Chris Sandmel - a.k.a. "The Kid" from RAO, or so I hear.

Racing Level: Expert Mtn Bike, Cat V Road (but my true passion is ultra-endurance and always will be!)

Current Bike: 2000 KHS Flite 500. It's a steel frame w/ 105/Tiagra components... nothing fancy, but a solid performer. Soon to be acquired Leader Bike frame will replace the flite frame.

Race Experience & Placing: I've raced mtn bikes since 1999, doing beginner that year and sport the last 2 years. In 2001, I finished 3rd in the Sobe Series for sport jr. men, with 3 victories in the spring.

My greatest accomplishment has been Race Across Oregon (RAO) - 510 miles of non-stop fun. Yes, even the rain and snow were fun at times. Though I considered myself a climber going into the race, by the end, the hills were becoming somewhat tiresome. Santiam Pass was especially "fun" since I had to use my 23 cassette (I know, I know, it's not that tight a cluster, but I like to be nice to my knees with a 27).

The pic above is me, after finishing my first double century back in 1999 - 11 hrs 19 mins on the bike. It was the Watermelon Ride 200 miler out of Salem. I highly recommend it, as it is put on by the Salem Bicycle Club and a high quality event. I had just turned 16 at the time.