Active Community: Message List - SLO GranFondo 2012 Reviews

Re: SLO GranFondo 2012 Reviews

guest — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:06:19 GMT

Great ride! Really appreciated the flaggers at intersections and volunteers at water stops. Heard complaints of the route not being marked well...I used the route slip provided and did just fine. Thanks for a beautiful ride, loved the band at the end!

Re: SLO GranFondo 2012 Reviews

guest — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:26:26 GMT

The 2012 event was simply horrible. After completing this same event in 2011 and enjoying the experience, I made the trek back to SLO from San Diego this year. It looked like a money grab, like the organizers weren't planning on running this event in 2013. No timing chips, no tshirts, a lack of carbs at stops, no water, and no meals at the completion! The route was poorly marked and didn't account for construction that was brutal on road bikes. The results were a mess, stating that several of my teammates were DNFs. All for the bargain price of $125! It's clear the organizers took the cash and ran! I hope the money truly benefits the charities they claim to support as none of the other promises were met.

Re: SLO GranFondo 2012 Reviews

guest — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:09:26 GMT

This was my first and last time doing this event. The SAG was terrible. There were no marked SAG vehicles and the ONE van I did know of, was back at the Mission at the end of the day....while there were still riders out on the course! The nutrition was incorrect for a long distance ride. GranFondo could learn a few things from the Lighthouse Century, Solvang Century, Cancer Challenge Ride.... I do want to thank the volunteers, they were great... if not for them it would have been really bad.

Re: SLO GranFondo 2012 Reviews

guest — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 05:23:08 GMT

Good volunteers but ran out of water at second water hole, unacceptable. Barely saw sag wagon.

Re: SLO GranFondo 2012 Reviews

guest — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:48:30 GMT

This was the second year I've ridden this Century. I'm an experienced Century rider. The weather (especially headwinds) was not as good this year (not the planner's fault). I found the SAG stations to be ok, they needed more protein and salty snack options. The route markings were absent in some of the Cuesta College area, leading to confusion. When I got to the finish line it seemed like the fair at the end had already packed up and left (no food or entertainment as advertised) although it took me longer than usual due to headwinds and riding with a slow friend. So overall I was not very impressed this year. I've ridden better organized and run centuries.

Re: SLO GranFondo 2012 Reviews

guest — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:49:31 GMT

First time - did the 50 miler, great support along the way - only problem area was getting thru military base - no markings.

Re: SLO GranFondo 2012 Reviews

guest — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:53:08 GMT

I thought the event was great. Some places were poorly marked but that is why they hand you a map. Can't wait for next year.

Re: SLO GranFondo 2012 Reviews

guest — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 05:33:37 GMT

Last year had me coming back. This year had me thinking the organizers weren't planning on a next year. Too bad, because the volunteers did a terrific job.

SLO GranFondo 2012 Reviews

guest — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 03:56:52 GMT

Not as great a ride as I had been hoping for, both in terms of organization and route. Done a bunch of centuries ... finished around 1:30 and felt pretty good. Didn't mind the headwind but the debris along most of the route was bothersome ... saw a lot more flats than I normally do. That stretch up to Hearst Castle, the newly paved bit that has yet to be smoothed over, practically stripped my tires. And yeah, the food selection left a lot to be desired. A friend got a flat early on and was hoping to access a floor pump at the stop after the first climb but they didn't have one. I thought that was pretty thoughtless. That each stop have one should be sort of a given. Still, volunteers were friendly and traffic controls were helpful. Only wrong turn was at Cuesta College ... someone did say look out for the speed bumps and when I saw those I figured I must be going the right way. Friends and I skipped the food at the finish ... we figured if you have to pay, you might as well eat somewhere else. And the great thing about centuries is that it's the one time you've got license to eat anything. I downed a basket of onion rings, a briskett sandwhich and a pitcher of beer. Man, it was good. Though I don't think I'd do the ride again, I never regret rides and always savor the memories. Plus, great charity.

Re: SLO GranFondo 2012 Reviews

guest — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 18:29:54 GMT

Heard from one of the event folks that the timing chip company went bankrupt on the Friday before the ride and that the police had been called away from two intersections in Morro Bay. The route did need more arrows and there appears to be some logistics issues that need to be resolved going forward.