by Chris Geiser

Well it’s about that time. We have had a great couple of days discovering Hameln, visiting the expo, riding the bike roads, checking out the course, and finding a bratwurst, which took longer than we thought it would. We have discovered, that Hameln is the only city in the world where if you say the word “rat” in a restaurant, no one gets upset. Since it is race day morning, and I have finally gotten up on time, I will keep it short so I can get to the start line.

Jack and Aleksandra get signed in.

We hit the expo as early as we could given my propensity for oversleeping. Tried on jerseys, talked to the mechanics, and caught up with some of the folks we have been meeting along the way. As usual, people were from everywhere, maybe living here now, but once lived in New York, we had a number of interesting conversations before heading back to do a little leg loosening out on the farm roads surrounding the city.

Marking the start line on the way out of the expo.

With the day being relatively short, and knowing we would want to have a more normal schedule, we would keep the ride fairly short and pretty easy. We went out via the course markers, and onto the bike roads, and did a few zigs and zags to see what was out there. At a certain point there were a few tourists and e-bikes out there so we had to keep the speed to a dull roar as some of the roads are narrow, but that gave us a chance to soak it in. The weather could not have been more perfect.

Back to Hameln, back to the expo, and back to get to the supermarket to buy food for the morning, and for the train trip on Monday. We wandered through the squares of the city on the quest for a quick bratwurst, and finally found the perfect place. As we got to the front of the line — they were out of bread. We waited while the baked the next batch, and it was worth it. By this point I was so hungry, I was ready to order two. Somehow the more reasonable sector of my brain took over and corrected me. But that may have been because while we were walking and following the Pied Piper tour guides, I was sneaking cookies out of my grocery bag. Sue me.

The Preparations

With the last of the preparations underway, pumping tires, putting numbers on jerseys and doing a cleat change. This was not a good time to find out that my worn cleat on my left shoe was so hammered-up that I couldn’t get it off. Luckily my spare shoes, saved the day and I put the new cleats on those. But not until 45 minutes of trying to get the last screw out proved fruitless without a bigger screw driver. I would not have gotten that far, if Clarence had not arrived with a more diverse set of tools. Clarence is a triathlete, runner, cyclist, and all around good guy who lives part of the year here in Germany. He was with us at the Gavia camp in May right before GFNY Championship NYC, and was staying at the same hotel here in Hameln. We got in touch, and he mentioned that he recognized the De Rosa SK from all the photos, and he and his friend Philip came back to the garage to finish prepping with Jack and I, before we all headed to a pre-race dinner. Half-way around the world, we run into people we know, and create great times.

Dinner at the same Italian place as Thursday evening. L-R, Clarence, Philip, myself, Aleksandra, and Jack.

Well — it’s about that time. A quick shower, something to eat, and off to the start line to get it done at GFNY Deutschland! There may be more after the finish, but definitely more as we make our way on the train tomorrow morning!

Tschüss!

by Chris Geiser

We are here! It is very difficult to believe, that all the planning has panned out and we are actually here at the start of our #GFNYDoubleDouble adventure. Three people, three airports, three different cities, bike cases, luggage, and a rental van, and the only kink, was a slight delay on Jack’s flight from Las Vegas (connection from Seattle), to Frankfurt. The best way to have a trans-Atlantic flight is for it to be uneventful. Upon my arrival in Frankfurt, I flew threw immigration, and upon walking outside, saw my bike case sitting at the oversized luggage waiting for me, like a loyal pet. Luckily Tom’s booster seat was right there with it! It took a careful evening and early morning of packing to get it right. Many things put in places where they couldn’t be forgotten. Garmin, pedals, pedal wrench, tool kit, helmet, shoes, spare cleats — oh wait, I need to change my cleats — spare cleats — fudge, no spare cleats, put it on the list. OK, what else, helmet, gloves shoe covers, jerseys, kits, socks (yeah that’s right — I own a few pairs), floor pump, spare tubes, take cartridges out of flat kit, and let’s see, what else, oh, right, BIKE!

The art and science of bike packing. The trick is to offload weight fro your other bag, into the case, because they are going to charge you for the bike no matter what. On the left, the loyal machina awaits my safe passage through immigration.

All the way to Philly, I am thinking, “did I put my pedals in the bag with the seat post? Did I put the seat post in the bag? Where did I put the bag? Is the Garmin in the bag or is it in my pocket? Will I be recording the damn race on my damn phone — don’t laugh it could happen! Passage through Philadelphia was fast and easy, confirming in my own mind the good choice that it is for flying internationally. It takes just as long to get from Staten Island to Kennedy, and there are more spacious and direct flights from Philly. #winning. Dear EWR (Newark), there is a lesson here for you!

 

Dear Newark — have you seen this?

Arrival in Frankfurt

I am having trouble finding humor, sarcasm, irony, or anything remotely objectionable or troublesome in the next sequence of events. I picked up a van I had reserved, and set out to find Terminal 1. Oh wait, there was that thing about getting lost trying to find the airport — FROM the airport. #Meta. Ask your Google Maps app to find Frankfurt Airport as you are pulling out of the rental garage! #Hijinx. I twisted around the roads surrounding the flughafen for about 15 minutes before realizing that the small sign that said terminal 1 was actually pointing at, yes, you guessed it, terminal 1. So I stopped ignoring it and pulled in. With a minimal amount of texting Aleksandra and all her stuff were in the van and we were on the road to nowhere. With two hours to kill before Jack arrived I tried to find us someplace to sit quietly and have coffee. But there really is no such place within earshot of the airport, so we drove around for a while. Both of us had only gotten a little bit of sleep during the flight, so I could tell this would be a long day. We finally made our way back to the airport, parked in the short term lot (best 10 Euros I ever spent), and got sandwiches at a cafe inside the airport while we waited for Jack. We bought a sandwich for Jack and water for the road so that we could get going as soon as he arrived.

Sidebar

At the risk of offending my fellow Americans, please skip down if you run the risk of being offended by a story describing how stereotypes are created. If you’ve ever wondered why the American image in Europe is what it is, we can start with this little ditty.

On the way into the airport to find food, and friend, we passed a number of signs for a small mall within the airport. There was a sign for a MacDonald’s in there. We continued past those signs and found a lovely bakery (that is probably a chain here, but I am over it), and proceeded to order lunch. As we ordered, I spoke English to Aleksandra about what we were ordering:
Passer by: “Oh do you speak English?”

Me: “Yes, we do”

Passer by: “Oh, thank goodness, do you know where the MacDonald’s is?”

Me (to self): Really, because I am American you think I know where the fucking MacDonald’s is? (but that’s not the point of me telling you this)

Me: “I don’t know, I think I saw a sign, but I don’t remember.”

Aleksandra to me: “Maybe it was in that little mall we saw the sign for”

Me to Passer By: “Oh yeah back there those escalators go down to a little mall, it could be in there, maybe”

Passer By: “Over that way? (emphatically) ARE YOU SURE?”

Me to self: No, I don’t fucking know, so I was trying to be nice, and I now have no fucking idea what to tell you. Oh wait. I have an idea.

Me to Passer By: “No, I am not sure, in fact, I have no idea where it is, and I am sorry that I can’t help you”

Karmatically speaking, I will pay for that. I HAVE TO. But, come on! I just completed a wonderful exchange of money for food with my broken German to a person that spoke no English, and had food and coffee to show for it. Now I am going to have the piss taken out of me by one of my countrymen for not knowing where the god damned MacDonalds in the Frankfurt airport is? Karmatically speaking, I am very lucky, that I didn’t say “oh yeah, it’s in terminal 2, I am sure of it.”

Gruppo Compato — Now Get in the Van!

With Jack in hand now, we re-packed the van and were on our way. We caught up with each other on the ride, and Aleksandra did some power napping as we made our way toward Hamelin. Run of the mill traffic and a little bit of rain hampered our speed a little, but we were progressing and not too far behind any schedule we might have had. We made a quick stop on the highway as it had been well over 2 hours since my last cup, and I was starting to feel the imaginary withdrawal bugs crawling all over me.

Some very nice food for an airport — although we never did figure out where the MacDonalds was. Bottom right the menu at the highway joint was pretty impressive — for a gas station — real plates, and side dishes.

Our arrival in Hameln was right around rush hour, and with the various zigs and zags it took us a bit to get oriented. I dropped Jack and our bikes at our hotel and drove Aleksandra to hers. The super narrow and cobbled streets were awkward with such a big rig, so I pulled us on the sidewalk so we could get her checked in. After check in we lugged her stuff up three flights of stairs, and I headed back to the hotel Jungestild so that we could get our bikes together. With a key operated garage, that was for all the cyclists in the hotel, we had a nice, clean, dry place to get things together and do a mini shakedown in the street outside.The key operated automatic door felt like I was opening a missile silo. Cases were unpacked, and bikes together very quickly. It was time for dinner.

“La Machina” De Rosa SK Pininfarina, Campagnolo Super Record 53/39–11/29, Bora Ultra wheels Continental 4 Season Grand Prix 4000 tires, Powertap P1 Pedals, Selle Italia Saddle, FSA stem and handlebars. Now you know.

Closing Time

After putting things together it was time to forage. We let Aleksandra know we were coming, and started across the medieval square that makes up the beautiful town centre of Hameln. What we didn’t realize was how late it had gotten. Probably because in places like New York City, and Seattle, 21:00 isn’t really late when it comes to food. So we didn’t think about it. But they were rolling things up in Hameln, and after a little walking we were able to find an Italian place that was open until 23:00. Interestingly, my German is soooooo rusty (after little to no practice-impressive right?), that I managed ordering better in Italian than in my attempt to order in German. We were so hungry, it felt like we ordered everything on the menu. I think we came pretty close. All of it was good. But the best part was that a gentleman from across the room realized that we were here for GFNY, and came over to talk to us. We introduced ourselves to him and to his wife, Philippe, and Jackie are here from Costa Rica for the full #GFNYDoubleDouble! Bravo! Ironically (or maybe not), we ran into them again tonight at dinner at a different place.

The Shakedown

With a shakedown ride planned for this morning, an important step would have been waking up at a decent hour. My alarm set to 06:00, I got up, read a few emails and fell right back asleep. I awoke at ten for a work call from some colleagues up in Denmark. With the call finished, I texted Jack and realized that he had also overslept. Meanwhile, across town, Aleksandra was awake, had eaten breakfast, and was dressed and ready. We had a great, late breakfast of pickled herring, small sausages and bread and jam, and walked over to meet Aleksandra. We brought one of our foot pumps so she could finish getting her bike ready. Mission accomplished, we set out for more coffee — I managed to get the order right in German, but realized that I may have been doing more harm to our cause than good. This was the third or so conversation that I started in German, reasonably thinking if, I can say what I mean, and mean what I say, the rest will take care of itself. But then they answered. Quickly. Like I lived here and spoke German every day. Not like I run the Babel app a couple of times a month on the bus.

Der Langsame

That’s me. Der Langsame. “The slow one”. Not on the bike, not on the walk, not in general. But when I realized that my conversations were going nowhere as fast as they could speak, I said “Langsam, bitte, mein Deutsche ist nicht sehr gut!” This always stopped them dead in their tracks, put a light smile on their faces and prompted the reply “would it be better for you in English?” I really hated to admit that it would, but yes, thank you, it really would. I aspire to someday be able to consider myself a multilingual citizen of the world. But that takes time and effort, that I need to put in the same way I put in hours on the trainer. If I want to go faster, I have to train. It’s a universal rule. It applies to, basically anything.

Coffee, a change of clothes, and bikes out of the garage, we were on our way. I navigated us down as many bike lanes as I could to the start line of the GFNY, but we also had to find a bike shop and some CO2. We found a couple of bike shops, one called Fun Corner. It was a huge layout, with a friendly staff that delayed their lunch to help us out. We found the cartridges, and I asked about the cleats — they had them. We paid, and were on our way. We navigated back to the route start, which didn’t yet look like the route start and decided to follow the route markers until we were out of town, and see if we could do a little of the course.

With traffic on the roads, we made sure to make full use of the bike paths and farm roads that seem to be the accepted way of riding here. Lidia Fluhme had emailed me and clued me in that the place to be is on the bike/farm roads and that drivers know it is GFNY time when they start to see road bikes actually traveling in traffic lanes. We got about 20km into the route, making a nice pace, and ran into a really nice little berg, only about 800 meters long, but relatively steep, and on a beautiful road. Most of the roads here in Hameln are spectacular, but this especially so. We summited the first little bit of it, and pulled aside to let a tractor go by before we headed up the steep bit. After another small climb we realized we were starting to get late in the day, (waking up at 10AM will do that to you), and headed back to Hameln.

Well let’s see now, I am trying to find out where the route goes on my phone but seem to be missing the big-ass “route this way dummy” sign dead ahead of me. Strecke = Route

The Despe-Heyen was a 2KM effort with about 800 steeper meters at the end. It was a good reminder of the type of climbing we will face on Sunday.

The Hardest Working Man in Show Business

As we rolled into Hameln and past the expo area, I shouted “let’s go see Maciej — Maciej and his crew keep GFNY races all over the world running smoothly, from getting the expo set up, to marking courses, and doing everything that allows thousands of riders to be pros for a day. We didn’t want to take too much of his time but we were able to meet his crew, including the gent that was driving the broom van in Italy last year and followed my friend Massimo and I to the finish line. Hmm, Massimo, I wonder if he is riding on Sunday?). We could see how the expo was shaping up, and after a few minutes, I heard my name called. It was Kenny Abel the race organizer. “Mister Double-Double, you are here, welcome!”

Kenny and I had a great chat about the race and how Hameln is the perfect place for it. The roads, the people, this will definitely be a special day of racing (especially if the beautiful roads we were on today were any indication). I let him know that we got about 30km into the course, and gave him our feedback on how beautiful we thought it was. To be racing that with not traffic — that will be something.

Maciej, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business

And now onto a late lunch, as we rolled back to the town square. We found an outdoor cafe, with great food, and soaked in the atmosphere and the people watching.

I will condense the rest of the day. Because it’s primarily concerned with eating. But the eating was fabulous. A beautiful, light lunch, spaetzel, pretzels, wurst, and nice coffee. For dinner, one of the best Jager Schnitzels I have had, thank you Lidia for the recommendation. For all the charms of the food, the charms of this city are 10x as amazing. The town centre is so picturesque, you really do feel like you are walking into an Aesop’s fable, or a Grimm fairy tale. The Pied Piper is everywhere. On every wall, a painting, or a picture, or a plaque. There are Pied Piper tour guides, and even “rat bread” a lovely rat shaped piece of bread being sold at the front desk of our hotel. The cobbled (not Roubaix cobbles), streets are beautiful, and clean, and the people are very friendly. We have only scratched the surface, and so the plan for tomorrow is to get to the expo at nine — packet up — and get cracking on a short ride (maybe 90 minutes), and then back for a timely lunch, and some exploration of Hameln. We will be rolling out early on Monday to head to France, meet Tom, and climb the Ventoux (#subtoux — meaning I would like to beat my PR of 2 hours), then off to Lisbon on Thursday for GFNY Portugal. It’s a busy itinerary but we will take tomorrow afternoon and evening for seeing as much of this beautiful place as we can.

Auf Wiedersehen — and please allow me to leave you with some gratuitous photos of food, and food consumption, as well as some even more gratuitous Pied Piper themed photos. I plan to take a lot more tomorrow.

It’s 5 o’Clock somewhere, but not what you’re thinking…

by Chris Geiser

The phrase “it’s 5 o’Clock somewhere” haven’t meant much to me for almost wo years now. Or at least, it hasn’t meant the same thing. As I am writing this, I am somewhere over the Atlantic. We are wheels up to Frankfurt, and the GFNY Double-Double adventure, has officially begun. Jack was delayed in Vegas, Aleksandra boarded at JFK, and the GFNY Deutschland crew of the GFNY Double-Double is on its way. En route, finishing up some loose ends for work, emailing Tom on the West Coast, texting #Toto and the whole Gavia crew on the East Coast, and giving Uli a hard time about Cozumel, while he is wide awake somewhere in Asia, made me realize, that it is indeed 5 o’Clock somewhere.

That means that somewhere, a group of GFNY jerseys are rolling out on a group training ride — it’s 5 o’Clock — AM — training time! Or maybe a solo training ride. As we start on Sunday in Germany, they will be complete at GFNY Indonesia — halfway around the world they will be racing, while we toss and turn and think about the wake up, the first cup of coffee, and the start line. I have been meaning to get back to this, for over a week. With the special editions in the books, life gets in the way. What are you gonna do? Well, you collect your thoughts, get on a plane, put on some Alice Cooper, and get typing.

We are a little photo shy, on this one — Sorry!

In my haste to get something out, I neglected to think about how Medium and airplane wifi would get along with respect to uploading images. Again, what are you gonna do? Collect your thoughts, keep typing, and promise better visuals throughout the trip.

But back to the important stuff. A few posts ago, we got into training. How would this go, this epic trip, with two GFNY races back-to-back, Sunday-to-Sunday? I decided to apply a little Lean Six-Sigma to this gig, and made the assumption that whatever I wanted to achieve would be a function of what I put into it.

Y=f(x) — yes of course — that must be it! It is!

In this case Y is the output, or how we hope to do in both GFNY events. Our results in the GFNY Double-Double. The variable x represents the training effort since publicly declaring the following on July 12, 2018:

As an aside to this — accepting where I am in the process, while part of the process, is not the end of the process. With every pound lifted, every kilometer pedaled, and every minute that I don’t take the two GFNY European Double (double-double) races ahead for granted, I am working to change the situation in my favor. If you know me, you know that I will be happy to be in both races. If you know me, you also know that, being there, while an epic adventure, will not be enough. While DFL is better than DNS, and DNF, it’s still not where I want to be, and I am in control of that. There is a little bit of AYFKM to all of it! (you’re welcome Jeff).

There you have it. For every byte of data I have collected, wattage, calories, beats per minute, meters climbed, kilometers pedaled, TSS, IF, CTL, Fatigue, Form, whatever! None is as important as Y=f(x). Without that equation, and without understanding that equation, more attention paid to what the results said (good or bad), as opposed to effort put in. “Believe in yourself, believe in your training”, it’s a great way of saying Y=f(x). (Thank you, Maestro). For every night that I got home late, or had to be up early, or traveled, or had a family event, and managed to find a 10 or 11 PM window, or a 5AM window (it’s 5 o’Clock somewhere — see what I did there), we are building x. We are hopefully building x into what we want Y to be. But what is that? Is it elapsed time, average watts, moving time, average speed — NO!

Getting on the trainer, getting out to Gateway, getting to the weight room, and putting the time in. There is a severe loss of control that comes with race day. Tires puncture, chains fall off, rain falls, the bonk decides to visit. We have all been there, and we know we can’t control it. We stoop over our handle bars at the start line and hope that none of that will happen today. When we accept our Lean Six Sigma equation, we understand that our output, is a function of our input. It is not a function of that which we do not control. Our result is measured via our output. As non-professional racers, we have to accept that view that while we can’t control our place in the standings, the strength of the field, the conditions on the course, those things cannot matter. What matters in our result are those things that we control and how we make our own luck through what we put into it.

Y, the result of the effort put in over the last 8 weeks has to equal a much more important stat. How close we can get regret to zero. When all is said and done, in both races, with the effort put in over the last 8 weeks, no matter the elapsed time, average watts, moving time, average speed — it will all equal zero regrets. We’ve done our best to prepare, we have done our best to plan, we are with the right people, in the right places at the right time.

SO LET’S GET IT ON!

Let’s do this GFNY Double-Double thing! (and it’s definitely, definitely a thing now — told ya!) Look for updates from Europe on a daily basis. They may be shorter, but I will get them out day of, to make sure every highlight is captured and crystallized.

Next Up: GFNY Double-Double — Day 1 — Frankfurt to Hameln

by Chris Geiser

Busy schedules abound! My own, in family, full-time work, and planning an epic GFNY Double-Double experience, and also Kenny Abel’s — the driving force behind GFNY Deutschland and my very gracious contact for informing the folks on this side of the pond about the race. We are now less than two weeks away, and with our travel plans all but finalized, that gives us some room to talk about the race- — the whole reason for the trip. I was able to catch up with Kenny recently to get some insight into the third year of the GFNY Deutschland, which is also the GFNY European Championship. The race takes place in the Lower Saxony region of Deutschland, in the legendary town of Hamln, home of the fabled Pied Piper.

I inquired about the history of the race and how Kenny got involved.

GFNY Deutschland was a huge success in its first two years, and is the GFNY European Championship race. Please tell us, how did you get started with GFNY? What inspired you to create the race?

This is a long story. The originator of GFNY Deutschland is Paul Fasse from Eldagsen. He rides a lot GFNY races all over the world and get in contact to Uli and Lidia. I met Paul and we have put the idea into action in 2016. We visited some GFNY races in NYC and France and spend a lot of time to discuss and talk with other GFNY organizers, for example, Alex from Indonesia, or Shaun from Mexico, and Jerusalem and learn a lot about GFNY and the special spirit of the races. We grow up from year to year and now we see a lot of GFNY jerseys all over Germany and we are very happy, that so many other riders like it and feel the same spirit like us.

For anyone who wondered about the town, and the area for the race, I asked Kenny to give us a feel for the region, and what to expect.

Please tell us about Saxony as the location for the race. We are very excited to visit, but what was the inspiration for having the race in this area?

The Pied Piper doing his legendary work.

The region of Lower Saxony, and the Weserbergland, are a typical kind of landscape in Germany. We have on the one side, big cities and on the other side some beautiful green areas with rivers and a hilly landscape. The northern part of Germany is mostly flat but we were able to create a hilly course in a beautiful landscape. Furthermore is the town of Hamelin a very historic town with old houses, and, of course the most important story — about the pied piper — In the near of Hamelin are a lot of castles and palaces. There is much to discover in the region.

Please tell us about the course. For instance, what is the most challenging climb? What should the riders expect in terms of challenges?

The course of the GFNY Championships Europe are a hilly course, like in GFNY NYC Championship, or the pro courses in the Ardennes. The course is flat at the first 30km and then the climbing starts. The first long climb of the day is the Roter Fuchs (in english red fox). This is a climb about 5,4km and a maximum grade of 16%. The Gran Fondo rides the Roter Fuchs a second time. After the first climb of the day the next mountain is after a short flat part. The Lauensteiner Berg is the second challenge of the day with 5km and 3,6% grade in the middle.

The Gran Fondo rides after them a second loop and the Medio Fondo goes back to Hamelin. But for all riders the last 10km before the finish line in Hamelin is the steepest part of the race. After the small village Börry the street climb over 19% to the last final kilometers. With a good endurance and the right speed the Gran Fondo and the Medio Fondo is possible to finish. (editors note: perhaps reminiscent of Cheesecote or Queensbury). Next to the track you have the whole time a very nice view in the Weser valley with a lots of green hills, small villages and a very beautiful landscape. Enjoy your race and get a small view away from the course to the nature and the countryside.

GFNY Deutschland is unique in that it races on 100% closed roads. How were you able to achieve this?

We spent a lot of time with the officials at the town, villages, the police and the local townspeople. We have a fully closed route for all riders after one hour behind the leading rider. By the second lap there are a lot more riders inside the first-rider window of 1 hour. The people here are very happy about the race, and proud, that riders from all over the world come to Hamelin, visit the Weserbergland region and spend there time racing and exploring.

Please tell us about your volunteers?

We have a lot of enthusiastic cycling fans. Germany is in the past, not a cycling sports country. But the scene is evolving, and new races are coming to the cities. Also the GFNY is a platform or tool to grow and mature the German cycling spirit. We have in every town and village a small group of volunteers. They support us and some students use the GFNY to improve their foreign language skills.

Who else is involved in GFNY Deutschland? For instance, the moto crew, volunteers, towns, celebrities?

We have, on race day more than 450 helpers at different parts of the race. A big part of the volunteers are the firefighters in the towns and villages. They are very organized groups and the have a lot of fun at the races. The police are the important part for the security at the race. A lot of officers get the security of the course by car, moto or blocking off the routes for the riders. We are very happy about the huge support and we are growing with the police, the authorities and the town. We are happy when the race is started and all riders live their own dream and their own special race on German roads.

My gratitude to Kenny for the time he took to answer my questions as we are now so close to the race, he must be as busy as the Pied Piper himself.

The GFNY Deutschland is the kickoff of our GFNY Double-Double, and will make for a great test for a recovering athlete, hopefully #ridingintoform at just the right time to put on a great performance. I know those of us that are tuning up for GFNY Deutschland can’t wait. We are wheels up for Frankfurt on August 29, arriving the morning of August 30, and then making the 3.5 hour drive up to Hameln, so that we can do a shakedown, explore the town, and hopefully host an evening for wayward travelers in one of the local establishments
Hopefully, we will see you there. If you are coming — please get in touch with me through Facebook, or through Medium, and we will get you connected with the rest of the group.

Until then — PROST!

by Chris Geiser

So a guy, you know the guy, this guy, this guy walks into this burger joint. You know the one. No names, but it has the secret menu, and it’s only available in certain areas, and they cut their fries from fresh potatoes, but no names. Suffice it to say, for as up as I thought I was on the secret menu, how to get the right onions, how to get the extra whatever sauce, and how to even get the burger wrapped in lettuce. Dude. Really? We need to have a talk if you are that guy. Go the whole way, treat yourself, just maybe don’t have the 1700 calorie chocolate shake. Have a bun once in a while. Ok, we are off track. Anyway — the secret menu…I had to test a theory.

With my last trip to California, I had to know, was there a hidden archaeological link between my use of the double-double, and, you know, the double-double. I put it to the test. I sauntered up to the window, to see what the burger guy (BG), knew about our GFNY Double-Double.

Me: Hey, so this secret menu.

BG: Yeah, what do you need to know?

Me: Well I want to see if I can get a GFNY Double-Double, Portugal and Deutschland style?

BG: The what now? Dude, all I caught was double-double. (Editor’s note — check out how dude is clearly dealing with the wrong thing, he doesn’t even capitalize double-double. I had heard these were the politest people in the fast-food game, but come on).

Me: Well, see, I just hear that there was a “double-double” (non-capped), as you had said, and I am like, well, I wonder if they mean a GFNY Double-Double — because, what else is there?

BG: Dude, I don’t know what that is, and dude, there’s a line, and people look pissed. Are those three dudes with you?

Me: Yes, but, forget them! Now, I must know — the GFNY Double-Double — with Portugal, and Deutschland — the inaugural GFNY of Portugal, do you have it? The GFNY European Championship, do I get it here? Dude, do you know what a Double-Double really even is?

BG: Look man, I don’t know what reality show you guys are working for, but do you want some food or not?

Me: Well, yeah, I guess, I will have a double-double- you know with the small letters, if that is really a thing.

BG: It’s a thing dude. Fries?

Me: Sure.

So I ate it. Sue me. But anyway…(continued below photos)

 

Well there it is in Red and White, and Yellow (psychological thing I think). Should I redact the logo?

Back to the Real Double-Double

We are starting to wind down to the magic week of the GFNY Double-Double. With my Training Peaks warning me today that it was only 4 weeks until GFNY Deutschland, I had yet another, “Home Alone” moment in realizing how much planning, training, and anticipation there is yet to go before we board that plane for Frankfurt.

With our plans in full motion, there were some observations made by Tom and by Jack about some of the logistics that we were facing. All this in the face of my call with Peugeot about the short term lease we had arranged for that would allow us to drive a brand new van from Frankfurt to Lisbon, via Belgium and Southern France. I had booked the reservation, confirmed it, paid for it, and got a confirmation email that said Lisbon to Lisbon. Hmmm…that’s not very convenient, you know, with the arrival in Frankfurt and all that? I got on the horn…(with apologies and adoration for Bob Newhart — if you read this in his voice, I promise it will be funnier).

Me: So, I want to inquire about this reservation confirmation number is 555, 1–2–1–2, yes, 1–2 that’s right.

(Editors Note: Part of the Bob Newhart experience is only hearing the one side — just go with it).

Me: Yes, that’s right, I know it says Lisbon to Lisbon, but the problem is that I wanted Frankfurt to Lisbon.

Me: Well, yes, I understand, but the thing is, I booked it for Frankfurt. Oh, yes, I’ll hold.

Me: Yes, still here. Yes, well I wanted Frankfurt to Lisbon.

Me: Well, Yes, I realize that Lisbon to Lisbon would be easier for you. What’s that?

Me: Well, sure, I guess that would be nice, and, yes, we want to end up in Lisbon, and spend time in Cascais, but I am flying into Frankfurt you see. That’s, that’s in Germany you see.

Me: Well, the other side of Spain. No, other way, toward the Alps. Right. Yes, that’s right, yes, but if you get to Denmark you missed it.

Me: So you can’t do that. OK, well can you cancel it?

Me: Thank you, you’ve been very helpful.

AAAAND SCENE! And just like that we are on to searching for alternatives, with the most plausible being an RV. Yes! That’s the life, no need to stop in Spain or anywhere else, we don’t need no roadside bathrooms — we’re mobile! And with the best of intentions, before you know it, a combination of cost benefit analyses and good ole common sense from Tom, and Jack provides us with some clarity. Race GFNY Deutschland, a train to the ancient French city of Avignon (where I once drove a car down a pedestrian alley — if you think the people on line behind me at the burger joint were pissed — wow), drive to Vaison la Romaine, meet Tom, climb the Ventoux, eat, sleep, drive to Marseilles, and Fly to Lisbon. It’s the perfect plan. Less driving, less expense, hit the highlights, and race both GFNY Deutschland and GFNY Portugal with maximum energy.

Some Travel Perspective

With as much travel as I do for work, you would think that you could burn out on travel outside of work, but I would never say that that’s the case. As was mentioned in a recent GFNY podcast (#humbled), I had never left the country until I was 40. I grew up in NY, spent 7 years in Seattle, and thought I knew everything there was to know. In 2007, just after my 40th birthday, I got the opportunity to go to Moscow on one of the most interesting and exciting adventures I had ever had. It completely changed my perspective in that, I had never seen another way of life, and also because, I thought NYC was the biggest city in the world. I found out very quickly, that I didn’t know anything. I was hungry for more, and in 2015 I combined cycling and travel via GFNY, and I was hooked.

In the shadow of Ventoux, I made new friends that I am still in touch with. The following year, I reciprocated, when a rider from Belgium came to NYC for GFNY, and we went out for a training ride together. We have been in touch about cycling and other topics ever since. And if you read the Italian Job, you know how many new friends we made in Italy, including this guy:

Mirko D.P. The assembly of the bike, and the special ceremonial exchange of garments over coffee with Vito Valentini.

Hey, Was this Headed Somewhere?

I am SO glad you asked! It’s absolutely headed somewhere. To Europe in fact. Where we plan to gather, race, eat, tell stories, and create new friendships, new experiences, new adventures. We are bringing folks that are new to GFNY, like my friend Jack. Jack and I go back 27 years. Recently reconnected, I told Jack about the GFNY Double-Double in an airport club a few weeks ago. I sent him the blogs, I told him the plan. He got back to me immediately (before I had even taxi’d out- “I am in”).

Jack and I after an evening of training for the GFNY Double-Double in Seattle

After an evening of training, and streaking through the I-90 bike tunnel in Seattle (an experience I thought I had caught on video but didn’t hit the right button DOH!) we headed into the sunset and the last climb up into the downtown area.

Me: Jack — how are you feeling, are you ready for the GFNY Double-Double, Deutschland, Portugal?

Jack: Maybe not this second, but in six weeks I sure will be.

Me: Are you excited?

Jack: You know what, I am. When we talked in the Alaska Boardroom that day, I thought, this is one of those life experiences you have to jump on, you have to do it when you are 54, so that you don’t regret not doing it when you are 64.

Me: the good news is, if you start doing it when you are 54, you will probably still be doing it when you are 64!

And We are Off to the Races

With that — I think it’s time to focus on the races. After all, that’s what is driving our trip. I won’t pretend that the European travel adventures I have had have not been rich experiences, but the races are the essential DNA in creating those experiences. In the next two editions, we will focus on the races, and the race organizers. With a little reversal, Portugal will be coming up first (published simultaneously with this article), and my conversations with Ana Paula Cavalcanti, an originator of GFNY Brazil, and now in Portugal getting set to produce the inaugural GFNY Portugal!

Read all about it here: https://medium.com/@chris.geiser/gfny-double-double-a-edi%C3%A7%C3%A3o-especial-de-portugal-7a5821af3c4d

by Chris Geiser

The Inaugural GFNY Portugal

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ana Paula Cavalcanti, the organizer of GFNY Portugal. A cyclist herself, after her experience in the 2014 GFNY Championship NYC, felt that she had to bring that experience to Brazil, and now that she is in Portugal, she is bringing the experience there. In the city of Cascais, on the Portuguese Riviera, the first ever GFNY Portugal will take place on September 9, 2018. A dream for Ana, realized through her love of cycling, her passion for the GFNY mantra of “Be a Pro for a Day” and her ability to connect the right people at the right time, and to leverage a regional love of cycling, to produce a top-tier cycling race for over 1,300 cyclists.

With the time differences between NY and Lisbon in play, I spoke to Ana via a Facebook messenger call while traveling home from a time trial in Upstate New York, on a Sunday afternoon, at close to 10PM Lisbon time. Ana’s patience for taking a call at that hour was very much appreciated. I wanted to make the best use of her time and to get right to it.

The Course

I asked Ana about the course — what are the challenging aspects, what were the high points?

The course has a beautiful combination of the ancient and the modern. While seeing castles and medieval history along the way, you will also pass one of the most modern and advanced universities in all of Europe. Riders will also get to experience the beautiful coast lines, and get their fill of climbing throughout.

How about the climbs? Are the climbs challenging?

Oh yes, there are climbs that punch up for 10–12% in some places, and take you through winding old European roads, as well as through beautiful forest land.

Our read of the course shows an undulating profile, where you are really never finished climbing, but with some fast, and some technical descents that will challenge the most experienced riders looking to get to the front of the pack.

What would you say the most challenging aspect of the course is?

For sure it will be the elements. The course goes through varied terrain, and while going in and out of shadows and forests, into sun, and down to the coast line where the wind will surely challenge every rider, keeping your temperature managed, and being able to ride against a headwind will be key to a great performance in the race. You will heat up on the climbs, and need to be ready to cool down some on the descents. 8,100 feet of climbing over 100 miles, you will be challenged throughout the course.

Support for the Race

Listening to the Daily Cafe with GFNY you can hear how the support of the town, region, and country of the race, is critical to it’s success. Portugal’s cycling culture is ready to roll out the red carpet for the event. Ana, tells us how the various governments are ready to support.

We will have professional Moto support from the same group that provide moto support for the Tour of Portugal (Volta a Portugal), they are the professionals who love cycling, and know how to provide safety during a race of this type. The Portuguese Cycling Federation is also in full support of the race. Riders should note, some, but all roads, will be closed to traffic, so we remind riders to obey our local traffic laws at all times.

We will also have amazing ambassadors for the race, such as mountain bike rider/teacher Beto Liber, who is an accomplished triathlete, mountain biker, road cyclist, and ultramarathoner. Daniela Reis, the Women’s Time Trial champion will also be an ambassador, as well as many of cycling’s elite from across Portugal and Europe.

I was grateful to gain some insight into the race via my phone call with Ana. As a follow up, and in preparation for writing this, I was excited to learn more about how she got involved with GFNY, and how the ideas for bringing GFNY to Brazil, and to Portugal came about. As it turns out, we both raced our first GFNY’s in 2014. That was my best GFNY result to date — but it’s early days yet. After speaking with Ana, I am focused on taking a deep dive into Portuguese culture and history, possibly learning to surf in Cascais (where do you think #SurfGFNY came from), and to ride and race the beautiful and historic roads of GFNY Portugal through Cascais and back to the ocean, where we will all celebrate a fantastic day of racing at the team villa!

Hopefully, we will see you there. If you are coming — please get in touch with me through Facebook, or through Medium, and we will get you connected with the rest of the group.

Next up — the GFNY Deutschland, Special Edition.

by Chris Geiser

But do not despair…It’s merely the End of the Race vehicle. This is where I found myself on May 20, 2018. While I had hoped I could race, circumstance, a culvert, a few non-displaced fractures, and there I was.

Camping Out…

The De Rosa | Gavia Cycling camp was in full swing, during the week leading up to GFNY Championship NYC. With crutches and a thermos full of coffee I took on the role of driving the team car, and providing support, directions, and the ability to drive by the riders yelling “ALLEZ! ALLEZ! FORZA RAGAZZI! If you ride like that on Sunday — the money is up the road and you are through! Let’s GO!” The combination of fake, yet polite laughter, and the telepathic thoughts of “slow that car down you bastard, and I will ALLEZ your face off!”. (This was especially true while they were climbing, but as usual, I digress).

Me and Mr. Wolf (Mirko), pausing for the nectar of the godz — a little coffee, this time NOT in the middle of a race.

Or maybe they liked having me around. It was tough to tell. The mind does wander to the smart phone while waiting for a half a dozen cyclists without motors to get up and down Bear Mountain. The posts from GFNY HQ kept getting more exciting, and missing out on the day just felt impossible. With three starts on the bridge, and one start with a walk of shame on the bridge, I would have been about to finish my 5th, and so the though of not being part of the race was a little tough to handle. Time to put the smartphone to good use.I reached out! (text thread is abridged to protect the innocent and may actually be written in subtext):

M: dude, crashed, out of race, lack purpose, direction, motivation to continue, need meaning on May 20.

U: dude, had a feeling this was coming. Can U drive

M: dude, driving with De Rosa | Gavia camp — right now — yes — can drive

U: end of race?

M: YES!

U: great

M: you made my day!

U: email coming!

So let it be texted, so let it be done. Was on my way to driving the End of the Race vehicle. For the uninitiated, the End of Race car sets a pace that is commensurate with the cutoff time. Drive over the bridge after the last riders, and keep a pace that reaches Fort Lee at 5:30 PM. For anyone you pass, you notify them that the race is moving on, and while they are OK to keep going and finish, all the support is now ahead of them. For those who race, this could be a sinking feeling.
In 2014, at 155lbs, I never saw the end of race vehicle. It wasn’t until 2015 when I saw it as I approached Mott Farm Road. It was coming in the opposite direction, toward Bear Mountain, as I was getting ready to start climbing again to the unforgiving back half over Mott Farm, Pinarello, and Cheesecote. My elapsed time that day, was 7 hours. That should give you an idea. In 2016, having a not great day, and not great season, I saw the car climbing Bear, as I was descending. I stopped in Ramapo that day and it took me 45 minutes to find myself and the will to continue. I signed up at Gavia to be coahed by Vito Valentini the next day. In spite of my difficulties in 2017, I missed the car again, before meeting the Bonk in Clarkstown and limping home.

The 2018 PR I was shooting for (10:30 would have been nailing it, but I wanted more)

Understanding the Race

With an early start time of well before 5AM, I met my partner for the day Cherie, at the foot of the bridge before we proceeded up the ramp to the start area. We were given supplies like water, gels, and instructions on how to brief the riders we would pass. At the bridge, we were kitted with the light bar, and we would roll as the convoy did, the last vehicle to cross the bridge.

Not racing, but proud to be wearing the GFNY logo. The bike leaning up against the car is Frosty! Frosty has spent a lot of time leaning on, or being carried by the car you see — also known as the Gavia Cycling White Whale. We warn that you not refer to the driver as the White Whale — it never ends well!

Cherie was a pro. This was not her first rodeo, her first GFNY, or her first time in the end of race car. She had a great demeanor for speaking to the riders, and a completely professional outlook on how the day would go. There was a lot to this, and a co-pilot was critical. In addition to talking to the riders, Cherie plotted what time we should be at each turn, had water ready for the riders, and kept communication with the command center active so that they knew where we were at all times.

As we commenced, it was mostly phoning in support. It was early, still a little cool and we couldn’t give any water away. It was all good and people were making their way. We had a number of Bear 50 riders we were seeing once the speed of the full course got going through the park and up to the first climb at Alpine. For me, I knew the course. Where the turns were, where the climbs were, and where riders may be in difficulty. As you might expect, the first forty or so miles were pretty uneventful, mostly flat tires, that we would identify for support when they were not already there (most of the time they were), or simple mechanicals that someone was already working on. It became very clear, very quickly, that some of the things that you take for granted while you are racing, are so professionally done. Hearing the motos and support cars communicate, made me feel like I was driving in a convoy in a World Tour race.

When you race any GFNY World event, you see motos, you see support wagons, you see the broom wagon (sometimes you and Massimo see it together), you see the rest stops, and you see the police. The police spend the entire day keeping the race moving, and keeping the race safe. When you slow down and take a look, you get to experience every detail, the sheer number of supporters, drivers, police officers, and volunteers that it takes to create an unbelievable experience for 5,000+ racers. It’s absolutely staggering.
The day was all about tight communication, talking to riders in difficulty, providing encouragement, and helping out however we could. As we got through Haverstraw and closer to Bear Mountain, the day started to heat up. The water that no one was interested in for the last 37 miles was suddenly a hit. We got up and down Bear as the gate was closed for Perkins. The last of the Bear 50 riders were on their way up, and the last few that got up before the cut-off were on their way down. They had successfully completed the challenge and were ready to bask in the spoils of their finisher medal and the knowledge that they had tackled a tough course.

It was time to move into the back half of the course. At various times during the training season, we spend time focusing just on this part of the course. The grades kick up with a maddening frequency providing a true test of your climbing capability. You have just climbed Baby Bear, Bear, back over Baby Bear, and now move toward Mott Farm Road. A sharp, steep, hairpin turn that introduces you to what the next 60–90 minutes of your life are going to be like. You continue to climb on Mott Farm before the respite of a quickie descent, a right turn, and then the sharp kicker of Queensboro and up to the quick descent and base of the Andrea Pinarello, with little respite before Cheescote. Knowing that was ahead led me to look at Cherie and say “I think it’s getting hotter, and even though the temperature is not that high, once you start climbing that sun will bleach you dry”. From the air conditioned purview of the white whale, we started to notice riders stopping here and there. With water and gels to provide we were able to provide some relief to riders that were running dry between rest stops.

On to the climbs. Some riders I knew, some riders I didn’t. The situation was explained, we were keeping a pace, and as we move on, so does the race. But as these brave riders heard the news the response was usually, “but I can finish, right?”.

Like the Grinch finding out that finishing GFNY doesn’t come from a store, perhaps finishing GFNY, thought the Grinch, means a little bit more.

I began to think of how grateful I should be for all the riding I have had the good fortune to do, all the races I have been able to complete. The good days, the bad days. Somehow, replaced at some point by the wattage, and the cadence, and all of the data that starts to take over your cycling life as you start to get deeper and deeper. But what does it really mean? In 2007 I did my first cycling event and barely finished. I had no data except for “I think I left the parking lot around 7, and I got back to the parking lot around 5”. I was never prouder. We all have goals, and every rider we talked to had their goals in site.

More and more as the roads tipped up, and got seemingly close to the sun, the water was flying out the windows of the whale. Folks were asking questions, and we were keeping a careful count. Punctures on the side of the road had been replaced by leg cramps — but they were not deterred from meeting their goals and finishing the race.
When we crossed the finish line, with a view over the dashboard of the kite that marked the end, I had a greater appreciation for GFNY than ever before. As a rider, it’s provided me with life lessons, a great coach, friends, and a second family. As a driver I was honored and privileged to see the sheer determination that develops in competing, completing, and coming back for more.

Eric Olson

Riding Because I Can
Eric Olson is riding GFNY to remind himself of the simple challenges his beloved wife faces.

Tracy Olson will never let her husband Eric, 52 take his health for granted. A Clemson Alumni, Olson has been riding for six or seven years and has tackled some of the world’s toughest rides. For cycling enthusiasts the names the Etape du Tour and Alpe d’Huez, B2B, speak for themselves. He has also ridden closer to home and heart on cycling endurance challenges in the name of fund raising. 

“Ride 4 MEE was a 3 day 500mile idea my biking buddy had to help raise over $6000 for Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF). The MEE stands for Motivate Educate Empower.”

2016 was Olson’s first GFNY NYC after his best friend Kyle Schneider introduced him to the event.

“I definitely owe my finish last year to Kyle,” recalls Olson. “We had suffered many a mile together and due to the cold weather and inadequate clothing I was ready to throw in the towel at Big Bear!”

Olson is rolling out again this year, hopefully better prepared for what the weather may deliver. This year, wife Tracy will be his inspiration along the 100miles. 

“Tracy has had MS (Multiple Sclerosis) for 29 years and the last five have taken so much away from her. On a beautiful day she’ll look out the window and cry when she sees people walking, biking, running and golfing. She hates the cold and feels isolated and confined in the winter.  She can barely get around on her motorized scooter any more,” shares Olson.

The Olson’s have been together for thirteen years and married for ten. While Tracy thanks her husband for being on this “MS” journey with her, Olson thanks his wife, ‘his sweetie’ for letting him take the journey with her.

“Nothing has been harder or more rewarding than to JUST DO IT with her,” says Olson. 

Tracy needs help with every simple act of daily life, getting dressed, washing, even putting her hair in a ponytail. But despite the daily struggle of life’s simplest tasks she still manages to go to the gym and do what she can. Her courage is infectious.

“Some people complain about pain when they stand or walk …my wife just wants to walk.” Olson impresses. “She does not quit and is an inspiration to all that know her,” Eric continues.

Olson is riding GFNY to remind himself of the simple challenges his beloved wife faces. Some challenges appear to be Herculean tasks and Olson knows Sunday will be a tough ride but for him it is just about finishing.

“I have nothing to prove to anyone but myself. GFNY will remind myself what it feels like for her (Tracy) to get from the bed to the bathroom.” 

A timeworn three-word mantra will play over in Olson’s mind on Sunday. ‘Just Do It.’

“I’m riding for Tracy because if she could JUST DO IT, It would be done.”

 About MS:

Olson says, “We are getting closer to Cracking MS but there is a long way to go. To find out more or make a donation please click here: msfocus.org. Alternately Olson asks that you simply donate some time to a neighbor in need or a friend that may be feeling down. It is the simplest most rewarding act of humanity you can give. 

A Ride to Remember Bart

The old adage, ‘live every day like it is your last’ is one we are all two familiar with yet rarely heed. The truth of the matter is you just never know what lies around the corner. 

On Sunday, four riders will be celebrating their friend who tragically passed away last year age 34. Each will be donning a headband with the slogan “Powered By Bart” to be reminded that as they push themselves through the ups and downs of the grueling Campagnolo GFNY World Championship course that their friend is right there with them. 

Jeffrey Bart was a cyclist, not super serious but a weekend warrior, hobby cyclist. He had taken part in GFNY NYC in 2014 and 2015 and had tried to talk his best friend, Jared Rice into joining him on both occasions, but it had never worked out.

This year, 35-year-old Rice will be riding his first GFNY NYC. It will also be his first 100miler and he will be riding alongside some of Bart’s closest friends in his honor.

“He passed very suddenly. Alone in a hotel room traveling for work, we think it was due to an unknown heart condition or arrhythmia that caused heart failure. The true underlying cause of death was never clearly identified.” Reveals Rice.

Rice and Bart had been life-long best friends since the age of five. 

“We literally went through every stage of life together from playing as kids, to high school to college. We lived in Colorado after college as ski bums; we traveled in Europe together for a summer, and then lived in NYC together for many years in our twenties.” Recalls Rice.

 Not particularly avid cyclists, they both enjoyed riding as an occasional hobby.

“We didn’t really get into it (cycling) until I had moved back to Maryland, so living in different cities didn’t really provide many opportunities to ride together.”

Rice describes Bart as ‘always a happy guy – always up for going out to play, experiencing different and new things, and challenging himself.’ In the last few years he had become an avid Crossfitter, had run the New York City marathon and done GFNY NYC twice. 

This Sunday will be Rice’s debut. 

“I’ll be riding with our best friend Ron Kenigsberg who Jeff worked with for the last 12 years and two other friends, Paul Gigante and Franko Kokot.”

Coming to terms with the passing of a best friend or loved one is hard at any stage in life but particularly trying when a life is taken so young. Jeff undoubtedly left a huge void in Rice’s life.

“I’ve definitely struggled to find ways to honor and remember my friend since he passed,” says Rice.  When I talked to Ron about doing the GFNY this year, I knew immediately it was something I wanted to do to remember him. I remember being so impressed and in awe of Jeff’s courage and ability to commit to and tackle what looks like it’s going to be a beast of a ride.” 

Rice continues, “I’m downright scared at how hard it might be. I’ve never even done a century, and have not trained as much as I would have liked but I know that whatever happens on race day, Jeff will be with us and we’ll do what it takes to make it to the finish line together.”

Rice will also have a favorite phrase of Bart’s that has become something of a mantra. The words ‘Wake up, there’s a whole world out there to enjoy’ can also be found engraved on an honorary bench in Central Park.

Joe Sheppard

Winning

A little over a year ago Joe Sheppard could hardly make it up two flights of stairs without getting winded. This Sunday he will take part in his first 100-mile ride.

Joe Sheppard, 37 and father of 2 was at his heaviest a little over a year ago when the scale tipped 297 pounds. Every time he lost weight it would come back with interest. Finally at a tipping point, Sheppard spoke with his doctor about numerous diets, prescription medications and discovered that he had a metabolic condition that meant rather than his body allowing weight loss to stay off it was fighting to keep the weight on.

New research had proven that weight loss surgery would act as a reset for Sheppard’s body and prevent the weight from returning. This fact coupled with a family history of obesity and heart disease, Sheppard decided on Bariatric Surgery (gastric Sleeve).

“On August 2, 2016 I decided to use the surgery for exactly what it is, a tool and not a magic wand. I am now the healthiest I have ever been in my life, ” tells Sheppard.

Post surgery as the weight loss continued, Sheppard started to get to the point where it didn’t hurt to train and exercise.

“While exercising I decided that since I have been given the opportunity to have access to this tool I would put it to good use and chose to rejoin Team In Training and raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).”  

Today, 140 pounds lighter, Sheppard is finding out nothing is impossible anymore.

“There are a lot of things I can do now that I couldn’t contemplate before. Good stuff, like playing with my kids, going for runs and of course riding my bike. I have way more energy and a new found confidence that I didn’t have before.”

The change came with many lessons. Having to drop 40 pounds prior to surgery, Sheppard had to be extremely disciplined about what he put into his body. The discipline has since become a lifestyle change that he has effected onto his kids and family.

“My family. They were my biggest motivator. I want to fight against any weight related disease in the future and be around for my kids.”

Cycling has always played a role in Sheppard’s life. He found out about Campagnolo GFNY through Team in Training and is looking forward to this Sunday where all the hard work will hopefully pay off.

“I had wanted to do a century ride for some time and living in NY State with family in the city, GFNY was the perfect fit.”

“I am looking forward to meeting the rest of my Team, crossing the finish line and the sense of accomplishment that will come with it. Knowing that slightly more than a year ago I could barely make it up two flights of stairs without getting winded and now I’ll be riding 100 miles.”

So does Joe Sheppard have any concerns for race day?

“I admit, I’m a little worried about Bear Mountain but I’m going to do my best and get up it, although I can guarantee it’s not going to be pretty or fast.”

If you want to support Joe and Team in Training you can find out more HERE.

Michael Halderman

Bib #343
On Sunday, Michael Halderman will wear number 343 with extra special pride. 

There are many reasons why people request a certain bib. A lucky number, the year they were born, their age, the year they got married! Michael Halderman, 60 has been requesting the same number for the past three years and his persistence has finally paid off.

“I was a Captain on 9/11 and assigned to the FDNY. As a lieutenant I worked with and trained many of the 343 members that perished on that day,” tells Halderman.

Now retired and logging 10,000 miles a year on two wheels he admits to having attended too many funerals during his years of service.

“Through the 80’s and 90’s we lost a lot of members. Then in 2001 we had a Fathers Day fire in Queens and two more men were lost from my dad’s old firehouse in Woodside, Queens.”

Two months later Halderman’s father passed away. One month later 9/11 happened. If the culmination of events wasn’t already enough to process, Halderman lost his brother David that day. The question ‘why couldn’t it have been 342 souls’ is one Michael has asked himself over and over.

“For sometime that morning my mother didn’t know the status of the two of us. She knew he was working but didn’t know where I was. She wasn’t sure if she had lost one or two of her sons,” he recalls.

On reaching the scene, Halderman had to call his mother to say that they, Squad 18, were all gone. 

To say 9/11 changed how Halderman lived seems like an obvious statement to make. It changed lives around the world. For Halderman who is still haunted by the towers, it naturally prompted a change. 

Halderman took his last drink on September 13, 2003.

“I wasn’t a hard core alcoholic, but I knew it was doing me no good. David fought the devil to drink but was well on his way to sobriety upon his passing. In some way I felt doing this act was in honor of him,” he reveals.

Halderman however was unprepared for the side effect of his new sobriety. 

“I seemed to dwell upon more on what’s been wrong in my life rather than what’s going right.”

Refocusing on the positive Halderman ramped up his love for cycling and was quickly able to lose twenty pounds and then another ten. In 2004 he took part in a cross-country bicycle tour with other Fire Department members raising money for the Widows and Children’s Fund for non-line of duty deaths. 

“That ride was such a humbling experience, so many people came and welcomed us into their small towns.”

Cycling has helped Michael finally find peace with himself and since finding out about Campagnolo GFNY through a bicycling magazine he now has a yearly goal to work towards. 

“I admit a friend talked me into the first one in 2015 as I wasn’t sure how it would go.”

It went pretty ‘okay’ and Halderman made it his mission last year to make the top 10% and (this year) hopefully take a podium spot in his age group. It may also come as no surprise that for someone who logs an annual 10,000 miles he looks forward to the burning climb and challenge of Bear!

Tomorrow 28 riders roll out for their 7th consecutive GFNY NYC

Growing from one race in 2011 with 2000 riders to a global cycling marathon series with over twenty races scheduled for 2018, Campagnolo GFNY World Championship remains the ‘young’ granddaddy that draws cycling enthusiasts from around the world every May.

There are twenty-eight riders who have been rolling out for 100 miles every year since 2011. Through rain and shine, they have experienced first hand some of the best and some of the worst weather NYC can offer. So what brings these loyal riders back year after year?

38-year-old Ben Voss loves everything ‘GFNY’ He has ridden every event and has also taken part in GFNY Deutschland. Upon seeing an advertisement for the inaugural GFNY NYC, Ben immediately made it his goal to do the 100miles. The sea of green jerseys on GWB now brings him back each year. 

“I got into road biking in 2009 at that point I had no idea what I had set in motion. My most notable memory to date has got to be the “rain”. It is still today my number one wartime cycling story when I come across a fellow GFNY cyclist,” he recalls.

Alex Ostroy started riding when he was just 12. Ostroy, now 51, took part in the inaugural event after an invite from Lidia and Uli. 

“I’d say they forced me into it,” Ostroy kids “But seriously, you ​just can’t help but be impressed with GFNY’s scale of​ ambition and organization. My most memorable year was 2013. I felt like the event itself really found its footing.” ​

Ostroy has also participated in GFNY Ventoux, which perfectly doubled up as a holiday in Provence. He found there was a big difference to the finish line on top of Mount Ventoux compared to Fort Lee.

“The usual merriment was absent as finishers were just staggering around in a ​hollow-eyed daze. I swore to myself I’d never do it again while I was ticking off the final endless k’s up the mountain but one month later I signed up again for the next year!” 

Lifelong athlete Hajo Thiele is a runner turned cyclist. “I started riding seriously in 1993 and haven’t stopped since,” he says.

A resident of Westchester, Thiele, 66, was curious about riding on the other side of the Hudson and was so impressed that GFNY were able to have the George Washington Bridge closed for cyclists he wanted to acknowledge this achievement and support them from day one.

“The peace of mind that we ride on closed roads is extremely appealing and I shall keep returning as long as I continue to achieve good results.”

Eric 48, Rene 47 and Jaime 52 are the Villeriaz brothers and have taken to riding the event annually together. 

“Rene was the one who found out about the first GFNY and we all signed up. It was tough but fun. Since then we always manage to end up urging each other to sign up after each race – no matter how tough the ride that day was,” says Eric.

Most riders have a favorite part of the course but for Eric it is simply being on a course with so many other riders who just want to have fun.

“GFNY is the one and only ride that we all train for each year. My basement is a reflection of that work, posters; medals from all the rides are on display!”

Whether it is your first or seventh GFNY NYC, seasoned rider Ostroy has these words of wisdom.

“I’d say just try the event once and I’m confident you will find the experience both totally novel and worth every penny. I’ve ridden to Bear Mountain countless times (on weekend rides) and they blend together in my mind, but I distinctly remember each GFNY event vividly,” 

He continues, “it’s also the only time you will be able to race through NYC blowing through every light and round ever corner and meet people to ride with at every level from all over the world.”

Alfredo Ruiz, 45yrs

Superman Rides

Learning to ride, as an adult can prove quite challenging. Learning to ride as an adult with Parkinson’s disease, now that is the stuff of superheroes.

Alfred Ruiz, has three children. Like many fathers, in his children’s’ eyes he is Superman. The difference between Ruiz and most dads is he has Parkinson’s disease. His disease does not define him; instead he thanks it for making him a better person. 

It has not been an easy journey of acceptance. Being diagnosed at 32 (Ruiz is now 45), the Puerto Rican was embarrassed of the lack of control he was loosing over his body.

“Imagine yourself just trying to get a glass of water that’s right in front you and your brain is commanding your body to grab that glass because you are thirsty, plain and simple, but you just can’t move because of the disease.” 

But it is not always about the physical challenge of buttoning a shirt or putting on socks. Over the past 13 years Ruiz has watched his daughter being born. Knowing he would be unable to pick up his newborn out of fear he may drop her was a huge emotional strain.  

“I never expected to face a challenge like this disease at such a young age. In the beginning I didn’t even go out because of my tremors and the involuntary movements caused by the Parkinson’s.”

Ruiz lived life in those days in anger, blaming the world and falling into a horrible depression until one day he decided enough was enough. 

“I never knew how strong I was until I was faced with no other choice and decided I had to make a difference. I can’t give up because my family needs me. I asked myself how can I tell my children not to give up if I am the first one to give up. We lead by example and from that day my life changed for the better.” Recalls Ruiz.

Discovering cycling two years ago from a friend in a more advanced stage of Parkinsons opened up a whole new world to Ruiz. Having never ridden a bike before people told him he was crazy to start but has now been riding for two years with 100% support from his current neurologist.

“Thankfully I never listened. Yes, it has been tough but I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”

He found an outlet in the form of his ‘Zen place’ called Cardiotek Cycling and Monday thru Thursday can be found cycling away any pain, anger and frustration. It is Ruiz’s way to prove, not to just himself and his family but to others with and without medical conditions around the world that there are no limitations to what you can do with a lot of faith, determination, love and courage.

Weekends are when Ruiz takes to the road for training. Starting at 4:30am the side effect of insomnia and 3-4 hours of sleep per night ironically works to Ruiz’s early morning routine.

“I ride my bike because it gives me life. I choose to ride Campagnolo GFNY 2016 because it’s a huge challenge. I may be the last rider to finish but I do know one thing I WILL NOT QUIT AND I WILL FINISH no matter what it takes.”

Learn more about Ruiz and his cycling in a video that will be shown this September at the 4th World Parkinson Congress to be held in Portland this year.

David Harrell, 43yrs
617.800.9072

Against All Odds

Learning to walk again is like training for a Gran Fondo. If you don’t put the work in you are not going to do it. That’s what Dr David Harrell believes and who am I to disagree.

In 1996 whilst working on his first PhD at the University of Georgia, Dr David Harrell (43) was struck by lightening.

Harrell recalls nothing of the one in a million occurrence. He is left with a reminder in the form of an entrance and exit wound on his back. Suffering severe nerve damage and left with near paralysis of the right leg and severe weakness of the right arm, Harrell was left wheelchair bound and told for the second time in his life he would never walk again.

The first instance was age four, when as a toddler he underwent major hip surgery. He defied odds then not willing to accept the hand that doctors had prescribed him.

Against all odds he is walking again. Against everything every doctor he saw told him. The scientist in Harrell and a stubborn Scottish streak would not give up without a fight. 

“I saw numerous physicians over the years and they all said the same thing, that I need to embrace this,” recalls Harrell. “Well, my mum had polio during WWII and I watched her battle and not give up, she was a great source of inspiration.”

Harrell relates learning to walk again much like training for Gran Fondo. If you put in the hard work you can complete it. Perseverance is a word he repeatedly goes back to. Without it he would still be in a wheelchair.

Cycling is a recent discovery that opened up a whole new world to Harrell. 

“I went into the chair weighing 165 pounds and nine years later when I finally got out of it I was 285 pounds and a further 12months away from walking on my own power.” 

Out of shape but grateful for every step he could take, to combat the weight gain he last year purchased a commuter bike and started commuting to work by bike a few days a week. 

“I fell in love with cycling and having a means of exercise that allowed me to also transport myself to and from work in a shorter time frame than driving or taking the subway.”

A move from Boston to New York at the end of last November provoked Harrell to finally purchase his first ‘real’ bike and it was a generic search on the Internet for ‘cycling New York’, where he first learnt about Gran Fondo. 

“I had never done any organized ride and my first group ride was the first time I’d cycled with others. Until that ride, the farthest I had gone was 37 miles. That day we did about 62 miles. I couldn’t believe it. It felt amazing and wonderful. To be able to do that was incredible.”

It was also painful, but for Harrell the pain is always there and he deals with it on a daily basis. 

“You know, it sucks to do a 96-mile road ride on one-hour sleep but there are other people that didn’t sleep and are still out here. Everyone has challenges and life is about taking on one challenge at a time until you get to the top.”

At the end of the day to be able to get on his bike and ride with his cycling ‘family’ Harrell feels like he is winning every time especially when ascending Bear Mountain on a group training ride feeling unbelievably strong.

“That ride was a very special moment for me. I was feeling great and looked out at the view and thought oh my God I climbed that on a bike. If I think back (over the past few years) that was never supposed to happen.” 

Katie Sullivan, 26yrs old

French and economic major Katie Sullivan was young and independent with a bright future ahead when in a split second everything changed.

Sullivan’s life was put on hold and the 23 year olds newly found independence stripped away when a cab hit her at 30mph. The last memory she has is leaving Gramercy theater in New York, crossing 23rd and Lexington. 

“I woke up in ER at the Presbyterian Cornell. I had broken my leg in two places, shattered my humeral head and broken almost all the bones in the left side of my face including my eye socket, nose and lost six teeth.” Tells Sullivan.

Her first memory post accident was her front teeth being pulled forward. 

“I was in hospital for two and half weeks, I couldn’t talk as my jaw was wired shut and couldn’t walk. Those first few weeks involved A LOT of morphine!” Sullivan now jokes.

Less than 72 hours later surgery began on reconstructing her shattered face. Taking seven hours and using three separate bone grafts from her skull, a new nose, mouth, and cheek were created. Were it not for two small incisions behind her ear, today you would not have known the trauma Sullivan went through. 

There have been numerous follow up surgeries and other minor surgeries on her knee and shoulder and finally, in February of this year Sullivan had her last surgery.

“I am not uncomfortable in hospitals, but I am so done with them.” Sullivan says of the whole experience. “The chapter is closed, I can now move on.” She says. 

And move on she has. 

Active in sports, (playing DI lacrosse at Colgate university), she was told numerous times that being healthy and active was crucial to a rapid recovery.

“I was not used to being dependant on others and suddenly being back with mum was a very strange. If I was hungry I had to ask her to get me some soup, if I needed the toilet she had to assist me. I had to accept being dependant again and that was hard.”

Having spent two months ‘healing’ in the wheelchair, one day the doctor asked her to get up and walk, and she did.

“I was terrified. I had been sitting down for two months and to suddenly get out of that chair was very disorientating. 

Once Sullivan was able to walk she decided she should try running and then if she could run she should choose a goal. She completed her first ever half marathon in April 2014.

From running to cycling and Sullivan discovered the world of cycling and triathlon when she started working as a brand and marketing manager at Swerve Cycling Studio. 

“One of the instructors convinced me to do a sprint triathlon last summer, I have since done two and finally committed after renting a bike all last summer and brought my own bike.”

The next challenge is 100 miles this weekend.

“My brother (I have three) found the race. We are so close. He is my best friend and I said if he was going to do it I would do it.”

Sullivan knows she has a different look today but her positive spirit remains intact. Her attitude before the accident was always positive and outgoing. But, if anything has changed she try’s to make every day count.

“It is cliché but it is so true. My go to motto in my head is you should do this because you can.  I really have no other limitations than mentally, and those are limits I can control.”