A History of Elkhorn...
The story of the Elkhorn Classic started with a high school youth named Nathan Hobson who loved his hometown and community. Years later
having married and moved to Portland, Nathan looked for a way to give back to the community that had gave him so much. Through the tremendous
help of family and friends both in Portland and Baker City, the Elkhorn Classic came together for its inagural ride in June 2002.
From humble beginings Elkhorn has grown to become one of the premiere stage races anywhere and we are proud to be a part of a wonderful and proud legacy.
2002 Origins
Nathan living in Portland, Oregon visits Baker City with his wife Claire and four daughters asking the city to help him put on a bicycle race. The goal is to promote Baker City, Baker County, and the area. It will be a Stage Race format event run by Oregon Bicycle Racing Association. OBRA will officiate, all the city needs is to provide some volunteers and a little support. Budget is tight, the goal is to get a race off the ground. The event will be called the Elkhorn Classic and be run during Leo Adler Days a city wide celebration for Leo Adler long time benefactor to the city.
To get the race off the ground requires spirit, time, and help from every member of the immediate and extended family. Nathan's folks still live in his childhood home, so no family member near or far remains un-utilitized. School teams, local groups, and business are asked for help. In true American home-town feelings, the city has no idea how to put on a bicycle race, but they know how to host an event and lay the foundation for the race's high-quality reputation. Nathan's OBRA teammembers of Half-Fast Velo are recruited along with their friends and family and OBRA's word of mouth deliveries the very first Elkhorn field into history!
2003 Building Having based everything in the central, open, and accomodating Baker High School complex, long-time Principal Jerry Peacock steps up and helps coordinate school sports teams to volunteer to take ownership for one event or aspect of the race. Peacock's vision as with his dedication to raising the bar for students and the community is beyond words as today's teams still own those original tasks and having been passed down a torch lit by not just school and community pride but they self value as well.
Pretty much everything but the kitchen sink still comes out of Portland packed into cars of not just OBRA officials and Half-Fast Velo, the in many occasions racers as well. However, the second year response shows the city, OBRA, and everyone involved, that Elkhorn can make it and is indeed something special.
2004 Transition With two years of experience behind them and a proven positive economic impact to the city, support increases and the burden on Portland volunteers, transport, and equipment is reduced. Mad Matilda, Bella, and Barley Brown lead the way with their business support. The Sundance Inn steps up as the host hotel and the city is now fully immersed in the experience of "The 'Horn."
2005
2006
2007
2008
From humble beginings Elkhorn has grown to become one of the premiere stage races anywhere and we are proud to be a part of a wonderful and proud legacy.
2002 Origins
Nathan living in Portland, Oregon visits Baker City with his wife Claire and four daughters asking the city to help him put on a bicycle race. The goal is to promote Baker City, Baker County, and the area. It will be a Stage Race format event run by Oregon Bicycle Racing Association. OBRA will officiate, all the city needs is to provide some volunteers and a little support. Budget is tight, the goal is to get a race off the ground. The event will be called the Elkhorn Classic and be run during Leo Adler Days a city wide celebration for Leo Adler long time benefactor to the city.
To get the race off the ground requires spirit, time, and help from every member of the immediate and extended family. Nathan's folks still live in his childhood home, so no family member near or far remains un-utilitized. School teams, local groups, and business are asked for help. In true American home-town feelings, the city has no idea how to put on a bicycle race, but they know how to host an event and lay the foundation for the race's high-quality reputation. Nathan's OBRA teammembers of Half-Fast Velo are recruited along with their friends and family and OBRA's word of mouth deliveries the very first Elkhorn field into history!
2003 Building Having based everything in the central, open, and accomodating Baker High School complex, long-time Principal Jerry Peacock steps up and helps coordinate school sports teams to volunteer to take ownership for one event or aspect of the race. Peacock's vision as with his dedication to raising the bar for students and the community is beyond words as today's teams still own those original tasks and having been passed down a torch lit by not just school and community pride but they self value as well.
Pretty much everything but the kitchen sink still comes out of Portland packed into cars of not just OBRA officials and Half-Fast Velo, the in many occasions racers as well. However, the second year response shows the city, OBRA, and everyone involved, that Elkhorn can make it and is indeed something special.
2004 Transition With two years of experience behind them and a proven positive economic impact to the city, support increases and the burden on Portland volunteers, transport, and equipment is reduced. Mad Matilda, Bella, and Barley Brown lead the way with their business support. The Sundance Inn steps up as the host hotel and the city is now fully immersed in the experience of "The 'Horn."
2005
2006
2007
2008