Is anyone doing Levi’s this year, or has anyone done it before? I’d love to hear any intel from those who’ve ridden it, and it’d also be great to potentially link up with some fellow EC members on the day.
On another note, a few of us are pooling together to get a group discount, so if you haven’t purchased a ticket yet, let me know.
I did a bunch of them on the old santa rosa course, and it was a really well run event. stunning scenery, good rest stops, every turn was controlled.
If I lived close enough I’d do it. The course looks fantastic.
Racing it for the first time this year, despite living nearby in SF. By all accounts, supposed to be a well run race and beautiful course
Hello fellow EC members,
Relatively new to EC and the forum. Saw this post and Levi’s Gran Fondo immediately caught my attention. I live in LA so 6.5 hours away from me is kinda of a drive especially wit the Fondo being right around the corner.
Maybe next year as the course and event look absolutely amazing. Now I have FOMO 
Good luck to everyone who is participating in it!
Cheers,
DD
I did the old course many times over the years including the very first edition, and did the new/current course for the first time in 2024. Despite the nasty weather on that occasion, it was still a highlight of my year. I’ll be back this year, and have been looking forward to it for months and months now.
Not sure which course you’re planning to do, but for me the Gran is the sweet spot. 120 miles, 10,000 feet of climbing is a proper challenge for sure. The climbs are tough. King Ridge changes pitch a lot, and the final climb is nasty steep. Despite the fact I’m quite a bit lighter and fitter this year than I was last time, I’m also very happy with the fact I’ll be packing a 35/33 low gear instead of my prior 36/28.
The first 30 miles or so you can save a ton of energy (and time) riding in a big pace line, but once you hit King Ridge it breaks up quite a bit. There’s a basic water/restroom aid station right before the climb starts, and I wouldn’t sweat stopping there if you need to acquire and/or deposit fluids even if you’re in a big group, because it’s all about to come apart anyway. You can kind of ride the middle climbing section at your own pace or with a small group of friends, but then when the climbing is done, try to leave the next aid station when others roll so you can get back in a decent sized group for the long flat finale.
All in all a fantastic event that deserves its strong reputation. Super well run, great aid station support and food, course signage is solid. You don’t need to have the route on your GPS unless you like to know how long the climbs are. Post-race food options are all good, but for sure the paella is my go-to.
This is pure gold and exactly the intel I was looking for. Thank you. I also plan to do the Gran. It’ll still be my longest time in the saddle by quite a bit so I think that’s plenty enough a challenge. I’m assuming you’re in the NorCal region to have done it a few times?
did it a couple of years ago on the newer course and found it as a proper challenge. my biggest advice is the ignore others and enjoy the scenery. there were a bunch of times where i pushed myself too much (and suffered later for it) because i wanted to stay with a good group. instead i should’ve just kept to my own pace and enjoyed the scenery which is beautiful.
there’s also a good stretch towards the end where it’s relatively flat. some wind (when i did it) but nothing really to worry about.
was planning on doing it this year until a last minute work thing came up 
but i’m doing it for sure next year!
Actually no, I am PNW (so I was well prepared for all the rain in 2024!). Good advice from others about enjoying the scenery–I hope for better weather this time so there are proper views rolling along King Ridge!
I’ve never ridden Levi’s but until last year I used to live in Cazadero, right at the bottom of King Ridge. These were my local roads and I miss them already. I’d definitely second (or third) what’s been said about King Ridge; too spectacular a climb to put yourself in the pain cave and not enjoy the scenery. It has its own remote beauty even on a foggy day. Another reason to take it easy on King Ridge is that Skaggs Springs Rd is unrelenting, not a flat piece of pavement anywhere! But that all leads to the descent to Lake Sonoma and pretty much flat return to Windsor. A brutiful day out. Enjoy Sonoma County and have a memorable day.
I did the Gran on the old Santa Rosa course a number of years back and will add another positive testimonial - top notch organization, beautifully run event. If you’re not in position to really place well racing, definitely do enjoy the scenery, and the good photos you take doing the ride ought to be more meaningful in a few years time than seeing that you got xxx out of yyyyy on a few segments of the course on Strava.
So I’ve done 6 Levi’s - 5 on the old course, and 1 (Geyser) on the new - everything from the original Grand Route to the Panzer (the first two years). The Panzer is roughly equivalent to the new Gran.
As people have said, there are large groups at the start, and sitting in can definitely help eat up the first bit without a lot of effort. Just be aware that not everyone in groups is the most courteous - one year I did it people didn’t point out pothole on descent and 3 people went down with broken bones, more crashed, and I was lucky to just double flat. The rest stops are well run and usually pretty stocked. The weather can be hit or miss - really hot, or you could get rain. A lot of the pavement is pretty bad. 28s are the min I would run, and if you have / can run 30s, that would be my recommendation.
Good luck and have fun. Unfortunately I can’t make it this year - conflicts with the anniversary - or I would have been out marshaling
Thanks so much! Super helpful!
As in riddled with potholes or gradient! Thanks for the tips!
Much of both
, but mainly the gradients.
The reviews of the old course said it was one of the best fondo/rides in the world. It was also part of the of the Tour of California. I have ridden it every year and won’t miss a year. Get a sandwich from Oliver’s after check-in and post ride dinner at Spinster Sisters.. Hard to imagine a better weekend : )
Just booked spinsters based off your reco!
I should have added if you can fit it in the schedule stop by https://nimbleandfinnssr.square.site ice cream. I am sure they are in the top 10 ice cream in California, if they were in a major city it would be a hour wait to get in. @Aussie_Rider Hope you have a great ride and wonderful meal!!! If you remembered post your review … I think might be a little bias as I live in NorCal!!!
C
oh for sure get the paella… Gerard Nebesky is the best … I think he has cooked for past Presidents and is one of the few people that have defeated Bobby Flay**.** And his paella recipe is very easy to follow and explains how to make it!! Gerard's Paella (that beat Bobby Flay!)
I live in Santa Rosa and adding in here as a volunteer for the event many a year. From the back end, always well run, well prepared, The staff and cyclist are 99.9% always a delight. I suck eggs at cycling so I stick to the live streaming and volunteering. If you are hoping for any specific stores, foods, drinks, experiences, I am happy to try and point you in the right direction. Maybe I’ll be handing you some pickle juice at a rest stop…