Without doubt the fastest growing facet of cycling has to be the Grand Fondo. They cater for all categories, age groups and levels of fitness, just look at how many people have been brought into cycling at maybe its worst time for bad publicity in the professional ranks, over the last 10 years. Joshua Liberles and Greg Lee recently savored the Oregon Triple Crown based in Cottage Grove. Here is what they found out:- Words: Joshua Liberles – Photos: Greg Lee -The Oregon Gran Fondo, part of the Oregon Triple Crown series, returned for its fourth edition, winding its way west of the town of Cottage Grove, Oregon, through the Siuslaw and Smith River forests, and along some of the best roads many of the participants had ever encountered. The distance 117 miles represents the primary challenge, although the 6,700 vertical feet contribute, too. There are shorter options the 71-mile Medio and 25-mile Piccolo routes as well. Cottage Grove has a population of about 10,000 people, which, amazingly, is enough to make it Lane County’s third largest community. The town’s most famous as the setting for the train scenes of Buster Keaton’s The General, and Stand by Me, and the parade scenes from Animal House. The city of Eugene is more than 15 times its size, but is 23 miles due north. We were heading west onto tiny roads, where we’d encounter perhaps a dozen cars in the next five-and-a-half hours.The gorgeous Village Green Resort, where fondo riders could decompress...
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