2019 Annual Rules Meeting and Awards Party

Our Annual Rules Meeting and Awards Party will be held on January 18th at Chris King Precision Components HQ.

 

 

The schedule will be as follows:

2:00 – 5:00 pm – Rules Meeting

6:00 – 8:00 pm – Awards Party

 

 

Annual Meeting Agenda

January 18th, 2020

2:00 pm: Welcome and opening remarks. Steven Beardsley, OBRA Board President
2:05 pm: Executive Director Report – Chuck Kenlan
2:25 pm: Membership Director/PVC Director Report – Jen Featheringill
2:40 pm: Competition Director – Catherine Bedford
2:55 pm: Marketing/Development/Juniors – Joel Fletcher
3:10 pm: OBRA Women’s Committee
3:20 pm: Rule proposals
4:00 pm: Board Candidates’ statements and vote
4:30 pm: Open discussion
4:55 pm: Announcement of the new board members and closing remarks
5:00 pm: Adjourn

 

 

OBRA Members Receiving Awards

 

 

Large Trophies

 

Senior Men

Jeremy Russell

River City Bicycles – Bike Law

 

Senior Women

Brenna Wrye-Simpson

DNA Pro Cycling/Team S&M

 

Masters Men Overall

John O’Brien

Evolution Racing

 

Masters Women Overall

Traci Smolen

Team S&M

 

Junior Men Overall

Tygre Westerfield

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Junior Women Overall

Spring Westerfield

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Team Champion

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Small Trophies

 

Junior Men 10-12

Hunter Westerfield

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Junior Men 13-14

Ian Brown

Speedvagen

 

Junior Men 15-16

Aaron Bailey

Mary’s Bicycle Club

 

Junior Men 17-18

Tygre Westerfield

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Junior Women 13-14

Summer Westerfield

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Junior Women 15-16

Spring Westerfield

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Masters Men 40-44

Seth Patla

PDX TI p/b Elevator Coffee

 

Masters Men 45-49

Danny Weikel

Fast Fun and Nice Racing Team p/b Wattie Ink

 

Masters Men 50-54

Jeff Nary

Sagebrush Cycles

 

Masters Men 55-59

Whitney Phillips

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Masters Men 60-64

John O’Brien

Evolution Racing

 

Masters Men 65-69

Michael Longmire

Revenge Cycling and Racing

 

Masters Men 70+

Loren Russell

Vegan Fleez!

 

Masters Women 50-54

Traci Smolen

Team S&M

 

Masters Women 60+

Pam Reid

Team Rose City

 

Category 3 Men

Chris Sarrett

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Category 4 Men

Alan Plank

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Category 4 Women

Sari Hargand

(no team)

 

Clydesdale

Mark Westerfield

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Singlespeed/Fixed Men

Seth Patla

PDX TI p/b Elevator Coffee

 

Winners not receiving trophies (did not race in the required 4 disciplines)

 

Junior Women 10-12

Deja Dydasco

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Junior Women 17-18

Aven Mergan

 

Masters Men 30-34

Mike Guyvan

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Masters Men 35-39

Matt Jamison

Grouptail Cycling

 

Masters Women 30-34

Alexa Loscutoff

Oregon Trail Syndicate

 

Masters Women 35-39

Marie Major

ANTHEM Collective

 

Masters Women 40-44

Kristi Cutter

Sunnyside Sports

 

Masters Women 45-49

Stephanie Spiak

Team 10 Barrel

 

Masters Women 55-59

Jenny Slawta

Land Shark

 

Category 3 Women

Clara Terrell

English Cycles

 

Athena

Sonja Ebert

Dialed Cycling Team

 

Singlespeed/Fixed Women

Mielle Blomberg

Team S&M

 

Junior Cyclocross Series Podium Finishers

 

Junior Men 1/2/3:

1st: Caiden Hartrich, 2nd: Henry Winnenberg, 3rd: Zane Strait

—-

Junior Women 1/2/3:

1st: Madeline Stover, 2nd: Une McFadin, 3rd: Spring Westerfield

—-

Junior Men 9-12:

1st: Bjorn Blankenship, 2nd: Jack Billowitz, 3rd: Liam Carmichael

—-

Junior Women 9-12:

1st: Sydney Little, 2nd: Whitney Hayden, 3rd: Amelia Offner

—-

Junior Men 13-14:

1st: Peter Bentley, 2nd: Aiden Rice, 3rd: Max Smith

—-

Junior Women 13-14:

1st: Joelle Thompson, 2nd: Summer Westerfield, 3rd: Deja Dydasco

—-

Junior Men 15-16:

1st: Aaron Bailey, 2nd: Calum Pierce, 3rd: Charley Myers

—-

Junior Women 15-16:

1st: Spring Westerfield, 2nd: Hannah Rice, 3rd: Kylee Hanel

—-

Junior Men 17-18:

1st: Ronan Myers, 2nd: Eamon Haverty, 3rd: Benjamin Tai

—-

Junior Women 17-18:

1st: Kylie Eckert, 2nd: Alyssa Hargis, 3rd: Johanna Dezellem

 

 

All podium finishers from the JCS will receive a prize bag and medals. Winners from each category will also receive a new helmet thanks to POC Sports and new mountain bike shoes thanks to Giant Cycling.

All Junior Cyclocross Series participants will be illegible for the raffle. We will have great prizes from Stages and Sellwood Cycle. Please see our Junior Racing Director, Joel Fletcher at the event to receive your raffle tickets.

Click here to view the final 2019 JCS Results

 

 

Proposed Rule Changes

 

 

From Patrick Crosdaile:

Proposal 1

Gran Fondo participation should count towards road license mass-start upgrades. Under current rules, Gran Fondos do not count towards mass-start tallies for road license upgrades.

Rationale: Gran Fondos are mixed-category, mass-start races (for those who participate as racers). Gran Fondos are timed and scored. For participants/racers who enter a Gran Fondo with competition in mind, these events are essentially very long road races with ample amounts of pack riding. For the citizen participants who are entering Gran Fondos with an eye for participation and completion of a “ride” over competition, it is unlikely that: 1) chasing a road-license upgrade is in their yearly objectives; 2) sole-participation in Gran Fondos alone would limit the sum-total of mass-start tallies likely to move them towards an upgrade. If anything, based on the limited number of road races on the OBRA calendar, this rule change could encourage more folks to 1) participate in Gran Fondos as competitors; 2) increase the likelihood of participation in existing Road Races on the OBRA calendar.

Proposal 2

The use of aero-bars/time trial position bikes should be banned from use in mass-start scored/competition events like the Oregon Gran Fondo and Swift Summit Bicycle Race. 

Rationale: These bars and bikes are already banned from use in other mass-start events sanctioned by OBRA in the interest of rider safety.

 

If you are interested in proposing a rule change. Please submit them to Chuck (ckenlan@obra.org) by January 8th at 5 pm. Proposed rule changes should include the current rule that is being changed with the old language followed by the new language you’re proposing. If you’re proposing a new rule, please include the current rule your new rule would fit under. Once submitted, we will publish all proposed rule changes, giving the membership time to look them over before the Annual Meeting.

 

 

From Terri Camp:

Proposal 1:

Delete XI.D.2 from administrative rules:

“The organizer shall pay OBRA a surcharge per rider per day of $1.85 plus an applicable equipment fees”

Proposal 2:

Add the following language to administrative rule XI

Gran Fondo/Gravel races must adhere to racing rule 7.8

7.8.1 Brakes

A bicycle shall have at least two brakes, one on each wheel, that are in good working condition.

7.8.2 Freewheel requirement

Bicycles shall have a freewheel mechanism EXCEPTION: A fixed gear and single front brake may be used in time trial events or in races where all the competitors are similarly equipped. All competitors must keep both feet on the pedals while racing except in cases of emergency. Freewheeled and fixed gear bikes shall not be mixed in the same mass start event.

7.8.3 Handlebars

Handlebar ends that point up or forward or that allow for support of 24

The forearm are not allowed in mass start events.

Proposal 3:

Move rule XI Programs – Gran Fondo from administrative rules to racing rules and delete XI.D.2 (redundant)

 

 

From Kevin Blair:

 

 

From Lisa George:

IV.Governance:
The Oregon Bicycle Racing Association is an Oregon Non-Profit Corporation that has a Constitution and Bylaws on file with the State of Oregon. The business and affairs of OBRA shall be managed by its Board of Directors. The directors shall in all cases act as a board, and they may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of their meetings and the management of OBRA as they deem proper, provided such rules and regulations are not inconsistent with the Bylaws and the laws of the state of Oregon.

A.Board of Directors

There are six members of the Board of Directors. Each director is elected to a 3-year term by a majority of club representatives at an annual meeting. Two directors each year. Board members may be removed by a 3/5 vote of all board members.

Each Board member must affirm the expectations outlined in this section and must strive to perform accordingly. All Board members must be treated the same when it comes to these expectations.

ADDED: In the event that any OBRA board member does not adhere to section XII Non-Discrimination Policy, in terms of either discriminatory acts or discriminatory speech, in any public action or statement, that party may be removed through
immediate termination by either 1) a vote of the board of directors initiated by any board member or the Executive Director, 2) a unilateral decision of the Executive Director or 3) the implementation of a member team vote. The burden of proof rests with the OBRA member(s) making the charge of a conduct violation. In the event of a board member vote, removal is affirmed with a 49% vote of the participating board members. The member team vote can either occur in person or electronically. The vote can be called by any officially designated team representative. If a vote is called, there will be a two week notification period before the poll is taken. Notification will occur with an announcement by the Executive Director on OBRA’s official mailing list. In the event of a member team vote, removal is affirmed with a 49% vote of those teams participating. If removal is affirmed, the offending party member will vacate their post as soon as possible.

 

XII.Non-Discrimination Policy
OBRA does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

ADDED: OBRA recognizes that the gender identity of transgender, intersex, and/or gender expansive community members is not in any way related to an individual’s eligibility for competition, employment, or participating as a volunteer. An individual who is transgender, intersex, and/or gender expansive may compete within OBRA in a gender category with which they most closely identify unless competitors are seeking category reciprocity with USAC or another national or international sports governing body. In the case of elite competitors seeking category reciprocity, the OBRA Policy on Transgender Athlete Participation as of this writing (January 8, 2020) will apply.

 

 

Board Positions Open

 

 

We have two OBRA Board Positions that will be voted on at the Annual Meeting. If you are interested in running for the OBRA Board of Directors please provide background on yourself and what you think you could bring to the OBRA Board of Directors. These are due by January 8th at 5 pm and can be submitted to Chuck (ckenlan@obra.org). Once submitted, we will publish all Board of Directors applications so the membership has time to look them over before the Annual Meeting.

 

Board Members Running:

 

Stacy Westbrook

Greetings, fellow OBRA members! My name is Stacy Westbrook, and I’m seeking to fill one of the open board positions in 2020.

I currently ride for The Club Roule and have been an active OBRA member since 2012. During that surprisingly brief time, I’ve raced my way to being a Cat 2 on the road, been a founding member and active leader in Let’s Race Bikes, started a women’s cycling team, lead a lot of racing and riding skills clinics for women, and had time to retire from serious competition. These days I regularly lead open group rides with The Club Roule, and have always worked to invite more people into cycling and the sport of bike racing.

Professionally, I’m the Director of Strategy at a brand experience agency in Portland and spend most of my time helping clients think through everything from organizational change management to brand strategy to digital marketing programs. I can bring that experience to OBRA and develop clear goal-oriented strategic plans that lead to action.

Racing fundamentally transformed my life, and it’s the community of racers that pushed me to toe the line every season because while we competed fiercely during each race, we were all friends when it was over. But that community is shrinking each year and we need to work to build it up, make it accessible to more people, and get new faces out to the races. That’s what we’re trying to do on The Club Roule, and part of what I’d like to bring to OBRA as a board member. More inclusivity, more equity, more community, and more fun for all people who want to race their bikes.

Let’s make bike racing fun again,
Stacy Westbrook
The Club Roule

 

Christy Hawkins

Resume

I have been racing with OBRA since 2013 and am interested in serving on the OBRA board. My main love is cyclocross, but I have dabbled in track, road, and mountain bike racing. I am the mother of two junior racers as well.

My goals as a board member would be as follows:
● Learn current rules and regulations and uphold the inclusivity initiatives
● Grow and retain membership numbers with an emphasis on women and junior racers
● Be a leader and representative for women, trans, and non-binary racers
● Grow OBRAs sponsorship partners
● Research and apply for possible grant opportunities
● Outreach to local schools to encourage new junior racers to try bike racing
● Try to initiate programs that would allow lower-income racers to try bike racing

I am a bike tour guide operator in the summer. I teach beginner mountain biking for REI. My career and hobbies all revolve around cycling and I want to give back to the racing community by serving the board. I am also a graphic designer and can help with the graphic design needs of the organization.

 

 

Thank you,
Christy Hawkins

 

Mike Murray

I was a long term OBRA board member, essentially on the board since the formation of the organization. I served through OBRA’s heyday when race participation numbers and the number of races were much greater than today. Several years ago medical issues made it more risky for me to continue to participate in races. My wife, Candi, decided to step down from her position as the OBRA director. It appeared that it was time to let other people step up. I withdrew from participation on the board as well from managing the program at the Alpenrose Velodrome. Since leaving the board I have been concerned with the direction that OBRA is taking. Race numbers have been falling, the track racing program is a risk of disappearing, there is more conflict and less fun. I would like to see if I can help return bike racing to where it was before with increasing numbers of racers and races.

Mike Murray

 

Scott Mares

Hi OBRA,

My name is Scott Mares and I would like to announce my intent to run for a seat on the OBRA board of directors. I wanted to take this time to introduce myself to those of you who I haven’t met or raced with and tell you a little more about me and what I bring to the table.

Background:

Originally from Oklahoma, I have been racing my bike since 1983. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1996, I moved to Colorado to pursue my passion for cycling and exercise physiology. The following year after my arrival in Colorado, the United States Cycling Federation (USCF) and National Off-Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) merged into USA Cycling. With this transition, the main focus of the USA Cycling organization shifted to support elite-level cycling, reducing the amount of support that local cycling organizations previously received. As a result, local organizations banded together and formed their organization called the American Cycling Association (ACA). Nearly 2 years after the creation of the ACA, I was recruited by teammate Jim Copeland to be the head skills coach at the inaugural junior cyclocross camp. This responsibility included developing the camp program, selection of coaching and staff personnel, program organization, and scheduling and logistics. Following the initial ACA camp, I continued as the head skills coach for the next 9 years. After a few years of conducting the camps, I was appointed to the ACA Board as Director at Large and held the position for 5 years, only stepping down to focus on publishing my book and relocating to Oregon. During my time on the ACA board, I worked with the board to create new rules and guidelines for cyclocross. I also created 3 new junior cyclocross programs that increased active junior racing numbers from 40 to over 400 registered junior racers in 5 years. To develop junior racers, we started a “Juniors race-free” program, followed by the creation of the Mudskipper team and a First Bike program. During the camps, I also started a coach multiplier/mentor program that paired experienced cyclocross coaches with coaches that had no prior experience with coaching cyclocross. This allowed the experienced cyclocross coaches to instruct the kids while simultaneously teaching the new coaches who were receiving hands-on experience, thus creating another CX coach. In my final year conducting the camp, we had 140 juniors attend the ACA cyclocross camp.

Platform:

Membership numbers: One of my main concerns is the health of the organization. In recent years, there has been a decline in the membership numbers for OBRA. If elected to the board, one of my main focal points would be the creation and implementation of programs specifically designed to increase overall membership numbers and participation in OBRA-sanctioned events. After surveying the existing membership population, my vision of these programs would be to create specific task forces for all demographic groups. These task forces would be responsible for creating and implementing outreach programs to generate new membership growth and bring increased participation in events. Two major key groups are women and junior racers categories.

Increase Women racers: If elected to the board, one of my goals would be to evaluate the current women’s racing promotion program/committee and identify any gaps or areas of improvement to increase efficacy. The second component of this is to re-energize and empower the program/committee to increase the participation and retention of women in the sport.

Increase Junior numbers. For the junior program, I would evaluate the current program and how it has been implemented over the last 4 years. Following this review, I would like to enhance it and make it one of the best junior programs in the country. This would include increasing junior membership numbers through various programs while also having programs to give them opportunities to race at the national level and world stage. The three main areas of focus would be recruiting racers, developing racers and increasing opportunities for nationals & beyond for our junior racers.

My final point, if elected, is addressing how we act while we are training and racing. Specifically good sportsmanship and ambassador behaviors. This may sound silly as we all know it’s important to be supportive of each other and to be a good sport. I believe that being a good sport and OBRA ambassador is essential for not only the sport to flourish but also OBRA itself. Good sportsmanship behavior needs to be encouraged and be an integral part of the DNA of bike racing. We need to create and support an environment with good behaviors that will attract and keep new members to our organization and not have members leave with a bad experience. As an OBRA board member, I would create a program that would communicate, promote and recognize good sportsmanship through an annual award. Whether on the road, dirt, or track, each one of us has the power to be an Ambassador for Cycling and OBRA.

I highly encourage everyone to attend the OBRA Awards party on January 18th. Whether you vote for me or another candidate, your participation is integral to the future of cycling in Oregon.

Thank you,

Scott Mares

 

Jason Evans

About me:
I started biking when my wife bought me a bike over 13 years ago. I immediately started racing at my local and regional events and just fell in love with the sport. About 7 years ago there was a decline of road events in Northwest Arkansas and I decided to step in and do something about it. Fast forward 7 years and I hosted more racer days than all of the other race promoters combined in the state of Arkansas. My family and I moved to Portland in March, and I have greatly enjoyed participating in OBRA events.

Most everyone will know me as either the Arkansas guy, or the guy who raced at PIR with the seat torn on my bibs (crashed on a train track on the way out to PIR), or (most recently) as the guy with the bear in the basket out racing CX. Having been immersed in all things cycling and race promotion in NWA, I feel that I bring two distinct advantages if I were on the OBRA board. 1. I have a wealth of experience of what both racers and racer promoters go through to host or participate in events. and 2. I feel that not being originally from the OBRA community is an advantage because I have raced in St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas and I see what works for other organizations and the struggles that both racers and promoters go through.

Finally, the reason I have a bear in my basket is to constantly remind myself that we are just people in spandex playing bicycles and at the end of the day, we are just in it for the fun. I think that is something that we should all be reminded of.

Thank you for the opportunity!

All the best!

Jason Evans

 

Location:

Chris King
2801 NW Nela St.
Portland, OR 97210

 

 

Parking:

You may park in the areas marked in red, or if you cannot find parking there, you can park along 29th Ave.  You will be towed if you park by Metro or any of the other businesses.  Entrance along the alley on the left side.