Charities bask in afterglow of Morristown’s Gran Fondo

Marty Epstein had no idea what he was getting into when he decided to create New Jersey’s first Gran Fondo cycling weekend.

“It’s amazing how fast we spent money on this event. Bills kept rolling in and rolling in,” Marty said Wednesday at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park. “In hindsight, it was a huge leap of faith on my part. Somehow, we pulled it off.”

The owner of Marty’s Reliable Cycle in Morristown pulled it off in spite of a tropical storm that blew back the whole thing by three long weeks.

Eight hundred riders still came to Morristown on Sept. 18. They did rides of 43-, 63- and 103 miles that got rave reviews. And Marty eked out sufficient proceeds to give $5,000 apiece on Wednesday to Homeless Solutions Inc., Grow It Green Morristown and The Seeing Eye Inc.

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“This will keep us in some dog food,” said Seeing Eye President Jim Kutsch, who biked in the Gran Fondo as part of a tandem team.

Carolle Huber of Grow It Green said the Gran Fondo gift would be seed money for a new community garden in Morristown. Homeless Solutions will put its cash toward an affordable housing project on Martin Luther King Avenue.

“Gran Fondo” means “big ride” in Italian. Marty read a magazine article about the popularity of these events in Europe and was inspired to start one in the Garden State. Wednesday’s presentation included the premiere of a lively Gran Fondo NJ video produced by Bill Ivie of Clinton.

The video should help Marty and his event partner, Bill Ruddick of Backyard Bike Tours, to woo more corporate sponsors for next year’s Gran Fondo, scheduled for Sept. 9, 2012, in Morristown.

Marty is hoping for better behavior by Mother Nature. The three-week postponement after Tropical Storm Irene “was like a black hole,” he said.

Ultimately, he believes he prevailed in promoting New Jersey as a cyclist’s paradise, which is good for the community and for his business.

“When you work really hard on something and have a commitment to something and want to see it succeed, it will happen,” Marty said. “I don’t believe totally in luck. You create your own luck.”

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Small moments were big at Morristown’s Gran Fondo

By Sue Robinson, Homeless Solutions Inc.

This past weekend in Morristown was a memorable one. There was a music festival featuring some amazing local bands and a film festival with a range of entries designed to entertain and educate. The weather was beautiful, and people were everywhere stopping at booths and enjoying the day. And no one could help but be awed by the sight of over 900 cyclists filling Speedwell Avenue and racing out at the start of the Gran Fondo ride on Sunday morning – it was a big moment.

What you may not know, is that this weekend there were also many “small” moments – one of which involved a mother and daughter who are participants in Homeless Solutions’ Transitional Housing Program (THP).

Amanda and her 4-year-old daughter, Julianna, have had a difficult couple of years. Julianna’s father is not in her life, and due to some personal challenges Amanda faced, she did not have custody of Julianna until this past spring.

Although Amanda worked full time, she did not have permanent housing, which meant she could not regain custody or Julianna.

This spring, however, Amanda and Julianna were accepted into the HSI Transitional Housing Program – which meant they had stable housing.

Amanda regained custody of Julianna, and the two were thrilled to move into their apartment at THP and continue their lives together.

Julianna is a sweet little girl, flourishing now that she has been reunited with her mother. She does well in child care and has made many friends.

That’s why when some of them were going to Saturday’s Kid Fondo, she was happy to go along; even though she didn’t have a bike of her own to decorate, she was looking forward to helping them with theirs.

This is when the Corwin Family Foundation stepped in. They learned about Julianna, and the foundation decided that they would purchase a bike for her to enjoy with all of the other children.

At the Kids Fondo last Saturday morning, HSI staff presented Julianna with her bike, and she couldn’t have been more excited or surprised. The expression on her face truly was priceless – she said thank you, then hopped on and rode off to join the others!

So when you think back to this past weekend and all of the many wonderful big moments, remember sometimes the “small” moments mean the most.

Homeless Solutions Inc. was one of three organizations chosen to share proceeds from the first annual Gran Fondo NJ. The others were The Seeing Eye Inc. and Grow It Green Morristown.

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More colorful scenes from Morristown’s Gran Fondo NJ bike spectacular

Cyclists kept thanking Marty Epstein for a perfect ride in Sunday’s inaugural Gran Fondo NJ. Everyone sure looks happy in these photos, by Berit Ollestad.

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Morristown’s Gran Fondo gets high marks from riders

The first Gran Fondo NJ got high marks on Sunday from the people who count: Cyclists who pedaled 43-, 63- and 103-mile routes through the central Jersey countryside.

“I’d do it again,” said Michal Seidenman, an interior designer from Bergen County and member of the Montclair Racing Team.

Organized by Marty Epstein of Marty’s Reliable Cycle, the day was modeled after popular cycling events in Europe. Gran Fondo is Italian for “big ride.”  Sunday’s rides began and ended at Pioneer Park at Headquarters Plaza in Morristown.

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Michal described the 103-mile course through Morris, Somerset and Hunterdon counties as very hilly.

“There was a lot of climbing–to the climbs! It was hard. But it was well organized and well marked. They did a great job here,” she said.

On Your Left, a bike club from Mountain Lakes, was similarly impressed.

“Fantastic,” said club member Dave Caton. “It was really well marked. The food was great.”

The rest stop menu included cannoli, brownies, waffles and ice cream.

“One of the best century rides I’ve ever done,” said John Previ.  “Great scenery, lots of volunteers, lots of cooperation from police.”

“This is the best one I ever did,” said Penny Taylor, an attorney in Livingston. “Awesome rest stops.”

The only additional amenities On Your Left members want to see next year are free t-shirts, breakfast (a barbecue was served after the rides), and photographers along the route to record their participation.

Oh yeah, and no tropical storms, thank you very much. Valerie Whritenour of Boonton said she was more prepared to ride on Aug. 28, the original date of the Gran Fondo. But Irene put an end to that.

The do-over was crisp and sunny. About 1,000 cyclists participated, at fees ranging from $79 to $129. Morristown was well represented.

“It was tough,” said Morristown town Engineer Jeff Hartke, citing hills and bumpy roads (outside of Morristown, of course).  He wasn’t complaining, however.  There were plenty of porta-johns along the 103-mile route, he said, and the food was ample, with power bars, peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches and oranges.

“I’ve got to give it an A-plus,” Jeff said.

Morristown Councilwoman Rebecca Feldman still was beaming hours after completing the 43-mile Piccolo Fondo. She trained all summer for this event.

“It was a beautiful course: Challenging, scenic, with varied terrain,” she said, noting how Morristown is lucky to be  near so many great biking routes.

Sunday’s routes were mapped by Bill Ruddick of Backyard Bike Tours in Randolph. “Every decision was made with someone in the saddle, riding. We wanted to remove all doubt from cyclists’ minds,” Bill said.

Marty Epstein was grinning long after most of the cyclists had finished.

“It’s everything we really hoped for,” he said. “We had aspirations of making it happen and we did it. It’s really rewarding. I love seeing all these people riding and having a great time. Everyone’s thanking me. I’ve never had anyone thank me for a perfect ride.”

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First Gran Fondo gets off to roaring start in Morristown

By Berit Ollestad

The chill in the air this morning dissipated with the warm buzz at Pioneer Plaza for the highly anticipated bike event, the Gran Fondo.

One would have been hard pressed to say that the postponement by Tropical Storm Irene last month squashed the enthusiasm among participants and spectators.

Marty Epstein, owner of Marty’s Reliable Cycle and organizer of the event, reminded me of the proud father at the birth of his first child. Everyone was coming up to him left and right congratulating him on the huge turnout. He could be heard saying, “I know, can you believe it!?” His ear-to-ear smile expressed his giddy excitement!

There were close to 1,000 registered riders from more than 20 states and Canada. Marty estimates there were close to 200 riders from beyond New Jersey.

Marty has made it his goal to make the Gran Fondo the biggest cycling event in the country for blind or visually impaired individuals riding tandem. Jim Kutsch, president and CEO of the Seeing Eye, and his wife, Ginger, were participants in the event. They trained alongside their sighted team members for months and represented a handful of tandem riders.

The Seeing Eye, Homeless Solutions Inc and Grow it Green Morristown were local beneficiaries chosen to receive proceeds from this event.

Mayor Tim Dougherty echoed the sentiments of many by saying he’s confident that “next year we will easily double the number of participants. It’s a great way to complement Morristown’s ever-growing portfolio of events such as the Jazz Festival, the Film Festival and Festival on the Green, to name a few. Not only does this benefit our local economy but it gives the citizens of Morristown an opportunity to share with the rest of New Jersey what makes Morristown great!”

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Thanks a lot, Irene: MorristownGreen.com Film & Music Festival, Green on the Green and Gran Fondo postponed

Safety first.

We have decided, prudently, we think, to pack up our tents for Saturday’s Fourth Annual MorristownGreen.com Film & Music Festival and Green on the Green expo and ride out Hurricane Irene with everyone else.

The Gran Fondo NJ cycling event also has postponed its weekend events until the weekend of Sept. 17-18. We are doing the same.

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s the prudent thing to do,” said Marty Epstein, organizer of the Gran Fondo, who sent an e-blast to more than 900 riders.

“Everything is pointing to a horrifically bad day (on Sunday), and I think it’s going to happen. We’ve looked at all the weather reports, talked to all the cops and all the rescue squads. It’s going to hit Morris County at 8 o’clock on Sunday.”

We regret the inconvenience this poses to all who have worked so hard to put our festival together. The Morristown United Methodist Church graciously offered its beautiful facility as a rain venue.

But the forecasts for Saturday say we’re in for more than just a little spritz. We can’t in good conscience ask people to venture anywhere on a weekend when they should be taking precautions against a major storm.

“At least we’ve got our theme song now!” said Marty, ever the optimist.

Take your pick: Good Night, Irene or Like a Hurricane.

Check back often to MorristownGreen.com for local advisories on the storm, and for information about the rescheduled festival.

We promise the festival will be bigger and better than ever. And we want all of you there–so please batten down the hatches this weekend and be safe.

Youngster displays domino magic in Morristown Film Festival entry

By Alyse Jefferson, MG Kids correspondent

One of the featured movies at this year’s festival is by a 9-year-old, Crosby Ruhalter, whose dad won the film festival last year. Crosby’s film is called Domino Tracks. In it, he explores the fascinating patterns made by falling dominos.

Crosby said he made this movie “because my dad won the film festival last year and he thought that I should put my own film in this year.”

Crosby’s film is related to sustainability because “the dominos keep going and it keeps repeating domino falling by domino,” he said.

That’s how Crosby defines sustainability: “Something that keeps on repeating over and over again.”

Crosby did not create this movie by himself; he had help from family members. Crosby’s dad helped him by handling the camera and editing the movie. His twin sister also helped with the filming.

About Crosby: His favorite movie is Jumanji, and he would be interested in working in the movie industry.

Alyse Jefferson, 12, is a regular correspondent for MorristownGreen’s MG Kids. We welcome junior reporters for our staff. We also encourage kids of all ages to submit artwork, poetry and fiction for publication on our site. Click here for more information.

This year’s film festival is part of a daylong Green on the Green held at Pioneer Park at Headquarters Plaza, Morristown, on Saturday, Sept. 17. MorristownGreen.com is partnering with Sustainable Morristown for the event, which will feature local entrepreneurs showcasing the latest green technologies during the day; musical performances throughout the afternoon; and the Fourth Annual MorristownGreen.com Film (&Music!) Festival in the evening. Viewers will vote for Best Picture, and trophies and prizes will be awarded for fans’ favorite videos. We expect a large crowd from Greater Morristown to be joined by visitors to the Gran Fondo NJ, a new bicycling event that should draw thousands to town.

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Profile of blind cyclist in Gran Fondo to premiere at MorristownGreen.com Film Fest

A brisk 31-mile ride on Saturday was a milestone for Jim Kutsch, president of The Seeing Eye.

The morning jaunt put the blind cyclist over the 500-mile mark since April, when he began training for this month’s Gran Fondo NJ ride in Morristown.

“I’m not going to stop after the Gran Fondo. Biking’s in my blood now; I can’t stop,” said Jim, 60.

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Jim’s preparations for the Gran Fondo–that’s Italian for “big ride”– are chronicled in a short movie that will premiere at the Fourth Annual MorristownGreen.com Film & Music Festival on Sept. 17, the eve of the Gran Fondo.

The film highlights Jim’s connection with Marty Epstein of Marty’s Reliable Cycle, and with Atlantic Sports Health, which put Jim through extensive testing to make sure he could handle the ride and train for it properly.

Filmmaker Bill Ivie, whose TV credits include the Olympics, Major League Baseball and Monday Night Football, said the video, titled Jim and I, perfectly fits this year’s Film Festival theme of Sustainability:

“In addition to rediscovering his passion for cycling, Jim’s mission, as he continues to lead The Seeing Eye into the 21^st century, is to reaffirm that there are no limits to what a person with a disability can achieve if he or she puts their heart, soul and mind to it,” Bill said. “Nonprofits such as the Seeing Eye are vital to healthy, sustainable communities.”

An avid cyclist before being blinded in an accident as a teenager, Jim continued to ride on tandem bikes with sighted riders but drifted from the sport about 20 years ago when he lived in Florida. It was just too hot for consistent riding down there, he said.

Jim’s enthusiasm for the sport was revived when Marty Epstein named The Seeing Eye, Homeless Solutions Inc. and Grow It Green Morristown as the three organizations that will share proceeds from New Jersey’s first Gran Fondo.

Marty is organizing rides spanning 43-, 63- and 103 miles, all starting and finishing in Morristown on Sept. 18. He anticipates nearly 1,000 riders will participate.

They will include six tandem teams–including Jim and Rob Steidlitz; and Jim’s wife, Ginger, and Rob’s wife, Kirsten Hotchkiss–riding the 43-mile Piccolo Fondo for The Seeing Eye, which is based in Morris Township.

“It’s a great inspiration that they’re riding. Hopefully, they will inspire other riders to do the ride,” said Marty, hastening to add that the Kutches “are not playing the blind card.

“They’re not looking to say, ‘Oh, poor blind people,’” Marty said. “They’re saying, ‘We’re here to enable people to have an active life, and be full-functioning, contributing parts of society.’”

The Seeing Eye aims to raise an additional $50,000 from sponsored riders and the sale of branded cycling jerseys and toy puppies. So far, just over one-third of that goal has been achieved, according to Pepper Bynum of The Seeing Eye’s marketing team.

Jim and Ginger started their training with thorough exams by experts at Atlantic Sports Health, affiliated with the Morristown Medical Center.

Their metabolisms were analyzed to determine how many calories they burned at rest and while exercising, among other factors, to calculate the most efficient training regimen.

Although both the Kutsches were in pretty good shape from walking with their Seeing Eye dogs, Jim said a different set of leg muscles had to be limbered up.

Tandems are tricky under any circumstances, and Jim took many stitches to his thigh after a spill in the spring. On Saturday’s ride, it was obvious that he and Rob, his bike “captain,” had perfected their teamwork.

“I was breaking Rob in,” Jim said of the earlier mishap.

MORE ABOUT THE MG FILM AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

MORE ABOUT THE GRAN FONDO

BLIND CYCLISTS GEAR UP FOR GRAN FONDO IN MORRISTOWN, TO BENEFIT SEEING EYE

GRAN FONDO NJ OFFICIAL SITE

HOW TO SUPPORT THE SEEING EYE RIDERS

What’s a Gran Fondo? Pretty soon, a Morristown garden

Gran Fondo is Italian for “big ride,” and that is what’s coming to Morristown on Sept. 17-18.

But after hundreds of bicyclists complete their long loops through the New Jersey countryside, Gran Fondo will assume another meaning in town.

Grow It Green Morristown is planning its third community garden: The “Gran Fondo Community Garden,” said Samantha Rothman, co-founder of Grow It Green.

The name is a way of thanking Marty Epstein of Marty’s Reliable Cycle for organizing the state’s first Gran Fondo cycling weekend–and for choosing Grow It Green as a beneficiary, along with The Seeing Eye and Homeless Solutions Inc.

“He has a real commitment to sustainability and the environment,” Samantha said.

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She declined to disclose the location of the new garden, explaining that the property deal has not been completed. Plans call for an operation next year similar to the community garden on Early Street, where individuals tend their own plots. The place will be decorated with bicycle art, Samantha said.

“We like doing this stuff, and we like promoting things that are sustainable,” added Myra Bowie McCready, another Grow It Green founder. The nonprofit group also runs a teaching garden at the Lafayette Learning Center.

The Gran Fondo NJ will feature timed hill climbs and rides of 43-, 63- and 103-miles that start and end at the Hyatt Morristown.

A leisurely bike tour of the Grow It Green gardens will include stops at the backyard garden of Macculloch Hall and at 14 Maple Ave., where the Dodge Foundation has a rooftop garden. Leading that ride, on the morning of Sept. 17, will be John Hankin, Samantha’s husband. He intends to do the 103-mile ride the next morning.

Our Fourth Annual MorristownGreen.com Film (& Music!) Festival, set for Sept. 17 at Pioneer Park at Headquarters Plaza, Morristown, also aims to give visiting cyclists a flavor of Morristown’s community spirit.

Marty Epstein got the idea for the Gran Fondo NJ from a bicycling magazine, where he read about the popularity of European gran fondos spreading to New York, Philadelphia and San Diego.

So far, 650 cyclists have registered and Marty anticipates the number will approach 1,000–not bad for a new event.

He has lined up sponsors and landed a $9,000 grant from the state Office of Travel and Tourism. By selecting Grow It Green as one of the Gran Fondo’s beneficiaries, he is making a statement:

“I think Grow It Green Morristown is emblematic of sustainability. They’re really bringing community to the community…it’s exactly what we needed.

“They’re teaching people to appreciate real food,” Marty continued. “And they just did it. They wanted to do it, and they just did it.  We need these spontaneous sparks of inspiration in town.”

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Tandem tandems from Seeing Eye will add special twist to Gran Fondo in Morristown

Teamwork.

It’s what creates so many success stories at The Seeing Eye.

What makes this particular Seeing Eye story different is that no guide dogs are on the team.

A blind husband and wife will bicycle in New Jersey’s first Gran Fondoin August, led by a married couple with sight.

“It’s like any team sport. You and your teammate really have to know each other and what you’re going to do,” said Jim Kutsch, president of The Seeing Eye, after pedaling to Marty’s Reliable Cycle in Morristown on Wednesday to register for the Gran Fondo NJ.

Gran Fondo is Italian for “big ride,” and there will be three of them--103 miles, 63 miles and 43 miles– starting and ending in Morristown on Sept. 18. Two of those loops will include timed hill-climb competitions with prizes for King and Queen of the Hill.

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Jim, who is blind, rides in the second seat of a tandem, a position called the “stoker.” Up front is the “captain,” Seeing Eye volunteer Rob Steidlitz of Morristown.

Jim’s wife Ginger, also blind, rides as stoker for Rob’s wife, Kirsten Hotchkiss. Kirsten describes the terrain and calls out commands to pedal harder or signal a turn. Occasionally, Ginger gives the instructions.

“‘Can you shift into an easier gear?’ That’s my favorite command,” Ginger said.

The two teams are not likely to stick together during the 43-mile Piccolo Fondo in August.

“They’re much faster than we are,” Rob said of the wives.

Proceeds from the Gran Fondo will benefit The Seeing Eye, Grow It Green Morristown and Homeless Solutions Inc.

Fundraising is difficult these days, Jim said, and he is glad for the chance to showcase The Seeing Eye, which pairs nearly 300 blind people and guide dogs annually at its headquarters in Morris Township.

“What we do makes an incredible difference in the lives of blind people,” Jim said. The Seeing Eye will host a rest stop on ride day.

Marty Epstein of Marty’s Reliable Cycle has patterned the Gran Fondo NJ after European Gran Fondos. His courses, which head west from Morristown into hilly terrain, are deliberately tough.

“It’s not an easy ride,” Marty said. “But people who do Gran Fondos do not want easy rides. This is a ride that will challenge people, and it will go to places other rides don’t go to.”

About 500 people have registered so far. Prices range from $79 to $129, depending which ride you choose and when you sign up. Marty also seeks volunteers. A green expo, local rides, kids activities, and the Fourth Annual MorristownGreen.com Film and Music Festival are among the festivities planned for the Gran Fondo NJ weekend of Sept. 16-18.

The Seeing Eye teams were cheered at Marty’s on Wednesday by Morristown Councilwoman Rebecca Feldman; Simon Gallery owner Harry Simon and Lala, the seventh puppy Harry has raised for The Seeing Eye; Stephanie Litwin and Peggy Grow, area volunteers who also raise puppies for The Seeing Eye; and Bill Ruddick, who competed last month in the first Marty’s Commuter Challenge.

“Many other towns get tremendous economic benefits from being a cyclists’ destination. Morristown offers cyclists much more than a destination, but a dream home-base,” said Rebecca, who plans to ride the same loop as the Seeing Eye teams. She was excited to help “three of our fantastic nonprofits.”

Cyclists also used the occasion to appeal to motorists to share the road.

Linda Wells, a Dover resident who rides in a tandem club called Doubles of the Garden State (DOGS), brandished a bandaged hand. A motorist veered in front of her bike a few weeks ago in Denville, sending Linda and her husband to the pavement.

Kirsten chimed in with stories of close calls with motorists on her training rides with Ginger.

“The biggest issue is cars trying to beat us, making right turns in front of us, passing us on the right. They don’t gauge how fast we’re going,” said Kirsten.

There are other hazards for Kirsten and Ginger. Like tree branches.

“She ducks, and I get it,” Ginger said with a laugh. “But she breaks all the bugs.”

MORE ABOUT THE GRAN FONDO

BLIND CYCLISTS GEAR UP FOR GRAN FONDO IN MORRISTOWN, TO BENEFIT SEEING EYE

GRAN FONDO NJ OFFICIAL SITE

HOW TO SUPPORT THE SEEING EYE RIDERS

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