2008 Mt. Hood Cycling Classic.
(Photo © J. Maus)
The Mt. Hood Cycling Classic, a major, multi-stage road race that draws top professional athletes from all over the country, is set to return to Portland in 2010.
The six-stage race will begin with a prologue on June 1st at Portland International Raceway in north Portland. The following day, the race moves to Mt. Tabor Park in Southeast Portland for a “lung and leg busting” circuit race.
After Portland, the race travels into Washington and then out to the Columbia River Gorge and then ends with two stages in and around Hood River.
at the prologue on Naito
Parkway in 2008.
Race director Chad Sperry also announced that Portland-based Indie Hops is the event’s new title sponsor. The company, who grows and supplies the craft beer industry with Oregon-grown hops, is owned by Roger Worthington, a bike racing fan who competed (and won the Masters Division) in the event in 2009.
In a press release, Worthington said, “It’s a perfect fit. We think a well-hopped beer should be a vital part of every athlete’s training table.”
Sperry says that thanks to Indie Hops, he plans to “build a rock concert atmosphere” at the Mt. Tabor and downtown Hood River stages. “Picture high speed action on the course with vigorous debate by beer lovers on the sidelines over which IPA, Stout or Red has the best flavor and aroma.”
In 2008, the opening prologue (which took place on Naito Parkway) and Mt. Tabor circuit race stages drew large and enthusiastic crowds and it’s great to see the race return to Portland in 2010.
Thanks for reading.
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I am so pumped to watch and race this!!
If they put up a louder sound system at Mount Tabor than they did in 2008 the City’s noise ordinance will come down on them like a ton of bricks.
Mount Tabor park is people’s back yard, folks, not a concert venue. Cool the sound and get on with the racing.
Funny thing is that they have concerts at Mt Tabor every Tuesday in July, have you ever been there?
The bricks in the amphitheater already did come down but because of the rain.
There are going to be so many cars and people that a bit of noise is not going to bother much.
See you there and bring your positive attitude and cowbells.
I promote the Wednesday series at Mt Tabor.
Every year it gets harder for me to get my event permit from Portland Parks. I am very concerned about a “rock concert atmosphere”, and the potential that has for completely eliminating all bicycle racing at Mt Tabor park.