How we set it up
This is not a start to finish race format, the competition is all about the timed sections. A rider’s start to finish time is not used for any purpose. Placement is determined by a riders time through designated time sections. Times are recorded via electronic timing chip. The times for each of the sections are then added together to give a competition-time. A rider’s competition-time time is compared to others in their respective categories to determine placement.
Rules
You must complete the entire course.
You may not travel backwards on the course. If waiting for riding partners, it’s allowed to pull over and wait. This means no “circling around” on the road before entering a timed segment.
You must wear a bicycle helmet that has approved safety rating
You must never cross the center line, if you do you will be disqualified and asked to leave the course
You must stay to the right-hand side of the lane at all times unless passing. You must stay on the right side of the road (yellow line) at all times, even when passing.
You must have a device to carry water with you while riding
To be eligible for competition, and to receive your time splits, you must enter and exit timed sections during the posted times. All timed sections are open for specific durations; you must enter and exit each timed section during the specified scheduled time each section is open. This is figured on an average progression speed between 22 mph and 10 mph (note: this is not average ride speed, this is average progression speed and includes all stopped time, i.e total time)
At Series events owned and operated by Gran Fondo National Series riders may use any standard bicycle that has two wheels no motor and is not considered a recumbent. All bicycles must have working brakes. Bicycles must be propelled solely by the rider’s legs (no e-bikes) and have 3 points of support; saddle, pedals and handlebars. Standard road bikes, TT bikes, and mountain bikes are allowed. Bikes with aerobars are allowed, however, riders are not allowed to use them while riding in proximity to other cyclists.
Bike regulations for the USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship are different. Bicycles must meet the requirements for that event and follow regulations are in line with all USA Cycling National Championships and mirror international standards for shape and size requirements for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. Standard road bicycles with a double diamond frame, wheels of the same diameter (550-700 mm), are required. Bicycles must be propelled solely by the rider’s legs (no e-bikes) and have 3 points of support; saddle, pedals and handlebars, with the following characteristics: Dimensions. Bicycles may be no more than 185 cm long and 50 cm wide No protective shield, fairing, or other device on any part of the bicycle, which has the sole purpose reducing air resistance. No disc wheels allowed. Handlebars shall be standard road form, ends shall be solidly plugged, and without any additional arm supports or aero extensions. Brakes. All bicycles must have an independent, functional brake on each wheel. No recumbents, tricycles or tandems are allowed in the National Championship event.No recumbent bicycles allowed; this is a competitive event, and like all sports, restrictions must be made to provide a level and fair competition.
Bicycles must be propelled solely by the rider’s legs (no e-bikes). We are considering ways to incorporate e-bikes into Gran Fondo National Series events, but they are currently not allowed.
Gender rules at Gran Fondo National Series events follow the same gender rules as UCI. Female transgender athletes who have transitioned after (male) puberty will be prohibited from participating in women's categories at Gran Fondo National Series events. For USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships gender rules are subject to USA Cycling rules and their current transgender policies.
Competitive placement is determined by adding a rider’s time-segment times together, and the best combined times determine placement.
NOTE: Partnered Events may have different rules and regulations.
What does the price of your entry include?
Traffic control
Event jersey included with registrations 26 days out.
Fully stocked aid stations with energy product and food
Four timed sections (requires over $100,000 in timing equipment)
Post-race food, beverage, and entertainment
Goody-bag with various schwag items
Finisher award for all Gran and Medio Route Finishers
Awards for age-group placement
Chance to win prizes for placement
Chance to win raffle prizes
Mechanical support
The enjoyment of riding one of the finest cycling routes you’ve ever ridden
FAQs
1. How does a Gran Fondo National Series event work?
Reuben Kline, founder and director of the series, defines a Gran Fondo is a long distance cycling event that focuses on both competitive and recreational experience. Gran Fondo National Series events accomplish this by the use of timed segments to provide a competitive experience and by creating unforgettable and beautiful routes to provide a recreational experience. Riders leave together at the specified start-time. Riders can choose between different course lengths. Riders can ride at their own pace with the goal to simply finish and have fun and/or focus on competing for their best time over the timed sections.
2. Why is it a National Series / National Championship?
Riders have the opportunity to compete in the Gran Fondo National Series® to be best gran fondo rider in the nation, through collective placement across the series of events. In addition there is a single one-day race for the USA Cycling Gran Fondo Nation Championships title, which is an opportunity for the strongest riders to come together and test themselves against each other. Riders can choose to participate in one event or several events and all events are open to all riders. For more details see: Gran Fondo National Series® - Points Calculation
3. Who is the beneficiary?
Beneficiaries are listed on the event page for each event.
4. Is there a National Championships competition for the 62 mile and 32 mile course?
Gran Fondo National Championships focus on and refer to the Gran course (approx. 100 miles) only. The Medio and Piccolo (approx. 60 miles and 30 miles, respectively) participants will receive awards for their distance/category in the event for which they are competing and not be awarded any National standing. The Gran Fondo National Series competition in each season is determined for Gran, Medio, and Piccolo riders. For Series Points earned at a the National Championships event, the participants in both the Gran Route and GFNats will be scored together. For more on Series points See https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/points-calculation
5. What are the courses like?
Choose between ~100, ~60 and ~30 miles distances. The roads are not closed to traffic but they are low traffic routes and include traffic control at many intersections. Expect to experience scenic, challenging, and remote roads. Amazing is the objective strive for when we design a course.
6. What is the Schedule?
Start time is mandatory, all riders must start together at the indicated time. All timed sections are open for specific durations; you must enter and exit each time section during the specified time each section is open. This is figured on an average progression speed between 22 mph and 10 mph (note: this is not average ride speed, this is average progression speed and includes all stopped time, i.e total time)
7. What is the Entry Fee?
Entry fees are posted online for each event and very based on the length of the loop, the specific event, and how far in advance a rider registers.
8. How is the course timed?
Each rider is provided with a reusable high performance timing chip that is tracked when riders cross through timing points. Splits are recorded and posted at the event and online. Typically the 100 mile route has 4 timed sections, the 60 mile route has 2 timed sections, and the 30 mile loop has 1 timed section. *(the number of timed sections can vary from course to course. See course maps for details). Timing chips must be returned, these are high quality chips and riders are responsible for the value of the chip ($100).
9. What are the categories?
There are several categories. The overall winners are those who finish first regardless of categories (first as in best time section times, not first one back to the stat finish area. For example a rider who is in the 35-44 Category and has the fastest combined times of the day will win the overall as well as 1st place for 35-44 Category (this rider would be awarded a prize for the overall best time, and also get a 1st pace award for age category). The fastest competition time of the day for riders in their respective categories will be crowned the USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Champions and will earn a Gran Fondo National Championships title and jersey. Similar for the Gran Fondo National Series® events the riders in each age-gender category will be ranked for Series Points. For more details see: Gran Fondo National Series® - Points Calculation
Your racing age is the age you will be on December 31st of the current year we are in. (example: If you race on Sept 22nd and are 44 years old on the day of the race, and your birthday is Nov 3rd, your racing age would be 45) The following age groups are used for awarding Series Points. Please note USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships age groups are different, for GFNats age groups see https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-national-championship
Male U23
Men 23-34
Men 35-44
Men 45-54
Men 55-64
Men 65-69
Men 70+
Female U23
Female 23-34
Female 35-44
Female 45-54
Female 55-64
Female 65-69
Female 70+
10. What is included in the entry?
Traffic Control
T-Shirt included with registration, while supplies last (register early…)
Fully stocked aid stations with energy product and food
Four timed sections (requires over $100,000 in contracted timing equipment)
Post-race food, beverage, and entertainment
Goody-bag with various schwag items
Finisher award for all Gran Route Finishers
Awards for age-group placement
Chance to win prizes for placement
Chance to win raffle prizes
Mechanical support
The enjoyment of ride one of the finest cycling route you’ve ever ridden
11. Registration and start location?
See specific event page for details, some events require a day before event packet/number pick up
12. Do I need a license to participate?
No, You do not need a special license to ride.
13. What bike is appropriate?
Any Standard road bicycles with a double diamond frame, wheels of the same diameter (550-700 mm), are required. Bicycles must be propelled solely by the rider’s legs (no e-bikes) and have 3 points of support; saddle, pedals and handlebars. Bicycle must be in good safe working condition. The ideal bike is a road bike with multiple gears. These are difficult courses and heavy bikes with mountain bike tires will be at a distinct disadvantage, as will aero-bars. No recumbent bikes, or e-bikes allowed.
14. Is there a minimum age for participation?
Yes, Riders must be 14 years of age to participate.
15. What are the timed sections like?
Many timed sections are climbs but not all are. Timed sections are intended to determine the strongest riders.
16. Where can I stay?
See event pages for details.
17. Where is there parking?
Parking details are provided for each event.
18. Refunds or transfers?
No refunds or transfers will be granted. If you cannot participate in the event you can volunteer in exchange for a deferral to next year’s event.
19. Where are the Pit stops / feed stations?
Feed stations provide food and drink along the route. The location of the feed stations are marked in the race notes and maps. Typically feed stations are about every 25 miles.
20. Is there a time cut-off?
Yes, there are cut off times. All riders must maintain and average progression speed of at least 10 mph or they will be directed to take a shorter route. All timed sections are open for specific durations; you must enter and exit each time section during the specified scheduled time each section is open. This is figured on an average progression speed between 22 mph and 10 mph (note: this is not average ride speed, this is average progression speed and includes all stopped time, i.e total time).
21. Mechanical Support?
Roving mechanical support is offered but be prepared to fix your own flats as you may have to wait longer for the roving support than it will take to fix it yourself
22. Are there local bike shops I can get last minute supplies from?
Yes, each event has a bike shop in proximity
23. If I can’t finish what do I do?
If you feel like you cannot finish, take one of the shorter routes back. There will be a SAG vehicle that can give a ride back; however, this vehicle will stay behind the last rider and will not provide immediate transport back.
24. Is it a mass start?
Start time is mandatory all riders must start together.
25. Rain or shine?
Yes
26. Is there food provided?
Yes, at aid stations and after the finish we supply some hot food, but we also recommend checking out a real meal in the downtown areas.
27. Can I volunteer?
Yes, please contact us at info@granfondochampionship.com and see https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/volunteer/
28. Can I go on course and cheer people on?
Yes
29. Are there any primes for the timed sections?
Yes, the fastest females in sections 1 and 3 and the fastest men in sections 2 and 4 will receive a prize.
30. What are the size options for jerseys
See link to jerseys
31. What riding gear/things do you need?
Helmet—no helmet, no ride!
Water bottles
A basic tool kit
Tire pump or CO2 cartridges
Appropriate riding clothing to match the weather report
Spare tube and patch kit
If you have odd sized tires or tubes, bring an extra spare
Personal ID and medical insurance cards
Cell phone
32. Team Category details
Team category is only for the Gran Route distance (100 miles).
Teams must have 3 or more riders to qualify.
Team time is equal to the sum of any 3 team riders cumulative times (add 3 riders times together and it equals a team time).
Team riders are still eligible for individual awards.
33. No child bike seats or trailers allowed.
34. No Team Cars on Route. No exceptions! Team cars can provide support in designated feed stations. Please do not risk the safety of others or make it difficult for us to permit the event in the future. Team Cars are one of the biggest concerns when it comes to permitting and are not allowed on Gran Fondo National Series routes.