(Photo: LeMond Fitness)
Greg LeMond, the Nevada-born bike racer who endeared himself to millions as the first American to win the prestigious Tour de France, is set to make an appearance in Portland this Thursday (9/22).
LeMond, who won the Tour in 1986, 1989 and 1990 and is now CEO of LeMond Fitness, will be in town to participate in the Hood River edition of the Echelon Grand Fondo which takes place this Saturday. Packet pick-up for the event is at West End Bikes (1111 SW Stark St) and event organizers say LeMond will be at the shop between 5:30 and 7:00 pm Thursday night.
Executive Director of the Echelon Grand Fondo Hunter Ziesing says LeMond was at their Palo Alto event last weekend and was, “a blast to be with.” “He’s personable (practically met every participant), very funny, and admittedly out of race shape, so come hang with him this weekend.”
If you can’t make it to West End Bikes, you can catch LeMond in Hood River where he’ll sit down with fans at a $75 a plate “casual dinner” on Friday night at 3 Rivers Grill (601 Oak Street). Far from just a social outing for LeMond, he’ll also be turning the pedals on Saturday as a participant in the CrossMountain event. (More details here.)
For the uninitiated the “gran fondo” concept originated in Italy (it translates into “big ride”) and they’ve become increasingly popular in the U.S. The Echelon Gran Fondos are 60 or 100 mile rides on “epic” courses. In Hood River, riders will have a “cross mountain” option which will be a detour from the route over gravel and dirt roads and trails. All the rides meet back in town for a big party and festival.
For more info and to RSVP and register for these events, check out EchelonGranFondo.org.