RAO 2006 -- For Immediate Release

Race Across Oregon: 535 miles – 40,000 feet of climbing – 48 hours

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 14, 2006) — More than 70 cyclists will race from Portland through Central Oregon and back to Timberline Lodge in Race Across Oregon, the Northwest’s premier ultra cycling race. Teams with four and two riders and solo racers will start from the Portland Airport Holiday Inn Saturday, July 22, and traverse 40,000 vertical feet in 15 climbs during the weekend event.

Solo racers will begin their 535-mile ride at 5 a.m. followed by the two-person relay teams at 7 a.m. and the four-person relay teams at 9 a.m. The race culminates with a grueling 6-mile climb to the finish line at Timberline Lodge. To receive a legal time, racers must be across the finish line by 5 a.m. Monday, July 24.

The race is held in a time-trial format where racers are not allowed to ride close behind or draft from vehicles or fellow competitors. Racers are followed by support crews who provide food, water, mechanical and moral support. The crews must also report their racers’ progress through five time stations along the route located in Maupin, Fossil, Long Creek, Prineville and at the base of Timberline Road at Highway 26.

In its ninth year, Race Across Oregon has attracted its largest field to date. Race favorites include 2004 Race Across America (3,000 miles non-stop) champion Allen Larsen of Cle Elum, Wash., Boston-Montreal-Boston (750 miles) record holder Saunders Whittlesey of Deerfield, Mass., and a trio of 50-year-olds including David Holt (Laguna Nigel, Calif.), Wade Baker (Atascadero, Calif.) and Gregg Geser (Sisters, Ore.).

The favorites for the Two-Person Relay title are Team Tartan (made up of 2005 solo champion and Race Across Oregon solo course record holder Kenneth Philbrick from Corvallis, Ore., and Ben Larson of Seattle, Wash.) and the recumbent Team Bacchetta Can Too (made up of Race Across America veterans and divisional record holders John Schlitter of St Petersburg, Fla., and Tim Woudenberg from Moss Beach, Calif.). The four-person relay division will feature an intense contest between five-time Race Across Oregon champions Team Shark Attack, defending champion RAO Speedwagon and Race Across America record holders Team Bacchetta.

The two-person division also features one of our most inspirational teams — the Grand PAC Masters. Race Across America record holders Chris Stauffer of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Lew Meyer from Philadelphia are both more than 70 years old.

Race Across Oregon winners receive prizes from Voler Sports Apparel, Hammer Nutrition and Detours. The grand prize is a Co-Motion Espresso from Co-Motion Cycles in Eugene, Ore.

Race Across Oregon is a qualifier for the Race Across America. It is considered to be the most beautiful and difficult event of its type.

To learn more about the race or to see a full roster of riders go to the official Race Across Oregon website at http://www.raceacrossoregon.com

For more information, contact:

Terri Gooch
Race Director
or
George Thomas
Race Director
210.464.5607
info [at] raceacrossoregon.com
www.raceacrossoregon.com


Previous: -- Next:
Back to the RAO Press