Day 18- Donkeys Dominate at FoCo Fondo

 This morning, at 5am, Jon woke up to go race the FoCo (Fort Collins) Fondo. By about 10am Axel and I wandered down to the festival. It was fun! They had set out tables and cowbells at the finish.

Jon’s team, Rodeo Labs Pro Gravel, were seven Trail Donkeys strong (the bikes are named Trail Donkeys and are great for gravel racing as well as gravel touring). Early on teammie Jonathan Cavner attacked solo and another teammie, Greg Daniel, bridged up. When I say early I mean the first 10 miles of a 107 mile race. Whew.

Jon and his other teammates Nick Gould and Logan did the strong work of covering moves setting some false tempo, lulling the pack into submission. That is how it’s done and how bike racing is truly a team sport. It is more than just the drafting people.

In the end, Cavner and Greg stayed away for the whole race and Rodeo Labs went 1-2 on the podium, minutes ahead of the next guy. Also, must mention Jess Cygan got second place in a tough women’s race. It was Donkey Dominance at FoCo FondoFest.

Greg Daniel and Jonathan Cavner crossed the line together for the win.

Jon Baker rolling in for 6th having done strong work in the back.

The boys were hot.

Nick getting much needed hydration.

Post-race discussion.

Feeling refreshed after having got his stew, beer, and commemorative bolo.

Axel took an artsy photo of me and my breakfast beer.

Look, Dave Towle! Have not seen him in a few years. We need to go play disc golf together, apparently Dave’s a player.

Jon Harp- the genius behind the whole Rodeo Labs team, posing with a freshly shampooed Jon Baker.