gran fondo colnago san diego 2009

Thus it was with great pleasure to read on this site among others, that someone finally put together a Gran Fondo in San Diego, CA, albeit way across the country from my home in Pennsylvania. I've never been able to ride the only other similar domestic ride that I am aware of, the Univest Grand Prix Cyclosportif, well, because I am the race director and staging manager, and I need to focus on getting other people on their two wheels that weekend.

Sometimes fate or coincidence smiles upon you, and I was able to conjure up several excuses to go to California just before the inaugural Gran Fondo Colnago, named in honor of the maestro of Cambiago, and benefactor of the event. I just happened to have some family business that needed to be taken care of in Los Angeles, and oh how convenient, I still have a road bike stored at my father's house there, and being an event director, it would have been a shame to miss such a unique opportunity for market research just 130 miles away. Fortunately registration was still open, and I was able to secure my spot in the starting grid, though the ride did sell out (1000 rider limit) the day before the ride.

With two rides to choose from, both starting from the same place, and partially overlapping, I had a tough decision to make: 45 flat (medio fondo) or 97 miles hilly (gran fondo)? While I had flown too far to ride only 45 miles, it has been a cold winter in Pennsylvania, and I didn't think I'd have a century in my legs. But, considering my last road ride was a wannabe Flahute adventure of five hours in the rain at a high temperature of 38 degrees, I decided I couldn't let the fine So. Cal weather go to waste, thus I let passion take hold, and off I went on the Gran Fondo course (as-if there really was another viable choice).

With a few rehearsed words in English, Signore Ernesto Colnago himself dropped the Italian Flag sending us and the leading armada of Ferraris and Ducatis (we were in Southern California after all) out of Little Italy and onto the streets of San Diego, up past one of the US Olympic Training Centers, into the canyons of the Eastern Regions of the County, returning to the city, and Little Italy later on.

I will spare everyone most of the grueling details of the parcours, except to say the seven mile climb of Honey Springs Road was indeed grueling; shocking! Once outside the city the route was scenic, and traffic disappeared. The hills and wonderful rest stops/feed zones broke up the field. The ride through the Olympic Training Center was a unique experience, where a photographer grabbed many a rider, myself included, to pose for a photo on a permanent 3-tier awards podium, perched in front of the Olympic Rings.

Those of us brave (silly?) enough to strap the timing chips to our ankles were timed on the climb up Honey Springs Road; awards were given to the fastest times. Needless to say I won't be challenging for any Polka Dot Jerseys in this lifetime.

Campagnolo (US headquarters is in the San Diego area) provided tech support, and to those willing, beer shots at the 60 mile point (it may be a Gran Fondo, and though California is Wine Country, we were so geographically close to the Mexico border that Tecate Beer was in order). I passed on the fermented malted barley, knowing I was going to have enough problems with the remaining 37 miles, and the head and cross winds that inevitably would blow in from the Pacific Ocean.

In true Gran Fondo fashion, there was generally good esprit d'corps. Fortunately my legs didnÕt let me down, though they did noticeably groan on several occasions, and after crossing the finish line under the Little Italy arch (who needs inflatable arches?), I, and all the other riders were greeted with a cold bottle of water and our finishers medals, before being invited to lunch; pasta of course. Ernesto and family were among the people all day, and quite happy to shake hands and to pose for photos.

The expo area was filled with all sorts of paraphernalia from the sponsors, which included Colnago, Speedplay, and Accelerade, but the highlight of the expo (at least to most aficionados) was the show case of dozens of vintage Colnagos and related articles from a group of Southern California Bicycle Collectors. Ernesto himself spent a good bit of time there, inspecting and autographing many of his labors of love.

In an amazing show of craftsmanship, legendary frame builder and restore expert Brian Baylis (formerly a frame builder with Masi) showcased a vintage 'tribute' bike, which even Ernesto didn't identify as an imposter. This is very impressive considering the number of fake Colnagos that have graced these shores for many years that Colnago has identified. And for those of you who are offended by Brian's reproduction, let me assure you this truly is a case of imitation being the finest form of flattery. Brian is a man of impeccable integrity, and occasionally produces tribute bikes for his own amusement/challenge, and never tries to pass them off as the real thing.

To sum up the ride, a good time was had by all, and the organizers did a quite respectable job considering this was a first time event. My love affair with sportives was restored, and I hope the US will take a cue from the UK's lead on this front. I think it is safe to say, that all who were there are anxiously awaiting the announcement of the 2nd annual Gran Fondo Colnago.

Among the souvenirs I picked up, was something special for mrwashingmachinepost, which I will let him gloat about later (after he receives his package by post), and a nasty case of sunburn, which just so happens to match the color of my finishers medal, and that of the marinara sauce on my post ride rigatoni.