Monday, June 23, 2014

Moar Gran Fondo Updates

The mark of a truly great rider is the ability to focus on the task at hand no matter what the level of adversity. As you can see from this shot there are MRCistas that are taking the Gran Fondo almost as serious as some of the jerks that actually dope for these type of events.
So serious is this event viewed on the East Coast circuit that Velonews recently pulled Andrew Hood off the Tour de Suisse coverage and flew him all the way in from Europe to get the inside skinny on just what makes this event so spectacular.

VN: C-Dubbs, do you mind just going with Dubbs?

Dubbs: No problem Andrew, we are pretty laid back here at the MRC/NECS

VN: Your Fondo is going on right as the TdF pushes into the high mountains for the first time, do you see this as drawing interest and participation away from the event?

Dubbs: Not really, we offer the opportunity for our riders to get high in the mountains as well, uh I mean get into the high mountains (of the Catskills). It really is all a matter of preference, french roast coffee and red wine or kick ass on-the-course espressos and the finest micro brewed craft beers. Hell we don't have any tolerance for that Euro kind of shit, unless of course it is a Colnago. C'mon, which would you rather do, wheelchair quarterback a climb in the Alps with Phil Liggett or get on board a man train along the Wallkill river powered by excitement and a cooler full of beers at the end. Besides we don't have random drug testing, only random drug taking.

VN: Your comments tend to make one think this is a fast and loose event with anything going.

Dubbs: Not quite, we run a tight ship. With a steep 6 pack entry fee everyone is expected to consume some mind altering substance along the ride. To ensure a good time for all there will be the super secret cooler stop.

VN: Prudhomme is able to bring in top teams such as Sky, Tinkoff and Garmin and their top riders. Who do you have and how do you manage to get them here rather then France?

Dubbs: Top teams, from what I hear the ethics can be a bit questionable and those "marginal gains" come in the form of TUEs and Tramadol. We have most of the New East Coast Syndicate, MRC and a smattering of the kings of the non race peleton, Team Seagal. I fully expect to see the first half dominated by the likes of Braveheart who will put on a display of powered by excitement that would make Marcel Kittel's power meter jealous. Hopefully MacGyver will be there pulling the man train down Springtown Road.

VN: Teams work together to get their leader to the line with the lowest overall time to secure the Malliot Jaune, just what is the focus at your Gran Fondo?

Dubbs: We take a different approach with the winner being based on most and not least only this year it will be the highest overall score in our post ride playoff which will also mean the most booze consumed by the winner. (looking at his watch) Andrew I really have to get going to fine tune some of the logistics for the event. I can tell you this, Saturday 7/12 with a rollout at 9:00am from Casa de C-Dubbs (668 Sand Hill Road, Gardiner) followed up with a great BBQ. Showers will be available on premises so don't forget to bring a towel.




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