Whistler Gran Fondo
#27
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He was wearing a helmet. He went down right near me.
He was trying to pass on the left of a group and his front wheel went into a drainage grate.
The bike stopped VERY suddenly and he went down, basically face first.
He was trying to pass on the left of a group and his front wheel went into a drainage grate.
The bike stopped VERY suddenly and he went down, basically face first.
#28
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I was one of those riders you passed on Sunday going back in the rain ;-) Luckily it wasn't me that had the flats, two of my club mates did. I also stopped with another club mate to help a guy who had flatted. First part of ride back was nasty. Second part was not so bad as it was hillier, so working up those kept us warmer.
#29
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I did the trial run of this event last year with the organizers in a somewhat leisurely fashion on a hot day in just under 5 hours.
This year, my ride time was 4:18, and final time 4:21. I was riding strong but not racing, not spending too much time drafting, and finished strong. I was a bit hesitant to hammer as last year, I was hurting in the last half (due to not eating enough in the morning of the ride, and not the pace) so I wanted to ensure that I paced myself well this time. Now, I wish I had been more aggressive to finish under 4 hours. Several people I know who are GOOD cyclists bonked as they were too aggressive early on.
I had not planned on riding back, but several of my club mates were, so there I was. I didn't have proper rain gear so scrounged some up, FIrst half was nasty. Surprisingly, I was worried about my sit bones as they were hurting for the last half of Saturdays ride, but felt fine on Sunday. I was hoping for no flats, as it would be no fun at all to change one in that weather. 4 of us riding back are in our 50s, we had one youngster at 35. Truth be told. though the ride back was cold and wet, you enjoy those epic rides, more so after the fact.
At present, I have not signed for next year. One, the fees have increased, and two, I have done this ride twice, time for another challenge. Well organized though.
I did have one beef with some riders. There would be small groups of club riders passing. Inevitably, they would keep cutiing in to their right, forcing me farther and farther right till I was in danger of ending up in a ditch. There seemed to be a certain arrogance of "We are coming through, get out of our way" I have no problems with you passing, just keep your damn line. As club riders, they should know better.
Last edited by cervelo-van; 09-20-10 at 07:26 PM. Reason: add photos
#30
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Some hopeful news:
John Botelho, a Victoria accountant injured in last weekend's RBC Gran Fondo mass bike ride to Whistler, is now conscious after spending several days in an induced coma at Lions Gate Hospital.
Read more.
John Botelho, a Victoria accountant injured in last weekend's RBC Gran Fondo mass bike ride to Whistler, is now conscious after spending several days in an induced coma at Lions Gate Hospital.
Read more.
#31
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Thanks for pics Cervelo-van.
#32
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The RBC Gran Fondo Facebook page says they are already 70% sold out for 2011.
#33
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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I was going to do the ride on my Rodriguez fixie, but as a rolling mechanic. I had volunteered on the web site many months ago, got a confirmation from somebody, then that's the last I ever heard from them, so I didn't even bother to show up.
I thought $200 for one ride was a bit much. I sure hope they gave all the entrants a "free" jersey at least. Somebody made quite a few bucks...
Luis
I thought $200 for one ride was a bit much. I sure hope they gave all the entrants a "free" jersey at least. Somebody made quite a few bucks...
Luis
#34
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I sure hope they gave all the entrants a "free" jersey at least.
The volunteers did quite well though; they all got Lululemon hoodies worth about $100!
#35
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I was going to do the ride on my Rodriguez fixie, but as a rolling mechanic. I had volunteered on the web site many months ago, got a confirmation from somebody, then that's the last I ever heard from them, so I didn't even bother to show up.
I thought $200 for one ride was a bit much. I sure hope they gave all the entrants a "free" jersey at least. Somebody made quite a few bucks...
Luis
I thought $200 for one ride was a bit much. I sure hope they gave all the entrants a "free" jersey at least. Somebody made quite a few bucks...
Luis
Traffic cones for 120 kms, closed lane on the highway and the fee to Province of BC, policing and overtime costs, fee to the city of Vancouver for closing the streets downtown, permits, rentals at the convention centre, rental at the community centre in Squamish, rentals and fees in Whistler and road closures up there. Etc.
Greatly doubt anyone made money on this one.