JAM FUND GRAND FUNDO- Maybe the most fun day on a bike I have ever had...

Dear Readers,
Sometimes everything comes together and makes for a perfect day on the bike.

Last weekend Monk and I traveled north to South Hampton, Mass to participate in the JAM FUND Grand Fundo.  We connected with my brother Craig and his wife Beth, who are both riding really strongly right now.

Craig and Beth!

We originally signed up for the full 65 Fundo, but factoring in that the mini fondo at 40 miles had 3,500 feet of climbing -over 1,000k more than either us has done this year, and both of our knees have been a little creaky lately- switching to the Mini course was the perfect decision.

We got into town on Friday before the event. We got an amazing ride in around the NOHO bike path system. It was fun to spin out the legs. The bike infrastructure in NOHO is amazing. Just Amazing.

Leading up to the ride we would tell friends and folks who have done the Fundo, "we're doing the JAM FUND GRAND  FUNDO!" People would smile and say, "it's an awesome event!" then look really serious and say, "King's Highway Sucks! It's so hard!"

I'll admit, both Diane and I and were a little freaked out about that climb. We were nervous about making it, about getting hurt on it, and frankly from all the talk it had started to take on almost mythical feel to it. While I think only Monk and I had nightmares about it, all four of us knew that miles 13-16.5 were gonna be tough...

King's Highway High Lighted

Happy to report that we all made it over King's safely. It was hard, but was something we were proud of and added a layer of awesomeness to the route. I would have been bummed if we missed this climb...

As I said above, it was just a perfect day. Everyone was super cool and nice, it was great to meet folks from the social medias in real life (Bob and Leslie). We ended up parked next to Benny the Jewlar and Dr. Barry W. Those pesky JBV Kids : Mayhew and Lundgren were just bit away too. We got to ride with Victoria, Tom, Mega and JD for long stretches. It was amazing. We had a number of folks work in with our little group and everyone was just rad.

Literally, digging deep into the bag of courage at the FUNDO !

The course was really fun. The combination of dirt roads, great paved roads and challenging but fun climbing, thrilling descending made the day spot on. For me the dirt roads kept it interesting- you had to pay attention just a little more. They weren't scary, but kept you on your toes, and frankly added a 'cross feel that I was digging.  The rest stops were stocked and had great stuff. I had a peanut butter, fluff, bacon and blueberry sandwich. Seriously, it may have changed my life.  Seriously.

This might be my favorite picture from the Go-Pro

The crowds that we enjoyed up to the first rest stop at mile 22 disappeared as we turned onto the Mini Loop, and we rode the rest of the way in as a foursome. While I missed the wheels to hide on, it gave us a chance to take in some more of the sceanary, and talk some smack among ourselves.

I had anticipated the loop taking us three to three and a half hours. In the end, we rolled into the finish at Black Birch Vineyard's in 2:50. Knock on wood, we had no flats, no injuries, no trouble on the road at all... We were all stoked and destroyed.  We may have been the first folks back, as most choose the full 65 mile loop. We sat down and initiated the recovery protocol, smiled and took in the moment. It was rad to ride with Monk, Craig and Beth. The day was so much fun.

As the riders came in, the kegs were tapped, food was shared. We had a great time sharing stories of the ride, catching up with friends, and capping off a great day. It really was pretty damn amazing day, and I find myself smiling as I remember the day and type this blog. I'm already looking forward to next year's ride!

Photo/Video Blog start now:

a little DCCoD meeting prior to heading out...

J-Pow gives the pre-ride instructions...

Frances is one of the nicest people I've met in cycling stoked to see her this weekend...

not paying attention to J-Pow

Most mellow staging ever!

 

Mega on dirt road sector 67

Rolling out of Williamsburgh and onto the final rolling section...

The gentleman who latched on to us doesn't seem to be smiling as much as we are!

Beth and Monk Climb...

:20 second video theater starts now:

I stopped for an adjustment and Craig paced me back up to Diane and Beth!:




Final few miles: Monk does what she does locking in on Craig's wheel:

all smiles as we finish up!

Initiate Recovery Protocol...

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc