John Woodson
So, I sit in Cedar City destined to be a foolish wit unless I come up with plan B, or plan B.Y.O.
With the grueling job of riding, reviewing and writing about road events, I have the opportunity to experience many, especially in my backyard – Western USA and Canada. Here are my top picks for 2018’s Best of The West Gran Fondos.
After 21 individual qualifying events on four continents, the best amateur riders from 60 countries are in Varese, Italy to compete in the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. Today, 2,500 amateur racers and me, a journalist pretending to be a racer, are ready to start with rainbow-striped world champion jerseys on the line.
The 109-mile Southern Utah ride keeps the climbing to a minimum, but maintains a fast pace in a setting with psychedelic backdrops, car-free roads, and good company.
Swami’s Wednesday Morning Ride attracts the best in the sport at foregoing worldly responsibilities so they can mix it up for a trivial sprint victory that is oh-so-prized.
An Analysis to Help Choose Between the 3-day or 7-day Race Time and time again I am asked…
An out-and-back from the center of Coachella Valley to Joshua Tree National Park. 106 miles highlighted by tall mountains, blue skies and wide-open desert vistas, plus no old guys in Bentleys aiming to run me over while texting to set up a tee time.
Offering ride lengths of 100, 50 and 25 miles with male, female and tandem categories the Tour De Acoma offers every rider a chance to win prized Acoma pottery. Plus, with all proceeds going to the Haak’u Museum Foundation the event helps preserve New Mexico pueblo history and art. That’s a good thing.
Life is all about taking risks. I had one of those days at the Mesquite Madness ride in Nevada hosted by the great folks at Red Rock Bicycle Company in St. George, Utah.
Organized by the same folks who put on the 7-day Haute Route Alps, Pyrenees and Rockies, Ventoux offers the same Pro-like experience both on and off the bike in a perfect 3-day weekend format. Based in the quaint French village of Bédoin the route covers 270km with 7800m of climbing, including three ascents of Ventoux.
There’s no better place out West to figure out if you’re one of the strong or weak than at the iconic Fairwheel Bikes Tuesday Group Ride, or as the locals call it – The Tuesday.
Recently, I had the pleasure of riding with the Desert Bike Club on their Flat Fast and Furious Thursday ride (aka The Rat Pack). So, if you’re in town and looking for a cool fast group ride, this ride is solid. I dig it.
Chris Reynolds
The Press Release Bot
