I've enjoyed the playful writing style of former pro cyclist Phil Gaimon for many years. I've also shared his love of cookies. When I stopped by a roadside tent to get some free cookies while climbing Mount Baldy during this year's Tour of California (now on the World Tour stage!), the guy handing out cookies asked if I was signed up for Phil's "Cookie Fondo." As I was grabbing cookies from the guy's jar and thinking of a polite answer, I noticed Phil walking from the back of the tent and decided to loudly respond, "Well, if Phil Gaimon came up to me, introduced himself and asked me to join him on the Fondo, I'd definitely go." Phil followed my suggested sales tactic precisely, so I HAD to sign up and ride. 

I'm glad I did. Phil's Cookie Fondo (http://www.philsfondo.com) was very well-managed with a big rider turnout, well-marked roads, great support along the way and a variety of good food at the start/finish in Camarillo. The wind was pretty insane for part of the ride, but that didn't take away anything from this warm and sunny day in the hills and along the coast.

If you're not familiar with Phil you should be. He's one of the best climbers on the planet. The day after we all rode with him in his Fondo he jumped on a flight to do a 105 km climb in Taiwan. He finished that race four places in front of Tour de France winner Cadel Evans, and only five places back from Tour de France winner Vincenzo Nibali who just retired from the pro peloton this year. 

Be sure to add the Cookie Fondo to your fun cycling plans for 2018! 
Happy Halloween!! ​🎃

I never normally take the same trip twice unless I'm visiting family. Giro d'Italia winner Andy Hampsten (he's still the only American to have ever won this grand tour) and his wife Elaine practically feel like family now, after my second participation in their Cinghiale "Cooking & Cycling Tour." It's a 2-piggy tour (on a 4-piggy difficulty scale), so I can still keep up with the group rides through Tuscany.
UPDATE: Here are photos from the trip on flickr... https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4KjqKJ

With moderate mileage and mountains of food, I actually gained weight on this trip. It was SO worth it. The food & wine were incredible. The riding was dreamy. There's this one stretch of road that's maybe a 2% grade but it's so scenic that I feel like I'm going downhill in both directions. 

I'm writing this blog two weeks after my return. Just as I did last time I took this tour (2014), I'm going through withdrawal, wishing I was there again. This time around I also rode my bike around Lake Como. Lake Como has always been on my bucket list, so getting the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour around the lake made my bucket "runneth over." 

Thanks to Andy & Elaine at www.cinghiale.com and Pietro & Maryann at www.bicyclinginitaly.com for showing me a really good time in such beautiful parts of a beautiful country. I'll never forget such blissful road bike riding.