Outdoor Central Oregon Issue 7 | September/October 2018 | Page 6

6 SEPT/OCT 2018 7 NEWS| CAMERON BEARD RACES L’AVENIR TOUR IN FRANCE This spring I spent four months living, racing and learning the European life. I was based in Heerlen, in the very south of the Netherlands. I learned to love the community, a bit of the language, and how high the level of racing is over there. After surviving the war zone that is the European pro peloton, I am home here in Bend for two weeks. I have been training up and down Mt. Bachelor, McKenzie pass, and all around Tumalo for my next block of racing. Beginning in August, I head to France with the USA national team for a month of racing. I will be racing the Tour of Alsace (Eastern region of France by Germany) and the Tour De L’ Avenir. I am really looking forward to this block. The L’ Avenir in french means future, and it is the u23 version of the Tour De France. The last five winners of this race com- peted in this year’s Tour. A result in this race means that you go on to the World Tour and the biggest professional races. Just being selected for this race was a big break for me, the US takes 6 riders and for me to make this squad shows that I am right on track to completing my long term goals, even if I am not entirely sure of what those goals are yet... For now I am focused on France, hoping to bring a lot of noise to L’Avenir! - Cameron Beard follow along @cameron__beard on instagram. I will be trying to post daily stories about my journey through France. SHALANE FLANAGAN & ELYSE KOPECKY DEBUT SECOND BOOK FOR HUNGRY ATHLETES LAIRD SUPERFOOD CELEBRATED ITS 2018 SMITH ROCK CRAGGIN’ GRAND OPENING IN SISTERS CLASSIC IS COMING The historic Smith Rock Craggin’ Classic takes place this September 14th to 16th. The 2018 event will feature adventure films, climbing clinics, friendly competition, community, and local stewardship proj