Sat, Aug 4, 2018 8:00 AM 08:00 Sun, Aug 5, 2018 8:00 AM 08:00
BOONE, NC (map)
Google Calendar ICS

NEW TT option on Saturday includes: Howards Knob TT with ramp start on 2.1 mi +1180 ft/-0 ft timed section, with 14 mile optional warm up route.

Boone Gran Fondo Named one of best in America

Benefiting
Western Youth Network (WYN)
“Come Challenge Yourself”
Interested in volunteering?

You can get your java fix dialed in at 7AM from Espresso News located steps from the race start. They are opening early just for us!

Event is open to riders of all ability levels from Beginner to Elite

The Gran Fondo National Series offers not only the
hardest road racing series in the nation, but also the most fun!
“Come Challenge Yourself”

Ride with your friends, Race with your friends

3 Distances to choose from:
Gran Route (100 mi), Medio Route (55 mi), 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 Route winners
Awards and Prizes for Medio and Piccolo winners
No racing license required

Fully stocked aid stations and SAG support to keep you going

Post Race Food & Beverage for a fun recovery!

A big thank to Boone’s new Starbucks for supporting WYN
and staffing the aid stations at Boone Gran Fondo!

Be sure to check out all the great independent restaurants in Boone

Price *Event T-Shirt included only for registrations received before 7/25/18

Packet pick up:

Saturday 8/4/18 and Sunday 8/5/18

Saturday From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM – 170 Councill St, Boone, NC 28607
All TT riders must check-in, pick up packets, and start before 3PM!

Sunday From 6:00 AM to 7:15 AM – 164 S Depot St Boone, NC 28607 (at location of race start)

Course Description
In mid-summer, the High Country of North Carolina enjoys 80-degree temperatures while the surrounding East Coast temperatures hover in the high 90s. Early August is a prime time to be in Boone! The Boone Gran Fondo rolls through Appalachian State University and, after just a few turns, climbs beside picturesque Winklers Creek during the first timed section.

After a short downhill and a climb up the gorgeous Shull’s Mill road, the course passes the Blue Ridge Parkway and turns onto Hwy 221. This section of road was hand built in the 1890’s across Grandfather Mountain and served as the Blue Ridge Parkway until the 1980’s. This second timed section is like a paved roller coaster.

After passing the Grandfather Park entrance, the downhill into Linville is a local favorite stretch of road. The route passes through the Avery County seat, the town of Newland. The back roads of Cow Camp and Squirrel Creek lead to the North Toe River Valley. Here, riders enjoy a few tranquil moments in the valley before the ascent, and third timed section, on the back of Beech Mountain.

Another nice downhill waits on the other side. The beautiful Bethel Valley brings riders to a climb to the Tennessee State Line to end the fourth timed section. From here, the route cruises on a very long gradual downhill grade through the valley and communities of Sugar Grove and Valle Crucis before it takes a climb up Laurel Fork and White Oak roads back to the town of Boone.

Accommodations:
QUALITY INN & SUITES UNIVERSITY
23 Reviews say it’s EXCEPTIONAL!
840 E King Street, Boone, NC, 28607, US
Phone: (828) 266-1100
Special rate: 10% off for Boone Gran Fondo participants.
http://www.qualityinn.com/ires/en-US/html/ArrivalInfo?hotel=NC790&srp=LGFO&pu=no

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: details below are carried over form 2017, so be sure to check back closer to your event for updated information.

You must return you timing chip or you will be charged $100. Please make sure you return it!.

Packet pick up: (Pick up on Saturday to avoid the race day morning rush)

Saturday From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM – 3727, 170 Councill St, Boone, NC 28607
All TT riders must check-in, pick up packets, and start before 3PM.

Sunday From 6:00 AM to 7:15 AM – 164 S Depot St Boone, NC 28607 (at location of race start) Capua Law Firm at 164 South Depot Street Boone, NC 28607

Parking

When you arrive please follow directions to park in a designated parking off of River Street at red dot on map.

Timing Chips

You must pick up your timing chips on race morning. You must show your BIB number to get your chip.

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 and get turn by turn directions for FREE by accessing through this link: https://ridewithgps.com/events/22976-gran-fondo-boone?rsvp_code=YvMgtoMfxa3Qp9T8 This is typically a paid option but you can use it for free to ride this event. You will need a RideWithGPS account to use this feature. The account is also free and gives you access to the best mapping program!

Maps for all routes are also available for download at the following locations:

Gran Route 100 miles, http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9275209
Medio Route 55 miles http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2040037
Piccolo Route, 20 miles, http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1735944

Aid Stations:

There will be 4 aid stations along the Gran Route, 2 on the Medio Route, and 1 on the Piccolo Route; (located about every 25 miles). Each aid station will be fully stocked with Water, Heed Energy drink mix, Hammer Gel, Endurolyte Fizz, Bananas, PB&J Sandwiches, Cookies & Chips.

Bathrooms: will be available at aid stations

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!!!

In all race sections you have the right of way. When you are not in a race section do not “blow” trough any intersections, this means slow down, stop, and be safe.

There are time sections along the route. As you approach the time sections please travel through the designated area (in your lane of traffic!) so your chip can be properly read and recorded. The times for your timed sections will be added together to determine your placement. Gran Route = 4 timed sections; Medio Route = 2 timed sections; Piccolo Route = 1 timed section. You can view all the details for timed section on the above map links, click the icons on the maps for more details.

Time 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 ride speed, progression speed includes all stopped time, like hanging out at an aid station.

Cut off times No exceptions for Gran Route & Medio Route 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, such as hanging out at an aid station for an extended period of time. No exceptions!

Awards and Raffles will be held no early than 4:00PM for Gran Route riders

Piccolo and Medio awards will be held no early than 3:00PM

Awards are given for the fastest times, three deep for each category.

Custom produced Boone Gran Fondo Winners Kits will be awarded to the fastest riders in each age category of the 100 mile event.

The fastest male in section 2 and in section 4 and the fastest female in section 1 and in section 3 will win a prize.

We will try to do awards as early as 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 drink to help you get to awards. You will not be given any awards until the awards ceremony. If you do 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 package and a $10 postage fee to us (see contact info) and we will mail you your award; sorry we spent over $800 mailing awards last year. 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– Yes the raffle, directly following 100 mile awards, we will have great stuff for the raffle from our sponsors including, a stay at Garda Bike Hotel, an Industry Nine Hub-set, a Shimano pedals, Feedback Sports work stand, SeaSucker vacuum mount bike rack, Crotch Guard, Swiftwick socks, Hammer Nutrition, Jittery Joe’s Coffee, as well as other great prizes). Yes, it’s worth sticking around for! (List from 2017, subject to change).

Special Thanks:
A special thanks to all our volunteers at registration, aid stations, and the course marshals. A big thanks to the Town of Boone, Boone Police Dept, Blowing Rock Police, and to Watauga Co Sheriffs Dept, Avery Co Sheriffs, & Newland Police Department. Without their help we would not be able to pull this off.

Sponsors: Thanks to all of our great sponsors: Swiftwick, Shimano, Industry Nine, Bicycling Magazine, Hammer Nutrition, Feedback Sports, Crotch Guard, Garda Bike Hotel, SeaSucker Vacuum Mount Bike Racks, Jittery Joe’s Coffee, BikeFlights, HUB Labels, Cane Creek and Capua Law Firm.

Sunday Start Time: Riders meeting to take place at 7:45am. Event to start at 8:00am.

Event will start and finish at 164 South Depot Street Boone, NC 28607

Directions:
See map: Google Maps
164 South Depot Street Boone, NC 28607

What to bring:

Please check the weather and make sure you have adequate clothing.

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 weather is looking great

Be sure to check out all the great independent restaurants in Boone