Strawser finishes strong as Nevada City Bike Classic director

Duane Strawser

After the 50th anniversary race, the director says it’s time to move on

After declaring that the 50^th Annual Nevada City Bike Classic was “one of the smoothest races we’ve ever had,” director Duane Strawser also said that he had crossed a finish line in his career.

After 10 years in the bike saddle, Strawser is going to step down as the race organizer and devote more time to his Tour of Nevada City Bike Shop on Zion Avenue.

“I definitely don’t want to be the sole promoter anymore,” he said after 10 years on the job. “I will remain involved though.”

Strawser, who also was the local organizer of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California bike race that started in Nevada City, said the hundreds of hours he spends putting the classic together impacts his wife, Connie, and his 10 employees.

“It gets stressful for Connie and the employees at the shop,” he said. They have to literally answer hundreds of calls at the shop.”

When Strawser took over the Classic in 2000, it had just lost a major sponsor and seemed in danger of fading into history. Strawser found new sponsors and brought a sense of commitment to the race that allowed it to reach its zenith in 2009 when more than 30,000 screaming fans watched Lance Armstrong cross the finish line first.

The success of that race and the Classic’s track record of handling a large professional race were instrumental in persuading Amgen officials to start this spring’s race in Nevada City, which brought Armstrong back here along with the best bicyclists in the world.

The event filled the streets of Nevada City on a Sunday May morning and brought global media attention to the community.

It’s unclear, however, what the future is for the Nevada City Bike Classic even though Strawser has let it be known that end was just around the corner for him as the organizer.

“We’ve been putting the word out for two years now and nobody has obviously stepped up,” he said.

When asked if the 50^th anniversary race could be the final Nevada City Classic if no one stepped up, Strawser replied “I’m obviously hoping that’s not the case.”

In the meantime, Strawser said he is hoping to hear by mid-June or early July on whether Nevada City will be part of next year’s Amgen Tour of California bike race.

Strawser also joined the City Council in June after being elected to his first term earlier this year. It’s a job that will present new challenges, he said.

“I think it is going to be one of our most critical years in a long time,” he said of the issues facing Nevada City.