loopybunny

Anybody registered for Levi's Gran Fondo in October? I'm considering the Piccolo Fondo version but I'm not at all familiar with Sonoma Co. roads. I hear it's hilly and even though it's only 35 miles someone told me it could be tough. Anyone familiar with the course routes and have more info on what it's really like?

Otherwise, I'm totally on board with the cause and may volunteer or just donate money.

Thanks!

JoelS

I'm still considering...

scottmorrison99

Me too. I'll be done racing for the year. No organized centuries thus far. Maybe.

cantdrv55

I think I'll do the metric.

Beaker

I was sorely tempted, but the Diablo Challenge on the following day has been a goal for me in 2009, so I'll pass and hope Levi comes back for another go next year.

Beaker

Hey, great to hear from you Tod! Now, I'm even more bummed that I won't be making the Grand Fondo. Hope to catch you on a NorCal ride some time?

Richard

Ty.S

Oct. 3 is the opening day of the LKHC as well.

brentley

I am doing the medio fondo and then riding the diablo challenge the next day to survive.

Steve90068

I will be doing the medio fondo, sounds like a good time!

Wall-e

I signed up for the Medio Fondo with a friend. It will be the longest (and hilliest) ride I have ever done. I am looking for people to train with if anyone is interested.

bigbenaugust 

I think I just signed up for this one (the Medio) with a friend. Longest ride I've done in 5 years. I will probably be the fred-est guy there (especially since I'm borrowing a road bike).

ken cummings

Think of who rated the rides. He had been seen doing laps on the biggest climb here, Pine Flat, 3000 feet in about 10 miles. And 14 to 16 minutes faster then any winner of the annual Pine Flat Challenge.

RayP

Riding the full century. I will probably be sorry as I am a 200lb'er and not a great climber.

The roads are not great in many areas, bumpy, patched and narrow is the best way I can describe many of them. The scenery is quite impressive, however. I was raised on the west side of Sebastopol about 15 miles from this area.

Some of the route is also on very busy roads, although now it looks like the CHP is going to handle the intersections.

It would probably be a good idea to go out and ride King Ridge and maybe Coleman valley before the ride weekend. These are the two hardest climbs in the ride, although I think the shorter routes might share only Coleman Valley. I put some miles in riding in the general area last weekend and will be out in the area several times between now and then. My sister's husband and some others are riding as well, so we are planning on training together in the area.

The weather will be a crap shoot at that time as well. Fall can be the best time on the coast up there, with less wind and fog, but it could also be rainy.

Ray

Trader_Joe

Working on convincing two coworkers to sign up for the medio fondo with me...

BudFox

Did King Ridge/Skaggs Springs Rd./Dry Creek Rd. on Monday. Be glad the Fondo doesn't include Levi's favorite part, Skaggs Springs. That road nearly killed me. It got up to 105 degrees, very little shade, and monster grades up to 15%. There was no food and only one water stop for 75 miles.
As far as King Ridge goes, it has some steep parts but there is shade along the way. Take tons of water and electrolyte pills.

galyons

Looks like it would be a great ride. But, for me, sounds like way too many folks on the roads! The Mendocino Harvest ride is the next day. I have done this ride before. It is a great ride!!

Cheers,
Geary

platypus

I'll be there with a couple of friends doing the Medio distance. If you spot a big guy on a green Colnago, come say hi!

starvingdavid

I'm in for the Medio, wish there was still room in the Gran. I am trying to get my cousins to join as well. Kind of pricey, but I think it will be well worth it.

subframe

I'm in.

loopybunny

Thanks for the input. I've kind of decided to put this in the back of mind and perhaps set it as a goal for next year (seems like it's pretty successful so far, so I'm assuming he'll do it again). The logistics of it just won't work and it'll get crazy expensive for me to stay the weekend and such.

Plus, my friend won't do it. I'm a wimp, need a friend with me.

wookie

ill be there doing the 100!! and hoping to keep up with levi, and hoping he will be going slow

cravenmonket

I'm registered for the 103-mile, which re-opened recently (for any of you who couldn't sign up for it before and had to settle for the Medio). I have a friend coming with me for company, too, although it looks like there'll be <1000 riders doing the Gran Fondo, not to mention those doing the other rides.

loopybunny

Oh boy... change of plans. Now my friend wants to do the Piccolo Fondo.

Still worried about the climbing. The best I can tell, most of the climing is at one time and I'm totally not a climber! Like seriously not a climber as I found out yesterday when I had to stop and walk my bike up a 7% grade (of course, I was already almost to the top of the hill at that point, but oh well).

Also, can this be done on a mountain bike (again, worried about the climb, not the distance) or should I move up my date of purchase of a road bike?

save10

i would be doing if i wasnt going to be in ireland. poor me

subframe

105-miler for me.

I'm scared.