Most Memorable Ride? Fondo, gravel, etc [Archive]

bthomas515

01-31-2020, 10:09 AM

ghcs

01-31-2020, 10:20 AM

I'm a big fan of the Hilly Billy Roubaix.
Morgantown WV, June 27, 2020.

Edit* wouldn't consider it a "once in a lifetime" though, as this year will be my 3rd. :)
Plenty of fun.

AngryScientist

01-31-2020, 10:24 AM

i mean, if it's truly the concept of "once in a lifetime" ride you are trying to make, i think you leave the country and do some of the big stuff in Europe maybe. Eroica?

turning 30 is pretty young though, you've got plenty of lifetime to do lifetime trips there young man.

FlashUNC

01-31-2020, 10:40 AM

Life is short, and I believe BWR is sold out.

Go do Roubaix. You won't regret it.

donevwil

01-31-2020, 10:44 AM

yarg

01-31-2020, 11:49 AM

Alps or Dolomites for sure. Do something like the Strada dell'Assietta which would include climbing col dell Finestre.

choke

01-31-2020, 11:52 AM

It's not a 'once in a lifetime' ride, but if you want to have a great time then my suggestion is Cino Heroica.

Black Dog

01-31-2020, 12:00 PM

I agree with Angry, Europe. For my big 5-0 my wife and I did the Cinghiale (https://www.cinghiale.com/) tour of the Alps and Dolomites. Riding in Europe may ruin you for riding in the US however.

In the US, how about riding the Great Divide or RAAM? I've done plenty of Fondos, most are certainly fun, but nothing I would consider once in a lifetime.

This. Having ridden in the Alps it is so hard to return to riding at home. Still worth it. If you are going to ride in North America then look into the Whistler Grad Fondo, the Highlander (http://highlandercycletour.com) in NY, or Ride the Rockies.

AngryScientist

01-31-2020, 12:07 PM

This. Having ridden in the Alps it is so hard to return to riding at home. Still worth it. If you are going to ride in North America then look into the Whistler Grad Fondo, the Highlander (http://highlandercycletour.com) in NY, or Ride the Rockies.

cool man, never seen that highlander one before. thanks.

merckx

01-31-2020, 12:07 PM

Nothing is once in a lifetime unless you are dead. Go to Europe. Leave the wife, kids and dog at home.

Ozz

01-31-2020, 12:22 PM

...turning 30 is pretty young though, you've got plenty of lifetime to do lifetime trips there young man.
+1

Is turning "the big 3-0" really a thing? I suppose so....

You're pretty young...make a list of rides you want to do...then do the ones you like again.

I didn't even start cycling until I was 30! I set my sights on RAMROD...did it a couple times and decided that was enough...

MattTuck

01-31-2020, 12:27 PM

Life is short, and I believe BWR is sold out.

Go do Roubaix. You won't regret it.

But, don't bring an irreplaceable bike ;)

AngryScientist

01-31-2020, 12:28 PM

Go do Roubaix. You won't regret it.

and if you ride tubulars, have a back-up plan :banana:

FlashUNC

01-31-2020, 12:36 PM

and if you ride tubulars, have a back-up plan :banana:

Vittoria Pit Stop and you're good to go.

Or if you're Craig Gaulzetti and you double flat in Arenberg, muddle over to the nearest cafe and hail the next taxi that comes by.

joosttx

01-31-2020, 12:54 PM

and if you ride tubulars, have a back-up plan :banana:

Real men don’t have back up plans! I had a spare tubular in my jersey. I didn’t flat. But that was my back up. There are plenty of people to help you. I think the real issue is how to get the the start from Roubaix. There’s a bus that’ll take you there but it’s a cluster.

I would recommend Roubaix because it is Roubaix but seriously it is the $hittiest route on some of the $hittiest roads in the $hittest part of France . And with all that it is awesome.

AngryScientist

01-31-2020, 12:58 PM

Real men don’t have back up plans! I had a spare tubular in my jersey. I didn’t flat. But that was my back up. There are plenty of people to help you. I think the real issue is how to get the the start from Roubaix. There’s a bus that’ll take you there but it’s a cluster.

I would recommend Roubaix because it is Roubaix but seriously it is the $hittiest route on some of the $hittiest roads in the $hittest part of France . And with all that it is awesome.

i was only ribbing flash because:

(A) the two (2) purpose built roubaix bikes did not finish roubaix.

(B) flash is too smug. he needs some ribbing once in a while.

:banana:

kingpin75s

01-31-2020, 01:02 PM

So I turn the big 3-0 this year. I also have status on Delta so get free bike travel. Am looking to do one of those only once in a lifetime style rides. Was hoping for another shot at DK but was denied :(

Anyone have any experience with similar stateside rides over the summer? I’m thinking like Belgium Waffle, some fondo, etc. Preference towards a road or gravel style because I suck at mountain biking.

Stateside and the DK was your first choice.

My immediate thought went to the Almanzo 100. A great ride that I had the good fortune to participate in from 2012 through 2016. DK may be the big boy, but the Almanzo is what defined the spirit of the modern gravel scene IMHO (biggest free race etc.)

However, my understanding is that the Almanzo is no more and the legacy has been picked up by Marty Larson and Ben Witt. It is now called the Heywood ride.

I believe it is now in the Northfield area of MN and that makes a lot of sense if Ben is involved. I can credit Ben for getting me to ride gravel more than just taking my Fat out on the rough west MN roads of the MN river valley. In fact, in 2011 I rode a 45 mile gravel loop with Ben and crew around the Northfield area and used that route in 2012 as well for my Almanzo training. Beautiful area and hope the best to Ben and Marty now that they are carrying the torch.

kingpin75s

01-31-2020, 01:04 PM

If you decide road over gravel, I really am a fan of the Triple Bypass in CO.

merckx

01-31-2020, 01:05 PM

180 kilometers of Vermont dirt will reset your compass. Do D2R2.

doomridesout

01-31-2020, 01:07 PM

Tour of the Unknown Coast. Go for sub-6 hours.

joosttx

01-31-2020, 01:07 PM

Reno2Cino.

Ride across California on dirt roads. SuperPro Racing is doing it soon. We did it twice on our own.

https://live.staticflickr.com/8187/30081459215_332d46f48f_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/8640/29408227524_d08d61b5f8_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/5811/29967441122_b65edd7648_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/8416/30068675126_b2a8379a04.jpg

donevwil

01-31-2020, 01:11 PM

Complete California's Triple Crown (http://www.caltriplecrown.com/schedule.htm)

shoota

01-31-2020, 01:11 PM

Black Dog

01-31-2020, 02:03 PM

cool man, never seen that highlander one before. thanks.

It's great. If you are interested in going this year let me know and will join you.

d_douglas

01-31-2020, 02:09 PM

As a non-competitive rider, I dont really see the need to ride in an epic organized race.

My most memorable rides have been at my leisure or with a few friends. I used to live in Europe and can confirm that the Alps do not disappoint. Our fellow PLer Gothard took my on a 17km climb up to the pass where Switzerland turns to Italy and that was mind-blowing. I have just randomly ridden through some epic alpine terrain in the Alps on my MTB. More recently, I recall three of us gravel riding locally on a muddy day here where we ended up crossing through people's farmland, riding single track, hitting rail trails, etc, for four hours and that was very memorable and fun.

I guess the bottom line is to find a beautiful place, have the free time and money, have the right people with you (possibly that means no one!) and just ride aimlessly in rain or sun, whichever you prefer :)
If I had these things in place I would look into the Alps, Norway, Iceland, Japan or parts of South America, but that is just me. Truth is that with kids, I dont have the time to commit two weeks to being without them and my wife, plus I dont have the money given family holiday obligations. I could definitely assemble some people who'd want to do it, though!!

In any case, it sounds awesome to me - organized or not ...

FlashUNC

01-31-2020, 02:28 PM

mtechnica

01-31-2020, 02:59 PM

Eroica CA was awesome.

Dromen

01-31-2020, 03:45 PM

DK 2015(muddy one)

Look585

01-31-2020, 04:57 PM

<snip>I think the real issue is how to get the the start from Roubaix. There’s a bus that’ll take you there but it’s a cluster.<snip>

Park near the finish in Roubaix
Put on your crappiest kit
Ride bicycle to Lille with nothing but tomorrow's kit on your back
Ride train from Lille to Cambrai
Ride bicycle from Cambrai to Busigny (or whichever crappy motel in a nearby town has a room left)
Abandon crappy kit in motel room
Ride to Busigny and on to Roubaix
Enjoy post ride beverage!

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697879200&stc=1&d=1397420251

alexihnen

01-31-2020, 05:11 PM

Cuban Gravel Crisis (Cuba, Missouri) (not my pic)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200131/158e85b699c7fb285901702e1f2fd888.jpg

Hocking Hills, Ohio gravel (search Ohio Gravel Grinders for many rides)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200131/b7bb5138364363da2af524bf3e190aaa.jpg

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Drmojo

01-31-2020, 06:02 PM

Pakistan to Chinese border
Sost/ Sust to the border turnaround pt of ride
Dirt road closed to trucks and cars due to lanslide
100 miles all above 10,000 ft
Sublime

mmfs

01-31-2020, 06:09 PM

How long you got?

If you can spare ~25ish days this is my recommendation:

http://www.bikenonstop.com

BryanE

01-31-2020, 06:39 PM

Breckenridge Firecracker 50.
The elevation hurt this flat lander but the views are superb.

bthomas515

01-31-2020, 07:36 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I just really started doing more organized, scenic rides within the last few years and enjoy the camaraderie and relationships. The 30 birthday just plays into getting a little birthday cash involved and doing a bigger ride.

MattTuck

01-31-2020, 08:17 PM

Reno2Cino.

Ride across California on dirt roads. SuperPro Racing is doing it soon. We did it twice on our own.

Why am I just hearing about this now? That sounds (and looks) incredible. It has one of the key ingredients for a successful event, a rhyming name.

FlashUNC

01-31-2020, 08:40 PM

Why am I just hearing about this now? That sounds (and looks) incredible. It has one of the key ingredients for a successful event, a rhyming name.

The views from the truck were better on 2 Reno 2 Cino.

https://live.staticflickr.com/4700/28391974239_a1d83e7ef3_b.jpg

joosttx

01-31-2020, 09:26 PM

Why am I just hearing about this now? That sounds (and looks) incredible. It has one of the key ingredients for a successful event, a rhyming name.

Here is the description from Super Pro. Mind you, we did our own version that ended up at hotels and Pandas Express’s, biker bars, and a town called Indian Dick, Ca.

RENO TO MENDOCINO - MAY 23 - 27, 2019 (five whole days!)
“It’s the best ride I’ve ever done in my life.” — Trevor Gerhardt, OG Gnar Shralper
A spectacular 5-day, 365-mile odyssey from Reno to Mendocino county (Fort Bragg). 2/3 dirt, 5,000ft net elevation loss. 38,000ft of climbing. Three major mountain passes.
You will ride some of the most inaccessible forest roads in California with breathtaking views, starting in the high-desert plateau and ending on the coastal California crags.
What we're all chipping in for / where you moeny goes:
Farm-to-face calorie fests each morning and evening, catered by Chef Dave of SuperPro Spring Classics and M5 fame. You can eat your fill and still come back for thirds.
Hot lunch on the route each day
Professional bike mechanic support from Boonville Bike Works
We haul your camping crap and book your campsite each day! You focus on the fun. We worry about schlepping.
A rad souvenir t-shirt!
Cold craft brews awaiting you at the campsite
Hydration mixes, energy bars and all manner of goodly science food to stave off the dreaded bonk
Ice cold sodas and snacks at strategic locations along remote sections of the route
Transportation for you and your bicycle back to the San Francisco Bay Area in a luxury bus
No less than three support wagons

martl

02-01-2020, 03:51 AM

my favourites:

- Big Dolomiti Giro: Canazei - Passo Fedaia - Caprile - Selva di Cadore - Passo Giau - Pocol - Passo Falzarego - Passo Valparola - La Villa - Corvara - Passo Campolongo - Arabba - Passo Pordoi - Canazei (3900hm, 120km)

- Trois Colles: St Martin d'Entraunes - Col de la Cayolle - Barcelonette - Col d'Allos - Colmars - Col de Champs - St Martin d'Entraunes (4100hm, 110km)

- Le Gorges: Puget Theniers - Gorge de Calamus - Guilleaumes - Gorge Daluis - Puget Theniers (2400hm, 79km)

KonaSS

02-01-2020, 05:55 AM

I would agree with what others have suggested, my most memorable and fun rides have been with good friends, and not necessarily events.

Certainly a course or type of ride that is challenging is part of it. Multi day = multi fun. A good friend an I call them big dumb rides.

That said, to do Roubaix would be awesome....

laupsi

02-01-2020, 07:27 AM

How long you got?

If you can spare ~25ish days this is my recommendation:

http://www.bikenonstop.com

This, truly “once in a lifetime”! perhaps when retired? How else would anyone have required mental servitude/fortitude? Anything that requires aero bars is a no go for me however, saw a single rider in event pics w/out them. Wonder how he managed.

d_douglas

02-01-2020, 09:09 AM

PS after all my ranting about not doing organized rides, I would love to ride the sparks Roubaix route :)

Kyle h

02-02-2020, 06:45 AM

We rode in Girona, Andorra, Northern Spain and Mallorca for our honeymoon and it was quite incredible. Would easily go there again. I would avoid BWR if you aren’t keen on MTB features on your gravel bike; it’s not loaded with them but there’s enough to ruin your day. Old Growth Classic in Santa Cruz was pretty awesome.

Johnnysmooth

02-02-2020, 07:38 AM

Dolomites
Simply gorgeous, challenging, wonderful people and food is delicious.
Few years back stayed in B&B in central location, Pinzolo during Giro. Saw three stages and had some amazing rides, eg start early, do one or two of the climbs they’ll be doing, last climb is up to see finish
It was Epic, especially seeing them climb the same stuff you were climbing. Those Giro riders are freaks of nature

Almost forgot to mention. That year Pinzolo was the rest day and during that day riders still get out for a couple of hr spin. They don’t mind so much if you care to join them on ride, just don’t expect them to wait for you

mmfs

02-02-2020, 11:28 AM

This, truly “once in a lifetime”! perhaps when retired? How else would anyone have required mental servitude/fortitude? Anything that requires aero bars is a no go for me however, saw a single rider in event pics w/out them. Wonder how he managed.

The vast majority of the riders were "pre-retirement" age. Mental fortitude was certainly the biggest challenge, at least for me!

At least one rider didn't have aerobars and finished toward the front of the pack in ~22 days.

It would be hard to beat my experience on BikeNonStop for a more "memorable ride"!

mtechnica

02-02-2020, 11:32 AM

Here is the description from Super Pro. Mind you, we did our own version that ended up at hotels and Pandas Express’s, biker bars, and a town called Indian Dick, Ca.

RENO TO MENDOCINO - MAY 23 - 27, 2019 (five whole days!)
“It’s the best ride I’ve ever done in my life.” — Trevor Gerhardt, OG Gnar Shralper
A spectacular 5-day, 365-mile odyssey from Reno to Mendocino county (Fort Bragg). 2/3 dirt, 5,000ft net elevation loss. 38,000ft of climbing. Three major mountain passes.
You will ride some of the most inaccessible forest roads in California with breathtaking views, starting in the high-desert plateau and ending on the coastal California crags.
What we're all chipping in for / where you moeny goes:
Farm-to-face calorie fests each morning and evening, catered by Chef Dave of SuperPro Spring Classics and M5 fame. You can eat your fill and still come back for thirds.
Hot lunch on the route each day
Professional bike mechanic support from Boonville Bike Works
We haul your camping crap and book your campsite each day! You focus on the fun. We worry about schlepping.
A rad souvenir t-shirt!
Cold craft brews awaiting you at the campsite
Hydration mixes, energy bars and all manner of goodly science food to stave off the dreaded bonk
Ice cold sodas and snacks at strategic locations along remote sections of the route
Transportation for you and your bicycle back to the San Francisco Bay Area in a luxury bus
No less than three support wagons

Not gonna lie that sounds awesome

Vientomas

02-02-2020, 11:41 AM

These look fun:

http://oregongravelgrinder.com/

XXtwindad

02-02-2020, 11:41 AM

Not gonna lie that sounds awesome

Yes, it does. Curious what tires you ran with that?

joosttx

02-02-2020, 11:47 AM

Yes, it does. Curious what tires you ran with that?

Rene Herse Barrow Pass 38mm

https://live.staticflickr.com/8393/30019182516_a7fd4e3e2d_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/8554/29453689594_fd3fd96e8b_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/8410/30081463055_ed078830a0_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/8119/29453706864_96ca422dfd_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/5033/29408960843_9e0680be08_b.jpg

XXtwindad

02-02-2020, 11:57 AM

Rene Herse Barrow Pass 38mm

https://live.staticflickr.com/8393/30019182516_a7fd4e3e2d_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/8554/29453689594_fd3fd96e8b_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/8410/30081463055_ed078830a0_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/8119/29453706864_96ca422dfd_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/5033/29408960843_9e0680be08_b.jpg

That's interesting. Those tires weren't on my radar. I'll have to take a closer look. Thx.

d_douglas

02-02-2020, 01:58 PM

That Reno2Cino ride indeed looks amazing

ultraman6970

02-02-2020, 05:01 PM

My most memorable ride. that century where i had to get off the bike like 3 times and go uphill walking, humiliating but brilliant because is more of a psychological thing than nothing. Rather end up the ride walking but end it than call a taxi :D

Have a bike ready for the 2020 edition, triple crankset with 30T cog in it... have intentions to ride more miles this year aswell. That should help!