One of California’s biggest gran fondo events roared back to life on 7 August for 2500 cyclists in the 6700′ high elevation mountain town of Big Bear just east of Los Angeles. Tour de Big Bear offered something for everyone, including a 5km Family Fun Ride, 50-mile Dirty Bear Gravel Race and The Climb, a 100-mile gran fondo with 8700 feet of climbing through the San Bernadino National Forest.
50-year old Stephen White from Las Vegas, Nevada narrowly edged 17-year old Evan Larson in a battle of old vs. young to win The Climb gran fondo. White crossed the final timing strip in 4:28:28 at an average speed of 22.4mph with Larson just four seconds back at 4:28:32.
Marjie Bemis won The Climb Women’s category, finishing in 5:06:54 in 36th place overall with Andrea Dauria a close second at 5:09:39.
Riding on gravel fire roads in the San Bernardino Mountains Stuart Gonzalez (3:36:02) won the Dirty Bear Gravel Race by 8 seconds over John “The Hatchet” Hatchitt (3:36:10). Alice Perryman was the quickest women, grinding out the 50-miles in 4:23:29.
PHOTOS: Tour de Big Bear, PAA Cycling
GFDN Worldwide Gran Fondo Calendar
GRAN FONDO DAILY NEWS 