The World's Maddest Dog: Top-Notch Bike Racing Visits Portland

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Top-Notch Bike Racing Visits Portland

UPDATED BELOW:

Portland cycling fans will get a chance to see some World Class bike racing talent perform this week when the six-day Mt. Hood Cycling Classic makes it's first visit to the streets of Portland today and Wednesday.

The race has the highest ranking on the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar, guaranteeing appearances by the top American domestic men's and women's pro teams. The race has also been named as one of only three UCI (cycling's international governing body) women’s point races in the nation, making it an Olympic qualifier event.

Today's event, a 1.7 mile prologue time trial, will sling the racers one-by-one down Naito Parkway between the Hawthorne and Steel bridges during the middle of rush hour. That certainly should heighten the excitement/chaos factor. The top women start taking off at 5 p.m. And the top men hit the start house beginning at 6.

Wednesday's event should be quite a bit more sedate, at least for the spectators. Racers will tackle the traditional 1.3 mile "criterium" loop on Mt. Tabor. The race "bible" sums up this stage quite well.

One tough crit is the best way to describe the Mt. Tabor Criterium. Extremely winding and with nearly 135 feet of elevation for every 1.3 mile lap, it will require tremendous physical strength to win this stage. Look for frequent attacks and the possibility of a breakaway as the sprinters take a chance at getting into the race leaders jersey before the mountains the following day.

The schedule doesn't say specifically how many laps will be involved for the men's and women's races, but it looks like organizers are scheduling about 90 minutes for each race. Suffice to say the racers will know that little loop pretty well by the time they sprint for the finish. With weather predicted to be heading for the upper reaches of the thermometer, this could be a beautiful afternoon and evening of racing for spectators enjoying the park-like setting. The racers, on the other hand, will only enjoy it when it's over.

The stage race returns to its Mt. Hood roots Thursday with The Cooper Spur Circuit Race, an 18.7 mile loop with 1750 of climbing per lap.

Simply put, brutal. The stage starts in Toll Bridge Park at the foot of Mt. Hood and finishes at the Cooper Spur Mountain Resort.

Ouch!

The riders will take on the 18.5 mile Scenic Gorge Time Trial Friday. This stage will feature some of the most scenic racing available. Starting in The Dalles and finishing in Hood River, the racers will ascend the Rowena Loops, descend into Mosier and then hook up with five miles of the bike-ped sections of the Columbia River Historic Highway.

The racers will have to enjoy the scenery while they can, because the Wy'East Road Race is around the corner on Saturday. It starts east of the Dalles and finishes at Mt. Hood Meadows. The pro men will traverse 101 miles that climb 11,200 feet. The pro women will endure 74 miles with 8,000 feet of body- and spirit-crunching climbing.

Epic, brutal, stunning… However you want to describe it, the Wy’East Road Race will leave its mark on you. Stage 5 will take riders through striking transitions in scenery, from lush alpine fir forests of Mt. Hood, to the arid plains of Eastern Oregon, and back again.

The Mt. Hood Cycling Classic will sprint to a finish -- and overall winners will be crowned -- at Sunday's Downtown Hood River Criterium, an action-packed one-kilometer-per-lap course that will send riders blistering around the streets of Hood River. The start finish line will be in front of the Full Sail Brewery.

Big Hurt! Tight corners and smooth asphalt will allow riders to hang it all out. Music, food, Full Sail Ales, one of the Northwest’s best race announcers calling the race, and frenzied crowds will make this a seriously fun event.

There you have it. The weather is supposed to cooperate. Should be a great week for racing and race-watching. Get out there!