Race Across Oregon 2007

...we set a record for the slowest neutral start in the history of RAO.

by George Thomas

Ultracycling Cup Competition for ultra riders of the season

After dealing with record-breaking heat in 2006 racers were greeted by ideal weather conditions this year. The race started on July 21 – the racers raced 535 miles with 40,000 feet of climbing!

Two things did not greet solo rookie Glenn Johnson: his cycling helmet and shoes. Mere minutes before the start, a visibly upset Johnson approached the race director asking what he should do. As the race director escorted the field through the 11-mile neutral start by bicycle he promptly handed over his Bell. Shoes posed a larger problem but 5:00 a.m. the solo racers rolled out. Johnson's crew rushed back to his house, grabbed his shoes and met him at the end of the neutral section. Race officials hoped things would improve for Johnson.

Rookie Brian Cushing grabbed the early lead with Michigan ultra racer Al Smudz and recumbent racer Michael Wolfe in hot pursuit. Wolfe climbs with the best uprights and was one of the pre-race favorites. Unfortunately mechanical problems forced Wolfe to fall behind the leaders.

As Smudz and Cushing distanced themselves from the field a spirited battle was underway for third place. Ryan Correy, Bob Buntrock and Glenn Johnson began a see saw competition that would last through the following afternoon. Every time it appeared one of those three was down for the count he would come back to lead the chase group. Not until the base of the final push up to Timberline at Mt. Hood was Johnson able to separate himself from his pursuers. Buntrock fell off Johnson's pace but not by much closing in on a solid third place.

Meanwhile, at the front of the solo field Smudz was dominating. Cushing had ridden a strong race but was dropped by Smudz prior to Monument. Smudz's crew rewarded his effort by blaring Cher 's "Do You Believe" as he sped up the Monument climb. It wasn't clear to observant race officials if the music was motivating him or he was trying to escape . . . until the finish party when Al told us how much he loves the song. Smudz existed the entire weekend on Cher, PowerGel, Coca-Cola and the occasional water . . . seriously. The hummingbird diet worked; however, as Smudz sped to the finish line to claim the solo title.

Johnson placed an impressive second followed closely by Buntrock and Correy. It was especially inspiring to see a racer of Michael Wolfe's caliber, with such high pre-race expectations, assess his situation, adjust his goals and make finishing a priority. Wolfe crossed the line in fifth overall. Bruce Carroll also turned in a noteworthy performance. Carroll was the 2003 Rookie of the Year. Since then Carroll has DNF'd at RAO twice. Both times he was racing to win. In 2007 Carroll's goal was to finish. He rode a disciplined race staying at the back of the field. Carroll and his crew were always upbeat and genuinely seemed to enjoy themselves. Carroll finished in sixth place. Rounding out the solo finishers was rookie Adam Garmon who, upon hearing he had a slim chance of meeting the time qualification for RAAM, turned on the jets and qualified with minutes to spare.

Chris Ragsdale of Seattle, WA, from Team Cadence pulls ahead of Team EWEB's Jim Fischer of Corvallis, OR near the summit of Bakeoven just outside of Maupin.

The Relay Race
Both two- and four-person teams started together this year. This was an especially good thing as we set a record for the slowest neutral start in the history of RAO. Literally seconds after saying “Go” Phil Plath's bike suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure. The field stopped for Plath to get things sorted out. His RAAM teammate John Schillter loaned Phil his back up Bacchetta and Plath's team Dik-Less (don't ask) was back in the race. The race director restarted the race at 7:15 a.m. As the field rolled along the banks of the Columbia River on Marine Drive Team Master Blaster's racer had a problem with a rear wheel, which caused repeated flats. A wheel change solved the problem but due to the fact that the group was still in the neutral start the delay earned everyone a 15-minute time credit.

The 2007 RAO relay divisions fielded some of the strongest racers in the sport including 2007 RAAM teammates Schlitter and Plath, John Spurgeon (the only racer to finish RAAM on a single speed) and the Therapeutic Associates Hammer Sharks women's team made up of Category 1 and 2 teammates from Sorella Forte.

Team EWEB's Jim Fischer of Corvallis, OR near the summit of Bakeoven just outside of Maupin.

The tightest race looked to be between the two-man teams EWEB (made up of 2005 solo winner and 2006 two-man record-setter Kenneth Philbrick and Jim Fischer) and two-man team Cadence (which included 2006 Ring of Fire 24-Hour champion Urs Koenig and ultra stud Chris Ragsdale). Cadence came to RAO to win and claim the two-man record. EWEB's goals were the same and the fight for first place would be epic. Both teams lived up to pre-race expectations. EWEB claimed a slim early lead climbing to Government Camp and onlookers were split on who would win. The EWEB racers were focused and wearing their game faces while the Cadence team was relaxed, waving and smiling to spectators. The teams were seconds apart at the top of the Bakeoven climb and separated by only a few minutes through the most difficult part of the route to Time Station 2 in Fossil. Cadence then opened a lead it would gradually increase to 45 minutes by the finish.

Team Cadence's Chris Ragsdale (R) and Urs Koenig both of Seattle, WA, relax at Timberline after shattering the two-man record.

The race for third overall was also intense throughout. The other teams were gunning for the Therapeutic Associates Hammer Sharks but the ladies were not to be denied riding a strong race to finish in less than 30 hours, shattering the existing women's record by hours. The Master Blasters overcame their early mechanical difficulties and rode a superb race setting a 50+ record. Records were also set in the Recumbent Mixed Division by Bacchetta Bee Fast (Schlitter and Sara Kay Carrell), Recupright team Dik-Less (recumbent and upright) broke Dik-Dik's year old record. Sandy Earl and Patty Jo Struve teamed up as She Cat Flash to set the record in the two-woman division.

The 2008 Race Across Oregon will take place July 19-20. Be sure to schedule an extra day to attend the post race party!

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