Hopper #5 Ida Clayton/Spring Mtn. 'The Levi Effect'

[Carl Sanders]

Never quite know what or who to expect when one shows up to a local Grasshopper. On this day the route called for us to roll out of Santa Rosa bent for new territory east of town that promised a few steep climbs, a number of rough roads and one dirt descent over the course of 70 plus miles. Fat 25cc tires on the Madone would prove to be good gear for this mixed road terrain.

Amidst the assembling 100 or so riders in the grammar school parking lot at the edge of town, Levi Leipheimer makes an appearance, just a month out after getting hit by a car. The interest and growing excitement as Levi pedals through the crowd of riders is contagious.

Mig, the ride organizer, reminds us all of the ‘Rules of Engagement’, describes our route through three counties and sets us off down the road. Levi settles into the group some 20 riders back from the front as we roll out of town over Chalk Hill at a rather leisurely pace. Hard to believe I’m in a pack with a world class pro.

A left across Highway 128 brings us to the base of Ida Clayton, the first long climb of the day. Game on. Immediatley the group disintegrates, with Levi and 15 or so other riders pulling off the front. I fall into a steady pace up the steep grade with Gabe, a strong local lanky regular at Hoppers and Brian, a Terrible Two legend of multiple wins. Mig catches us near the top and leads us down the steep and rutted gravel washer board on the backside. Skittering hot into corners, jumping deep ruts at speed, the goal was just to stay upright and avoid flats.

Rolling across Highway 29 at the bottom we blow past Levi fixing a flat by the side of the road. Through Middletown, more riders group up as we turn south down Butt Canyon. From behind we hear a voice yelling ‘pull left...pull left!’ Levi has caught the chase group and is ready to whip us into shape.

Into a moderate headwind, Levi manages to direct our group of 15 riders into a remarkably fast pace line across the flats and rollers into Pope Valley. Mig, looks over, grinning ear to ear, asking 'is this was not the best $20 you’ve ever spent?' I couldn’t agree more. 

Among the riders now hammering out with Levi is George, a west Marin hard man, followed by Brian, Gabe and Marc, a Belgian hill masher who claims to have gone directly from mother’s milk to beer. The pace quickens and the group spreads out on a fast descent. Back into formation, I find that I'm holding Levi's wheel as we fall back then pulling him as we push forward. This is unbelievable! 

For 10+ miles we’re flying across the flats, up each roller and back down at a 25 - 30+ mph pace. Levi keeps it rolling calling out ‘hold his tire...watch your line...get in there!’ We actually start cranking through a modestly efficient pace line; each rider slipping into place, smooth and consistent. This is absolutely amazing!

Just before the neutral aid around mile 40, Levi, without even a glance back, drops our chase group pace line in search of the lead riders ahead. Most of the chase rolls into the aid, looking shattered. Levi has managed to use our momentum to catapult him back toward the lead. Brilliant. That is the last I see of Levi.

Four of us blast through the aid and back onto the course. A right Onto Ink Grade, our second climb of the day, I begin to work my way forward, buoyed by the adrenaline rush created by the ‘Levi Effect’ as George described it later. Still trading leads with Gabe and Marc over the top, we bomb down Howell Mtn. road to the Silverado Trail just east of St. Helena.

Carefully navigating the busy weekend wine country traffic, we work our way over to Spring Mountain for the final test of legs and spirit. Gabe and I lead off. Gimpalo Pesce follows close behind.  Everyone else falls back behind out of view, around a corner on the steep grade. Near the top Gabe pulls away, my chest pounds and legs seem ready to crack as I let him go. Giampalo sneaks past as my pace begins to slow a notch. 

Expecting the finish near the top of Spring Mtn., I gulp the last of my water and burn up the remaining matches.  Pedaling alone over the top, it appeared I was mistaken. The finish is nowhere in sight. Now rolling fast down the backside, I search for one more kick, one more match to carry me across the finish that must be just ahead!

I catch and pass Giampalo, sneaking out from behind some traffic as the road flattened near the bottom and then finally spy a tent by the side of the road that must be the finish. Out of the saddle, no looking back, I sprint for the tent finishing in 9th position overall with a time of 4:04. 

With broken leg and at least one flat, Levi still finishes with a winning time of 3:48. Incredible!

Best twenty bucks I'v ever spent. 

Onward to Boggs and the Terrible Two.

[Ryan Gibson]

Wow, what an experience, and  great write-up. For just a moment there I was on the bike with you in the paceline. Incredible! Oh, and great job on the 9th, sounds like a very strong field. See you at Boggs.