Comments on: What Makes a Good Event Great?

By: skippy

skippy — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:33:25 +0000

Comments make the event sound like All had a great time ! Reading of the ” stoker” suffering hypothermia makes me wonder how many go to these events w/out a ” Thermal Blanket(weighs onces) and reserve food in the back pocket .Catering facilities are all very well but if you are caught between when you ” bonk” the joy of the occasion disappears rapidly .

A ” fatty ” sponsored ” thermal blanket ” would be a sellout , i carry two whether cycling or skiing and the only time i have had to use them were on a ski lift and an accident situation on the piste in the 20 years or so of carrying them .

By: Bollo55

Bollo55 — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:37:41 +0000

Saw you and the Hammer at the Oakland airport. Was going to say hi but you looked pooped and were working on your blog. Was a great event, 3rd year for me….gets better (and bigger) every year.

By: a chris

a chris — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:12:10 +0000

This blog just mostly makes me feel happy, these days. I don’t ride an MTB, and I don’t ride a “road” bike (though, thinking about it, I rarely ride *off* of the road) but I recognize people enjoying what they’re doing, and enjoying each other’s company, when I see them, and it’s good for the soul.

And I love that there’s a context where a man can stand in front of a load of people and talk to them in his riding shorts and not feel abashed about it.

Oh, there was definitely some abashment. – FC

By: sandy

sandy — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:32:29 +0000

This was my first Fondo. I came all the way from NY to do it and boy am I glad I did. What a experience! Had a smile on my face the whole ride ( at least till Coleman) but I didn’t walk up and now I know at least I don’t suck. Got to meet you Fatty and had a picture with Levi, The experience of a lifetime and I will be riding high on memories.

BTW you are a very good public speaker and shouldnt beat up on yourself!

By: Rumpled

Rumpled — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 06:56:11 +0000

Fatty,
It was that foggy for those at the back of the pack!
Rain, fog and some sideways driven rain.
I finished (but hey, I finished and rode every bit of it – even if there is no shame in walking) the Gran just as it got dark just after 7 pm.
More proof of the great is that even though the Festival was supposed to go to 6 and everything was being taken down, there was still paella for us and marshalls were still directing us to finish.
And, people (like at least a few) cheered us on.
Bummer that the beer was gone, oh well.

By: davidh-marin,ca

davidh-marin,ca — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:24:39 +0000

Just read Janeen’ rant. I think Paul Guyot has competition next time Fatty goes on vacation.

Janeen, I can sympathize with the 22t chainring scenario. We had a 30t on the tandem. As we passed the photographer high on Kings Ridge he WALKED!!!! alongside as we pedaled our 400+ lbs (bike not included) to take our picture.

Good to know you’ll come out again, maybe we can conjure up an earthquake for you. And I’d be happy to take you, and Fatty, and any other Team Fatty, out for some Organic Honey Lavender Vanilla ice cream at a local shop. (Hey! it’s Marin)

By: MVSC

MVSC — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:18:43 +0000

Another great Fondo! Sorry I didn’t hook up with any FCers but looks like we all had fun. So crowded this year I chose to start at the waaaayyy back. Congrats to the Bike Monkey team for pulling it off…next year, staggered start might be in order!

By: Marshall Miller

Marshall Miller — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:02:56 +0000

Near the bottom of King Ridge I saw a guy giving his riding partner a little push up the hill. I asked if I could get a push too, and he said that his wife had given birth three months ago!!! Just another example of some of the awesome folks doing the Gran Fondo.

By: davidh-marin,ca

davidh-marin,ca — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:49:31 +0000

@Comment by Superstantial | 10.3.2011 | 1:36 pm

Every Team Fatty member responds to “Hey Fatty!” We wear the title with pride. Even NYCarlos.

Sorry to miss meeting Janeen and Precious, hopefully they will come to The Fatty Fondo (when is that again?)

The rain was heavier and the wind was up by the time we pulled the tandem into The Tin Barn stop. They were holding riders due to the accident at Hauser Bridge, and in about 10 minutes my stoker started going hypothermic. Thanks go out to the Red Cross volunteers for taking such good care of several riders for whom it was a bridge to far.
My stoker was attempting his first century since suffering a serious van vs bike accident 16 mos ago. We made it up Kings Ridge, I consider that a triumph given our 1 week of practice together prior to the ride. We’ll be out there again.

As for 5ft.??? You told me everyone had to kneel in your presence. Was I the only one who believed it?

By: Mike C

Mike C — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:25:46 +0000

Hi Fatty,

Thanks for the great write up. I agree, it was truly a GREAT event. I was so happy to be able to meet you and The Hammer in person. Hope to see you there again next year.