Presented by the Bike Gallery.

Sunday May 18th, 2014

While this race is called a farm crit, it is nothing like a road criterium. The race is open for racers of all ages and all abilities and feels more like a fast and non-technical cyclocross race over hard-packed farm roads, featuring some potholes, some ruts, a sprinkle of gravel, a bit of sand, and depending on the weather, possibly some mud. However, everything will be 100% rideable (no barriers or dismounts). Just think about it as Portland’s mini-version of Paris-Roubaix, sans cobblestones.

Get all the info at http://www.portlandracing.com/kermesse/index.html

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PortlandRacing.com

Update Tuesday May 13th, 2014

We are just five days away from the ever-popular Kruger’s Kermesse Farm Crit & Bike Relay, so time for a couple reminders and updates:
1) Still time to register online and… win some serious Chris King bling!
As of this morning, we have already over 120 racers pre-registered (check out the updated call-up list) and in the next days, we hope to see many more names added to the list. Pre-registered racers will enjoy a start-line call-up and if you pre-register by end-of-day tomorrow (Wednesday), your name will get entered in our raffle for either a Chris King headset or bottom bracket (whichever one you can use best). As usual, we’ll have an “express line” at registration for pre-registered racers, so all you have to do is pick up your bib number (and stroopwafel!) and you’re all good to go.

2) Volunteer and Race for FREE!
We are still in need of a few hands to help on Saturday with course set-up (from 11 to 2pm) and on Sunday with course marshaling, parking, kiddie race and tear-down. If you like to help us make it all happen (and have a great time while you’re at it), just reply to this email. If you volunteer for three or more 1-hour shifts, you will get a FREE race entry for yourself or a friend.

3) Wanted: MORE Relay Teams!
The 2-person relay race (which will run for 60 minutes, starting at 12:15pm) promises to be the highlight of the day, but to maximize the fun for both racers and spectators, we need more teams to step up to the challenge! If you register online by Friday, it’s only $17 per racer and if you already plan to race solo in the morning, it’s only $3 extra for the relay. Should be a no-brainer, so round up your bike race friends and buddy up!

4) Course and Weather Update.
I was at the farm yesterday and the course is in great shape (read: 100% dry). Today, we’ll do another final mowing of the grassy sections, which should make for a relatively fast course and very similar to what you see in last year’s course preview video. Like last year, racers will race a clockwise loop of 1.4 miles for about 45 minutes and all racers will finish on the same lap as the leader in their race heat. Categories within the same race heat will start with a gap of about 30″ (depending on field sizes). There will be a 2-way pit area on the course where racers can stash spare wheels, bikes and any bike tools. Our title sponsor Bike Gallery will also provide free pre-race mechanical support close to the finish area. Finally, the latest weather forecast for this weekend calls for temperatures in the mid 60’s, which seems about ideal for racing. There is a chance that we’ll see some sprinkles, but that could only make the races more interesting and fun!

5) Trophies, Belgian primes, and a grand raffle!
Top-3 finishers in each solo category will receive some real cool, custom-made medals (and other goodies)… and right now we still have a couple categories where your odds of ending up on the podium look pretty good! Even if you are not racing in the lead pack, you might want to keep your eyes peeled for the elusive tricolore Belgian flag. Whenever and wherever the flag gets raised, the first racer who passes the flag gets awarded a cool prize, courtesy of our sponsors Hopworks Urban Brewing and Nossa Familia Coffee And, as always, it pays to stay through the end, as we will wrap up the day by raffling off a variety of cool prizes generously provided by our title sponsor Bike Gallery and our other sponsors Portland Design Works, Chris King, Showers Pass, Trek and Rip Van Wafels. Thank you sponsors!

6) Free kiddie races and yummy food.
Throughout the afternoon and evening, racers and spectators will be able to kick back on the concert lawn, located behind the farm store, right next to the finish area. The Kruger’s Farm Market food stand will be serving chili (veggie or meat), salads, and a variety of grilled sausages (made in Portland). And as usual, we’ll organize a FREE, fun kiddie race for the little ones at 11:45am around the concert lawn, while the under-12 juniors will get to do a full lap on the main course.
That’s it. I am looking forward to seeing you on Sunday at the farm. Bring your family. Bring your friends. Let’s make it another fun one!

~Kris

Categories: Other Racing

Tags: Portland, road