Gran Fondo Leavenworth (Peshastin Out-and-Back)

Before the Race

By the time Leavenworth rolled around, I had already done a few events that season. I treated this one more as a training event, though I still wanted to race it competitively.

With the reroute making it an out-and-back, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I opted for my Lynskey titanium gravel bike instead of the Stigmata, thinking extra tire clearance might matter. I ran 42c Specialized Pathfinder Pros and a 2x Ultegra setup (50–34 with 11/34). The bike handled the varied terrain well, though the fit was a little outdated and left me with knee pain for a few weeks after.

I started in a winter jersey — chilly at the rollout, but it never got too hot. Two 26 oz bottles, with plans to refill at the Entiat aid station.

Race Narrative

Early Miles

The neutral rollout from Peshastin lasted about 30 minutes before the first major climb. The group exploded quickly. I stuck with the leaders for ~20 minutes before settling into my pace.

The first climb: 11.3 miles, 2,610 ft gained, average 4.4%, 257w for 56:55. A solid effort that kept me well-positioned.

The descent was another story — loose, rocky, and risky. Riders who pushed the pace gained time, but I chose caution. At one snowy patch near the top, I lost traction and narrowly avoided a crash. A few others weren’t so lucky.

Mid-Race Grind

Rolling into Entiat, we had a strong group of ~20 that organized into a double paceline. It was a relief to work efficiently into the headwind — solo riders would have suffered badly here. I fueled with gels, chews, and four bottles of Roctane (two refilled at Entiat). Nutrition went smoothly.

On the second climb, fatigue set in. The grade was steeper and the gravel looser, forcing a seated, low-cadence grind (around 55 rpm). I couldn’t hold the group’s pace, so I backed off, focusing on maintaining position. I spotted a familiar rider a few switchbacks back and used that as motivation — eventually finishing ~5 minutes ahead after pulling time back on the descent.

Key Moments

The course was defined by its climbing and technical terrain. Loose descents required total focus, and the climbs tested pacing discipline.

The out-and-back format added a unique element: seeing the leaders flying past in the opposite direction gave a sense of where the race stood, and two-way traffic kept you on edge.

Finish

On the final stretch back toward Peshastin, I linked up with another rider, Niko Mills. I sat on his wheel for the last 10 miles and let him take the line ahead of me. Another rider I had worked with earlier cramped out near the bottom of the final descent.

Despite fading power on the last climb, I stayed consistent, avoided cramps, and finished strong.

What Went Well

• Solid pacing on the first climb, staying efficient without overextending.
• Nutrition/hydration dialed — no stomach issues, no cramps.
• Smart group riding in the headwind section made a huge difference.

Needs Improvement

• Descending: I gave up time being conservative, though it kept me upright. Improving confidence here could net a few minutes.
• Bike fit: lingering knee pain suggests I need to update my position on the Lynskey.
• Holding the front group longer on the second climb would have improved placing, but my pacing trade-off likely saved me from blowing up.