Mt. Hood Stage Race?

Quoted message said:

Has anyone here done Mt. Hood? If so, I'd appreciate any comments about it.
Yes, I've seen the website, but I'm looking for anecdotes and experiences.
Thanks!

I rode it last year and liked it a lot. I have been training for it
again this year, but unfortunately I'm not able to participate. I'm from
Denmark/Europe, so it's a somewhat expensive trip to make for the race.

Ok, about the race. I really liked it, great roads, great people, great
weather for the first 4 stages (on stage 5 it was pouring down 🙁) and
great profile of the stages (I'm a climber). The criterium was also
great - lots of spectators and a good mood.

Unfortunately I did have quite a few mechanical problems, which is also
one of the reasons I wanted to go back this year. I had actually
expected to finish in top ten last year, and had expected to do really
well on stage 2 and 5, but didn't because of punctures and mechanical
problems 🙁

If you're in the area you should definately go...

/Scale

"Scale" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Has anyone here done Mt. Hood? If so, I'd appreciate any comments about
it.
Yes, I've seen the website, but I'm looking for anecdotes and
experiences.
Thanks!

I rode it last year and liked it a lot. I have been training for it again
this year, but unfortunately I'm not able to participate. I'm from
Denmark/Europe, so it's a somewhat expensive trip to make for the race.

Ok, about the race. I really liked it, great roads, great people, great
weather for the first 4 stages (on stage 5 it was pouring down 🙁) and
great profile of the stages (I'm a climber). The criterium was also
great - lots of spectators and a good mood.

Unfortunately I did have quite a few mechanical problems, which is also
one of the reasons I wanted to go back this year. I had actually expected
to finish in top ten last year, and had expected to do really well on
stage 2 and 5, but didn't because of punctures and mechanical problems 🙁

If you're in the area you should definately go...

I second that- the Mt. Hood Stage Race is one of the best stage races I've
done. The courses are stunning, and challenging, it is well organized, and
the promoters are really great guys, who are racers themselves. My first
year at 'Hood, we were driving the prologue course and came across the
promoter/ race director himself, out there carefully sweeping every last bit
of debris off the 2.5 mile course.

The prize money has been pretty good, I haven't looked at what they have
this year, but since it is taking a giant step up in becoming an NRC race, I
imagine the prize money has only increased.

The climbs and descents on the last stage are pretty steep- and long- so be
forewarned.

I actually don't think the crit course was so good, though it certainly was
challenging- but they changed it this year, so it should be better.

Sadly I too had more than my share of problems on that heinous, cold and
rainy last day- 3 flats and a broken chain- while in the leaders jersey.
But I finished... 3rd to last that day, (I think I beat a couple of cat-4's,
in the combined women's field) and slipped to 10th in GC, but only finished
even that high because 1/3 of the field DNF'd or didn't even start the last
day. I wanted another shot at it, and would go back in a heartbeat, but
we'll be in Montreal and Philly that week.

So my advice... do it! You won't regret it (if you like climbing...) Here's
the link.
http://www.mthoodcyclingclassic.com/