2024 Photo Gallery
REGISTRATION
| PRICE PERIOD | GRAN & MEDIO | PICCOLO |
|---|---|---|
| Until January 8, 2024 | $145 | $90 |
| Jan 9 - Feb 16, 2024 | $155 | $100 |
| Feb 17 - Mar 7, 2024 | $165 | $110 |
| Mar 10 - Mar 13, 2024 | $185 | $130 | Mar 14 - On-site | $200 | $145 |
Rider Road book
The 2024 SUAREZ Gran Fondo Florida Road Book is available as a PDF download or as a Ride with GPS Experience. In any of these you will find:
Packet Pickup times and locations
Parking information
Course details
Elevation profiles
Timed segment details
Turn-by-turn navigation (RWGPS Experience only)
EVENT FEATURES
Wave start
To reduce congestion and increase safety, Gran Fondo Florida will use a wave start format. Groups of up to 35 riders will depart from Dade City. Riders will be able to choose their start waves so you can ride with friends and teammates, or meet new people!
3 UPDATED Courses
Contained in Pasco County, FL, all three Gran Fondo Florida routes have been updated for 2024 to feature quiet country roads and rolling hills through picturesque horse farms.
TIMED SEGMENT Racing
With timed-segment competitions, your overall time from start to finish does not matter. Only the timed segments count. Your overall, and age group rankings are determined by your combined time for all timed segments on the route you choose. View Complete Rules and FAQ.
Time Section #1 (Counts for 100, 60 and 35 mile riders)
Time Section #2; (Counts for 100 and 60 mile riders)
Time Section #3; (Counts for 100 mile riders only)
Time Section #4; (Counts for 100 and 60 mile riders)
FLORIDA’S Most Challenging GRAN FONDO
Arguably the “easiest” event of the Gran Fondo National Series based on total elevation gain, but with nonstop rolling hills it’s the hardest gran fondo in Florida and rewards riders who can work well in groups.
SUNNY CENTRAL FLORIDA LOCATION
Central Florida’s Pasco County is full of picturesque horse farms and orange groves. The quiet roads are great for cycling and it’s conveniently located one hour north of Tampa and 90 minutes west of Orlando. Come in early or extend your stay to visit the beaches in Tampa and St Petersburg, or the Walt Disney World theme park in Orlando.
qualify for USA Cycling National championship
Results from Gran Fondo Florida can qualify riders for the 2024 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships, to be held during Gran Fondo Maryland in Frederick, MD on September 15, 2024.
Safety & Support
Ride with confidence on the marked and marshaled course, supported by law enforcement, safety motos, mechanic and sag vehicles, as well as feed stations staffed through local youth police program.
EVENT PHOTOS
The pros from First Place Photos will be out taking photos at multiple locations around the course. Event photos will available for purchase a few days after the event.
Prize Raffle
We have more than $5000 of prizes to give out from Series sponsors, and ALL riders are eligible to win.
BONUS: Earn an extra raffle ticket by wearing any Gran Fondo National Series jersey during the event!
Get your post ride beer
Welcome to Dade City’s First & Only Brew House! We are proud to offer our own brand of tasty and original beers, wines and ciders.
Found in the heart of downtown Dade City, we are a family and dog friendly establishment where we hope that you come and stay awhile.
We look forward to being your go-to place to host all of your events, parties and receptions!
After ride meal provided by:
Food from Uncle Fatty’s Kitchen
-Burger and fries combo.Rice bowl with a choice of pork or chicken, and, for vegetarians, Mexican corn salad. Pulled pork sandwich and slaw combo.
*Menu subject to change.
Local Bike Shop
Fat Rick’s Bicycle Emporium is right across the street from the Start/Finish of Gran Fondo Florida, for your pre- and post-event shop needs.
The Top 10 Most Popular Events Worldwide
Gran Fondo Guide has reached its 11th year of operation, the Worlds Leading Amateur Cycling Platform has reached a global audience of nearly 4 million unique users, over 185,000 visitors per month and over 1.61 million page impressions per month.
To celebrate, we bring you the top 10 most popular events on Gran Fondo Guide over the last ten years. *Please Note: This is the pure impressions, incoming organic traffic, by Fondo Fans over the last 10 years.
Make sure you add at least one of these outstanding events to your Bucket List this year!
ABOUT THE COURSE
Who says Florida is flat!
Centered in the rolling orange groves of Pasco & Hernando County, Gran Fondo Florida starts and ends in Dade City, 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.
Event details
The information is subject to change. Finalized details will be communicated to registered riders via App, Rider Roadbook, and Registered Rider Emails.
VIEW 2023 RIDER ROADBOOK
The 2024 Rider Roadbook will be available at least a week prior to the event. However, because this is a long-standing event, you can get an idea of what to expect from downloading the 2023 Gran Fondo Florida Rider Roadbook.
GRAN FONDO FLORIDA APP, powered by Ride with GPS
All event information will be available on the free Gran Fondo Florida App, powered by Ride with GPS. From the Ride with GPS app on your phone, select "Open Shortcut" and scan the QR code.
PACKET PICKUP
Saturday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Church Avenue between 8th and 10th Street
Sunday from 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM (riders pick up on Sunday morning should do so 30 minutes prior to their start-wave time) Dade City Brew House 14323 7th St, Dade City, FL 33523 (at location of race start).
You must check-in in person and you must have ID to check in. We recommend picking up your packet on Saturday to avoid the rush on race morning. If you plan to pick up on Sunday morning before the race, don’t be afraid to be early, you are better off having some extra time, you will need it. Registration will also be available at an increased fee on Saturday and Sunday, tell your friends to sign up now, they can still register.
TIMING CHIPS AND BIB NUMBERS
All Timing Chips must be picked up on race morning. This is a very quick process that will be completed as riders check in for their start waves. Race numbers must be mounted on your back right side and be easily readable.
You must return your timing chip or you will be charged 100 dollars. Please make sure you return it!
PREPARING TO RIDE
As you prepare for your ride after picking up your packet, please abide by the following rules and recommendations:
- Bib number is mandatory, should be pinned to the back center of your jersey, and cannot be cut or folded.
- Bike plate is mandatory, mounted to the handlebar or head tube so course marshals and law enforcement can distinguish participants and for accurate photo identification. Bike plate can be cut to accommodate computer mounts.
- Timing chip (provided Sunday morning at start area) is required to be included in official results. For best accuracy, please wear timing chip on your ankle.
- Elevation/race section and name decals are provided for your convenience by our sponsor, Hub Labels.
- Be prepared and have more fun! Get your personalized ride forecasts by Epic Ride Weather.
PARKING
Parking lot behind del Carmen restraunt.Google maps link
Please help the reputation of cyclists in the area and park in the designated parking.
START TIME AND LOCATION
First riders will stage at 7:45AM and start at 8:00AM. Riders will start in waves of 25 riders every 5 minutes. All riders must cross the official start line. Though timing begins at the first timed segment, participation will be verified by chip read at the start. Starting without crossing the start line will result in disqualification. The start and finish lines of timed segments only cover the RIGHT SIDE of the road. If you are on the wrong side of the road when you pass the start or finish line of a timed segment, your time WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
Start location: 14323 7th St, Dade City, FL 33523
This is not a Start to Finish Race! Time sections determine placement.
AID STATIONS
There will be four aid stations along the 94 mile route; two on the 60mi, 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 and single-serving packaged foods.
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.
CUTOFF TIMES
No exceptions for 94 & 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!
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.
FINISH AREA
Upon reaching the finish line, riders will be directed into a one-way finishers' chute to return Timing Chip. Your food and drink tickets, attached to your bib number, can be redeemed for a great meal. Tickets can be redeemed for a great meal. Riders with particular dietary needs should be prepared with own post-ride food options.
RESULTS AND AWARDS
Real-time results will be posted to Gran Fondo Florida App by Ride with GPS, and on the website results page. Riders who finish in the TOP 3 in a competition category (overall male & female for Gran/Medio/Piccolo routes, age groups by course and sex) will be invited to the podium presentations. Gran Route age group winners will be awarded custom kits from SUAREZ.
- 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 event. These will be mailed to you post event in the size you order.
- Team competition: fastest four person team in the Gran Route details at: https://www.granfondonationalchampionshipseries.com/team-category/
Estimated times to start awards:
- Piccolo: 2:00pm
- Medio: 3:00pm
- Gran: 4:00pm
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 timed segment competitions , the first one back is not necessarily the winner. If you do place in the top three of your age group, and you cannot wait for the awards ceremony, you can send a self-addressed postage-paid mailing package to us and we will mail you your award.
PRIZE RAFFLE
Any rider who completes any 2024 SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series event format on the scheduled weekend will be eligible for the raffle. Raffle winners must be present to win.
Great prizes from our sponsors such as:
- 4-night Stay at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy
- Wahoo ELEMNT Rival GPS Watch
- Wahoo KICKR smart trainer (model TBD)
- Lazer helmet
- Industry Nine hubset
- Cane Creek components
- Swiftwick socks
- Bike Flights travel voucher
- Shimano products
- CTS Trainright Membership
- Jittery Joe’s Coffee
- UNDRBUDR anti-chafe cream
- Ride with GPS Premium Membership (List subject to change)
RECOMMENDED LODGING AND ATTRACTIONS
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.
MORE INFO
For more info please refer to our previous year's roadbook. Note information may change for the next event.
2023 Roadbook
Rules
You Must Obey Traffic Laws. This is not a closed course. That means stop at lights and stop signs. 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; 60 mile has 2 timed sections; 35 mile has 1 timed section. You can view all the timed section details 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 above 10mph. NOTE: this is progression speed not average speed, progression speed includes all stopped time.
COME JOIN US AT GRAN FONDO FLORIDA
LOCAL SUPPORTERS
