Prospera Valley GranFondo – July 22

Congratulations to all the Velo Vets that participated or raced in this event. Lots of Velo Vets to be seen in this video!

All the medio fondo results here: http://www.sportstats.ca/displayResults.xhtml?racecode=102696
And the gran fondo results: http://www.sportstats.ca/displayResults.xhtml?racecode=102695

Here’s the report from VV medio fondo team co-captains Barb and Terry.
The VVV Prospera Valley Medio Team included Barb, Sandi, Tim, Henning, Bob A., Cornelius, Ken, Leo and Terry. Our Team goals were to ride/work as one, have fun and do a sub 3 hour finish on the flat/rolling/hilly 80km Fort Langley course. As a Co-ed Team we needed to cross at least 2 girls within the first 5 and the finishing time of the Team would be the time of the 5th member to cross.
After 2 training rides on the actual Medio course we had a good sense of how we would be able to accomplish our Team goals. We also learned that 2 of our members would be starting with us, yet, most likely would not be finishing with us.
While the Organizers have not yet posted the Team results, we believe we were the first Medio Team to cross the line as evidenced by our finishing positions/times;

Some highlights of the event;
· Seeing all the VVV jerseys/colours (15 or so between the Medios and the Grans) at the start and hearing our Team name over the loud speakers;
· The 40 km+ pace right off the start;
· Sandi suggesting that we stay close to this one CTV guy ‘cuz on the hovering CTV helicopter in the sky;
· Being 7 minutes ahead of our training ride time 35 minutes into the ride and 14 minutes ahead at the ½ way point;
· A silly UNEXPECTED hill on a really CRAPPY detour road;
· Tim bridging a 300-400 metre gap right after that CRAPPY road with Henning and Terry on his wheel;
· Ken missing the Medio turn off;
· Leo, Barb and Sandi doing their out-of-saddle-dance on the Bradner hills;
· Tim having a saddle mechanical and AGAIN bridging a 300-400 metre gap;
· The “10 km to go” sign!;
· Keeping the VVV wanna-be’s from interrupting our train;
· Ah, yes… that light drizzle – just enough to get our bikes dirty;
· Being greeted by Jim Davies just before the finish;
· The final “sprint” and Leo doing his rocket thing!’
· Bob crossing and looking like he had put in yet ANOTHER good effort;
· Cornelius crossing and his “I’m finished!!!!” smile;
· Meeting the First Nations Chief’s husband at the BBQ and hearing the story of how his sister-in-law, Phyllis Atkins, was the designer of the medal we all received.

It was a great experience to ride our bikes with 7 amazingly selfless people who put their own agendas aside for the working and the success of a Team!
Perhaps others will consider joining us next year?!