GOLDEN GRAN FONDO Presented by Stevinson Toyota West
FREE BEER AT FINISH LINE PARTY!
A cold beer from Mountain Toad Brewing will be waiting for you when you finish the Golden Gran Fondo!
All participants will receive a custom water bottle provided by Stevenson Toyota West!
The Gran Fondo National Series offers not only the
hardest road racing series in the nation, but also the most fun!
“Come Challenge Yourself”
Event Open to All
Ride with your friends, Race with your friends
3 Distances to choose from:
Gran Route (91 mi), Medio Route (63mi), Piccolo Route (20 mi)
4 Timed Sections in the Gran Route – Best Combined Time Wins
Custom “Race Winner” jerseys for all Gran Route age group winners
Awards and Prizes for Gran, Medio, and Piccolo (top three by age group)
No racing license required
Fully stocked aid stations and SAG support to keep you going
Post Race Food & Beverage for a fun recovery
*T-Shirt included ONLY for registrations received before 8/16/18
Packet pick up:
(Pick up on Saturday to avoid the race day morning rush)
Saturday Registration 8/25/18, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM; Mountain Toad Brewing; 900 Washington Ave, Golden, CO 80401
Sunday Event 8/26/18, 5:30 AM to 7:00 AM; Parfet Park 719 10th St Golden, CO 80401
Golden Gran Fondo Course Description
Based out of beautiful downtown Golden, CO, the Golden Gran Fondo will take racers on a historic circuit through the Rocky Mountains. Beginning in downtown Golden, the start of the event traces the route of the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge. The course then continues it’s tracing of historical bicycle racing with a long climb towards the continental divide and some of the same roads used in the Coors Classic and featured in the movie American Flyers (Kevin Costner’s classic cycling film that was set in Golden). Upon reaching the scenic Peak to Peak Highway, racers will be treated to high alpine vistas, lung busting ascents, a taste of hard pack dirt road, and a total of 12,000 feet of climbing before returning to downtown Golden where riders can replenish their exhausted bodies but full souls. This course is sure to test your climbing prowess while treating you to some of the most ruggedly beautiful landscapes anywhere!
Want more? GFNS has entered into an exciting partnership with Haute Route which produces world’s best multi-day amateur road cycling events. Please check their website at www.hauteroute.org .
GFNS and Haute Route want to inspire you to do more! Expect to see the name Haute Route at all our events, along with unique benefits for all GFNS riders to be announced over the next few months. The first benefit which is available to you immediately is the opportunity to take your GFNS entry and apply it in full toward a Haute Route entry fee. If you ride any GFNS event in 2018, you are entitled to credit the entire entry fee paid toward any 2018 Haute Route three-day or seven-day event. Already signed up for the Haute Route? Then take advantage of a free entry into one 2018 GFNS event of your choice to prepare for the Haute Route.
MORE INFORMATION
Please read all notes below: NOTE the details below are carried over from 2017, be sure to check back closer to your event for updated information.
You must return your timing chip or you will be charged $100. Please make sure you return it!
You must start on time at 8:00 AM or your times will not be counted. Race briefing is at 7:45 on Washington Street under the arch. Be there!
This is not a Start to Finish Race! Time sections determine placement.
The course is open to traffic – you must obey traffic laws! That means stop at lights and stop signs. If you do not you will be disqualified and fined by local police.
Stand-by Registration will also be offered at an increased fee on Saturday and Sunday, tell your friends to sign up now.
Recommended Gearing
If you have not seen the elevation charts, check them out along with all the other maps at https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/golden-maps/
We strongly recommended bringing the easiest gearing you have. If you’re supper strong you are still going to want a minimum of a 27 on the rear. A compact crank is recommended.
We also recommend using high volume road tires, there are two gravel road sections on the long course (just 1 for the 60-milers).
Packet Pick Up: (You must check-in in person, you must have ID to check in)
- Saturday 8/25/18, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM; 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM; Mountain Toad Brewing; 900 Washington Ave, Golden, CO 80401
- Sunday 8/26/18, 5:30 AM to 7:00 AM; Parfet Park 719 10th St Golden, CO 80401
All riders must pick up their timing chip on race morning. This takes a minimum amount of time and is a separate process from check in.
We recommend picking up your packet on Saturday to avoid the rush on race morning it will save you a lot of time on race morning
If you plan to pick up your packet on race morning be early!
Parking
Park at the blue dot on this map: Parking Ford St and 10th St
Do not park in regulated parking spaces, you will be fined.
Aid Stations:
There will be 4 aid stations along the 90 mile route and 3 on the 60 mile route. Each aid station will be fully stocked with Water, HEED drink mix, Hammer Gel, Endurolyte Fizz, Bananas, PB&J Sandwiches, Cookies, Chips and Pretzels and more.
Drop Bags:
View aid station locations on the maps. We will shuttle one bag for you to aid station 2/4 (which is in the same location). This service is meant for you to have your own food, drink, or nutritional product on the course. If you put a jacket/vest, or other item of clothing in your drop bag you must take it with you as you leave the aid station. We are not responsible for things left at aid stations. Drop bags should be dropped off at the check in tent the morning before the race. DO NOT PUT THINGS IN THE DROP BAG THAT YOU EXPECT TO BE TRANSPORTED BACK TO THE START/FINISH AREA. PLAN ON PICKING YOUR ITEMS UP AS YOU PASS THROUGH THE AID STATION.
We are not responsible for lost or damaged goods in a drop bag. We are not responsible for drop bags left after the event. Drop bags will be transported back to the finish area at the end of the event – estimated time that leftover drop bags will be back at finish area is after 6pm.
Bathrooms Aid-Station will have bathrooms. Please use bathrooms. One of the biggest local complaints is cyclists peeing on the side of the road. Please help our reputation.
Timing Chips
All riders must pickup timing chips on race morning.
You will be issued a timing chip, if you do not return the timing chip you will be charged $100.
Race numbers must be mounted on your back and be easily readable.
Maps:
Get the RideWithGPS App and load the route to your smart phone or GPS
Use this RSVP Code to access premium RideWithGPS features and get turn by turn navigation for free:
https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve?code=ziHMwj4egvYHaI5j&id=40319&type=Event
You can view individual map through the links below. Click on map icons to find details.
- Gran loop, 91 miles, http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2088719
- Medio loop 63 miles http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2147005
- Piccolo loop, 20 miles, http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2147023
Route Markings: The route will be very well marked using both orange spray chalk and yellow plastic stand up signs. Splits will be marked in the same color with writing on the road and signs to indicate the direction of the routes. When you see a distance indicated read it and follow the direction for the distance you are riding.
Time Sections: (THE RACE) This is not a start to finish race, your overall time is not calculated
You Must Obey Traffic Laws. This is not a closed course, Think Safety First.
Do not cause an accident!!!
Be respectful of others on the road!
During all race sections you have the right of way. When you are outside of race sections you DO NOT have the right of way. Do NOT “race” through any intersections; this means when you come to a sign or signal you must slow down, stop, and be safe.
There are timed sections along the route. As you approach the timed sections you must travel through the designated area (in your lane of traffic!) so that your chip can be properly read and recorded. The times for your timed sections will be compiled and determine placement. 90 mile has 4 timed sections; 60 mile has 2 timed sections; 20 mile has 1 timed section. You can view all the details for timed sections with the above map links; click the map icons for details.
Timed sections are open for specific durations. In order to be timed and eligible for awards you must maintain a progression speed between 22mph and 10mph. NOTE: this is progression speed not average speed, progression speed includes all stopped time (like hanging out at an aid station).
Cut off times No exceptions for 90 & 60 mile riders!
If you do not maintain an average progression speed greater than 10mph you will be directed to take a shorter route. These cut off spots will happen at the pre-established splits and you will be directed to the shorter route. Please Note: This is a 10mph progression speed not average speed. Progression speed includes all stopped time. No exceptions!
Awards and will be held at 3:00 for the 20 & 60 mile riders
Gran Route (90 mile) awards will be presented at 4:00 PM
Raffle will follow awards, you must be present to win!
Awards for the fastest times, three deep for each category. Custom produced Golden Gran Fondo Winners Kits’s will be awarded to the fastest riders in each age category of the 90 mile event. Categories may be combined at promoter’s discretion. The fastest male in section 2 and in section 4 and the fastest female in section 1 and in section 3 will win a prime.
Yes 4:00, we will try to do it earlier if possible. Please understand, it is not possible to tell who won until everyone is finished… this is the nature of a gran fondo, the first one back is not necessarily the winner. We will have great food and Beer from Mountain Toad Brewing; to help you get to awards. If you place in the top three of your age group, and you cannot/wish-not-to wait for the awards ceremony, you can send a self-addressed postage-paid mailing package to us and we will mail you your award. If you are not present at awards you will not receive any prizes, the prize will go to raffle and make someone else happy.
Yes the raffle– following the 90 mile awards, we will have great stuff for the raffle from our sponsors including: A holiday for two to Garda Bike Hotel in Italy, Feedback Sports work stand, SeaSucker vacuum mount bike rack, Swiftwick socks, Jittery Joe’s Coffee as well as other prizes. Yes, it’s worth sticking around for!
Post Ride Food
We will have hot food for you and cold beer from Mountain Toad Brewing.
Sponsors: When you consider a purchase, always remember to support those who support the sport.
Sponsors: Thanks to all of our great sponsors: Swiftwick, Shimano, Industry Nine, Bicycling Magazine, Hammer Nutrition, Crotch Guard, Garda Bike Hotel, SeaSucker Vacuum Mount Bike Racks, Jittery Joe’s Coffee, BikeFlights.com, HUB Labels, Golden Bike Tours, Stevinson Toyota West & Scion, and to all the great bike shops in Golden (Golden Bike Shop, Big Ring Bikes, Peak Cycles, Pedal Pushers Cyclery, C3 Bike Shop, and Boushie Bikes).
Big thanks to all the Golden Gran Fondo Sponsors. Be sure to plan to stick around for the raffle and get your hands on some sweet schwag!
Start Time:
Riders meeting to take place at 7:45 AM under the arch on Washington St., event to start at 8:00 AM.
Directions:
What to bring:
Please check the weather and make sure you have adequate clothing. If you get caught in a passing shower on the top of a mountain it can be very cold! We strongly recommend carrying a light weight cycling jacket. You will be in alpine riding conditions!
Results
A link to Results will be posted on the home page at www.GFNCS.com on race morning.
Results are fully searchable.
Emergencies
If you see an emergency please report it. If you have cell phone reception and it is a true emergence call 911. If you see something important that is not an emergency or do not have cell phone reception please report the issue to the radio operator located at the start of each timed sections.
Accommodations: Book Now at the Hampton Inn Denver West Golden.
Special rate for Golden Gran Fondo Riders! There are two ways to book:
1. Call the Hotel directly at (303) 278-6600 to make the reservations, being sure to identify themselves by using the group name of: 2017 Golden Gran Fondo
2. Book online: book reservations online by clicking on this link: Book Now at the Hampton Inn Denver West Golden.
From the staff of GFNCS, we would like to thank you once again for your participation. If you have any questions feel free to send us an email at info@granfondochampionship.com
Tell your friends to get registered now! The course is dialed and the weather is looking great!
Yours Truly,
GFNCS Staff
OUR SUPPORTERS
A special thank you to all our sponsors and those who support the
GRAN FONDO NATIONAL SERIES
