Volunteers help to keep Elkhorn Classic rolling

“You never have too many volunteers for a thing like this,” he said. “It’s critical that we have a good volunteer list to keep this event going. It happens because people volunteer. If people don’t volunteer, it goes away.”

This is the race’s ninth year, and it happens June 18-20. All four stages begin in Baker City, and Saturday’s high-speed Gold Rush Criterium happens right downtown.

Registration closes today, but race director Ernie Conway said a late rush always increases the numbers — last year’s entries went from 250 to 400 the week of the event.

Peacock has organized volunteers since Nathan Hobson started the race.

Peacock has learned, over the years, that you can’t have too many volunteers.

“Having a waiting list is critical,” he said. “I’ve got people who schedule their vacation time around this. It’s amazing. I’ve got folks who show up every year, regardless of the weather.”

“Whoever does it, gets the money,” Peacock said. “They get every dime to offset costs the budget doesn’t cover.”

And that’s also good for the community.

“The kids make money, and the advantage is we’re not hitting up local businesses again,” he said. “We try to find creative ways to support our programs.”

Conway said the spirit of the Elkhorn Classic is to infuse Baker City with money through donations and business at local stores. He estimates the race brings at least $25,000 into the local economy each year.

“Eight years, that’s $200,000,” he said. “These people are back and forth through town, shopping at the stores.”

Volunteer positions

Peacock needs volunteers for three jobs: drivers, feed zones and marshals.

Drivers can either be a lead car or support vehicle for the pelotons (that’s the group of bicyclists). You drive your own car, which is outfitted with lights and signs.

Each peloton has a lead car that alerts traffic the race is coming. Two support cars follow, carrying wheels and tires in case someone gets a flat. (You don’t need to know how to change a tire — you just hand it to the racer.)

Peacock likes the support role.

“It’s really the best position to volunteer for because you get to see the race,” he said.

Drivers are needed for Friday and Sunday.

At the feed zones, volunteers hand water bottles, bananas, and other fuel to the riders as they race past.

“That’s actually a fun job, too,” Peacock said. “It’s pretty intense because they don’t stop. They’re racing.”

He said the feed zones are located on an uphill stretch so the bicyclists are going a bit slower.

Friday’s feed zone is near the top of the Catherine Creek climb.

“It’s in a beautiful location,” he said.

Marshals are responsibility for traffic control. For Friday’s road race, marshals will be stationed at the Highway 30-North Powder interchange and in Union. Sunday’s marshals direct traffic and racers at Austin Junction and the Unity turnoff.

“The marshals are absolutely critical for the safety of the riders,” Peacock said.

The drivers and marshals stay in contact by radio so every rider is accounted for.

Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to call Peacock at 541-524-2605 or 541-523-6750.

The races

The Elkhorn Classic begins Friday with the Oregon Trail Road Race. The 76-mile route begins at Baker High School (the first peloton leaves at 1 p.m.) and heads out Highway 30 to North Powder, then on to Highway 237 through Pyles Canyon to Union. Return is over Catherine Creek, through Pondosa and finishes near the intersection of Highway 203 and Interstate 84.

The Pleasant Valley Time Trial happens Saturday morning. The riders start on Elm Street near Indiana, and head out Old Highway 30 to Sutton Creek Road. They turn around and race back into town with a finish on Main Street.

“Finishing the time trial downtown is unheard of,” Conway said. “They can fly — it’s a great place for spectators.”

He would really like to see the community turn out to support the racers both Saturday morning and again Saturday afternoon for the Gold Rush Critierium — a fast race around downtown streets.

“I’d love to see the Saturday afternoon thing move to the next level,” Conway said.

Members of the BHS football team set up straw bales on street corners and stand watch to protect both the riders and the public during this race.

“These guys are going 40 miles per hour down Main Street and making 90-degree turns,” Peacock said.

The Criterium begins at 3 p.m. and concludes around 6:45 p.m. There will be six races — four for men and two for women.

Sunday’s Dooley Mountain Road Race begins at 8 a.m. The 102-mile route heads out of Baker City on Highway 7 to Austin Junction, then east on Highway 26 toward Unity to the junction of Highway 245. The riders take 245 through Hereford and then up the twisty Dooley Mountain road to finish at the summit.