Jeremiah Bishop Gran Fondo

[Tim Kelley]

@SteveTheTech 59528 wrote:

I have seen several names that look familiar on the roster there. Anyone have any advise, questions or concerns to share on this ride, or dirt mountain climbing in general?

My advice is to not let your friends think it’s okay to let you ride it on a double with a 11-25.

Here’s my video from the day:

[americancyclo]

It’ll be my first time this year and I’m riding it on my big purple Roubaix with a 34/50 and 11-28 on 25C Conti GP 4000S tires.

[TwoWheelsDC]

I’m considering it…looks to be about the same difficulty as Mountains of Misery, so I’d probably stick with the 50/34 11-28 combo on my R3. Would definitely need new tires though….

[jabberwocky]

I did it in 2011, on my carbon road bike with 50/34 chainrings and an 11-28 cassette. It was doable, but some of the climbs took some effort even with the 34/28 combo on there.

I ran my normal 23mm road tires (Pro3s). The only place I felt they were an issue was the descent after the second climb; the first few miles down were gravel. The rest of the natural surface is climbing, where you’re going really slow. If I did it again I’d stick with road tires.

Haven’t decided on this year. Maybe.

[culimerc]

I’m in it again this year. There is one set of dirt switch backs that I havent made it up yet, other than that a compact with a 27 in the rear, you should be fine. I’ve been using my wife’s commuting tires (puncture resistant), the last couple of years.

[Megabeth]

For those wondering, the Medio Route (77 miles) does not have any gravel. So, last year, I rode it on my road bike that has gears, and stuff, and tires, too. My favorite gear for the ride was my Granny Gear.

Sorry to get all technical on everyone…

[Dirt]

@Tim Kelley 59530 wrote:

My advice is to not let your friends think it’s okay to let you ride it on a double with a 11-25.

This will be my third year of riding it with a double crank with an 11-25 cogset.

[Tim Kelley]

@Dirt 59563 wrote:

This will be my third year of riding it with a double crank with an 11-25 cogset.

Pete, it’s not okay to do that.

[vvill]

I did 50/34 11-28 last year too and I was glad to have that gearing. I can still remember the sound of Tim’s wheels mashing up Reddish!

I had a 25c Gatorskin on the back and 25c Panaracer RibMo up front but as a non-regular MTBer, I felt that the ascent up Reddish was still tough on that setup. I was also seeing stars by then so that could’ve have some impact.

I did hear (second-hand) that JB even punctured on the ride, and he’d said that rain had washed out the route to be more rocky than when he scouted it out.

Lots of great things on that ride. Riding by guys falling off their bikes on gravel climbs and cursing loudly was only of them.

[Dirt]

@Tim Kelley 59565 wrote:

Pete, it’s not okay to do that.

Probably true. I guess I’ll have to live with regrets.

[Tim Kelley]

@Dirt 59568 wrote:

Probably true. I guess I’ll have to live with regrets.

I’m okay with that. I’ve done my duty.

[DaveK]

I’m in for some route or another. Need to order some beefier tires than Pro4s though. I don’t think 28s will fit under my brakes though so maybe Gatorskins or Maxxis Re-Fuse.

[Bilsko]

Not to derail this from the JB Granfondo, but am I really crazy to be thinking about the Frederick Gran Fondo (100m route) on my 48×18 SS? Course map gives me the impression that there is no gravel at all on the route. I’m not looking to break any records on the climbs, but I’m also not looking to break my legs.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1363618

I’ve done a similar ride with Dirt and Tuba recently (shorter ride, but more or less same elevation::distance ratio) – I was geared, but only ran 48x (11-25).
http://app.strava.com/activities/52564025

[vvill]

Depends on how you define the line between crazy and really crazy…

I am planning to sign up for the shorter version of the Frederick Gran Fondo, and take it easy except on the timed segments. I did it last year and it was tough enough on a geared bike. I seem to remember there was one “gravelly” section that course marshals pointed out beforehand but it was fine on 25s, and would’ve been fine on 23s or anything really. It was more like just unsealed road and better than some of the paved roads around here.

[Bilsko]

@vvill 59637 wrote:

Depends on how you define the line between crazy and really crazy…

Ummm., you do remember me as your teammate in the BAFS competition this winter, right? I may not be Dimsal crazy, but I’m pretty far out there.

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