Fall is in the Air

And the Cycling is Gran:

Well, I've been chided for saying it, but fall is indeed in the air. The leaves are changing and I now wear a jacket and gloves as I rocket down my hill. There is less light in the evenings, so I have been enjoying riding home in the dappled fall rays. It's also almost cyclocross season, and the perfect time and temperature to start cranking out some intervals and longer weekend rides.

I was also recently reflecting on the rise of Gran Fondo events in my area. Last year a friend of mine created a  local fall Gran Fondo near White Sulphur Springs MT called The Ride Around the Castle Mountains. It was fantastic and I'm wondering if the event will occur again. Fondo's are traditionally longer annual cycling events that typically occur in one day and are more akin to a mass ride than a race. Perfect!  A yearly reunion with great friends, good food (why not!), and a bike ride. I feel more Fondo's have been popping up, they are relatively easy to design, especially if you have a route in mind, something longer and challenging, its also nice to have a little support since the events traditionally run all day. 

Needless to say we had blast and I am hoping for the Ride Around the Castles 2012 version. I also noted some Gran Fondo events in Montana this year with the Ovando Gran Fondo just around the corner. This is a 57-mile orchestrated supported ride, a mixture of paved and dirt roads in the Seeley Swan Valley and a fundraiser for the Missoula Symphony Association.

What are some of the Fall cycling events in your area?  Any Fondo's on the list?  If you haven't tried one, give it a spin this year.  Also, Adventure Cycling still has a few openings on some of our Fall tours:

• Freedom Flyer (Philly to DC) - September 8 - September 16
• Grand Canyon Van I - September 8 - September 14 
• San Juan Inn to Inn - September 8 - September 15
• Great Lakes Relaxed - September 8 - 15 
• Great Lakes Inn to Inn - September 15 - 25
• Grand Canyon Van II - September 16 - September 22  
• Wine and Harvest - September 16 - September 23 
• C & O Canal/Gap - September 29 - October 6
• Vermont Inn to Inn - October 7 - October 13
• Big Bend Loop - October 20 - October 28 

Some of these only have a few spots, but what a great way to enjoy the season, cool cycling air, fall colors, the effervescent smells of decaying leaves. So, be a kid again, kick-up some leaves with those bicycle tires, and enjoy the open road.

Photos: Biking home in Missoula, by Mo

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ON THE ROAD is written by the tours team -- Mo, Paul, Madeline, and Arlen -- tours specialists and intrepid bicyclists, covering all things related to Adventure Cycling's Tours Department. Find your  dream tour now!

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2012/09/fall-is-in-air.html

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