people who have done well by the B.I.K.E Program. It’s definitely helped a lot for my development as a cyclist and person.

What can we do as a community to take care of our BIPOC friends while new people of color are joining the sport?  It doesn’t have to be anything big. You don’t have to give away a $10,000 bike. Words of advice and support mean more. Welcome and surround us with love. It takes a village. Everyone needs to buy into this plan!

Greetings, OBRA Members,

With the upcoming 2021 race season fast approaching, we want to help you take your training and racing to the next level with a brand new Stages Cycling power meter or Dash bike computer.

Stages are generously offering all active 2021 OBRA members 20% off any of their power meters or other items. To take advantage of this deal, please email both Chuck (ckenlan@obra.org) and Joel (jfletcher@obra.org) and one of them will get back to you with your discount code. The code can be used once per member on up to three items.

Click here to view all of the Stages Cycling products.

If you aren’t an active OBRA member and would like to join, please click here: obra.org/membership/new.

To highlight some of our race promoters across the state, new for 2021 we will spotlight a different promoter each month. We will start with Brian Cimmiyotti from Umatilla, OR. Enjoy!

Name? Brian Cimmiyotti

Location? Umatilla, Oregon

What race(s) do you put on? Echo Red to Red and the Baker City Cycling Classic.

What made you start promoting bike races? I started promoting local group rides out of my family’s bike shop, Scott’s Cycle and Sports, and organizing club rides and training events with the Local Chinook Cycling Club. One thing led to another we built some trails, got a racecourse mapped out, and started talking with OBRA about putting on a race out here in Eastern Oregon.

What would you like the OBRA membership to know about your races? First, Echo Red to Red is a great kick-off to cross country mountain bike racing in the NW. We attract a large number of racers because of our location and top riders from Idaho and Eastern Washington. As time has gone on Echo Red to Red has attracted some of the best XC riders in the NW.  The course is unique with 80% dessert singletrack and finishes in Historic Echo Oregon. Second, Baker City Cycling Classic was started by former Baker City resident Nathan Hobson, then Brian and Corrine Vegter, and now myself. BCCC is one of the best Stage Racing events on the west coast.  Attracting teams and riders from around the NW and as far as Colorado, California, Utah, and Montana consistently over its nearly two-decade-long history. Baker City Cycling Classic is important for many riders and teams. The courses and stages are epic with long stages and huge climbs including climbs like Anthony Lakes Resort and Dooley Mountain. BCCC also has an excellent downtown criterium and a TT stage.  BCCC is a place that riders and teams can really test their limits and has been a launching pad for up-and-coming pros. For example, Colorado junior rider Sepp Kuss raced well at BCCC and now races in the European pro peloton.

What is your favorite thing about promoting bike races? My favorite thing about promoting races is sharing our backyard here in Eastern Oregon. It is really worthwhile to see people come here from the west side of the state or from all around the NW and really enjoy the experience of riding and racing our roads and trails and having a memorable time.

What advice would you give to any team or individual that is considering putting on a race? My advice for new promoters would be that the race is always about the course. If you have a unique and memorable course then you can have a race that will attract racers. Once you are able to attract racers it’s your responsibility to put your event on safely and run it in an organized way. Putting on a race is a team effort getting a great group of people motivated to make your event a success is key.

What is the greatest challenge you face in promoting your race(s)? You can control almost all things when it comes to your race. Worst-case scenarios like racer crashes and the weather are uncontrollable. I have had snow, flooding, extreme wind, etc.. at my races and that has definitely been the hardest obstacle. Lately, the thing that has been sticking in my mind for dealing with racing during current covid situations is how similar it is to deal with the weather.  As far as contingencies from a promoter’s point of view Covid is like the weather.  It is like the weather in that it travels through the air and causes dramatic destruction to racers and the community.  After canceling last year’s event and now coming out with a modified 2021 event. I want people to know like usual we are dealing with the weather in the smartest and most optimum way.