Columbia River Gorge Granfondo

[AnythingButKestrel]

http://www.echelongranfondo.org/portland/index.html

Anybody have any scoop on this? Good / Bad / Ugly. Anyone going to be there? And yeah, I'm already aware that the dough - at least some of it - is getting shunted to Livewrong(TM). I still like Horner and the ride *seems* like it'd be fun.

 

[mattmeskill]

I've ridden out there a number of times. It's beautiful if the weather holds. It can get very WINDY at times. There's also going to be a race within the ride. Maybe we'll get to ride with Horner. I've already ridden with Lance once - passed him - bad form I know. I dropped back accordingly.

 

[180mmCrank]

I am here now just pinning my number on my jersey getting ready to ride in the morning... hoping the rain holds off!

Wish me luck

 

[Guttercat]

So 180mm and ABKestrel, how'd it go?

I have a general aversion to big, (you'll not catch me doing STP) organized rides but there are a couple here in the PNW that interest me.

I heard excellent reports about this one, which had its debut last March. Remote, unique country, and has gravel road/pave mix. I didn't have a bike that would be agreeable to this sort of course. But now I do. Just might do it this time around.

Ephrata Granfondo
http://www.beezleyburn.com/2010 Gran Fondo.html

 

[180mmCrank]

It was a blast... here we are with Chris Horner at the rest stop just before the climb (I'm the big goofy guy at the back!)

 

[Guttercat]

It was a blast... here we are with Chris Horner at the rest stop just before the climb (I'm the big goofy guy at the back!)

No pic comes through on my end.

 

[180mmCrank]

That's weird... not sure why that would be. Can you see this thumbnail?

 

[Guttercat]

That's weird... not sure why that would be. Can you see this thumbnail?

Yes, thumbnail works. Great pic!

But your ride report consisting in its entirety of, "It was a blast"...is rather Hemingway-esque.

 

[180mmCrank]

The ride was well organised. It was small so a few hundred people. It was very low key. We all rode steady up out of Hood River - a stunning place - on a closed road for about 10km and then you move away from the river into what is basically arid desert! The road rolls up and down for 30-40km to the base of the climb. We all stopped at the feed station at the base ofthe climb and had a mass start ... the climb was timed separately from the rest of the ride. You could wait or ride on your own all very relaxed. The climb is like one long false flat with a few twists and turns but not steep anywhere really. It's a bit of a grind to be honest - but good and quiet roads - verysafe. It's 30km to the top. The decent is steeper and a bit more interesting. You basically descend all the way back into Hood River - there is the odd little climb but nothing too steep or long. (100 miles total)

As I said it was a blast!

 

[Guttercat]

The ride was well organised. It was small so a few hundred people. It was very low key. We all rode steady up out of Hood River - a stunning place - on a closed road for about 10km and then you move away from the river into what is basically arid desert! The road rolls up and down for 30-40km to the base of the climb. We all stopped at the feed station at the base ofthe climb and had a mass start ... the climb was timed separately from the rest of the ride. You could wait or ride on your own all very relaxed. The climb is like one long false flat with a few twists and turns but not steep anywhere really. It's a bit of a grind to be honest - but good and quiet roads - verysafe. It's 30km to the top. The decent is steeper and a bit more interesting. You basically descend all the way back into Hood River - there is the odd little climb but nothing too steep or long. (100 miles total)

As I said it was a blast!

Sounds great. A few hundred (500 or less) is about a perfect number, imho for this type of event. Much bigger and it's like the proverbial twenty clowns trying to get out of a Volkswagon.

And Hood River is a really nice community from what I understand.

Thanks for posting the info. Might have to look into it for future rides.

 

[AnythingButKestrel]

Sorry I missed it! I figured it would be a couple thousand riders being that close to PDX and all. And yeah, Hood River is bike town and a very nice place to stay. No shortage of good scenery and good eats.

I've got to get dialed in on the mountain biking there this fall.

I will definitely put the 2011 Ephrata gran fondo on the calendar.

 

[Guttercat]

Sorry I missed it! I figured it would be a couple thousand riders being that close to PDX and all. And yeah, Hood River is bike town and a very nice place to stay. No shortage of good scenery and good eats.

I've got to get dialed in on the mountain biking there this fall.

I will definitely put the 2011 Ephrata gran fondo on the calendar.

Be forewarned...Ephrata is nothing like Hood River.

 

[STODRR]

Be forewarned...Ephrata is nothing like Hood River.

That looks like a pretty difficult ride. I haven't been there in quite a few years but on that one section around palisades when the creek goes off into the rocks there are some great swimming holes and water falls to cool off if it is a hot day.

 

[Guttercat]

That looks like a pretty difficult ride. I haven't been there in quite a few years but on that one section around palisades when the creek goes off into the rocks there are some great swimming holes and water falls to cool off if it is a hot day.

From what I've heard it's "Indy".... more down to earth and "back to the bike" than some of these Mega-Events that hold no inspiration for me whatsoever. And yes I live near there and I've heard about those swim holes.

The reports I heard locally was that indeed it's not easy, but well worth the time. I'm looking foward to it as an early season training-gig next year (no swimming in March/April.... brrrrr! )

I hope this event keeps going. Will be interesting to see how it grows.

 

[AnythingButKestrel]

Be forewarned...Ephrata is nothing like Hood River.

Yup. I've been there, but it's a lot closer to home than PDX.