Not to say I am a total snob when it comes to organized athletic events, but I am. Like most people, I have a life outside my career. I am and have always been, an avid cyclist, runner and swimmer. although not as much recently.
So it is with great hesitation that I sign up for events, only to be disappointed at the poor support, long lines at registration, lack of porta-potties, terrible food and not a decent tee-shirt to mark the event.
When Levi Leipheimer’s Grand Fondo was organized and with some of the money going to an animal charity, I took the bait.
I just finished the ride with about 3,500 other spandex-clad cyclists and the verdict is: fantastic! There must have been as many volunteers as cyclists. Registration was a breeze, parking not a worry, plenty of porta-potties and a great band to entertain the crowd while we waited for fellow riders to come in. (And one free beer.)
We were served eats by the volunteers at Forget Me Not Farms, a farm animal program that helps at risk youth. The crepes were tasty.
The best Sonoma County has to offer was on display and it made me proud to live here, bike here and work here.
Good job organizers.
See you next year.
