Did anybody do the Grand Fundo in Southampton MA?

[merlinmurph]

Just curious....

This is one fantastic ride and a really nice event and I'm wondering if any paceliners made it there. 67 mile ride in western MA, with about 20 miles of dirt.

I did this ride last in '14 and remember doing it no problem.
Just got back from it today and my head is spinning. In the middle part of the ride around mile 30, nothing looked familiar, and I was getting whacked. The section between the first (mile 21) and second rest stops (mile 42?) was just endless, lots of dirt with steep climbs. I was crushed by the second stop wondering what the heck happened in 4 years.

Searching Strava, I found that I did it last in '14. This year's version is a little longer, with about 1900 ft more climbing and a lot more dirt. I don't feel so bad now.

67 miles, 6864 ft vert

Highly recommend this ride, esp if you're someone who loves D2R2.

[merlinmurph]

Nobody? Really??

[dbnm]

You know, I asked about the Iron Horse in Durango that happened a few months ago, and I got the same response. Nothing.

Weird and surprising.

[AngryScientist]

darn.

why did i not hear about this sooner.

i've been on the road a bunch, but this looks like a good one.

maybe a good route to knock out solo?

any chance for water/snack stops in the middle of the ride ?

[merlinmurph]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

any chance for water/snack stops in the middle of the ride ?

Man, there's nothing I remember.
The first rest stop (mile 21) was in front of the Chesterfield General Store, but after that, it was bleak until Williamsburg (55?).
The great thing about these rides is that there's nothing around, which makes it tough for water/food.

Maybe knock on someone's door.....

BTW, the ride is a fundraiser for Jeremy Powers' JAM fund to help kids in any kind of bike racing. I've never met Jeremy, but he seems like the Nicest Guy in the World and started JAM cycling over 10 years ago. They handed out grants to at least 15 kids trying to get into racing of any kind - BMX, mtb, road, cross, etc. The youngest was 11(?) and went up to college kids. JAM has a team, too. Good stuff.

[jrsbike]

Is there a web site for this so I can consider it for the future? What kind of bike do you use? Road or gravel?

[merlinmurph]

Link is above, but here's the link for the event

The two times I did it previously, it was on my Merlin road bike with 25mm tires, compact crank with a 29T cog on the back, and that was fine. There were a number of people yesterday with similar setups.

Yesterday, I had a Seven with 28mm tires, compact crank and a 32T cog in back. With a different course (read "harder"), I'm reconsidering. That worked fine, but there seemed to be more dirt and looser dirt. Mid-course, there were a number of steep climbs where you really had to watch your line. There was a road that had just been graded with lots of loose gravel. Maybe a 32mm tire would have been nicer. My dirt wheels for the Seven are 40mm, and I saw a number of people with larger tires. There are endless discussions on tire choice, and everybody is different. My point is that with the different route, I'll use something different next year.

Plan on it next year.

[Bruce K]

JPow is, as you say, one of the really good guys in cycling.

Personable and talented.

It’s a shame his recent cardiac issues derailed some of his results.

BK

[polyhistoric]

Yes - second year in a row I've done it and was totally cooked by the end. The numbers are deceiving, as 2/3 of the climbing occurs really early on. The dirt/gravel sucks some energy making the effort that much greater and the new "adventure/cx" sections were pretty burly.

I was riding my Seven with 37mm Specialized Triggers (Tubeless) and a 34/46 double to a 11/32. Wish I had a 36 in the rear to spin up some of those hills.

J-Pows and the JAM Fund put on a great event. The food and support is top notch (fluffernutters, pickles, ice cream truck). It is really an exceptional event.

[merlinmurph]

Originally Posted by polyhistoric

I was riding my Seven with 37mm Specialized Triggers (Tubeless) and a 34/46 double to a 11/32. Wish I had a 36 in the rear to spin up some of those hills.

Did you have the painted ti Evergreen, fairly large size?? During the raffle, I was sitting outside the tent and one was right in front of me.

I agree, it's just a nice event. Good size, not too big, nice venue, good food and beer, great cause, great crowd.

[polyhistoric]

Originally Posted by merlinmurph

Did you have the painted ti Evergreen, fairly large size??

If that was the purple with the harlequin blasted logo, not mine but a friend's.

Mine was bare with the black/gold outline decals.

[christian]

My in-laws used to live in Westhampton. I've ridden all those roads dozens of times. It is some of the finest cycling in the US. It rivals D2R2 in my mind.

[eippo1]

Looks like a good event. Was out that way this weekend, but a bit further north in Greenfield for the Green River Festival. Might have to put this on my radar if it's a different weekend than the festival for next year.

[VT Skier]

For anyone interested in traveling to Vermont, here are a few of our similar upcoming offerings (in chronological order):

http://raidlamoille.com

http://www.endurancesociety.org/glacier-grinder.html

https://www.vermontoverland.com

https://www.rasputitsagravel.com/redemptiongravelrace/

http://www.ridetheridges.net

https://www.westhillshop.com/about/g...ides-pg103.htm
(grinder at bottom)

https://www.peachamfallfondo.com

[huck*this]

Looks like a fantastic ride. No doubt I will be attending next year.

Some photos to enjoy.

http://www.jamcycling.org/fundo-2018/