The sun should be appearing any day now, which might make it easier for road bikers to train. As well they should: Registration ends at midnight on May 20 for the Mount Hood Cycling Classic, Oregon’s top stage race. The event takes place from June 3 to June 7, and offers some of the toughest, and most beautiful, cycling in the country. Last year, some 15,000 people came out to see 500 of the country’s top racers duke it out around Mount Hood.
(They will not be biking through the snow. I just like how Mount Hood looks like that).
Of course, most people are not at a level of physical fitness necessary to compete, although the Classic is an amateur event (racers can register here). But never fear, there are plenty of other events for those who are not quite as hard-core.
May 31 is the second annual Mt. Hood Cycling Kid’s Classic in The Dalles, sponsored by the Mid Columbia Medical Center. Kid-a-gories (ha! They kill me) range from 4 years old to 12 years old. Registration will take place at 1 pm, and the race begins at 3 pm. You and your itty bitty biker can stop by the New York City Sub Shop (400 E Second St., 296-4480) to register. More information is available on their website.
And for recreational racers who want a taste of pro cycling experience, there’s this year’s first Tour de Hood, which takes place June 6 and 7. The general public can cruise along two of the same courses that the Classic racers speed along: The 90-mile Wy’East course and the 42-mile Scenic Gorge Time Trial course (eek!). Racers enjoy a full support crew, plus race schwag and a post-race lunch. Registration ends June 3.
I like how the mountain looks like that too, Adrienne. Gives me a good 5 minutes of goosebumps.