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December 4, 2015
In just over 5 hours on Sunday, cyclists rode more than 100 miles through Pamlico County. Though they averaged about 20 miles an hour, and sprinted for personal bests, this wasn’t an official race. It was a celebration of cycling. And at the same time a birthday celebration on wheels.100 miles behind them, cyclists in the 2015 Chuck Fondeaux make the final push to the finish line on the Oriental bridge.What it was was Fondeaux. The 3rd Annual Chuck Fondeaux.
The Chuck in the name is Chuck Forrest, owner of Forrest Farm Supply in Bayboro and an avid cyclist often seen riding on Pamlico County roads. Over the past few years now. an ever-larger group of riders has done a century ride to celebrate his birthday in late November. On Sunday, a day before Chuck turned 60, the Chuck Fondeaux drew 30 cyclists, its biggest turnout yet.
Charles Fetzer at right, congratulates Chuck Forrest on his 101 miles and his 60th birthday. Charles, who joined the ride for 25 miles on Sunday, has done more than a few century rides in his 80+ years. As to Chuck turning 60, Charles said, “Remember, you will never feel as good as you do now.”Not all of who rode did the 100+ mile course and its final sprint up the Oriental bridge. Some went a few miles, others a few hundred fathoms. This was not an event with a no-drop rule. The point, says Fondeaux organizer Will Conkwright, is that they all got on a bike and rode.
Will Conkwright was one of about a dozen cyclists to make that one last sprint to the top of Oriental’s bridge. Others opted to hang a left at about that point and go to Water Street Grill after doing their century ride, and still other cyclists opted in and out of the fondo ride.The Fondeaux and its mix of serious and casual cyclists were inspired by large events in Italy called gran fondos. Toss in a mispronunciation that sounded more like ‘fondue’ and an event was born. The first, two years ago, drew a dozen.
The 100+ mile route through Pamlico County. (Click on map to enlarge.)Will Conkwright says he’d like to see another fondo, perhaps with a Belgian beer and food theme – timed for the spring when big cyciling events are happening in Belgium. Staging a fondo in Oriental, he says, could attract more cyclists to the county’s roads, but also bring non-cycilsts to town.
On Hodges Street at the Oriental harbor, a Sunday morning lineup of most of the cyclists who, moments later, set out on their 100+ mile route.On the final approach on th Oriental bridge, two cyclists wrapping up their 100 mile ride, prepare to pass a couple out for a more casual Sunday ride. That kind of mix was one of the aims of the fondeaux.Reflection in Alvin Maxwell’s helmet shows part of the Sunday morning lineup..[page]
There were commemorative biking shirts for the occasion.(Chuck Lee’s sported a bike jersey touting his favorite movie. A toga being less aerodynamic.)Part of the lineup.Departure down Hodges Street.The lead cluster of cyclists rounds the corner where Oriental Road and Janeiro Road meet. This was a few miles in to the route.All rates of speed were welcomed.Julia Tingle gives her wave. At this point in the ride – just a few miles in — she departed from the route and planned to join in at the end. It was an authorized Rosie Ruiz maneuver; the fondeaux rules allowed for cyclists to join in and to veer off at will.[page]
The route passed the Cahoon pipe farm, on Camp Don Lee Road.Just a few more turns of the pedals to go. Chuck Forrest nears the finish line, approximately 45 feet above the waters of Smith and Greens Creeks .In the final stretch of the non-race, a friendly pat on the back?Last sprint of the ride was very much uphill.Chuck Forrest and some of the cyclists on top of the Oriental bridge after completing the century ride – 101 miles – in just over 5 hours on Sunday. It was the 3rd annual Chuck Fondeaux, which this year marked his 60th birthday.Alvin Maxwell of (little) Washington after the 100+ mile ride in which he sported a bulbous helmet that evoked Darth Vader. It was the back of the helmet other fondeaux cyclists saw. He was first to reach the top of the bridge.The final approach.[page]
100 miles, check.The Carols – Beliveau and Stanton – at Water Street Grill after the 100+ mile ride.At Water Street Grill post race. Some riders spoke of visualizing their meals in the last of their 100 miles. At right, behind the chair weave, one of the Chuck Fondeaux commemorative t-shirts.Will Conkwright – who organized and rode in this year’s Chuck Fondeaux – at the top of the Oriental bridge after a final sprint up the incline.A cyclist looks back down the slope of Oriental’s only hill..