This happened back in March, and this is what I can remember now. I had downloaded the pics to Blogger on my iPad and then ran into the usual issues between the two. I fired up my ancient MacBook for the first time in months, and after a few sprays of starter fluid in the carbureter got it up and running. And now I’m back on the iPad.
Due to the incredible winter weather we had in February, many of the paved and gravel roads of the traditional Gran Fondo Ephrata route were near or flat out impossible to bike. For the 80 miler, the course was re-routed to one of Vicious Cycles' regular road rides, and the Medio 50 miler was turned into a 35 miler - a hilly 17 mile loop on paved roads biked twice, another regular ride for the club. I had signed up for the Medio and was bummed out we wouldn't ride Overend Road, wasn't sure if a 35 mile was worth the drive. But I thought we should make the best of the situation and go for it. Besides, we'd get to bike down the super fast, super fun Sheep Canyon Road twice!
I brought my Salsa Vaya, which is my trusty gran fondo/charity/century/commuting machine.
Decisions, decisions, what to wear. The weather was nice and sunny, but it could still be cold at the 3,000' level that time of year. I ended up with smartwool tights, long and short socks, knickers, t-shirt, and long sleeve. Maybe two t-shirts, not sure now.
Oh and I forgot my 5Tens, so had to go with my everyday Vans made of thinner material.
The Medio crowd, started an hour after the 80 miler.
Up in the hinterlands, bright sun, bright snow. I had a good climb the first lap, and biked up to a group who were pedaling just a little slower than me. I didn't want to slow down and ride with them, so instead of losing some momentum, I rode on by. I don't get many opportunites to pass.
The riders spaced out after the climbs up Johnson Rd and Sagebrush Flats Rd.
Arnold lowered his saddle after the first lap, then zipped up the hill the 2nd time. My second go around was a bit slower.
found my Vans were not keeping my feet warm on the 2nd time around, also.
Came back with mom's recipe for a family favorite. Raisins are not optional in my book.
that’s all, looking forward to another go at it next March 15, registration opens Feb 1. http://rideviciouscycle.com/events/gran-fondo-ephrata/
In other news, the left brifter* on my 2013 Vaya is broken and I’m going to overhaul the bike. REI has the 2019 Salsa Vaya on sale -54 and 55cm sizes are available and I’m tempted by it. The plan right now is to change the crankset from 46/34 to 46/30 and go back to 11-36 cassette. I switched to a 11-40 or (11-42?) but it just doesn’t shift well. And convert to 650b tires. I’m not sold on the size but I could fit some wider wider tires for commuting over bumpy streets. Or I could just buy the 2019 model that accepts up to 700x45 tires with fenders or 700x50 without.
Nah... I’m keeping the 2013 model.
*I forget if that’s the current tarck(tm) approved usage
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