REGISTRATION
| PRICE PERIOD | GRAN & MEDIO | PICCOLO |
|---|---|---|
| Until January 8, 2024 | $145 | $90 |
| Jan 9 - Mar 22, 2024 | $155 | $100 |
| Mar 23 - Apr 11, 2024 | $165 | $110 |
| Apr 12 - Apr 17, 2024 | $185 | $130 | Apr 18 - 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
3 GREAT COURSES
Starting and finishing in Helen, GA, all three routes feature steep and challenging climbs, quiet country roads, scenic views, and thrilling descents.
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 Gran and Medio riders
Time Section #2; Counts for Gran and Medio riders
Time Section #3; Counts for all riders
Time Section #4; Counts for Gran riders
Later Piccolo Start Time
Piccolo riders (25-miles) will start at 10:00AM (Gran and Medio riders start at 8:00 AM). This brings Piccolo riders to the finish when lunch is ready and other riders are finishing. It also shortens the wait time for Piccolo riders between finishing and the awards and raffle.
Bavaria in the Appalachians
The third-most visited town in Georgia, Helen is a unique mountain town styled in a Bavarian theme. About two hours from major airports in Atlanta, GA and Greenville, SC, Helen is adjacent to the beautiful Unicoi State Park which is packed with family fun.
Lodging in helen
Choose between staying in downtown Alpine Helen for the bustling atmosphere or retreating to a peaceful mountain getaway. Options include charming bed and breakfasts, alpine-themed motels, cozy cabins, vacation rentals, or a luxury boutique hotel.
https://helenga.org/lodging/
Rider 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.
NimbleWheels
Nimblewheels Bicycles is a family-owned bicycle shop in Dahlonega, GA that
sells and services bikes, and promotes road, mountain bike, and gravel adventures!
Safety and Support
The Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo routes are difficult to ride unsupported because the roads are remote and stores are few and far between. Ride these marked and marshalled courses with confidence, supported by law enforcement, safety motos, mechanic and sag vehicles, as well as staffed feed stations.
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!
Post ride food!
Post Ride Meal - Riders can choose between La Cabana Mexican Restaurant or Bangkok Haus .
Post ride beer
Start celebrating your victory with a refreshing beer right at the finish line.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Hosted in Georgia’s Bavarian Alpine village nestled in the heart of the north Georgia mountains. Helen was a highlight during the Tour of Georgia pro race and Gran Fondo National Series is excited to partner with Helen to bring our riders to this premier mountain town! Helen is nestled in an amazing riding location, has great accommodations, and offers many family friendly experiences. Helen has more than 200 specialty shops. The routes winds through National Forest lands and crest big mountain gaps with spectacular views of the vast National Forest lands
EVENT DETAILS
The information below is subject to change. Details will also be communicated to registered riders via App, Rider Roadbook, and Registered Rider Emails.
TOUR OF GEORGIA GRAN FONDO APP, powered by Ride with GPS
All event information will be available on the free Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo App, powered by Ride with GPS. The app will be available for download the week of the event. From the Ride with GPS app on your phone, select "Open Shortcut" and scan the QR code or enter the code.
PACKET PICKUP
Saturday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at City of Helen Riverside Park 800 block of Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA 30545, across from La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant
Sunday from 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM for Gran and Medio riders (until 9:40 AM for Piccolo riders) at Parking lot in front of La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant 707 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA 30545 (Race Start/Finish).
You must have ID to check in. Riders may collect packets for additional riders with your ID, a copy of each rider’s photo id and a statement of permission. A text/email with a photo of a rider’s ID and statement works. We recommend picking up your packet on Saturday to avoid the rush on race morning.
Registration will also be available at an increased fee on Friday and Saturday, 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 should be in front of cables and unobstructed.
- Timing chip (provided Saturday 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.
EVENT WEATHER by Epic Ride Weather
Get the most out of your Gran Fondo National Series ride with personalized weather forecasts from the Epic Ride Weather app. Forecasts include wind speed, temperature and precipitation for the duration of your ride along the route. Plan your hydration and nutrition, pick the right clothing and plan to maximize the tailwind. Gran Fondo National Series events show up under "Events" in the app and are free to use for anyone riding the course. Get the app from https://www.epicrideweather.com
PARKING
Located downtown Helen, GA. Park only in red areas marked “parking” on the map. When you arrive please find a designated parking spot. Please park in a proper spot!
START TIME AND LOCATION
All Gran and Medio riders must be staged by 7:45 am for the start at 8:00am.
All Piccolo riders must be staged by 9:50 am to start at 10:00am.
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.
Directions: Google Maps
Event will start and finiiush in the parking lot in front of La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant 707 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA 30545 (Race Start/Finish).
This is not a Start to Finish Race! Time sections determine placement.
AID STATIONS
There will be 4 aid stations along the 90-mile route and 3 on the 66-mile route, and 1 on the 25-mile route. We will provide Water, Heed sports drink, Soda, Hammer Gels and Bars, Bananas, Clementines, Cookies, Chips, and snack bars.
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 90 & 66 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 are attached to your bib number! Tickets can be redeemed for a great meal in the park from La Cabana Mexican Restaurant. Riders with particular dietary needs should be prepared with own post-ride food options.
RESULTS AND AWARDS
Real-time results will be posted to the Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo 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 Cycling.
- Awards presented three deep for each category for fastest section times.
- Custom produced Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo Winners kits will be awarded to the fastest riders in each age category of the Gran Route 90-mile event. These will be mailed to you post event in the size you order.
- Team competition: fastest team in the Gran Route details at: https://www.granfondonationalchampionshipseries.com/team-category/
Estimated times to start awards:
- Piccolo: 1:00pm
- 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 competiitons, 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 2022 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 Roam
- Wahoo KICKR smart trainer
- Lazer helmet
- Industry Nine wheelset
- Cane Creek BarKeep and Computer Mount
- 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
In addition to the European-inspired shops and restaurants in Helen, Unicoi State Park is an incredible place to visit nearby.
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. 90 mile = 4 timed sections; 66 mile = 3 timed sections; 25 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.
