The Baker City Cycling Classic rolls into town this week for three days of racing and several new community events.

Registration is around 300, said Brian Cimmiyotti, race director.

“It’s going to be one of the bigger years,” he said.

The race is supported by about 100 volunteers.

“It’s a big community effort,” Cimmiyotti said.

Of those volunteers, many are sports teams, clubs or organizations that receive a donation to their program.

“Pretty much everything goes back into the community,” he said.

This year, he partnered with the nonprofit Baker Loves Bikes to organize the race.

Road race, time trial

The stage race begins Friday, June 21, with the Catherine Creek Road Race. Cimmiyotti said this year’s route is different from previous years by using Pocahontas Road instead of Highway 30.

“We’re going to take the scenic route,” he said.

After the racers arrive in North Powder, they will head through Pyles Canyon to Union, then climb to Catherine Creek Summit followed by a descent through Medical Springs and to the finish line near Interstate 84.

The stage two time trial starts at Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative Saturday, June 22, at 8:30 a.m. and follows Pocahontas Road into the valley with a finish along Wingville Lane.

Criterium, kids races

The most spectator-friendly stage is the Baker City Downtown Criterium on Saturday afternoon, when riders race a loop around downtown streets. To accommodate this event, portions of the streets (Main, Broadway, Second, Washington, First and Valley) will be closed to traffic.

Prior to the official start, the Baker Family YMCA will again run kids bike races from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting at the intersection of Main Street and Washington Avenue.

The kids race will have categories for ages 5 to 13, plus a training wheels division.

The criterium races start at 1:30 p.m. and continue until 7:30 p.m.

Downtown events

Several new events are planned for this year during the criterium races on Saturday.

With Main Street closed starting at Church Street, Barley Brown’s will set up tables and chairs from Church to Broadway. Food and beverages can be ordered at the pub, then diners of all ages can sit outside and watch racers make the first corner from Main Street onto Broadway.

Also, the Knights of Columbus and Baker County Livestock Association will have a steak feed on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot at the southeast corner of Broadway and Second streets. Proceeds will help buy portable wheelchair ramps and other necessities for people needing assistance in Baker County.

Everyone is welcome. Tickets are $25, and the menu includes rib eye steak, baked potatoes with toppings, salad and drinks. Tickets can be bought the day of the dinner. The livestock association donated steaks, and Harrell-Mackenzie Ranches donated potatoes.

This location is in the middle of the criterium route.

“That’s a good place to have a good meal and watch the race,” Cimmiyotti said.

He encourages those who gather downtown on Saturday to cheer on the racers.

“It makes a fun atmosphere,” he said.

The last stage

Stage four on Sunday, June 23, is another road race that essentially reverses Friday’s route with a finish at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort.

“By the time they get to the base of the climb, they’ve already ridden 70 miles. It’s a real test,” Cimmiyotti said. “Not too many races finish at a summit. In my opinion, it’s the toughest paved climb in the Northwest.”

The first group of racers leave Baker City at 7:30 a.m. The finish line will include a chili feed, beverages from Barley Brown’s, and the awards ceremony.