Mar
24
to Mar 25

GRAN FONDO FLORIDA

NEW! TT option on Saturday includes a
TT ramp start with 2 time sections on a 21 mile route. 

“Come Challenge Yourself”

Event Open to All

The Gran Fondo National Series offers not only the
most challenging road bike racing series in the nation, but also the most fun!

Ride with your friends, Race with your friends

  • 3 Distances to choose from:

    • Gran Route (100 mi), Medio Route (55 mi), Piccolo Route (35 mi)

  • 4 Timed Sections in the Gran Route – Best Combined Time Wins

  • Custom “Race Winner” jersey for all Gran Route age group winners

  • Awards and Prizes for Gran, Medio, and Piccolo age-group podiums

  • No racing license required


Beneficiary
This event raises funds for Pasco County SRO Explorer Program. The School Resource Officer (SRO) Unit is composed of two squads that provide law enforcement services to schools countywide. The SRO Explorer Program provides services for those aged 14-21

FL, GA, Boone, MD, Pricing image.jpg

Packet pick up:

Saturday 3/24/18 and Sunday 3/25/18

Saturday From 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM  Vo2 Max Cycles 32807 Pennsylvania Ave, San Antonio, FL 33576  All TT riders must check-in, pick up packets, and start before 3PM!
Sunday From 6:00 AM to 7:15 AM Vo2 Max Cycles 32807 Pennsylvania Ave, San Antonio, FL 33576 (at location of race start)

Course Description

Who says Florida is flat! Centered in the rolling orange groves of Pasco & Hernando County, Gran Fondo Florida starts and ends at on Pennsylvania Avenue in San Antonio, FL. The race follows, in part, the proposed Olympic road race course that was part of Tampa’s bid to host the Summer Olympic Games.  It travels along rural rolling hills, past horse farms and crystal clear springs. Briefly going through Withlacoochee State Forest and the hills surrounding Brooksville, Florida. At the 89 mile mark you will enter a piece of US cycling history along Darby road, once home to the famous Darby Road Race that has seen the likes of Tour de France winner Laurent Fignon. This area is and has been the winter training site of some of the top triathletes in the world including members of the TIMEX team and the hometown of former US National Cycling team members Josh Thornton and Derek Wilkerson.

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

Race Email and event details for Gran Fondo Florida  NOTE: information below is carried over from 2017 please check back the week of your event to confirm details.

Thank you for registering for the 6th annual Gran Fondo Florida on Sunday March 24th & 25th

Please read all notes below

You can rent a bike from VO2 Max Cycles, our venue host, contact Pierre at (352) 534-0888

All Timing Chips must be picked up on race morning.
You must return you timing chip or you will be charged $100.
Please make sure you return it!

TT riders on Saturday should check details for the TT in separate email. 

Sunday's Gran Fondo:

You must start on time at 8:00 AM or your times will not be counted. Race briefing is at 7:45 on Pennsylvania Avenue in San Antonio, FL 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.

Registration will also be available at an increased fee on Saturday and Sunday, tell your friends to sign up now, they can still register.

Packet Pick Up: (You must check-in in person and you must have ID to check in)

All Timing Chips must be picked up on race morning. This is a very quick process that is separate from check-in, you will need to show your race bib number to get your chip.  You can be dressed and ready to ride and swing by to get your chip.

Parking
Click here for parking map
Please help the reputation of cyclists in the area and park in the designated parking.
DO NOT park in spaces downtown or around the park or any church.
Park in the parking-field at 108 College Ave San Antonio, FL 33576

Aid Stations:
There will be four aid stations along the 100 mile route; two on the 55mi, and one on the 35 mile route (35mi will also have mini-aid with only water, Heed, and Hammer Gel). Each of the other aid station will be fully stocked with: Water, Heed, Hammer Gel, Endurolyte Fizz, Bananas, PB&J Sandwiches, Cookies, Chips and Pretzels, and other snacks.

Bathrooms:
Aid-Stations 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 and use porta-johns.

Lost items: We are not responsible for lost or damaged goods or anything left at aid stations or the start finish area. We will try to help but cannot be responsible for your personal items, including your bike.

Timing Chips
All riders must have timing chips installed 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 right side and be easily readable.

Route Navigation: The route will be very well marked; however, we suggest you 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/events/32029-gran-fondo-florida?rsvp_code=2qAjNZFuiOo1pVzV

Maps for Saturday - Gran Fondo Florida Time Trial,  GFNCS
TT event is USAC sanctioned
, riders must have USAC license to participate in TT. (One day licenses and USAC Ride Membership are available for purchase at event). 

Maps for Sunday - Gran Fondo Florida,  GFNCS

Get the RideWithGPS App and load the route to your smart phone or GPS

Time Section Maps (Specific)

Time Sections: (THE RACE) – This is not a start to finish race, your overall time is not calculated, only time sections count.  These are then combined to form the competition time.

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!

NEVER CROSS THE CENTER-LINE OF 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. You will not be racing through any intersections; this means when you come to a sign or signal you should 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. 100 mile has 4 timed sections; 55 mile has 2 timed sections; 35 mile has 1 timed section. You can view all the details for timed section 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 23mph and 10mph. NOTE: this is progression speed not average speed, progression speed includes all stopped time. Below is a list stating the times sections are open

Cut off times No exceptions for 100 & 55 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

  • Awards presented three deep for each category for fastest section times.

  • Custom produced Gran Fondo Florida Winners kits will be awarded to the fastest riders in each age category of the Gran Route 100 mile event. These will be mailed to you post event in the size you order.

  • Time Section Primes – The fastest female in section 1 and in section 3, and the fastest male in section 2 and in section 4, and the will win a prize.

  • Team competition: fastest four person team in the Gran Route details at: https://www.granfondonationalchampionshipseries.com/team-category/

Estimated times to start awards – 100 mile 4PM to 5PM; 60 mile & 35 mile 2PM to 3PM.

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 the 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 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, we will be holding a raffle directly following 100 mile awards, we will have great stuff for the raffle from our sponsors including prizes such as: Industry Nine hubset, Products from Cane Creek, Rudy Project, SeaSucker vacuum mount bike rack, Swiftwick socks, Shimano components, Jittery Joe’s Coffee, Crotch Guard, a holiday at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy,  as well as other prizes). Yes, it’s worth sticking around for!  (List subject to change)

Post Ride Food:
You receive a complementary meal with your entry.

Sponsors:
Thanks to all of our great sponsors: Haute Route, Swiftwick, Bicycling Magazine, Hammer Nutrition, SeaSucker Vacuum Mount Bike Racks, Shimano, Industry Nine, CrotchGuard, Cane Creek, Rudy Project, Jittery Joe’s Coffee, BikeFlights.com, HUB Lables, and Visit Pasco.

Start Time:

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

Event will start and finish on Pennsylvania Avenue in San Antonio, FL.

Directions:

See map: Google Maps

Pennsylvania Avenue in San Antonio, FL.

What to bring:

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

Bring two water bottles.

Results

Results will be posted on our website.

Results are fully searchable – just click on things.

Nearby Accommodations:
Best Western Wesley Chapel offers a 10% discount just tell them you're staying for the Gran Fondo Florida
Hampton Inn Dade City Florida is nearby and a good location to stay if you're coming in from the east.

Attraction and Things-To-Do in the area

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!

Yours Truly,
GFNCS Staff
www.gfncs.com

OUR SUPPORTERS


A special thank you to all our sponsors and those who support the

GRAN FONDO NATIONAL SERIES

View Event →