What happens when you bring thousands of cyclists together? Riding to the start in downtown Vancouver last Saturday morning, I thought back to the inaugural RBC Gran Fondo Whistler 2010. I hadn’t loved it, frankly. Although I consider myself relatively experienced on a bike, it had been too tight, too nervy for my liking. As masses of lycra-clad riders converged on the Georgia Street start area in the pre-dawn darkness, I wondered how the event was going to be less stressful with twice as many participants as last year.
Gran Fondo viewed from a motorcycle
By the time we rolled out through Stanley Park, over the Lions Gate Bridge, and into West Vancouver, my concerns disappeared. The organizers did two really good things: providing more lane space along some stretches of road, and sending the riders out in successive waves. Together, these actions made for a less hectic 120km to Whistler.
It was a warm and sunny morning, but the steep rock profiles and trees along the Sea-to-Sky Highway kept us in the shade most of the way as the sun rose (it took me just over four hours, so I got to Whistler around 11am). It’s a beautiful landscape to ride through, with Howe Sound’s blue water off to the left, and the rugged peaks of the coastal range ahead and to the right. But I still maintain that group riding means less focus on the sights and more on the road ahead and riders in front.
So yeah, it’s not officially a race (except for the “Giro” category that starts earlier), but from my vantage point those around me were putting in a good effort regardless. Groups broke apart on uphills, reformed on downhills, riders formed pacelines, sought shelter from headwinds, encouraged each other, and were cheered by onlookers. I enjoyed all this, but was slack in my own refuelling (I didn’t stop at any of the aid stations along the way), so with about 30 minutes to go I enjoyed myself less. There’s a German expression – Flasche leer (empty bottle) – which was both literally and figuratively true for me. No matter, I coasted into Whistler, looking forward to all the food I was going to eat!
Like any worthwhile activity, it feels good when you finally stop doing it. One of the great pleasures of a long ride is the calorific orgy that follows it. So in the Fondo finish zone I wolfed down pasta salad, chocolate milk, pretzels, banana, apple, energy bars, water, and then later beer and a pulled pork sandwich.
I actually spent more time eating and socializing post-event than I spent riding…and that’s probably the way a Fondo should be. The organizers made the inspired decision to have Barney Bentall and Jim Cuddy provide musical entertainment after the event. A great day!