Cyclocross interview series: OBRA Executive Director Kenji Sugahara

OBRA Executive Director Kenji Sugahara
in the office of U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley
in March 2012.
(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland)

Welcome to the fourth installment in our series audio interviews with local cyclocross personalities. We’ve partnered with the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA) to broadcast these interviews in advance of their 2013 Cyclocross Championship event coming to Troutdale on November 9th. (Yes, we realize that’s this weekend!)

This week’s interview is with OBRA Executive Director Kenji Sugahara. Sugahara has led the organization since 2008 and during his tenure cyclocross participation has skyrocketed. In addition to his capable leadership of OBRA, Sugahara has also branched out into bicycle advocacy as a board member of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and involvement with Travel Oregon’s bicycle tourism development efforts.

In the interview, Kenji talks about how he started racing cyclocross, his concerns about USA Cycling and his efforts to establish a new national racing organization (NABRA), how OBRA supports local race promoters, and much more.

Listen to the full interview here:

— Special thanks to Western Bike Works, Tenacious Training and Events, PAGATIM, Neil Green, and the Grand Prix Erik Tonkin Cyclocross series for making these interviews possible. Also note that all 2013 cyclocross coverage on BikePortland is brought to you by Sellwood Cycle Repair.