Race Across Oregon 2021 Start Order and race updates!

Live Stream of starts will be running on the Race Across oregon facebook page!




13:13 Pacific Time - from Condon, Oregon

As our trackers didn't arrive I'll be posting updates to the site in sort of a blog format.  Temperatures were surprisingly cool this morning.  Some racers had been looking forward to hot temps (I have no idea why) but it appears we're going to top out with temps in the mid 80s.  

In the 260, Andy LaVeine was the first racer off at 4AM.  He was followed at 4:35 by Lisa "BadAss" Bliss at 4:30 and the 2 person team Over the Top Racing/Half Fast Velo.  OTR/HFV overtook LaVeine between Condon and Fossil.  LaVeine and OTR/HFV are currently in the toughest part of the course while BadAss is nearing Condon as I type.  BadAss Bliss is in great spirits, looks fast and relaxed on the bike and is enjoying some wonderful crew care from her team.

500 has a great race going on between Shane Trotter and Christie Tracy.  Trotter caught Tracy on the 17 mile Cottonwood Canyon climb headed toward Condon. 

Scott Youngren is looking fantastic on his bike - even faster and more relaxed than he did during the Deschutes Double. 

Tim Lawrence's crew provided some excitement early on when they pulled off the road during leapfrog support and ended up getting stuck.  Lawrence continued on without them for a couple of hours as they waited for a tow truck to rescue them.  Racer and crew are back together and currently moving just fine.

Reed Finfrock broke a front axel on his primary race bike around mile 22.  His crew came back with his spare bike and Reed is looking like Reed always does - smooth, relaxed and steady.  Reed is just cool.

Mick Walsh is cruising and while he currently leads the 50+ field he is closely followed by Chris Davies who appears to be having an excellent ride so far.  

Gordon Smith is riding well, staying within himself to ride a highly consistent opening century.

Eric Cooper isn't used to having a crew as he often races unsupported.  Strong rider who appears to be taking it easy at the moment (though he's currently third overall) positioning himself for a strong ride tonight.  

7/17/2021 16:40 Pacific Time

Andy LaVeine had to withdraw from the 260 near the top of Clarno Grade at 14:55:00.  Andy was having a phenomenal ride but pain in his shoulder became unbearable.

Tim Lawrence took a break at Cottonwood Canyon but is rolling again and his crew says he's doing just fine.  

Whisky and Wackos (Half Fast Velo boys Ian Penner and Doug Shanks) absolutely crushed the route through Shaniko.  The headwind on the Bakeoven descent is making them think about switching from their 45 minute pulls to a shorter rotation.  They have the climb through Maupin and then Tygh Ridge remaining.  They should be finished before dark if they keep this up!

BadAss Bliss looks amazing!  She's smiling, laughing and holding a high cadence up the climbs. So uplifting to see both racer and crew having so much fun!

Shane Trotter continues to extend his lead.  He and Christie Tracy are our only two racers to pass through Heppner at this time.  Official Ian Hoffman reports that Christie looks smooth, strong and still smiling on the climbs.

7/17/2021 18:33 - Boyd Loop Rd
We're with the leaders of the 260 so we can meet them with their finish line awards and then will head backwards on the course to catch up with the 500 mile racers.  Whisky & Wackos are rapidly covering the final miles to the finish and should be done before 8:30PM tonight.  As Lisa is now through Shaniko, I'm thinking BadAss Bliss will be in between 10-11PM.

In the 500 there is a close race for both the overall and the Men's 50+.  For the overall, Shane Trotter is putting in an excellent performance with Christie Tracy less than an hour behind him as the racers near the halfway mark.  Mick Walsh leads Chris Davies by 45 minutes through Heppner. 
​  





All times are Pacific
Start Order Saturday July 17
500 & 260 Racers
4:00 - Andrew LaVeine (Dialed Cycling) 260 M 18-49
4:05 - Scott Youngren  500 M 50+
4:10 - Chris Davies  500 M 50+
4:15 - Reed Finfrock - 500 M 70+
4:20 - Tim Lawrence - 500 M 50+
4:25 - Eric Cooper - 500 M 18-49
4:30 - Lisa BadAss Bliss - 260 F 50+
4:35 - Gordon Smith - 500 M 50+
4:40 - Christie Tracy - 500 F 19-49
4:50 - Mick Walsh - 500 M 50+
4:55 - Over the Top Cycling/Half Fast Velo - 260 M Two Person Relay 18-49
5:00 - Shane Trotter - 500 M 50+

Course closes for all racers at 5AM Monday. 

​An OREGON YOU'VE NEVER SEEN

Many people think of Oregon as being lush, green and very wet.  Certain areas of Oregon fit that description well.  Our loop course most definitely does not.  High desert all the way.  It's barren, beautiful, deserted, windy, hot and contains a bazillion feet of unending rollers and sustained climbs.  Difficult?  Very....just as a Qualifier for the Race Across America should be.  Nothing can truly prepare one for a solo RAAM attempt but the RAO 500 will test your limits like no other event under 928 miles (yes that's a nod to you Race Across the West). 
The courses we use for our Oregon events take place on roads that I've ridden thousands of training miles ​in preparation for six Race Across America finishes and six Race Across the West finishes.  Riding 10, 12, 15, 18 hour days in Willamette Valley rain would get old after awhile and I'd escape to arid Central and Eastern Oregon.  Not only did I appreciate the dry climate, I loved the terrain, lack of cars and lack of civilization.  
The Route

Click here for the new 500 mile course on Ride With GPS  

Description
The 2021 route is a 500 mile loop course which begins and ends at the Fairfield Inn located in The Dalles, OR.  You'll begin with a beautiful ride along the Old Gorge Highway (expect a goofy prime sprint during the neutral start).  Climbing will start just after you get the official "Go!".  Enjoy the trees and view of the Columbia River as you say so long to one of the few flat sections of this beast.  The Rowena Crest climb is mellow with some switchbacks and amazing views.  You'll drop to the community of  Mosier and begin a steep climb up Seven Mile Road.  It's a steep drop back to The Dalles (yes this is the location of Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest") and you'll ride through town probably wondering why we're having you go right past the start/finish motel after putting in 28 miles and whole bunch of climbing...it's pretty.  Once through town you are in high desert featuring hot temps during the day, cold temps at night, leg breaking climbs, long descents, headwinds, swirling winds, tail winds (infrequently), windmills (I wonder why), snakes, mountain lions (yup, we've seen quite a few on course), very little traffic and the roads that I trained on for a number of Race Across Americas and Race Across the Wests.  I absolutely love it out here and am happy to share some of my favorite roads on which to ride a bike with you.

The Rules​​

  1. Don't Cheat...okay we'll go into a little more detail.
  2. ​If you think what you're doing is cheating, it probably is...okay, more detail than that
  3. Obey traffic laws. i.e. stop at stop signs, traffic lights, etc.  There aren't many of either of these on the route so you'll want to be sure to pay attention for the few times they show up.
  4. Always pull off to the right of the road when dealing with your rider.  That includes solo riders needing to stop and relay riders setting up for an exchange.  
  5. When you pull of to the right of the road, you need to have 5 feet between the driver's side door and the pavement.  Are we out with rulers measuring your proximity to the road - no.  Think to yourself 'if I open the driver's door to get out is the door going to open into the lane with oncoming vehicles'.  If so, then you're too close.  
  6. Same when you're rider stops and you are taking care of him/her.  You don't want to be standing in the road when you're out of the vehicle attending your cyclist. 
  7. Don't be visible to other humans when relieving yourself.  Relief by back rub or stretching your legs is just fine.  I'm talking about the other stuff.  You're on seemingly deserted roads but there are farms/homes along the route.  We've had reports from farmers of seeing body parts of crew members and riders that shouldn't be seen.  Please just check carefully that there is no one else around when taking care of business.
  8. Bicycle - must have reflective tape on the front forks, four spots on each side of the front and rear wheel rims, along the rear triangle, on front and sides of the cranks.  Also place reflective tape on the back of your cycling shoes rather than trying to get tape on the back of your pedals.  A white, flashing headlight must be on during daylight hours (between 6:30AM and 7:30PM) and a solid white headlight must be on during nighttime hours (7:30PM - 6:30AM).  A red flashing tail light must be on at all times.
  9. Support vehicle - Must have a minimum of 2 crew members.  
  10. Support vehicle Accessories - "Caution Bikes Ahead" (or some variation of the same) must be clearly visible on the back of the vehicle.  Race Identifier Signage i.e. Your Last Name/Team Name must be on the driver's side door, hood of the vehicle and rear of the vehicle.  Slow Moving Vehicle triangle must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle when doing direct follow.  Roof mounted, rear facing amber flashing lights must be attached and going at all times the support vehicle is actively involved in the race (if you're buying gas, shopping, stopped for a nap, etc you may turn off the flashers.  Hazard lights are going whenever the amber flashers are on.  We have a great sign maker who's info I will have available very soon to make you all of the signage listed in #10 if you need assistance.  
  11. Rider Accessories - Reflective ankle bracelets must be worn during nighttime hours.  A reflective vest isn't mandatory but it's a good idea.
  12. Crew Accessories - Reflective vests must be worn when out of the vehicle at night.  A hi viz t-shirt would be much appreciated by the race director for daytime wear.​

Registration 

Looking to challenge yourself?  RAO will provide you ample opportunity to do just that.
Registration will go live (fingers crossed) by January 15, 2021
500 Registration
260 Registration

Race Resources 

This is your page for Amber Flashing Lights to event regulation tail lights and nutritional products!
Need "Caution Bicycles Ahead", Slow Moving Vehicle, or Team Identifier signage? Contact me at raogeorge@gmail.com and I'll set you up with some low cost magnetic, reflective signage made for us by a participant who was a sign maker prior to retiring and riding full time.
Support Vehicle Amber Flashers
Bike Lights/Accessories
Nutritional Products

We look forward to seeing you on the road!

(720) 266-9913
raogeorge@gmail.com