Smith Rock, Ore. – Central Oregon’s world-class cycling race will begin today from the beautiful backdrop of Smith Rock State Park and finish at a massive lava flow at 5,325 feet on top of McKenzie Pass.
The men will race 113 miles, and the women 89 miles.
The first finishers are expected to cross the tape shortly after 1 p.m.
If you would like to view stage 1, you should arrive early to get ahead of the race’s caravan.
The five-stage race continues Thursday with the Crooked River Tine Trial in Prineville, and Friday with the Cascade Lakes Road Race, which starts in Bend and finishes at Mt. Bachelor.
Saturday night downtown Bend hosts the Twilight Criterium, where races will speed around the streets on a four-corner race.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong plans to use the race as training for next month’s Rio Olympics, where she will go for her third consecutive gold medal in the time trial.
