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2011 Rapha NW Gentlemen's Race

_{Video: Droptree Productions | Words: Gerben Gerritsen | Photos: Max Ralph}

The Oregon summer had a very late start this year. Cool and wet were prevailing themes right up into the month of August. However, the bright spot in all of that was the Weather forecast for the 2011 Rapha NW Gentlemen's Race. 75 degrees and partly cloudy, ideal for the 130 miles (10,000 ft of climbing) that were waiting for the 28 teams of 6 riders that had gathered from all over the West Coast to participate. This was a week before the race, but the forecast kept changing leading up to race day. The hottest day of the year was about to align with our gentle rollers and gravel roads through the foothills of the Coastal Range. Sure, the course was hard, but not undoable, but the sun-exposed climbs of Bald Peak and Clapshaw made riders think differently.

No better way to find out if you're a true team or just 6 individuals riding together than through the suffering and and attrition that gets each other towards the finish. Three team accounts that illustrate just that. River City, who has won this race a few times now, chimes in as well as the ladies from Upper Echelon and what amounts to a verbal interpretive dance from Team Beer. Enjoy.

Results

1. River City Bicycles 9:37
2. Audi Cycling 9:41
3. Studio Velo 9:59
4. Rex Cycles 10:00
5. Ritte Racing 10:21
6. Upper Echelon (winner Women's Division) 10:40
7. Gründelbrüisers 10:59

King of the Mountain
Bobby Rees (Ritte Racing)

Queen of the Mountain
Cindy Lewellen (Ira Ryan Cycling)