Weekend Racing Report - February 18, 2006

Schabobele Road Race – California, Kentucky

The report is that there was no race. The race was CANCELLED! Incredibly and against all weather predictions, Northern Kentucky was hit with snow the morning of the race. About 3-5" of the stuff. I- 75 was closed there in N. Kentucky/S Ohio. Roads were awful.

There was no way the race could proceed.

We were fortunate to get down there Friday afternoon and took a recon ride of the course. This ride almost made the whole trip worthwhile. The course has been expanded to 15.4 miles of what was the most interesting strip of pavement I've ever ridden. The climbs and descents from last year were there. The "Toaster" climb still had a section of 25% grade with switchbacks.

What was really interesting was the new 5 mile section. This included a climb that was as steep as the "Toaster" and about 2x as long. I'd say about 1 kilometer long at 15%-20% grade. After that, there was 4 miles of rollercoaster ups and downs with some banked turns. The descents were fast and the climbs were big-ring types which you could carry momentum up and over. The road would just fade away over little grassy knolls off into the distance. I was in heaven.

Unfortunately, the snow moved in about 4am Saturday morning and that's all she wrote. The promoter is saying the race will be held this coming weekend, Feb 25/26 for those interesting in trying again.

My prediction is that if the race would have been held in good conditions, it would have been a classic and you'd be hearing stories about it for the next 12 months from all those who attended.

If you have a chance, I'd say, give it a try.

Check out the promoters site at:

http://www.godzulla.com/

The "Toaster" climb covered with snow & ice.

Ice encrusted bikes.