Rode the VFGFAMO (Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanaogan) for the first time yesterday. I would highly recommend the event. Gorgeous scenery, great crowds, great organization of the event, got to meet Axel Merckx, Simon Whitfield, and Alison Sydor among others.
Great value too. I think the standard entry was $250 or so, but if you go to Classe Speciale you pay 500, but you got a full Giordana professional level event logo's riding kit including Bib Overalls, full zip short-sleeve jersey, socks and seat bag. Plus there was preferential staging, a private reception, a warm-up ride with a bunch of the pros. Finally, they threw in a pair of Oakley Radarlocks, either an event badged pair or the Tour de France special edition that a bunch of Tour riders are wearing this year.
The free stuff alone was worth well over the $500 entry, but I was super happy with the ride and the support as well.
It was my first Granfondo and I was pleased to finish in under 6 hours which was my goal going in.
If anybody is thinking about adding a granfondo to their riding resume, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this one.
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onetwo and threefour... Together no more. The end of an era. Let's rebuild...
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