Category: News

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.