Sunday, Not Saturday

F up royale - Gran Fondo is Sunday, not Saturday!

Fondo Course Details - Tour de Espresso

Knowing my computer skills can rival that of a 1 year old I am sure I botched the mapmyride.com link so here is a real brief summary -
From the house we will pedal to Long Lane for the first sprint (mile 2.5), through the cult like village Watchtower and then head over to the Alp. Then to 44/55 where you have the biggest climb of the ride to the Trapps bridge. Clove Road to High Falls and over to 209 where we stop for refills (this is the last water stop until mile 57) and of course being an MRC non race - ESPRESSO!!! With hands shaking we head north onto Tongore Road to Hurley to Ashokan. Here you will be treated to an incredible gorge crossing before licking your way up Beaverkill Road. Once at the end it's Northeast around the Ashokan for the second sprint (mile 43.5) and then to 28 where we head west, and the third sprint (mile 54.5) before a stop at the MRC's favorite espresso station - Gracie - where you can refill bottles. Across the Ashokan, onto the bike path and then the speed run down 213 to Stone Ridge. Over to High Falls where we have the option of a craft beer bar stop or a quick espresso/water bottle refill (mile 72) which is also the last water stop. Right before High Falls it is up the Vuelta like climb up Elling Road and then another fast run to New Paltz. If your thirst is up there is the optional Guilded Otter pint stop or onto Albany Post Road before getting onto 44/55 and into Gardiner. Then it's a nice 3 mile warm down before the BBQ.
Remember to bring towels and change of clothes, there is an outdoor shower under the deck. BBQ is beer, moar beer, even moar beer, oh yeah some burgers, dogs, potato salad and macaroni salad. See you Saturday!

Gran Fondo 2013 Route

As promised it will be kinder and gentler then in past years and finally it looks as though the weather gods are on our side with temps forecast in the mid 50's (remember 2012 - heat & 2011 - pouring rain)! The course features 92.88 miles of tain massaging rolling terrain with an elevation gain of only 2860'.
If I didn't totally fuck this up you can preview the course from the link below or go to www.mapmyride.com and look up MRC/NECS Gran Fondo 2013. Remember to bring a superio attitude and superior state of mind for the 8:30 rollout. Sprint points/beers will be awarded at 2.5mi, 43mi & 55mi with the 55 mile sprint being followed by a mandatory MRC espresso stop at Gracie.

Less Then A Beer A Day Away

Yes that is right, if you were to buy a six pack and drink a beer a day you would still have one on Gran Fondo day. Here are the lucky ones -

The Mayor
Top Chef
Braveheart
Mrs Top Chef
Raveinator
C-Dubbs
Obamador + 3
Brian Man of Steel
Senor Aguacaliente + 2
Rich The Masher
MacGyver
Chris Vohl
Kerri Martin
Bobby "Not Over 40 Miles"
My Cousin Vinny
Frank
Rob
Chuck

The Not Quite Wildcat 100

Stupid is as stupid does and sure enough stupid couldn't resist having another go at a farewell dirty century. That was mistake number one, mistake number two - despite the Bear Mtn Beatdown and Cinco de Mayo on the Alp - the only time I was in worse shape was for my first race and mistake number three - having never done it, thinking it could be fun to do this in the rain.

Knowing a lot of the area the WC100 sounded like a good time, a lap around Williams lake then onto the rail trail before hitting a lot of carriage roads (all that I knew really well) a big road climb (done that one dozens of times) shouldn't be too bad. Sure called that one wrong, after a good steady rain all night long Williams Lake was a muddy lactic acid filled conga line that dished out a wonderful helping of technical LT effort riding, an ideal way to warm up for a long day in the saddle. Add to that humidity running right at 100% yet not providing that cooling rain and it didn't take long to become a stinking pile of poly pu.

Finally escaping the hell of Williams Lake I was ready for some roads and freshly mowed fields to ride across before getting to my old training grounds at Monhonk and Minnewaska. Not quite so fast on that one, heading up the Keater Avenue climb rather then spinning it out on the rail trail for a few miles we were funneled into Larson's Loop. Never heard of it, had no idea it was there and when it is dry out I want to go ride it again but today fuck that, it was another long section of technical muddy that by the time it came to an end my thighs were so full of lactic acid the looked like these.

Half way to the first rest stop and I was almost out of fluids, planning for this one left a little something to be desired. And now it was onto the carriage roads and some long grinders. Normally this is where I love to ride but not now. Then the random thoughts started, maybe the 100k instead, just a little extra climbing and it would be a coast. Then reality set in, Larson's Loop and a climb back up to Williams Lake and god forbid some single track there and I started praying that Beth would be my parking saviour rather then bottle bitch. Struggling into the rest area with temps dropping and rain coming down hard it was a no brainer - either head down the 6 mile road descent and freeze my nuts off or have Beth pick me up and in 20 minutes it would be a hot shower and fine glass of red wine. I gave it about a nano second of thought and pulled the phone out and called for the rescue squad.

Well it appeared to have finally happened, after 18 successful 100s the streak was over. But alas I am saved by sloppy course markings and last minute course changes, it was only 92 miles - still 18 for 18 but definitely done with this.

Gran Fondo Time

Get the word out, less than 2 weeks to the event that started it all, the MRC/NECS Gran Fondo. Need to have an idea on who is coming so let me know by blog post or email so I have enough food and don't forget the exorbitant entry fee - a six pack (no PBR/Bud/Miller/etc). 5/26, 8:30 roll, Casa de C-Dubbs (668 Sand Hill, Gardiner).

Denied!

I heard of some dumb rules but I near sh*t myself when I read this one: The following race rules apply for the Wildcat Epic 100 MTB Race.

• 3. Bicycles
• 3.1.  Only Mountain Bikes (No cyclo-cross bikes please) in good working order will be allowed to start the race.

I mean let's be serious, if I am stupid enough to want ride a Cx bike for 100 miles then I should be allowed to. Just imagine all of those miles of trails with both arms shaking like they are jerking off a couple of elves and my taint taking a pounding like it was at Criss Angel's summer camp.

I have been spending a lot of time on that bike lately, my sore taint will avow to that, and after bombing the entire Alp d' Minnewaska in the drops and hitting 36mph on those 35s I was really pumped.  But all that has come to an end, thanks Captain Bringdown.

All is not lost, my trusty old friend will guide me to one fantastic party ride around the hood.

See you on the non race course this Saturday.

Gran Fondo's First Winner

Once again the astute non racer is constantly trolling the NECS/MRC blogs of choice tidbits of useless information and bulletins of upcoming non races. Today El-Obamador did just that and being the first to sign up will be rewarded with the coveted "I entered first and you douce bags didn't" growler.
The cracks are beginning to show in dam and we expect a torrent of entries to come flying in. Remember non race day is Sunday 5/26 with roll up at 8:15 in the man cave and roll out at 8:30 from Casa de C-Dubbs at 668 Sand Hill Rd. be there or f&*k off!

2013 Gran Fondo Non Racrs

El Obamador
MacGyver(aka Binky Boy)

Braveheart

Top Chef
Mrs Top Chef

C-Dubs
The Mayor
Chris Vohl