CHALLENGING ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROUTES
A challenging and rewarding course, the Golden Gran Fondo features more elevation gain per mile than any other GFNS event, all between 5,600-11,000 feet above sea level. Typical for the Rocky Mountains, individual climbs are 30+ minutes long, with substantial descents.
POST-RIDE PARTY IN PACK SQUARE PARK
With challenging courses and a start/finish/party in Pack Square Park in the heart of Golden, the Golden Gran Fondo attracts adventurous cyclists love climbing into the mountains and relaxing in the shady beer garden after a tough and rewarding day on the bike.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN GOLDEN, CO
Just 30 minutes from downtown Denver and even closer to Boulder, the historic town of Golden, Colorado sits at the gateway to the Rocky Mountains and is one of the most amazing cycling destinations in the United States. Golden Gran Fondo courses include climbs featured in the Coors Classic and USA Pro Cycling Challenge races, as well as the movie “American Flyers”.
SAFETY AND SUPPORT
Long climbs, altitude, and variable weather can make it difficult to complete the best Rocky Mountain loops without support. Ride with confidence on the marked and marshaled course, supported by law enforcement, safety motos, mechanic and sag vehicles, as well as staffed feed stations.
PRICES AND DATES
| PRICE PERIOD | GRAN | MEDIO | PICCOLO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Until January 10, 2020 | $115 | $95 | $60 |
| Jan 11 - May 28, 2020 | $120 | $100 | $65 |
| May 29 - Jun 17, 2020 | $140 | $120 | $85 |
| Jun 18 - Jun 25 | $160 | $140 | $105 |
| On-site | $175 | $155 | $110 |
COURSE MAPS & TIMED SEGMENTS
DOWNLOADABLE COURSE MAPS
The routes will be very well marked, but we encourage you to get the RideWithGPS App and load the route to your smart phone or GPS. Use this RSVP LINK to access premium RideWithGPS features and get turn by turn navigation for free.
TIMED SEGMENT MAPS AND PROFILES
Time Section #1; Counts for 91-, 63-, and 20-mile riders
Time Section #4; Counts for 91-mile riders
Time Sections: (THE COMPETITION) – This is not a start-to-finish race. Your overall time from start to finish does not matter for this competition. Only the timed segments count. Your overall, age group, and gender rankings are determined by your combined time for all timed segments on the route you choose. View Complete Rules and FAQ.
ABOUT THE COURSE
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!
ITINERARY
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.
As you approach the time 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 for your review at the finish. 100 mile = 4 timed sections; 55 mile = 2 timed sections; 20 mile = 1 timed section. You can view all the details for timed section on 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
TBD
Haute Route Special Offer
As part of the worldwide Haute Route family of cycling events, GFNS is proud to deliver world-class service, as well as valuable incentives to join us at Haute Route 3-day and 7-day cycling events in the US and around the world. If you can finish a GFNS event, you are ready for Haute Route!
To inspire you to do more, Haute Route will apply your full GFNS entry fee toward a 2020 Haute Route entry!
If you ride any GFNS event in 2020, you are entitled to credit the entire entry fee paid toward any 2020 Haute Route three-day or seven-day event. Already signed up for the Haute Route? Then take advantage of a free entry into one 2020 GFNS event of your choice to prepare for the Haute Route.
Learn more about all Haute Route events at www.hauteroute.org
COME JOIN US AT GOLDEN GRAN FONDO
LOCAL SPONSORS
In addition to all the national GFNS sponsors, we would like to thank our local sponsors for the Golden Gran Fondo: 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).
A special thank you to all our sponsors and those who support the
