Scott F's Leesville Gap RR report

Written by Scott Freiermuth
Leesville Gap Road Race
M35 +4
Distance 63 miles
Place 7th / 21 starting

Hope everyone had a great 4th, and those that are on the DL list are healing well. I promised the wife we would visit friends in Nevada City over the holiday weekend. It turns out the drive to Leesville is only 90 minutes from Nevada City, so I signed up for a unique experience.

Much like the Copperopolis warning "pavement is good to poor. Tighten all your bolts including brakes, brake hoods, seat bolts and stem bolts" Leesville lived up to the reputation. Rolling from Williams High School via motorcycle escort, the temperatures were already climbing and most folks were carrying 3 water bottles. Through town the roads were fair, and the group moved along at tempo pace. As we approached HWY 20, the CHP had stopped traffic in both directions to allow the racers a safe crossing. Once on the other side of the HWY, the race was on and the road went from fair to terrible.

The rolling terrain was covered in thick gravel, dirt or pot holes with a steady ascent. How bad was it? Folks were losing water bottles and sun glasses as they flew off the bike. It was difficult to find a cadence as pushing too big a gear would cause the wheel to slip, and spinning to high a gear would cause even more bouncing. I managed to stay with the lead group to the base of the first big climb. According to the motorcycle ref, temps were now 104 degrees and the climb was completely exposed.

The billy goats took off, and I settled into a rhythm. Once at the top, the descent was a point and shoot exercise to avoid any large holes. Carnage lined the side of the road from the M 1/2/3/ race that rolled out before us, peeps standing road side with flat tires.

I managed to regroup with a few people and we actually worked together in rotation to the neutral feed zone. Another climb splintered the group down to four, with 20 rolling miles before the finish line. The finish is about 2 miles from the actual start, on a long straight road. The four of use worked to secure a position to either counter an attack, or launch an attack from behind. As we rolled pas the 1KM sign, the first person went with the others in tow. I managed to swing wide and take the sprint within our group for 7th.

It was a unique race with poor road conditions, high temperatures, descent climbs and fast descents. I'm already looking forward to doing this next year with a few teammates!