The Catalina Gran Fondo really is a cool event. 50 miles of awesome Pacific Ocean views with 650 mountain biking friends. The harbor town of Avalon is a great place to hang out and relax, and the ride is one of the only ways to see the more remote parts of the island (including the buffalo herd). 8,000 feet of climbing and triple digit temperatures on the inland part of the route also make it a really tough event. Tinker was riding amazing and pulled away from the rest of us early on, never to be seen again. I was feeling totally comfortable in the chase group racing for 2nd until about 45 minutes to go when the heat pretty quickly got the better of me and I had to back way off. I still rolled across the finish line to Descanso Beach in a solid place, but was pretty frustrated after rolling through with the win there last year. After a quick leg soak in the ocean, amazing Muscle Milk smoothy and seeing some friends come across the line - life was back to good!
Getting on the ferry in Long Beach
Nice spot for registration
Tim enjoying the views
Overlooking Avalon
A little ways up the first climb
And the tiny trees at the top is where the first climb goes
The harbor
The finish on the sand at Descanso Beach
The rest of these are by Johnny Muller of Sho-Air / US Cup
Wow really nice pictures. Especially of Tinker :D I was so shy to ask for an autograph yet I was able to get a photo with him! Next time i won't be so shy.
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