Hundreds of PNW cyclists fond of Gran Fondo Ephrata

EPHRATA — Hundreds of cyclists from across the region migrated to Ephrata for Sunday’s 2026 Gran Fondo Ephrata, considered a Pacific Northwest “spring classic” event that winds through the back roads – both paved and unpaved – of Sagebrush Flats, Monument Hill, Moses  Coulee, and Sheep Canyon.

Hosted annually by the local Vicious Cycle club, director Jake Maedke promised the entrants “an awesome day” as they staged at Ephrata High School.

“Remember, it’s a ride, not a race,” Maedke advised the crowd before adding a teaser: “The gravel’s running fast.”

“This ride is HARD and intended for experienced cyclists,” Vicious Cycle cautions on its website. “There is a lot of climbing for this early in the season.  Speaking of early season: weather and course conditions can be wildly unpredictable; think spring classics!”

Actually, two rides are offered. The Medio is 45 miles in length, including 21 miles on gravel roads, with 3,000 feet of climbing. Then there’s the Grande — 85 miles long with 38 miles on gravel and a thigh-burning 6,800 feet of climbing over six significant hills stretched between high dryland wheat country and jagged basalt canyons.

Kevin Maloy, 53, of Seattle, was among the 300-plus entrants who arrived for Sunday’s event. Stretched out in the EHS parking lot, warming up his legs on a foam roller before the start, Maloy said it was his third time participating in the Ephrata ride.

Lured, he said, "Partly for the challenge, partly for the beauty."

In all, 150 cyclists completed the 85-mile Grande loop, led by 39-year-old Chris Uberti of Seattle, who clocked in at 4 hours, 15 minutes, 54.9 seconds. Uberti led runnerup Scout Hollister, also of Seattle, by just over 14 seconds. The last rider to check in was 77-year-old Roy Benton at 8 hours, 9 minutes.

In the Medio, there were 141 finishers, paced by 35-year-old Seth Barnes at 2:27.15. Runnerup Josh Sherfey was just over 1 minute back at 2:28.24.