Capital Stage Race Draws In Competition From Across The Country

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By Tom Rohrer

Grey skies neither dampened the mood, nor hindered the performance, of the hundreds of cyclist who participated in the Capital Stage Race at various locations in Thurston County this past weekend.

Hundreds of riders from across the region, including some from Wisconsin and Colorado, participated in the Capital Stage Race this past weekend in the Thurston County area.

The race, which was presented by Olympia Federal Savings Bank, featured four stages in three days, beginning on Friday, June 15, and ending on Sunday, June 17.

On the opening day of the event, riders partook in ten miles of road racing within Capitol State Forest, with two stages taking place on Saturday on Deschutes Parkway and near the State Capitol Campus, and a fourth rolling across ninety miles of open road in the greater Thurston County area.

With teams and riders from across the country, it was a special weekend for Race Director Erik Anderson.

“We’ve grown by about 50 riders this year, and we have lots more junior participation as well,” Anderson said. “And there are riders here from Wisconsin, Colorado and Northern California.  Its cool how its taking shape and I think we can make it a destination race each year.”

Riding in all stages of the race were members of the Olympia Orthopaedic Associates (OOA) Cycling Team, a regional team that includes around one hundred and twenty five racers.

D.J. Cox, a graduate of the Evergreen State College who just re-located back to the area after living in Rhode Island for several years, has been on the team for three months, and this past weekend’s race was only his third official competition.

Cox is thankful his teammates helped improve his transition from riding for fun towards competitive cycling.

“It has been relatively easy, minus just the physical wear and tear, to step into these contests,” Cox said. “That welcoming period and coaching I received from teammates has been huge and it makes races seem less daunting.”

Curtis Baird, who has been riding for the OOA team for three years, says the competition level within the sport has risen in the area.

“There may have been more participation in events that happened fifteen or so years ago, but I think the level of competition is at a much higher level,” Baird said. “Part of that is people are getting involved within the sport and competitions more consistently and at a younger age.  Events like this that are local, and can feature local riders and teams, that’s a pretty big deal.”

Fellow Olympia High School classmates and cousins Parker Newman (left) and Ayden Young, rode on different teams during the Capital Stage Race this past weekend.

The race was another chance for a host of junior riders to put their pedal to the metal, and also served as a platform for a friendly, family rivalry.

Olympia High School students Ayden Young and Parker Newman happen to be classmates, cousins, and dedicated riders for two separate racing teams.

Young is on the RAD Northwest Racing Team while Newman rides for JL Velo.

Living in the same neighborhoods their entire lives, the duo, whose respective moms are sisters, have developed a love for the sport of cycling, and have made the transition to competitions.

“We started out just riding mountain bikes, and would hold time trials in our neighborhood for fun,” Newman said. “Obviously it has developed into a more serious hobby.”

“I think we just always enjoyed riding, and our dads were both in the racing scene,” Young said. “We took a little break and have gotten back into competitive racing over the last two years.  But it’s a sport we take seriously, and we follow at the highest levels.”

While the two teenagers remain close friends and training partners, their respective competitive natures can take precedence over a friendly relationship.

“I think it helps us compete at a higher level and put forth more effort,” Young said. “We want to beat each other and that can be really fun.”

“Part of what made us fall for the sport and participate in the races is the competition,” Newman said. “That’s why you participate in events like this.”

That mix of competition and fun has allowed the sport to enter a new age of development in the area.

Matt Niles of the Olympia Orthopaedic Associates Cycling Team keeps on pushing during the Capital Stage Race this past weekend

“This area and cycling are a great, great mix.  It’s in the outdoors, it doesn’t really cause excessive noise or trouble for others,” Anderson said.  “It’s an exciting time to be a part of events like today, where you have people enjoying themselves and racing hard.”

The local competition, which will look to grow in the future, provided Cox with an ideal culmination for his newly found passion.

“I’ve been riding for a while, especially in this area,” Cox said. “To compete in this event, it’s a special thing, and it really puts a smile on my face.”

For more information on the Capital Stage Race, click here.

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