End of Year Reflection

[Dillon Maloney]

Hey OBRA Land,

As the year comes to a close and we take time to reflect, I thought I might ask the community a question that could help guide us in the new year.

What was your favorite race of 2025, and why?

I thought this would be a fun way to share in others highlights of year, and provide info to our race promoters as to what we the community of racers are looking for. I’ll go first:

My favorite race of 2025 was the Rowena Roubaix. In 2025 I started to dip my toes more into road racing, and this early season race really kicked things off with a bang. I raced in the Open Cat 4 race, and they literally had to cap registration for that category because the numbers were so high. When’s the last time you heard that?? The energy and excitement in the lead up to this race seemed palpable. On my recon rides I saw many others doing the same and also saw many preview rides happening on Strava. The route had beautiful views and the terrain was fun and engaging. And finally, at only $45 (plus fees) it didn’t completely break the bank. And it’s not like the race felt cheap in any sense. Each category had a lead car and sag wagon. There were flaggers and support where needed. There were podiums and prizes. In a world where everything seems to be getting more expensive even when it feels you get less, this just seemed to shatter all of those norms.

So in summary, Rowena Roubaix was my favorite due to an approachable price, a great route, great race support, and most importantly fantastic community energy.

I’m looking forward to reading others responses, and to a great year of racing in 2026. Thanks everyone.

Sent from my iPad

[Erik Goodfriend]

Big shout out to the Bone Crusher STCX and CX races in Madras. While there are many great MTB CX events during the OBRA season, the course, race administration, quick results and beautiful Oregon High Desert make this an annual favorite. If you have't done it you are missing out.

[Greg Griffin]

Good idea, Dillon! (I also loved Rowena Roubaix)

Tough call, but I'd say Coast Hills Classic MTB was my favorite single event:

• professionally-run, but grassroots feel
• incorporating longer gravel climbs separates the pack for safety and fun 
• close day trip from Portland doesn't require overnight costs; Newport's parks and restaurants are great to visit too

Big props to the 'reds': Echo Red to Red XC and Red R Criterium.

On Monday, December 22, 2025 at 11:15:39 AM UTC-8 Dillon Maloney wrote:

[Ben Taber]

Hello OBRA Land,

I'll say the Cascade Cycling Classic Criterium by Horner Cycling in downtown Bend was my favorite race of the year. The event had a great atmosphere and it was an absolute blast to race downtown with many hundreds (or more) spectators and good PA on a fun course.

Grava de Madras was another standout race.

-Ben

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Ben Taber

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[Travis Richardson]

Thx for sharing this, Dillon! With the release of the OBRA calendar today, I've been evaluating what events I might participate in and reflecting on my past Road season. It looks like Road racing in OBRA doesn't start until May, but there are some really good events in Washington State for anyone interested in racing in March and April. Tour de Dung is always a fun way to start the season IMO. My favorite race last year (and for the last 2 years really) was the Baker City Cycling Classic. It's an incredibly hard race, and my goal both years was to avoid being DFL. That is actually a really hard task to accomplish for me with the combination of fitness/body composition/type1diabetes I've gone into the race with. 

What do I love about BCCC? Race starts are all easy to ride to the start. If you're staying within the city limits you can basically roll out your door to the races, making logistics really easy so you can focus on racing, recovering, and laughing with your new friends. Road Race stages are a great out and back, so there's no circuits to repeat on the course. Cost! The race organizer does a great job of making the race affordable and accessible. Challenge. People are always looking at destination events like Redlands or the AZ races or the UCI events, but I'm not sure there's a more challenging weekend than the BCCC.

Here's to a great 2026 season, hope to see you all out there at some point!

T

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[Dillon Maloney]

Thank you Travis, Ben, Greg and Erik for your replies! Love reading about some of these events I’m unfamiliar with. Hoping more replies keep rolling in. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 26, 2025, at 6:19 PM, Travis Richardson <rasa...@gmail.com> wrote:



[Rob Thompson]

I'll play

I suck at cyclocross, but Trophy Cup was definitely my favorite race (series) this season. 

The energy at those races is so positive. It's competitive, but it's also a really fun time. I think having MCs and a spectator zone (with an optional jump!) is key - it creates a party scene you ride through every lap. Even volunteering is a good time!

But most importantly, it manages to bring new people into bike racing. I LOVE seeing people who clearly have never done a bike race after the finish, amazed at what they accomplished and confused about their newfound hunger to give it another go.

Second place was also a CX race - Indy Cross (OBRA champs) was an excellent event. More great energy but also that special Tonkin magic of making the course borderline nuts. Running through waist deep water? Dumb, but in all the right ways. Also, Independence is a really cool town that I'd never been to (and look forward to visiting again).

Fun question. Thanks for asking it,

Rob

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[sl1mb0]

Hey All,

My favorite race was _by far_ during a summer Tuesday evening at PIR, racing the 3/4 field. I don't remember exactly how it happened, but I was chosen as our unofficial "GC" leader, and a lot of teammates who are all much, much stronger than me decided to race for me. I think at least 5 (maybe more?) people committed up-front to sacrificing themselves for me, which was both silly and inspiring as someone who deludes themselves into thinking they can win a bike race.

My teammates opened up the race really​ hard and kept the pace as high as they could for as long as possible, to the point that several people (Jack Henry!!) either asked or yelled at them to knock it off. Easily the most fun I've ever had racing and it's something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Racing with Team Oregon this past year and being part of the OBRA community has been an incredible experience, I cannot wait for next year.

sl1mb0

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[Dillon Maloney]

Thanks Rob and Sl1mb0, 

Rob I couldn’t agree more about Trophy Cup. I never went to summer camp growing up, but I would have to imagine the feeling has to be very akin to Trophy Cup. It’s such an exciting 6 weeks and before you know it, it’s over and you’re already looking forward to next year. 

And the best part, as you mentioned, is seeing the growth in the Women’s field especially. Thank you so much to Trophy Cup and sponsors for breaking down barriers to entry and creating such a welcoming environment to foster that growth. 

sl1mb0 I love that story. I raced the Tuesday Night PIR series as well, and I’m really hoping more groups and teams participate like this in 2026. I think it would really make PIR a fun and dynamic race even more than it already is. 

Thanks again for all the replies. Still looking forward to more. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 31, 2025, at 5:56 PM, 'sl1mb0' via OBRA Chat <obra...@obra.org> wrote:



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