The 2014 Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo will be remembered for an all-day snowfall, a difficult decision and a party at the Pisgah Brewing Company in Black Mountain, N.C., that would put most Friday or Saturday night affairs there to shame.
For certain, the "Binge" will not be remembered for its scenic rides of 83, 30 and 6.7 miles through the Great Smoky Mountains. That's because a combination of snow, strong winds and unseasonable chill put the brakes on the event before it even got going.
Brett Fischer was one of those who did not get to ride the Bookwalter Binge. A resident of nearby Asheville, he signed up to enjoy the ride organized by BMC Racing Team professional Brent Bookwalter and his wife, Jamie, a former professional cyclist herself. But like dozens of others who were hoping to pedal with the Bookwalters and a host of other professional cyclists and VIPs, Fischer's bicycle never even left the rack.
Adam Porter 'riding' at the Bookwalter Binge. The 12-year-old was deemed the event's only 'official participant' after being coaxed into putting his bike on a stationary trainer in the middle of the brewery. Credit: Bookwalter Binge
Bookwalter said it was a tough call to cancel the ride. "Rider safety is our No. 1 priority and we simply could not guarantee a safe riding experience for everyone," he said as snowflakes steadily fell, turning still-leafy trees into winter-like displays. "Instead, we're going to provide a unique opportunity to spend an afternoon with some of cycling's biggest stars in a laid-back and social setting."
With proceeds from the event slated to help buy mountain bikes for area kids through the Asheville chapter of "Trips for Kids WNC," Bookwalter was determined to keep that part of his dream for the event alive. Mountain bikes are how he got his start. And 10 years as a professional - and competition in some of the sport's biggest races like the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia - have not diminished his drive to give something back to the future of the sport.
George Hincapie, a 17-time participant in the Tour de France and three-time U.S. national road champion, also didn't get to ride the Bookwalter Binge. He woke up to snowfall in nearby Greenville, S.C., and immediately fired off a text message to Bookwalter, a former teammate, to find out what was up. Told the event had switched from bike ride to after-party, Hincapie and a few cycling buddies headed out to make what would be a white-knuckle drive through the mountains. A few hours later, Hincapie was enjoying a tasty catered lunch from local Mexican eatery Mamacitas, watching fellow pro Joey Rosskopf take part in a pump-the-inner-tube-until-it-pops contest and answering questions himself on stage as part of a "pros panel."
Panel session at the Bookwalter Binge after weather prevented riding. From left to right: Brent Bookwalter Ally Stacher TeJay van Garderen and George Hincapie. The emcee is Sean Weide. Credit: Bookwalter Binge
"I know how hard Brent and Jamie worked to get this event going and knowing what it's like to put on my own fondo, I wanted to lend my support to the Binge," Hincapie said between signing autographs and taking photos with fans. "Brent and I have ridden in worse conditions than we have today, but you have to think of the abilities of all the cyclists in situations like this. He made the right choice."
Adam Porter did get to ride the Bookwalter Binge. The 12-year-old was deemed the event's only "official participant" after being coaxed into putting his bike on a stationary trainer in the middle of the brewery. For every dollar placed in a glass fish bowl in front of him, Porter would pedal for a minute. Five dollars got things started. Minutes later, a few more bucks were thrown in, followed by a five, and then a twenty. Before he could even break a sweat, Porter was on the clock to ride for 45 minutes. In all, he
would pedal for more than two hours, raising $130 for Trips for Kids. "He really wanted to ride and this is almost like he rode the 30-mile route as he had planned," Porter's mother said after helping him dismount his bike to raucous cheers from the crowd.
As the final winners of the door prize drawings were being announced and participants were being coaxed to take home unopened boxes of PowerBars, two-time U.S. national criterium champion John Murphy lamented on what might have been and what could be a glimpse into the future.
"This might actually be the new model for the gran fondo," Murphy said. "No riding. Just a lot of people who love cycling, hanging out together, having a few beers, kicking back and enjoying themselves. Who needs the riding part when you can still have so much fun?"
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