New Year's Resolution

Our New Year’s resolution is to make the 2005 edition of the Race Across Oregon and RAO Training Camps the best ever. RAO has been on my mind constantly. Everyday as I drive to work I pass by FR 44 and Little John Sno-Park then up and over Bennett & Barlow passes. Driving icy Timberline Road with broken chains last Wednesday was an unpleasant reminder of just how steep is the finishing climb. Till a few weeks ago, I last taught at Timberline Lodge Ski Resort 10 years ago. Numerous times during the winter of ‘94 – ‘95 I thought Timberline would be an amazing place to finish a bicycle race. When I’d train over, around and through the surrounding foothills and high desert I kept thinking this would be an awesome place to race a bike. Terri and I have held countless imaginary races during the thousands of miles we’ve ridden on what was to become the Race Across Oregon course. Terri and I have a real love for this race and route. We’ve strung together our favorite training routes to come up with the current 538 mile loop. I spend 5 days a week at Timberline. Every day I take a few minutes to stand at the finish line, stare out into Central/Eastern Oregon (or if it’s super snowy just look as far as I can down the hill) and anticipate this year’s event. Yes, this is a very difficult route but it is spectacular. I look forward to seeing you at the top.

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