It's been a while since I have posted on the Scott's Cycle and Sports News blog. Yes last post was 2016 and a lot has happened since then.  No need to remind everyone it has been an interesting 6 years.  For us at the shop we are thinking why not get back to some type of normal. Things like bringing back our Scott's to Scott's ride, Super Fun Time MTB Party, maybe even the Ultra Mega MTB Ride Series, what about getting the old group rides back together in Hermiston and the Saturday Morning rides in Kennewick.  The Hermiston shop group rides have still continued even thru the last few years but it seams somehow coming out of all the weird restrictions and covid protocols that everyone has lost a little focus and enthusiasm to go out and have fun and just ride bikes.  It's why we do what we do right? I think the coast is clear to have a tremendous 2023. 

    The Hermiston and Kennewick shops are again stocked with bikes and inventory with our suppliers is getting back to normal fill rates. We even have certain items on sale in store, thru our website and our thru our dealership partners like Giant and LIV Web-link.  Come in and ask about deals because we can also find you deals on a special orders as currently other big brands we deal with directly like Sram, Fox Shox, Shimano and other have discounts available.  For 2023 we have some big things already in the works like Baker City Cycle Classic, Echo Red to Red and the all new PNW Stage Race Series. We also are ready for any major repair or major component upgrades and this time of year our turn around is quick and is the best time for you to bring in your bike to get ready for the new up coming year of cycling.

    One  substantial and promising new thing I have been working on is what we are calling the PNW Stage Race Series.  For some shop customers that may not know,  I have taken on the great responsibility and honor to be the race director for Baker City Cycling Classic.  2023 race date for Baker City Cycling Classic is June 23rd-25th with Tour de Bloom starting the series May 5th-7th and Tour of Walla June 2nd-4th.  Info on Baker City Cycling Classic can be found on scottscycleandsports.com and bakercitycyclingclassic.com

    Baker City Cycling Classic is considered the most important road cycling event in the State of Oregon and new for 2023 Baker City Cycling Classic will be part of the all new PNW Stage Race Series.  It will combine with Tour de Bloom in Wenatchee and Tour of Walla Walla to create 12 stages, 9 days of racing with 3 locations in Washington and Oregon.  PNW Stage Race Series registration opens January 1st and is kicking it off with what we are calling "Cycle New Year!" 48 hrs of savings.  Racers can register for either Baker City Cycling Classic or the whole series PNW Stage Race Series and save.  For all interested hear is the link to registration https://www.bakercitycyclingclassic.com/register

    The trails system at Echo West Vineyards and Echo Red to Red XC Mountain Bike Race has been a big part of Scott's Cycle and Sports for the last 20 years.  Yes I think it was 2003 when I first started putting in the first single tracks out on Lloyd and Lois Peircy's property. 2009 we put on the first Echo Red to Red and it's now in it's 14th edition. I have been involved with the race since it's begging's when me and Shane Myers came up with the idea and went to Echo City Council and propose they allow us to take over the town with Mountain Bikers for a day   In 2019 I took on being the race director again after Shane and Stephanie did the duties from 2011-2018.  It has been interesting and challenging with flooding, snow changing race dates to covid restrictions forcing new formats from virtual self timed to mitigation field sizes.  To keep the race going we had to get very creative with remote individual starts but Echo Red to Red lives on. 2022 Echo Red to Red was back to normal and had one of the biggest turn outs since it's inception. So far registration for 2023 Echo Red to Red is filling up even faster than 2022 and I predict another record turn out to what has become one of the best and largest cross country mountain bike races in the Northwest.  You can register now at bikereg.com/echo-red-to-red-xc

Talk about series and bicycle racing series.  Echo Red to Red will once again be part of the Oregon XC Series.  This year featuring 8 races with Echo Red to Red kicking off the series and basically starting the mountain bike racing season in Oregon. Race Dates are as follows 

March 25th   Echo Red to Red

April 1st       Mudslinger

April 30th    Coast Hills Classic

May 20th     Silver Falls

May 28th     Sisters Stampede

June 17th     Alpine Epic

July 29th     Washougal

August 8th    Alsea Falls

Series info and Tech Guide can be found at Mudslinger Events

Well I hope this a good start and a good the first Scott's Cycle and Sports blog post since 2016 more to come. It feels good to get back to normal 2023 is going to be great!