Rick Adams takes on the Bend, OR Road Race and Crit

Last weekend, I decided to go to Bend, Ore for a road race and crit. I had enough of the Memorial Day Criterium over the past 10 years and there is no way I was going to ride Mt Hamilton. I lived in Bend for 5 years – racing there was a good excuse to visit friends and race something new.


Saturday Road Race, East of Bend, Oregon
50 riders in combined 40+ & 50+
Result: 1st in 50+, 5th overall

The course was a 10-mile loop of rolling hills with the biggest climbs less than 150 feet. We did 5 laps for a 50 miles race – very fun. Even better was the monster wind including a 1.5-mile section of 25 mph crosswind – I felt like I was back in West Flanders! Of the 50 guys in the combined 40+ and 50+ race, we lost no one on the climb but we lost many riders each lap in the crosswind.

After the first lap, 4 guys got away on the crosswind section. For a while they were out of sight but eventually a few teams brought them back. Then with 12 miles left and again at the beginning of the crosswind, 4 guys got up the road but no more than 200 meters. On the last lap, I thought for sure we would bring them back. But the right teams were represented, so that did not happen and guys in that break went 1st-4th.

With 600 meters to go, we made a right hand turn and the finish line was straight ahead slightly up hill and into a very strong headwind. As the entire group hesitated, I went all of the way to the front and immediately 2 guys attacked the group with 500 meters to go. I was straight on their wheel but unfortunately they both died with 200 meters to go. At that point I did not wait. I simply kept sprinting straight for the finish line. I won the field sprint giving me 1st in the 50+ group and 5th overall.

Sunday Criterium, central Bend, Oregon
40 riders in combined 40+ & 50+
Result: 3rd in 50+, 9th overall

Really fun 1 mile loop. Fairly technical, one small climb, and again a fair bit of wind. Lots of attacking in this race and with 8 laps left I was in a break I though would make it to the finish. But with 4 to go, we were brought back. With 1.5 miles to go – before we got to the bell – 4 guys attacked hard. I got on this attack but lost contact with these guys up the small rise before the final straight. 4 guys caught me right at the line including 2 other 50+ guys. I finished a not so disappointing 3rd.