Great report. It sounds like you had a fun time. So did you work your way up to the pros like Hincapie? Anyone wearing CRCA or other jersey's? The organizer, somewhere promised lots of prizes for all. Who won the bikes?

Fantastic report Neil. Could almost taste that full road closure. Glad it turned out to be a success. Re prizes, NYvelo said AXA treated the Fondo like an ATM.

Okay, I googled me up some results. George was not listed. But there were other familiar names at the top end of the results sheet. John Loehner, Danial Zmolik (who was beat in his age category by some Eye-talian dude), Chad Butts, Michael Margarite, James Mattis (former pro teammate of Chris Horner).

We stopped moving up the pack and stood for maybe 10 minutes (which of course felt like forever as hundreds of cyclists passed by) at the top of Alpine to wait for some of Jorge's buddies so we lost the chance of making it to the very front--not that we necessarily could have anyway. By the time we were on the 9W approach to Bear Mountain the fast folks in front who were taking the ride "seriously" were already on their way south on 9W. Then again, we had stopped for bananas and bagels and banter at the prior rest stop and Jorge and company lost time waiting patiently for yours truly at the top of every climb on the trip up.

I believe local Comedy Central/SID's rider and all around cool person, Sarah Chubb won her age category and she and her husband Pascale won the "couples" category. Sarah, a very strong rider in her own right, but more sprinter than climber, mentioned that that Pascale literally pushed her up all of Perkins while she chatted with George Hincapie, who was "slacking off" and just kind of lightly spinning up the climb.

oh man

that was great reading, neil

as john said, "i could almost taste that full road closure"

i would totally do this next year.

also: the "nihilistic guerilla theater of a Critical Mass ride" . . . BON MOTS!

Tutto bella! Great write-up. Sounds like a really memorable day in the saddle, and perhaps worth forgoing those (seriously awesome) bar-end plugs.

Also, good to hear Mitch is back out there doing his thing!

Great report Neil, described to perfection...Thanks for joining for the ride!
In my experience, was totally worth it, really enjoyed the day and the organization was amazing.
Looking forward for the next year.

Just got around to reading your Fondo report. What a great read and that the organizers pulled off adding a unique ride that isn't like the races nor the mass rides we are used to. Still not sure that I would want to part with my $200, but I am no longer thinking it was just for Freds.

I know people wanted to know about Hincapie, but the real question is... what did you do with the man purse?

See you on the road soon,

Patrick

@Patrick.
The Fondo-wear man purse complements my mandals so well it will become part of the summer beach ensemble. I decided that the Fondo refrigerator magnet is actually intended as a top tube magnet for steel bikes.
By the way , I didn't mean to convey the wrong impression. The Fondo was by no means totally Fred-free (TM). It just wasn't as a Fredilicious (TM) as I imagined it might have been.

Most importantly...CONGRATULATIONS on the nice finish yesterday!

Neil

I think that Fred-free(tm) and Fredilicious(tm) have just become part of my vocabulary. Am I going to owe you royalties for using them?

Patrick

Use of those words is royalty-free for any current Kissena member as long as they've paid their annual dues.

I'm currently in development on the term "velosomatic," which would have roughly the following two meanings:
(1) The state of mind of a riding partner when he/she describes the ailments from which he/she is currently suffering which will make it impossible for him/he to "ride hard" that day. Said rider then hammers away from you on the first climb of the day. An example of this use would be something like: "Harry was clearly velosomatic when he arrived to meet me at the bridge. The first thing he did was mention that his spleen had to be removed yesterday evening in an emergency procedure, that the stitches were tight and painful, and that the anesthesia was just wearing off, so we'd have to take it easy on the ride. As we hit the Alpine climb however he shifted into his big ring, looked over his shoulder at me, and sprinted away."
(2) The state of mind of a cyclist on a long ride characterized by the rider's feeling, cataloging, and obsessively worrying about every small mildly unpleasant bodily sensation he/she may be experiencing. Here's an example: "As he passed Rockland Lakes and velosomatism took hold of George, he realized that the dull pain in his hip was either caused by a progressive debilitating autoimmune condition or the high Q-Factor of the cranks on his rain bike."

I suspect that Jorge may be too modest to mention it, but the Gran Fondo has just published the list of riders who, as a result of their times on the climbs, are now eligible to race at the UCI Amateur World Chamionships to be held in Belgium in September and Kissena's very own JORGE AGUILO has qualified.

If you look at the list in the various age groups you'll see some familar names from the NYC race scene like Chad Butts, Mike Margarite, Dan Zmolik, and Dave Trimble. Considering that Jorge is only five races into his Cat V season, I think his accomplishment is all the more impressive. Let me be the first to congratulate him!

The list can be found here:
http://granfondony.com/images/other/qualifiers2011.pdf

I think I see Mitch's name there, too - nice work fellas!

David is right. I missed Mitch's name. Congratulations Mitch! I think that it makes it something like 2 out 3 for the kissenas who did the ride. Not a bad ratio.

Thanks for your words Neil, really feel honored by them!! Thanks Dave also...
Jeff Condon made it also, and beat the s.. out of me...and he is older!! congratulations Jeff and Mitch!! we can celebrate with some waffles and fries...

Jorge, Congrats!!! ...I thought you looked extra, extra fast this morning in PP! What's the price of airfare to Belgium these days?

That's great news, gents. Congratulations! Anyone contemplating making the trip?

I've done that crazy weekend trip before

http://granfondonj.com/home.html

Thought I'd pass it on. Seems saner than NY.

Congrats, guys! I will be in Brussels from August - December, if you guys wanna meet up/need a place to stay (depending on my living situation).

long trip - school?

From the organizer:

Hi:

I would like to invite your club members to participate in the first Gran Fondo in New Jersey.

More information at: www.granfondonj.com

There is a promotion on active.com starting on June 6th for 20% off our already reasonable prices of $99/$89/$79 depending upon the distances.

Five great rest stops with lots of food and entertainment. There will be whole weekend of activities in Morristown.

Please join us for a great ride.

Best,
Marty
Marty's Reliable Cycle
www.martysreliable.com
Gran Fondo NJ

is anyone interested in doing the gran fondo ny next may? it is on the 20th, and sounds like a lot of fun. info can be found at granfondony.com

David-

I plan on doing it again. My guess is that Jorge may do it as well. My description this past spring's GF is under the other topic "Gran Fondo, NY."

Neil

I will probably give it a shot, though I don't relish having to wear their kit. I'm so shallow.

David,

They gave exceptions to cyclists on teams that require riders to race in their kits. KIssena requires you to race in your Kissena kit, although this isn't a USAC race, so we can't really compel you to ride this in your kit. You can use that as an excuse not to wear their designed kit.

i'd much prefer to wear orange and blue. team unity and all. also, it hides my dad fat better.

Black is supposed to be slimming.

I'm doing it... Would be great to do it in the team kit

I plan on doing it hopfuly by than il be a better climper!!!