I don't see a Kissena jersey that looks like it was dragged through the mud for 50 miles. So I am saying no.

Craig Zolan said:

Can you find Harry in this picture:

Is anyone up for the Gran Fondo?? I believe the date is may 19th. I did it last year, and had a great time...a few others did it as well. Going to register this week.

I'm doing it for the 1st time. Did the Gran Fondo Gunks in September. It was a blast, only like 150 people...

Believe it or not I think I want to do this this year.

RYAN IS DOPING

I'm likely going to do it this year - I did hear that the logistics were pretty well f'ed last time around, but that the ride itself was car-free and really good.  Anyone know if we can wear the new kits, or are they still making people where those fugly green and black jobs?

I just checked their website, "The official Gran Fondo New York jersey is mandatory (included in the entry fee)".  It was a good ride, but I find the price a little steep (even factoring in the fugly green top), $265 + $13.25 entry fee!

Reviews from last year were pretty unanimously positive... PUTS ON SUNGLASSES...including Dave Anthony!

I did it last year with a friend from work. It was fine. The jersey is mandatory. This year it is primarily a fugly green color jersey. I didn't start with the racers but towards the back of the group which may have contributed to my issues. There were a few thousand riders in front of me which made the first 5 - 10 miles stop and slow go. It also made for long lines at the "rest areas" despite skipping the first one.

I'm not doing it again this year. Instead my work friend and I are likely doing the Montauk ride, starting from Penn and going all the way out. Less biker congestion and easier for my friend to manage due to the lack of climbing. Plus they have free beer at the end.

I'm kind of off the ginormous gran fondo thing. I did two last year and I'd prefer a mass start ride that was fewer than 1,000 riders. I may want to try the JPow gran fundo this summer - they have ice cream at the rest stops. That ride seems to be about right in terms of # of riders.

May I also suggest (though it isn't until September) the D2R2 which is potentially the most fun you can have spending all day climbing. It definitely calls for mtb pedals and compact cranks but is an awesome way to spend a day of riding.

There is also a high point nj to cape may ride. They have an official day to do it but you could do it any old time. Could be a blast.

@Jules UNANIMOUSLY GREAT DA ZING!... That was a doozy. 

John Malcolmson said:

@Jules UNANIMOUSLY GREAT DA ZING!... That was a doozy. 

Btw, did they ever release the name of that second doperer they caught? 

http://www.usada.org/media/sanction-guarini-972012

Yep a 49 year old dude from Italy...

Are people interested in signing up as a team? I think is it pricey but was a lot of fun last year. Also covenient start on closed gwb. Prices going up 31 mar..

@Floris I have signed up for this. anyone else? I would feel less fred-ish if i knew more Kissenas are doing it.

Just wanted to let you all know about a charity ride called the Seagull Century, October, 5, 2013.   http://www.seagullcentury.org  on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  I am signed up for this ride with Team in Training to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society both for research and direct service for people with blood cancer.  Follow this link to my fund raising page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/seagull13/ednolan   I hope you can help me reach my fund raising goal. 

go Ed!! 

Did someone say do-do-do-do-donuts?????????

Unless there is a really bad conflict with an important CX race I am IN LIKE FLYN for the donut thing.

Here are some of the details on the donut race: 23 miles - 7 laps of a 3.x mile loop with 1k on a dirt climb. For each donut eaten 3 mins is taken off your time. Google maps says it is 2hrs 20 mins from Brooklyn.

My bidon will be filled with coffee.  I will grow a surly, blue collar mustache.  I will get temporary tattoos.

The goal: Take off 36minutes.  Without upchucking.

I wonder if we can get a negative time?  Owens' wing should be better by then.

i think the donut race screams out for a team time trial format.   grab my wheel, boys, and the finishing time will be so negative people will think that we're still pinning on the numbers.

New team meme in the making?

It's that time of year to bump this thread. My short list for the Fall:

Bicycling Fall Classic it starts and ends at T-Town. Oct 6 $95 for 90 miles ($70 for the 50 miler)

Krempels King of the Road challenge. In Stratham NH. Oct 19. $45 plus a $150 fund raising commitment. Ted King's charity ride for a Traumatic Brain Injury rehab facility. It is a 100k ride. Going is a bit of a stretch for me but if someone is interested I think I can make it work.

CCNS Donut Derby - in East Haddam CT - Oct 26 (3 min time bonus for each donut eaten) $23 - 23 miles (3 mile loop (don't ask me about the math)) I'll be going and if others are coming, everyone is invited for BBQ (grilling more specifically) for lunch afterwards at my sister's house in Chester, CT. There is a lake across the street from my sister's house and depending on weather and water temp you can go for a swim too.

I can drive and take people to the first 2 events above.

Mmm...donut ride...

Thanks for the reminder, I'm in!

BUMP!

Let me know if you are interested in a BBQ and I'll figure out logistics for lunch after the donut race.

Here is a video of the donut race from 2 years ago:

http://youtu.be/ms-1Sut5vzg

I think I'm going with a 28 cassette (20% dirt hill) and no breakfast that morning. The race strategy has shifted a bit from the video since a donut is now worth 3 mins instead of 2.