bluegoose
10-21-2005, 05:19 PM
Here in Redding, we have a weekly race series every Wednesday night. One cat I guy, several cat II/III riders, mostly IV/V guys, and the occasional hack, like myself.
I missed the last 2 weeks due to having a baby this past weekend. So who should show up for the last race of the season, but Levi Leipheimer from team Gerolsteiner. I’m guessing he’s probably the #2 guy in America, behind Armstrong.
Needless to say, he made childs play of the 20 mile road course, leaving most of the guys suffering on the hills. One guy did hang with him to the final sprint, sitting on his rear wheel for the last 7 or 8 miles.
One of my buddies rode most of the course with the lead pack. He said he was quite nervous riding some of the tight corners with Levi on his left side. He was envisioning the headline in Bicycling magazine – “Local hack takes out Leipheimer”.
Pretty cool stuff. After the ride everyone went out for pizza and beer (the root variety for the LDS guys). He gave away a pair of arm warmers and a polka dot jersey from the Tour of Germany, which he won this year. They say he was a very cool guy, down to earth and easy to talk to. I’m bummed I missed it. He said he plans to return again next October.
I missed the last 2 weeks due to having a baby this past weekend. So who should show up for the last race of the season, but Levi Leipheimer from team Gerolsteiner. I’m guessing he’s probably the #2 guy in America, behind Armstrong.
Needless to say, he made childs play of the 20 mile road course, leaving most of the guys suffering on the hills. One guy did hang with him to the final sprint, sitting on his rear wheel for the last 7 or 8 miles.
One of my buddies rode most of the course with the lead pack. He said he was quite nervous riding some of the tight corners with Levi on his left side. He was envisioning the headline in Bicycling magazine – “Local hack takes out Leipheimer”.
Pretty cool stuff. After the ride everyone went out for pizza and beer (the root variety for the LDS guys). He gave away a pair of arm warmers and a polka dot jersey from the Tour of Germany, which he won this year. They say he was a very cool guy, down to earth and easy to talk to. I’m bummed I missed it. He said he plans to return again next October.