Gran Fondo Leavenworth Playlist

Had an old iPod that didn't recognize song controls on newer earbuds in a jersey pocket and used it to not drain my phone battery during the Gran Fondo Leavenworth, an 8-hour ride in the Okanogan wilderness. So I’m 82.5 minutes into a 90 minute climb and what shuffles in?

Hey Jude.

While a classic, great song, wasn't what I had in mind at that point in the ride. There was no stopping either to skip the song — steep terrain, loose gravel, and I didn't want to clip out, and lose my momentum.

This is the Beatles longest single, running 7:11, and I heard every note as I pedaled up that hill.

Hey Jude.

The “na na na” fadeout takes four minutes. The chorus is repeated 19 times.

Hey Jude. And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain

And I wondered, “what’s next, does this iPod have show tunes on it too?”

Then cresting the climb, Sorry To Interrupt shuffled in from Theophilus London…

And I refocused my effort to making up time on the descent.

There ain't enough love in the world right now to fill my cup, cup
Ain't enough love in the world right now to fill my cup, cup.
Sorry to interrupt.

Asked about adventure riding on forest service roads and the couple tips I inevitably share are, “biggest tire you can fit in you bike AND earbuds.” The tires will give you better traction and some suspension while the earbuds mute the crunchy sound of tires on gravel with your fav playlist. A few hours into a ride, and that gravely sound is like a ball-peen hammer tapping a snare drum.

“Na na na.”