On a the first weekend of summer, Colorado got two feet of snow, making it feel more like winter than summer as 248 riders wearing long sleeve jerseys, tights, jackets and toasty gloves shivered waiting for the start of the Gran Fondo National Series Golden Gran Fondo.
Although sunny at the start in Golden, Colorado, temperatures were not expected to warm up as riders headed up into the Rocky Mountains due to rain, snow and cloudy cover on the 78-mile 9086′ vertical course.
With many riders preferring to stay in bed due to the conditions, only hard-core gran fondo riders lined up, included ex-Pros Tom Danielson and Colby Pierce.
Riders rode up the beautiful and rugged Peak to Peak Highway to a snowy 9000′ elevation while competing over 4 timed KOM/QOM climbs to try and stay warm. 22 year-old John Keller bested everyone and earned the KOM title, followed by Travis Lechner and Tom Danielson, all from Colorado. Amy Vasse was the fastest women and QOM.
Photos: ©First Place Photo/GFNS
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