The Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge Gran Fondo is over, but the memories of the event will linger with me for quite some time.  What an event.  3500 cyclists showing up to honor "The Peoples Cyclist" on a perfect fall day in Northern California.  The weather was perfect, with cool temps to keep the riders comfortable, and no clouds to keep them burning in the sun.  The wind started to pick up as the day went on during the ride, so deep section wheels were not the wheel choice of the educated, well versed Nor Cal rider.  Shallow section, light, climbing wheels (i.e. the HED Ardennes -official race support wheel) was the bomb - and highlight of the ride.

The trip started with a delayed NWA flight due to the rain on Thursday.  Our party of Steve Hed, two other HED employees and a Hed family friend - as well as yours truly - arrived at SFO around 9:30 local, found our rental car and I was the driver through the hills from San Fran to Santa Rosa.

The moon was full, so the hills were easy to see, but the flight, and 11:30 central time zone was wearing me down.

Friday was spent working at the NorCal Bike Shop, mounting tires on 20 pair of HED Ardennes wheels.  The cloth rim tape chosen made for a very tight tire fit.  Blisters were abound, and a few cuss words were uttered.

Friday night was ride packet pickup, and a small expo with some of the sponsors.  The line of those picking up their packets was amazing.  About 2 blocks long, for about 2 hours - people kept filing through the community center to get their things.

There were three routes available for riders.  The PiccoloFondo allowed 500 riders to ride 36 miles, the MedioFondo was a 65 hilly course with coastal views (I met two younger guys who rode the Medio on Fixies with no Brakes).  And the GranFondo was a 103 mile challenging mountainous course with outstanding coastal views.  All rides left at the same time, and were really the same course, but with different out and back points.  There were points where the climb was a 20 degree ascent.  And I'm not talkin' a quarter mile long.  Miles long.  Hard climbing - want to do a fixie? 

As the riders came back into the HED Cycling King Ridge Gran Fondo Festival and Expo, they were treated to a plethora of vendors, art, Fat Tire Beer on tap, Live Bands, and great food.  The party started at 7:00am, and didn't stop until 8:00pm as the temp dropped to 50 degrees.

Celebs on had were Bob Roll,

 Axel Merckx, 

A retired NHL Goalie that I have heard of, but for the life of me can't remember his name 

Tyler Hamilton

and of course Levi

Got to meet some amazing people.  The woman owned Terry (who actually just sold the business), the guy who started Giro, and sold out to Bell about 15 years ago.  Old Lance Teamates, Alison Starnes (and up and coming TT super chick with HED Sponsored Team TIBCO).  As well as a slew of good folks just wanting to ride a bike.  Think RAGBRAI without the booze and mountain bikes with rusty chains.  Awesome.

Check out the photos, in the new gallery.  This is a trip that you need to do.  Info for the second annual ride will be out soon.  They hope to double the size of participants, but you need to sign up early when registration opens.

This has been Scoop Ferguson - Good night and good luck.