When Jeremy Powers started promoting his GrandFundo, I was pretty stoked about Fundo-ing with my friends. The pre-reg list included some of my favorite people who ride bikes, most of whom I don’t often get to see unless it’s 40 degrees and raining. It was also a ride I suggested my friend Ron do as a “shakedown” ride for his PanMass training.

Things didn’t start out super great--most of the Huppers I had anticipated showing up early and eating pastries didn’t show, which means I had two dozen pastries sitting in my fridge. So great for the strength to weight ratio. But with each hitch comes a nice surprise: Michele Smith did make it out early, and we shared some quality girl time.

Chippy and Mark showed up at the last minute with just enough time for Chip to leave his shoes at our house, but again, this hitch turned out okay. He got back to the start and took a short-cut to find the main group again and flowed right into the ride.

Me? I flatted within the first mile, then panicked when folks stopped with me. Here I am again screwing up other people’s ride. ARGH!!

We waited for the SRAM neutral car, and BAM! what does he pull outta the car?? A deep-dish carboney ZIPP! Wow, that wheel felt different! It accelerated quicker, it rolled better and just felt amazing. Momma like-y!

Our little group made an effort to get back to the main group, which was silly b/c the group was LONG gone. L O N G gone. Eventually JD, Michele and I settled into a nice, steady pace and pedaled on. We caught up to Ron and Matt Brewster on the first dirt road--Fomer Rd. Ron was struggling a bit, but pedaled on. I encouraged him to eat and drink a lot, he encouraged me to ride on with JD. Ron blasted by us on the next downhill, then we passed him on the next uphill. I’m super proud of Ron--this was his hilliest, hardest ride ever, and he didn’t take the shortcut, or fade out at the end. He pedaled on and didn’t finish that far behind us! I hope that builds a ton of confidence for him for PanMass.

As our little group pedaled on, we picked up a few more people. One of whom was the ever strong Cathy Rowell who had to boot her tire, and eventually get a rear wheel for her bike.

The rest of the ride was perfect. We linked up with Marky-Mark, Chip and Stephen Jabs for a while, then with some nice NEBC ladies. Michele was amazing--this is her longest and hardest ride since giving birth the beautiful Elliot. She was worried at one point, but again, she didn’t want to shortcut it, and she got a second wind toward the end and just Rocked the Ride!!

Some photos.

Marky-Mark rocking the B-sample.

Scenic roads!

Michele!

Cathy!

JD and I courtesy of Lyne at  http://www.podiuminsight.com/

The Ice Cream Ladies! courtesy of Lyne at  http://www.podiuminsight.com/

After the Fundo there was the Food-O. And damn was it good. You see, the thing that is SO unique about Al Donahue and Mukunda Feldman is that all well as being kick-ass bike racers, they are AMAZING cooks. Pig, cole slaw and baked beans were on the menu, as was High and Mighty beer. Oh the yum. . . .I’m salivating just thinking about it. . .

The pig! courtesy of Lyne at  http://www.podiuminsight.com/

Ed Hamel, whose property hosted the event and will host the Cycle-Smart cross camp, said the Fundo was so great, he’d like to see it return there next year. I hope so too!!