The Cookie Monster Strikes

Ex-Pro rider Phil Gaimon's inaugural Malibu Gran Cookie Hit the Sweet Spot

Newly retired Pro Cyclist and fun loving joker Phil Gaimon woke up to the smell of sweet success - as nearly 1,000 riders turned up for his inaugural Malibu Gran Cookie Dough Gran Fondo at the weekend.

As a Pro Cyclist based in Los Angeles, Phil Gaimon grew accustomed to funny looks when he told friends he loved riding his bike in the car-crazed city known for its gridlocked freeways. Little did they know that outside the city is a cyclists playground.

“They’ll be like, ‘How do you ride? L.A. is all traffic,’” Gaimon recalled. “But I’ve ridden some of the best places and trails in the world, and there’s no place I’d rather train.”

A play on words. “Gran Cookie Dough” is Gaimon’s twist on “Gran Fondo,” the mass ride phenomenon which has breathed new life into U.S. cycling.

The Gran Fondo showcased the coast and canyons of his adopted home city of Los Angeles where he loves to train.

Rides ranged from the casual-ish “Sugar Cookie” with 42 miles and some hills to the full fat “Double-Fudge” (Gran Fondo), a lung busting 120 miles with 12,000 feet of elevation gain which involved eating many many cookies to get round.

Gaimon’s cookie theme was a bit of an inside joke—a fan favorite during his racing career, which concluded this fall, Gaimon made no secret of his affection for cookies, to the point strangers brought batches to races for him to consume (hopefully afterwards).

How many cookies did Phil Gaimon eat?

Phil ate six enormous cookies while Cannondale team mate Michael Woods ate around four - however the night was young after the ride ...

Mulholland KOM

Phil tweeted today "The @Strava KOM results from Mulholland yesterday. Thanks @rusty_woods for letting me have it. Will slip down this board more every year."

Mulholland KOM

Taking the Mic out of Lance

In another one of Phil's escapades, he re-enacted a scene from Lance Armstrong's retirement - after he was told that his 7 Tour de France wins were null and void due to doping.

Phil tweeted "Back in LA and just layin' around..." after retiring himself - last week.

Phil hung up his jersey's and laid back on his sofa, eating a cookie!

Here's to hoping we see a lot more of Phil's fun!

For more information and results, head over to http://www.philsfondo.com