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Subject: Re: Elkhorn Bottle Disposal
Date: 06/30/2004 03:59 AM
From: martha walsh

Solomon,

I am sorry to say that you had a great deal of company
in your behavior on the last day at Elkhorn. As one
of the final riders to complete the stage, I was
saddened by the HUNDREDS of empty water bottles I saw
alongside the road throughout the stage. There are no
moms or adoring fans who follow along behind our races
to pick up our lost items or souvenirs, and plastic is
forever. The beauty of the country we had the
privilege of riding through was marred by the
bottle-tossing actions of so many competitors. The
people of Baker City go out of their way to be
hospitable and make sure we have a great race; we
should respond by leaving their beautiful piece of
Oregon better than we found it. A water bottle in the
ditch doesn't exactly accomplish that.

Martha Walsh
First Rate Mortgage Cycling Team
Seattle

--- Solomon Woras <swo-@hotmail.com> wrote:
 Many of us traveled to Baker City last weekend for
Elkhorn Stage race and as
usual had a great time in a beautiful place amongst
a great community. It is
because of the incredible support that this
community gives Nathan Hobson in
this race that I am very ashamed of my actions last
weekend.
Approaching the final climb of the day I had a full
bottle and as we hit
the slopes I tossed it to the side of the road. This
was an unnecessary act
and a stupid one. Unfortunately this is all too
common when we get caught up
in the moment. Caught up in the moment or not, there
is no excuse for what I
did. More than throwing a bottle I am guilty of
thinking that I am such a
hotshot that I am above the rules. I am thankful
that I was caught so that
this could be brought to my attention.
This community and all others that host such races
invite us in to use
their roads and this is the thanks I have given
them. I am not writing this
because anyone made me, or because I want to make a
big issue out of this,
but because I feel indebted to the city of Baker,
the community, and to
Nathan who had to go out the day after and clean up
after my mess. I feel
that if I have any influence at all I need to apply
it to encourage you all
to please be courteous to your surroundings and to
not get caught up
thinking that what we are doing is so important that
rules don’t apply,
because all we are doing is riding our bikes. I hope
not to forget in the
future that I am riding my bike in someone’s home
and that I need to respect
that home. Like I said I don’t want to make a huge
issue of this or to
preach to you all where and when to throw your trash
as if I am some expert
on en rout race disposal now. I only want to make
people aware of my mistake
and to apologize publicly to Baker City, its people,
my sponsors, my team,
those involved with the race and to Nathan for my
actions.


Thanks

Solomon _________________________________________________________________
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