[NCNCA] Elkhorn Classic Stage Race: Seven is Heaven

[andrea laue]

Hello NCNCA Racers,

Ernie Conway would like to extend a special invitation to NorCal and
Nevada racers to attend the Elkhorn Classic. He's listed the event on
our calendar, and I'm passing along his press release. Please direct
any correspondence regarding the event to Ernie (email address below).

Best,
Andrea
NCNCA webmaster

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Ernie Conway, Race Director
Elkhorn Classic Stage Race June 20 – 22, 2008
Info at ElkhornClassicStageRace.com
http://www.elkhornclassicstagerace.com

Seven is Heaven for Elkhorn Enthusiasts!
The 2008 event is already shaping up...

Building upon a successful track record as one of the most
challenging and competitive stage races in the Northwest, the
Elkhorn Classic Stage Race hopes that year number seven
turns out to be heaven.

Founded by hometown racer Nathan Hobson, Elkhorn is a three day, four
stage event in
Baker City, Oregon, offering something for everyone, with six
categories in five fields from novice
to the Elite Pro field.

Returning Race Director Ernie Conway, who took over for Hobson in
2007, noted, "We are
excited to return to the traditional Friday course through North
Powder, Union, and Medicine
Springs, known as the Oregon Trail Road Race. It is an excellent stage
because it is both
challenging and tactical." Last year's Friday stage was moved to the
alternate "Richland Outback
Road Race" route due to road construction; the alternate route proved
to be brutal to both racers
and organizers. "We're glad to be back to the Oregon Trail course,"
added Conway.

The other stages include Sunday's challenging 105-mile Dooley Mountain
road stage with its
renowned eight mile climb to the summit and event finish. Add to that
Saturday morning's race
of truth, the Pleasant Valley Time Trial, and the signature crowd
favorite Gold Rush Criterium in
the afternoon along downtown Baker City streets, and you have a race
for everyone. The
criterium kicks off with a "Kiddie Kilo" event for children 12 and
under, immediately following
the Leo Adler Days parade, thus offering something for Baker City
residents, racers, spectators,
and visitors.

The men's Pro/1/2, men's Cat 3, and men's Cat 4/5 fields all filled up
in 2007, and this year's
entries are on pace to fill those categories again. To support the
women's Pro/1/2 and Cat 3/4
fields, which are scored separately but combined into one field, local
business owners have come
up with several incentives, such as equal payout for the women's GC
Pro/1/2 field, matching
criterium prizes for the field, and host housing. In addition, a men's
Masters 40+ field completes
the options for riders. Registration remains open online through
Friday June 13th at the same rate
as last year; coupled with the excellent support of the Baker City
community, this makes Elkhorn
both a fun an affordable stage race.

Elkhorn is an Oregon Bicycle Racing Association stage race and as
such, each rider is required to
finish the previous stage in order to begin the next one. However,
since all fields ride the same
course and distance, Elkhorn imposes no time cuts or penalties. With
plenty of support along the
course, riders are free to focus on finishing the stage.

Baker City offers various lodging opportunities with hotels, motels,
an RV park within walking
distance of race headquarters, and, as always, use of either the Baker
High School grounds or
gym and locker facilities. As a new option for this year, a local
organization is offering
residential room rentals.
distance of race headquarters, and, as always, use of either the Baker
High School grounds or
gym and locker facilities. As a new option for this year, a local
organization is offering
residential room rentals.

As Conway points out, "Baker City, Oregon does not tolerate a race;
they host an event." This
was most evident when local business owners offered free host housing
for as many women
racers as they can accommodate for the 2008 event. The city has
established itself as one of the
premiere volunteer communities in bicycle racing. Conway added, "You
can't put a race of this
caliber on without a quality venue and supportive volunteers and those
two amazing things are
exactly why we love Elkhorn and Baker City."