Gran Fondo Cycles is pleased to have a talented group of friends representing the shop in local racing in Categories 3, 4 and 5, with some members also racing in the Masters categories. Besides quite a few podium finishes, the distinctive quality you take away from this group is their love of cycling and the joy they find in being a part of a strong team built on talent and friendship!
Check out our racers below, as well as a few of their words about living the gran fondo dream...
Philip Armbrust
Nashville, TN
USCF Category 4
Age: 30
Racing since 2004
I love riding my titanium Bianchi Matta with the Gran Fondo-Bianchi racing team. This is my first year with the group and am excited to be surrounded by both excellent riders and supported by a world-class shop. The equipment and service I get at the shop helps me be the best I can whether training or racing. My favorite types of races are criteriums and anything where I can wind up a nice sprint.
Brett Benson
Nashville, TN
Age: 35
USCF Category 3
Career highlights:
-1st, 2008 Oak Ridge Fall Velo Classic Omnium, RR, & Crit (Cat 4)
-Multiple top 5 and top 10 finishes in RR, TT and Crit
I am new to the Gran Fondo-Bianchi team this year. I was attracted by the team's camaraderie, the experience and commitment of the team members, and the passion and knowledge of Lynn and others at Gran Fondo. Riding and racing is the best way I know how to maintain personal health and fitness, cultivate relationships, and get my competitive fix all at the same time.
Carlton post training ride
Carlton Davis
Nashville, TN
USCF Category 4
Age: 45
Racing since 2005
I first got interested in cycling while in college and logged many miles over several years but eventually put it aside. Five years ago, while teaching my daughter to ride a bike, I was reminded how much fun it was and soon found myself at Gran Fondo being fitted for a new bike. Before long I was training for centuries and eventually started racing. I'm now on my third Bianchi and have spent countless hours and miles enjoying the great outdoors, friendships, and staying fit. I'm proud to be associated with Gran Fondo and appreciate the support and expertise of Lynn and all the great folks at the best shop on the planet.
Robert Dodd
Nashville, Tn
USCF Category 4
Age: 42
-1st 2008 Edgar Soto downtown crit. (cat. 5), 2nd Brentwood crit.
-1st 2009 Cumberland Univ. training race (cat. 4/5)
I started biking after watching the movie Breaking Away, yea a long long time ago, and since then have biked on off over the years. I spent a lot of time in the 90's racing mountain bikes and training on the road, but never tried road racing. Finally, I took out a racing license in 2008 to race the Nashvillecyclist.com crit. series. This is my first year with Gran Fondo and have found that the team has been friendly and inviting. Racing gives me an outlet for my need for competition and endorphins. Biking is a lifestyle for me whether it is racing, fetching groceries, or running errands. Anytime I don't have to start the car is a good time. I look forward to becoming a better biker and being active in the coming races. If I had to shoot for a goal for the season it would be riding towards cat. 3. Finally, I am lucky to have a wife and children that support my need to get on my bike and train.
Mark Fleishman
Nashville, TN
USCF Category 3
Age: 39
Racing since 2007
Racing Highlights :
-15 top 10 finishes in 2008 and winner of South Knoxville Omnium
To quote a line from a great movie, Shawshank Redemption, "Get busy living, or get busy dying." Riding a bike, a Bianchi bike, is what I found out to be living. I started riding in 2001 doing charity rides and centuries and really enjoyed the freedom of riding and the camaraderie of other riders, and the fitness it gives you. I moved to Nashville in 2006 and started to ride more seriously and attended some of the Gran Fondo group rides and got to know Lynn and Vida as well as the other Gran Fondo racers. I decided to try racing in 2007 and have loved it ever since. I have learned a lot about the sport from racing for Gran Fondo, and they have the best mechanics in the area.
Jay is getting it done!
Jay Martin
Nashville, TN
USCF Category 4
Age: 40
Racing for Gran Fondo since 2006
Racing Highlights: 2009 Sprung Forward Time Trial & Crit Omnium Winner
The best part of racing for Gran Fondo over the last three years has been training, traveling and racing with a great group of friends, and enjoying the support of the best shop in Nashville. I have two Bianchi race bikes ('05 San Lorenzo and '08 928 Carbon T-Cube - the official bike of the Cat 4 team) and love them both. My favorite races are the Sumner County Road Race in White House and the McMinnville Road Race.
Jeremy can be a bit of a cross dresser
Jeremy Nagoshiner
Nashville, TN
Age: 33
USCF Category:
Road Cat 3
Mountain Bike Cat 1
Cyclocross CX2
Career Highlights:
-2007-2008 Cyclocross TBRA Single-Speed Series Champion
-2008-2009 Cyclocross TBRA CX 3 Series Runner Up
I love racing bikes, whether they are road bikes, mountain bikes, cyclocross bikes, tricycles or big wheels. The great folks at Gran Fondo help to keep my bikes working so that I can race more and only blame myself when days don't go as planned. Lynn, Britton, Clayton and Jeff don't only treat me like a member of the Gran Fondo family, they treat me like a bad employee, and I appreciate that kind of personal touch.
Great support and great teammates, that's what keeps me motivated as I search for the next big wheel race.
Michael racing in a crit
Michael Scalf
Nashville, TN
USCF Category 4
Age: 50
Racing since 2004
As a life ambition to remain an athlete, cycling provides my foundation for fitness and health and racing provides the motivation. After decades of sport successfully chasing some type of ball and a few similarly successful knee surgeries to prove it, I hope to stay in the game with cycling. My racing goals are humble: finish and don't be last. Beyond racing, the elegance of cycling comes from the spirit of the team or group ride, the visual of the various team kits or jerseys and the art of the bikes and components. From perfect days outside to the worst of the elements, with constant chatter or four hours of solitude, being part of the racing and social cycling community is one of the most rewarding reasons to ride and or race a bicycle. Gran Fondo is the hub of the Nashville cycling community and you are always sure to see people you know there or meet people you would like to know. Everyone at Gran Fondo makes you feel like you are their best customer. My special thanks to Lynn for decades of support and assistance!
Josh (right) just rolling along
Josh Webb
Nashville, TN
USCF Category 4
Age: 40
Racing since 2005
I started riding competitively in 2005 by entering in a couple of mountain bike races and finished well. As a result of wanting to become a faster mountain biker I bought a road bike and now primarily ride on the road. After racing a single criterium in 2007 I was hooked and decided to take riding to the next level by joining the Gran Fondo race team. I entered my first road race in 2008 as a Cat 5 and participated in the NashvilleCyclist.Com criterium series and won the series in my category. I also competed in my first time trial in 2008. I enjoy riding with the race team and enjoy an occasional charity ride. I have picked up numerous racing and training tips and from my teammates. Cycling had improved my fitness level tremendously and I enjoy riding with the team. Of course, I rely heavily on the mechanical advice of the staff at Gran Fondo.
Wade Wheeler
Nashville, TN
USCF Cat 4
Age: 47
Racing since 2004
Career highlights:
-TN Silver Medalist Criterium 2006, 2nd Highland Rim Criterium.
-5 podium and 11 top ten finishes in RR and Crit (Cat 4 and 5)
Simply put, cycling is the only form of exercise I enjoy. I look forward to the next team ride as soon as I clip out. We have a special group of racers that maintains the ability to laugh and enjoy ourselves while training. I have cultivated some lasting friendships via cycling and consider myself blessed being able to compete in my 40's. Having easy, close access to the Trace is a gift.
Gran Fondo plays an integral role in our program and efforts. The support our team receives from Lynn is very much appreciated. I am riding a 2008 Bianchi T-Cube and can attest to the difference geometry makes in a frame. I never felt like it had a break-in period as the bike fit perfectly from day one. I still refuse to take my T-Cube out in the rain, although my teammates are working with me on that issue.
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