Home of the Fightin' Bobas!

Instead of joining in on what used to be a cool Thanksgiving Day ride, the Fightin’ Bobas once again take the initiative to start what will be a great new tradition with the Boba Thanksgiving Day ride. Went out to the coast via Occidental, Bohemian Hwy. and River Road, and back over Coleman Valley Road.

It’s a great day to be a Boba! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

 

The Bobas’ own Jim Forni ventured out to Colorado this year on August 11 to do the Leadville 100, one of the hardest one day efforts anywhere. By finishing in a stellar time of less than 9 hours, Forni earned himself a serious piece of bling. His race report is below. Full Leadville results are HERE.

The day’s plan is to ride 104 miles or so, starting at 10,000 feet and complete 5 climbs totaling 12k+ ft, with the third climb (Columbine Mine) starting at 9,263 and finishing at 12,550.  I’ll save Walker the math…that’s like 3200 ft. It’s an out-and-back course.   At altitude.  Great.   More on the climbs to follow.

Race registration and pre race meeting is massive.   Course conditions change daily as it rains hard every afternoon. Lance Armstrong stops by to tell everyone it’s the hardest thing he’s ever done in his whole life.   He lost once and came back to win the next year, then never again.  Great.

We’re staying at Breckinridge at about 10,000 ft the day before, where it rains like Hell the night. I’m wondering what this will do to the course. (I should note that I spent the week prior at exactly sea level.  I had plans to sleep in a tent on loan from superD but it was just too much to bring).

We stage at 6:00 am.  Race start is at 6:30.  I had a fairly good placing in the staging based upon a race qualifier at Tahoe, especially considering I walked the last 45 min. Only about 500 riders in front of me, 1500 behind.  It’s 42 degrees.

Race roll out is a 3.50 mile road descent with a hard right onto fire road – then to the first climb, St. Kevins.  It’s a long day so not too crazy.  I push a couple SS riders down the descent to help them keep up.  We descend at about 40 mph… Pretty cool noise – 2000 mtb’rs on the road at 40.
St. Kevins is double wide and about a 30 minute climb.  I pass probably 30 riders and never get passed.  It feels like a pretty easy pace to me, but it’s early so I keep the effort pretty cool.  Long road descent  then climb up the back side of the notorious Powerline.  (my first look at this notorious climb).   Mellow climb, then the power line descent.  It’s all broken up sandstone/decomposed granite.  Silly steep and fully rutted. The rain has thrashed the trail.   I could easily end my day descending right  here.  I take a mellow descent (racing mellow), stay upright and continue about 5 miles to the first crew/rest stop.

I have to say, the Powerline descent was ridiculous.   3+ miles, lined with screaming people.   Did they camp out?     What are all these people doing here ? (I would find out later). This race is going to be interesting….

My family is waiting for me me at the first rest stop.  I’m out of water and gels and they’re ready.  Quick lube of the chain, swap bottles, grab food, and I’m off.  Under 45 seconds, I feel fine.

It’s about 20 miles of rolling single track, fire roads and county roads to the base of the next monster climb - Columbine Mine.  I beat my crew/family to the base where we were supposed to replenish, but I’m fine.

I should note I rode through probably 50 riders on the 20 mile section to Columbine. Heard twice. “GO BOBA!” from riders off the course.  Sweet. I needed that.

At the base of Columbine, I meet a pro named Phil. Says he use to live with Ronnie Lenzi.   He says “let’s just ride tempo man” and off we go.   The bottom 2k of vertical is about 6 % , fire road. No biggie. I pick off another 30+riders. The top 1500 feet of vertical is 8-12% , loose baby head, double wide .  Lots of walkers. Phil has ridden on by now and I’m still fine. I ride the entire climb except maybe one 100 ft. section.  Still picking off riders and never getting passed.   The last two miles of Columbine is above tree line.  It’s cold and blowing. The top is visible and I wish it wasn’t. It’s way off.  I remember what Peeto would say and I stop looking up.  I round the top at about 4 hours and change,  and it’s time to start heading back.   The descent is as wicked as the climb.  Imagine descending at 30 mph, double wide, baby head rocks all over, and you pass 1,800+ people walking their bikes taking up 75% of the trail.  Can’t look up because trail is too sketchy.  It was WILD (and another chance to end my day with a fall).  I took it “race easy.”

Family /crew is at bottom of Columbine Mine and I pit stop again.   Lube/food/water.  I still feel great.  20 mile of rollers heading back to Powerline climb.  20 mph head/cross wind. I’m alone.  Ride for about 10 min to bridge to a lone rider, we both needed a friend.  Good rider and we work together to bridge up to a group of 5.  Sweet.  I pull to front and tell guys we’ll work together to get through this miserable section.  I hear crickets…. The guy I bridged with and I continue to exchange pulls and drop the group. We ride together all the way to the base of Powerline where we pit stop again.  This one I really need. I’m at 73 miles and the race is  about to begin.  I’m told by race officials that I’m on 9 hour pace.   Sweet.  I hit Powerline and it hits back hard.  This is so friggin’ steep.  I ride the first half – solid people yelling, cheering. Film crews everywhere. People  splashing water.  Handing out Gu’s.  It is totally alive and inspiring.   I hit a short walking place, probably 10 minutes, then remount and ride the rest.  I’m barely moving faster than the guys I’m passing. But I’m moving up and riding is easier than walking.  Powerline punishes for about an hour.  I have a long descent, but can’t rest because the 9 hour window is closing.

OK.  THIS MATTERS.   My goal on the day is to earn the coveted silver and gold belt buckle.  You have to be sub 9 hours for that.  9-12 hours you get a small (normal sized) silver buckle, and after 12 hours, you get a pat on the back and garbage duty.

OK, so back to the descent.   I close to the second place tandem.  They’re hauling.  I sit on them for most of the fire road descent -into a headwind. We’re flying and they’re very strong bike handlers.    At the bottom of the last climb, I encounter a mirage of sorority girls in way too small tops, barely on, handing out Cokes.  No way.  This ride is truly great.  The last girl puts  her hand on my butt and pushes me, running up the hill.  They push the guy I rode across the flats with up to me and he tells me were still on the 9 hour pace.  We need to move. We’re at 85ish miles and I’m tired but fine.  We push to the top where we find the  first place tandem.    I push past with the other guy in tow and lead the last  descent.   Only about 8 miles left from the bottom to the finish and our time looks good, but …  headwind is back.  I just pace and wait for the tandem.   Within minutes, they come ripping by me, at least 10 mph faster than I’m going.  I NEED to get on that!  100% effort for about 45 seconds and I’m on.  We’re doing 25 mph on fireroads and sand into the headwind.   This is sweet! I don’t care about the sand-blasting on the face,  we’re making incredible time and legs aren’t bad.  Last 3 miles is a 3-4% climb, the group is 4 now, we drop the tandem at the base , say thanks and exchange pulls to the finish.  I come in at 8:42 and change and I feel great!   Mary Anne and my kids are there after incredible support and crewing all day. Will jumps the finish barrier shares the moment.  Its incredible.  What a race and what a journey.   I need a beer.  Which I get.  We all have one.

My bike ran perfectly.  Sir Cock and Liz went way beyond great to get it to me after me breaking it in the Northstar qualifier.  KB lent me his wheels for a backup set on course and trained with me.  Voler, to their credit, got the new  kit to me in time to wear for he race.  Everything came together.   Proud to be a BOBA!

Sorry such a long report, but it was a long day and deserved the story.  Now I guess I should watch “Race Across the Sky.”

4n*

Did you know that they’re making a documentary about Levi Leipheimer? Due to be released right before the 2012 version of Levi’s GranFondo, it’s currently in production.

Appearing in the documentary will be several of Levi’s close friends, including Boba strong man Giampaolo Pesce, owner of Riviera Ristorante in Santa Rosa, which also happens to be the center of the cycling universe in Sonoma County. Not many people know, but no one has ridden more training miles with Levi over the last couple of years than Giampaolo. He’s been training regularly with Levi for the last 6 years which helps explain why Giampaolo rules on the bike.

Giampaolo’s a perennial top 10 finisher in The Terrible Two and you’d be hard pressed to find anyone tougher on any bike, road or mtb. Watch this short documentary teaser and Giampaolo’s appearance. He’s been mum about how big his role will be in the final product, but watch for Giampaolo on the big screen with Levi this fall!

 

 

Levi Leipheimer Documentary Teaser from Bike Monkey LLC on Vimeo.

 

Here are the results of the 2011 Rockpile Road Race:

1. Jonathan Lee - 51:22
2. Todd Weitzenberg (1st 40+) - 51:22
3. Glenn Fant - 51:38
4. Roger Bartels  (1st 50+) - 52:29
5. Patrick Zahn - 53:36
6. Nick Kersmarki (Marmot) - 54:28
7. Jason Buckley - 54:28
8. Ryan Price - 55:28
9. Jim Forni (1st Boba) - 56:31
10. Royce Fraley - 56:31
11. Doug MacKenzie (Boba) - 56:46
12. David Baldwin (Boba) - 58:03
13. Nick McGowan - 59:12
14. Kashy Ghazzagh (Marmot/Red Menace) - 59:12
15. Dan Peterson (Boba) - 1:00:12
16. Lou Garcia  (Boba) - 1:01:36
17. Kevin Zucco (Boba) - 1:01:42
18. Paul Stinson - 1:02:35
19. Brian Davis - 1:02:35
20. Shannon Mitchell (1st woman) - 1:02:58
21. Steve Reddi - 1:03:00
22. Norm Smith (Boba) - 1:03:57
23. Richard Peacock (Boba) - 1:04:19
24. Keith Howell - 1:05:02
25. Lauren Rignell - 1:13:20

Photos are posted HERE, courtesy of Chief Gee:

Here are the true, actual, honest results from the Team Time Trial held on the new Dry Creek course.

18 mile course, warm, not windy.

1.  Team Echelon  - 40:09.10.  New Course Record.  Alex Brookhouse, Kevin Buchholz,  Jonathan Teeter,  Jeremy Vennell.

2.  Red Peloton 2 –  40:19.93.  Matt Abbott, Dan Boyle, Joe Feng, Kashy Ghazzagh, Javier Sanchez, Ted Simpkins, Partick Zahn.

3.  Boba Aero – 42:04.35.  New Masters Record. Kirk Buckman, Glenn Mattsson, Doug McKenzie, Steve Palladino, Dan Peterson, Pete Sweeney.

4.  Red Peloton “B” – 43:51.98. Kevin Cook, Starr Stevenson, Scott Orton, Jim Whitford, Sal Franco, Brian Rashap, Brian Davis, Kevin Jeffers, Adrian Tamblin ( the only nine man team).

5.  Misfits/Co-ed – 44:04.55. Nina Strika, Joules Olson, Steve Reddie, Jon Moens, Jeremy Bardell, Josh Dorris, Dude X.

6.  Boba Too – 46:36.67. Dave Baldwin, Lou Garcia, Deanna McKenzie, Norm Smith, Mike Perry.

7.  Topless Broads/Female #1 – Lauren Rignell, Kelly Badillo, Jen Kruger, Shannon Overly-Mitchell, Laurie Peterson.

8.  Team Red New Cheaters – Disqualified for finishing with three and picking up a dropped rider and course cutter. Would have been  new course record (bummer for you). – 38:41.28. Jared Barrileaux, Paco Brown, Jonathan Lee, Craig Roemer.

A few comments from the riders:

“Great course. I loved it!”  Jonathan Lee

“When do we start?”  Team Echelon

“I really wannbe a Boba.”  Ewalk

“Why can’t we ride topless?”  Kelly Badillo to Lauren Rignell

“Have a beer. It don’t cost nothin’”  Dan Peterson

“Don’t accelerate, you frickin’ old lady!”  MadDog to Peeto

“What?  Not me!”  Paco

Warm, not too windy, a record turnout with 15 teams.

1. Team Swift – Tyler Brandt, John Piasta, Sam Bassetti, Tyler Williams – 31:29
2. 11 Gear – Rick Pepper, Dick Salt, Glen Mitchell, Jonathan Teeter – 32:09
3. Orange Peloton – Ted Simpkins and others – 33:30
4. Heavy Breathers 33:32
5. Not Dead Yet Bobas – Briant Smith, Glenn Mattsson, Steve Palladino, Pete Sweeney – 34:14
6. Aero Boba – Jim Forni, Dave Latourette, Dan Peterson, Erin Walker – 34:21
7. Dirt Turkeys – Yuri, Hippie, Paisano, Scalera – 36:37 (1st non-aero)
8. Up in da air Boba – Andy Welling, David Baldwin, Rob Pitchford – 37:04
9. Los Gigantes – Frank Paula, Don Lindsey, Jess Couch, Jason Hoorn – 37:22
10. Red Peloton “DD” – Brian White, Kevin Jeffers, Brian Rashap, Starr Stevenson – 37:34
11. Mostly Mexican Boba – Lou Garcia, Tony Garcia, Ronny Ray Garcia, Ron Hill – 38:16
12. The Collective – Richard Kirby, Jeremy Bardell, Curt Kimble, Bret Gave – 38:34
13. Joy Ride – Neil, Keith, Matt F. – 39:13
14. Women – Caitlin, Kelli, Catherine, Nina – 39:38
15. Phoenix Boba – Norm Smith, Leland Gee, Jim Coughlin – 42:26

A great note of thanks to our excellent officiating and timing crew: Kirk Buckman, Jim Hiserman, Deanna MacKenzie and Greg Provencher. They did a fantastic job.