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Welcome to Gran Fondo New York! We are extremely excited to welcome you to the Inaugural edition of Gran Fondo New York. Gran Fondo New York combines the three things we love most: cycling, a competitive challenge, and the world’s greatest city. To the various towns that GFNY visits, police departments, EMS corps, New York City, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Palisades Interstate Park, State of New York, State of New Jersey, the amazing hundred-strong event crew, sponsors, media partners, and passionate volunteers: without your support this event would not be possible. - Your Gran Fondo New York Organizing Committee
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About Gran Fondo Gran Fondo is an essential part of the Italian cycling culture. Every weekend between February and October thousands of riders compete on challenging courses all over the country. The season usually opens along the Ligurian coast with Gran Fondo Laigueglia, then races in the Italian cycling hubs Tuscany and Romagna like Gran Fondo Davide Cassani follow. May and June are the busiest months with several events per weekend that attract up to 10,000 riders. Nove Colli is the big mama of them all, the most colorful cycling circus, held in Cesenatico, Marco Pantani's birth place in the Romagna region. The course is tough, covers nine relentless hills and 200 kilometers (130 miles). Other major Gran Fondo include Felice Gimondi in Bergamo, Dieci Colli in Bologna or Damiano Cunego in Verona. The season tapers off in July with some super tough courses in the alps like Giordana, Fausto Coppi or Maratona Dolomiti. The dead of summer is reserved for "la famiglia". September though sees a last spike of Gran Fondo events before the season ends where it started, at the Ligurian coast. The unique and great thing about Gran Fondo is that it brings cyclist of all ability levels together. At the front, you have elite racers gunning for the win. Some of them end up as professional racers, some look back at a few seasons as pros or "dilettanti", elite amateurs. They are in the first corral, the "Lista Rossa". But the guys and gals in the corrals behind them are no slouches either. Italians are born on the bike. While some racers may be limited to being weekend warriors, most of them look back on twenty or more years of racing and thousands of training miles. However, never let looks fool you. Just because a rider looks like someone who just escaped from the Giro d'Italia peloton, it doesn't mean he's super fast. "Fare una bella figura", looking great, is just as well an essential part of Italian culture. The world is a 24/7 stage to perform. Hence, an Italian Gran Fondo rider's bike will usually look as sharp as his matching club team kit. Golden rule: you will never find a true Italian in a pro team kit unless he rides for the team. Another no-go are black shorts and single color jerseys. The kit must be loud but matching and the bike be clean and with the latest accessories. Distances at Italian Gran Fondo vary but very few of them are not ridiculously hilly. Usually organizers make sure that they cover every single hill or mountain in the area. If the Gran Fondo is not your thing, you can choose a Medio Fondo or even Piccolo Fondo. Abbreviated, these courses are called "lungo", "medio" or "corto" but never, ever would any of these be simply called "Fondo". It's like calling a Marathon a "thon". Few people have a realistic shot at the overall win or even an age group win. But no one likes to go home empty handed. That's where the "pacco gara", the goodie bag comes into place. Every participant receives some event memorabilia like a jersey, vest, arm warmers, a saddle bag, a mini pump, a shoe bag etc., usually branded in the Gran Fondo colors. But it doesn't stop there. Local companies sponsor the event with their products so riders receive pasta, olive oil, wine, cheese, ham and other delicacies from the area. Italians love to judge the value of a Gran Fondo based on the 4
"pacco gara". Gran Fondo magazines like "Cicloturismo", "Giornale delle Gran Fondo" or our partner "La Biciletta", usually contain up to 300 pages with epic stories and pictures of recent races. Entry fees for Gran Fondo in Italy are usually between $40 and $70. They can be kept lower than in the US because authorities charge very low permits if any. Events are mostly held on completely open roads with a handful of police cars and motorbikes clearing the way for the front bunch while the majority just rides in traffic. Empty, rural roads allow for this procedure while e.g. Gran Fondo New York pays $300,000 in permits just to make the event happen. The pasta party after the event is the best place to exchange "war stories" with fellow cyclists who have covered the same course. Good food and good company wrap up a usually challenging but equally rewarding day. More bottles of wine, cheese rolls, dried pork legs as well as bike parts were handed to the winners before everyone has to get going. "A la prossima", see you next time.
Passo Spluga Passo Spluga is a mountain pass in the heart of the alps. The crest is the border between Italy and Switzerland. First used by the Romans, the pass has lost its former importance since the construction of the tunnel through San Bernardino. And that's why it's such a gem for cyclists, in particular the Italian side. The climb starts in Chiavenna at 333 m above sea level and the technical climb with lots of hairpins tops out at 2,113 m (7,000 feet). Summers in the valley are hot and sticky but with every bit up the climb the air gets fresher and the valley opens up more. Finally, you leave the forest behind and ride between beautiful mountains and crystal clear lakes towards the top.
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About Gran Fondo New York Cycling is a very popular pastime in NYC. However, there is this big gap between criterium racing and touring, a gap that Gran Fondo New York fills. The event attracts the weekend warriors who on one hand don't want to race laps in an industrial park but who seek a challenge that they wouldn’t get from a 50k bike tour. But we don't stop there. As you know, Gran Fondo welcomes everyone from the seasoned racer going for the big prizes GFNY offers, to people seeking a new challenge in finishing a strenuous ride. The Gran Fondo New York race organizing crew is all athletes (cyclists and triathletes, former professional athletes) who live and train in New York City. We know this city and its surrounding towns and villages in and out. We know where the best roads are and have cherry-picked the best quality and most challenging Gran Fondo New York course possible. We have raced all over the world. We all have taken part in Italian Gran Fondos, at the big ones, like Maratona dles Dolomites, as well as at the very small ones, like Gran Fondo Stockalper. Some of us rode whole Gran Fondo seasons for Italian teams. With Gran Fondo New York we strive to provide every good thing we have ever seen at any event we took part in. We will also incorporate things that we always wanted but weren’t provided. That said, Gran Fondo New York is not our event. It is your event. Gran Fondo New York starts on the iconic George Washington Bridge. GFNY is the only event in 2011 to have a traffic closure on the bridge exclusively for cyclists. Our four timed climbs are the pillars of Gran Fondo New York. Combined together, they count towards the King and Queen of Mountains competition in several categories. The prizes for the winners will be worth the effort. Additionally, riders compete for qualifying spots to the 2011 UCI Amateur World Championship. The top 10% of each age group qualify for the final held in Belgium in September.
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Flying to New York The closest airports to fly into are JFK, LGA, EWR, HPN. Below are ways to get to NYC, with approximate costs for each. You can find complete travel information, including schedules, ticket info, etc by searching online. From JFK: taxi ($50-65+tip), coach bus ($15), airtrain+subway ($5+$2.50) From LGA: taxi ($25-40+tip), coach bus ($12), bus+subway ($2.50) From EWR: taxi ($50-80+tip), coach bus ($15), train ($12.50) From HPN: taxi ($100+tip), bus+MetroNorth ($2.50+$14-$17)
Where To Stay There thousands of hotel options in NYC, and you can decide what kind of experience you'd like to have, your budget, etc. So in this respect, you should do some research to find the right fit for your personal preference. There are dozens of car garages all over midtown, so it will not be difficult to find parking for the weekend, it will just not be free. You can check with hotels if they have any special parking rates for nearby garages they work with. If you haven't been to NYC, we suggest that you book something in midtown and enjoy the NYC experience, rather than staying elsewhere. And booking a room at one of the hotels we list on the Individual Travel tab on www.granfondony.com guarantees that there are other participants staying at the same hotel. The most convenient hotels for the event will be located in midtown. They will allow you easy access to the expo, tourist attractions, riding loops in Central Park, getting to the start via the West Side Highway bike path or subway, and, best of all, the post-race party.
Bike Shipping High Country Shipping provides roundtrip Fed-Ex bike shipping and coordinates bike assembly (if desired) to the inaugural Gran Fondo New York. Travel with ease by avoiding baggage fees and have your bike waiting for you upon your arrival. How it Works: High Country Shipping sends shipping labels in advance, sets-up the pick-up, coordinates bike assembly (if desired) and monitors each shipment while keeping you informed via email. The process is simple and hassle-free. High Country Shipping's pricing is competitive with neighborhood shipping stores. On the website, click "place order" or call 877-231-1363. High Country Shipping works with the bike shop nearest to your hotel to arrange assembly of your bike.
Bike Rental New York City has several bike rental companies. Best way to look for bike rental is to search on google. Be sure to research and call to make sure that the bike rental you find online is reliable. Some companies may not offer long term pre-booking. Also, verify what state the bike is in because a bike you rent could be old, heavily used or damaged (worst case scenario). It could be a steal if you're lucky, but could also be full of problems, at the last minute. 9
Schedule at a Glance Friday May 6 10am-8pm Expo and mandatory paket pickup, Roseland Ballroom located at 239 W 52nd St Saturday May 7 8am-8pm Expo and mandatory paket pickup, Roseland Ballroom located at 239 W 52nd St Sunday May 8 6am opening of start area on lower level of George Washington Bridge 7am start of Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo New York 12pm start of festivities at Roseland Ballroom 5pm course closes 5pm award ceremonies at Roseland Ballroom 7pm end of festivities
Cycling in NYC Riding a road bike in NYC is surprisingly easy and popular. The main road to ride is Central Park. This beautiful 6mile/10k loop in the heart of the city offers rolling terrain and is packed with cyclists and triathletes, in particular during the car free hours (until 8am and from 7pm and all day Saturday/Sunday). And although it may seem boring to do the same old loop all the time, NYC and its unique personalities provide enough entertainment along the way. Plus, if you seek company, just hit the park and keep riding. There are always so many riders out there that it is hard to ride alone if you don't want to. Impromptu pace lines are forming naturally and riders will try to drop you on Harlem or Cat Hill. If you want to get out of the city, the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway that circles the entire island of Manhattan is your best bet. Most cyclists use the George Washington Bridge, which serves as start of Gran Fondo New York, to get out of Manhattan. Have a look at the following link to get an idea how to reach the bike path and where it runs: http://www.nycbikemaps.com/maps/manhattan-waterfront-greenway-bike-map/ In recent months, NYC started a campaign to enforce road laws on cyclists. Until then, it was common to see riders run red lights and ride against the traffic. We strongly advise to ride within traffic regulations. This way you'll be safe and won't face expensive tickets. Hence, no Gran Fondo New York participant staying in Manhattan should miss out on a couple of loops in Central Park on the Saturday before the event. Ride easy and casually to get the legs going for the big day and enjoy the scenery of people and skyscrapers as backdrop.
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General Rules, Competition Rules and Bike Rules General Rules 1. Helmet, wristband, bike number plate and the official Giordana event jersey are mandatory attire. Riders without the GFNY jersey and wristband will be denied access to George Washington Bridge. Keep your wristband on for post event festivities – your wristband serves as your meal ticket. 2. Cyclists have to obey all laws of the road including traffic lights and stop signs. Violators may be ticketed by local law enforcement and/or disqualified and removed from the event. 3. Your safety is your responsibility. Race the timed climbs, ride & enjoy the rest of the course. 4. No personal support vehicles. No exemption. Or rider will be disqualified. 5. Riders must attach their bib number on their handlebars in the shown way. Riders who fail to do so do not get access to the start, the aid stations and the timed climbs. 6. Unregistered individuals who steal food at aid stations or ride on roads reserved for GFNY will be prosecuted and banned for live from Gran Fondo New York participation. 7. Headphones of any kind are not allowed. 8. Gran Fondo riders have the option to ride the Medio Fondo, until reaching Aid Station #2 on the course. Medio Fondo riders cannot upgrade their entry to ride the Gran Fondo. 9. Littering on the course leads to disqualification. Competition 1. GFNY offers four timed climbs, it is not a start-to-finish race. Hence the racing starts at mile 32 (the location of the first timed climb) to have a calmer start and allow people some time to sort themselves out before they start racing up the climbs. Each cyclist has two timing chips attached to their bike number. At the start and crest of each climb there are timing mats that you must ride over to get your climb start and finish time. The cumulative time for all four timed climbs is added, then sorted. The man and woman with the lowest total time are crowned as the King and Queen of the Mountains. It is the same process for age groups. In the team category the best four riders of a team count. The entire course must be completed to be eligible for competition classification and prizes. 2. Everyone registered for Gran Fondo New York is in the running to qualify for the 2011 UCI Amateur World Championship Final in Belgium in September. The qualification counts towards both the Individual Time Trial and the Road Race. The Top 10% of all starters in each age group qualifies. You will be contacted by UWCT shortly after GFNY regarding all details on the final. 13
3. Physical rider assistance is not allowed. Each rider must get themselves up the climbs and to the finish line. The only exception is in the Him&Her category. Rider competing as Him&Her team can help each other by pushing, pulling, dragging, etc because they must complete the climbs within 30 seconds of each other. Participants in the Him&Her category are not eligible to qualify for the UCI World Championship. 4. Medio Fondo New York participants are not eligible to qualify for the UCI World Championship. They do not receive competition prizes and are seeded behind the Gran Fondo competitors at the start area. 5. Age groups are determined based on your age on December 31, 2011. 6. You will be able to claim a UCI Worlds Qualification medal after the race at Roseland Ballroom between 12-7pm. The awards ceremony where the podium winners go on stage to receive their prizes takes place at 5pm. Bike Rules 1. We suggest using a road bike because it is the best option for riding in groups. And its light weight makes climbing easier. 2. You can also ride a mountain bike, touring bike or single speed (with two brakes). A triathlon bike is fine as long as you keep your hands on the brake lever while riding in a group. 3. If you chose to ride as a tandem, both riders have to register for the event. Tandems are not eligible for KOM/QOM or Him&Her prizes. 4. Recumbent bikes, trailers and bike seats are not allowed for safety reasons. 5. Wheels must have at least 12 spokes.
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Gran Fondo New York Registration & Bag Pickup and NYC Bike Expo The Gran Fondo New York expo is the location for bike number, timing chip and musette bag pickup. Advance pickup is mandatory. Please note that there is no registration and number pickup on Sunday. Your friends and family can join you at the expo. The expo is free admission and open to the public.
About Roseland Ballroom Roseland is a storied and unique venue. We are excited to offer this venue as GFNY Headquarters. It hosted concerts for Madonna, Rolling Stones, Phil Collins, Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Cyndi Lauper, Metallica, David Bowie, Nirvana, Linkin Park, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, many others.
Getting your Race Packet Your materials are organized by your race number. At the entrance, check the board to find out your number. Sign in on the GFNY / UCI pro-style sign in wall. There will be two waivers form for you to sign: one from Gran Fondo New York, one from USA Cycling for your insurance (USA Cycling insuance cost is included in your entry fee). You must sign both in order to get your registration materials and the wristband that allows you access onto the course and also serves as your meal ticket. Once you found your bib number from the roster, signed the waivers and have your ID out, you can proceed to pick up your registration materials. You will receive your bib with timing chip, jersey, the bike wallet “Portafoglio Spluga� and musette bag. You will have the ability to try on the jersey to make sure it fits you and swap sizes if needed. 16
GFNY Expo Dates & Hours Friday, May 6: 10am-8pm, last admittance at 7:30pm Saturday, May 7: 8am-8pm, last admittance at 7:30pm
GFNY Expo Location 239 West 52nd Street (between Broadway and 8th Ave) The GFNY expo is situated in the heart of the Theater District in Midtown Manhattan. It has convenient access to public transportation (trains, subways and buses). Subway: B/D/E trains to 7th Ave; 1 train to 50th St; N/R/Q trains to 57th St Parking during the event is available at the Hampton Inn Manhattan Times Square North garage at 851 Eighth Ave (bet 51st & 52nd Streets) 212-581-8490. The special rate is $17 including tax for a 24hr period. Guests have to get their parking voucher stamped at Roseland.
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Giro d’Italia The Giro d'Italia may be the second largest cycling stage race after the Tour de France but true fans know that it is easily the most exciting and inspiring of the three Grand Tours. The Tour may have more media attention but Giro's stages are more spectacular, its fans more passionate and the racing less predictable. Imagine the Basque Country fans during a Pyrenees stage of the Tour de France. That's what the Giro is like for a full three weeks. When Angelo Zomegnan took over the reigns in 2005, the Giro was stuck in a rut. International teams tried to stay away from it because its traditional format started lacking the fans and media interest. Ten mostly flat stages usually followed ten mountainous stages. For the first ten days the sprinter teams kept things in check until the last kilometer of the stage. Cipollini and his Saeco team invented "the train", where all team members lined up in front of their boss and launched him to the line. As soon as the road pointed skywards, the sprinters and their "gregari" packed their suitcases and went home while a handful of skinny mountain goats battled the relentless dolomite climbs leaving the allrounders ("passisti scalatori") in no man's land. Zomegnan knew that he may never be able to get the Giro on the top podium spot so he vowed to make it unique. Who says that the format "sprinter stages followed by mountain stages" is a given? First, in 2005 he introduced the Colle delle Finestre, a tall mountain in the Western alps with a gravel road across the top. Fans relished in this tribute to the past. Held under "azzuro" skies it proved to be a great success. Soon, Giro organizer RCS reintroduced the "strade bianche" race on gravel roads in Tuscany. In March 2007, pros hit the white gravel roads and fought an exciting battle until the finish line situated on historic Piazza del Campo of Siena. Four years later, RCS added those same white roads to their May stage race. In 2010, on a cold and rainy day, the Giro peloton put up with the muddy gravel roads. It proved to be the exciting addition to the race it had promised. Not only did it put pressure on the favorites in the first days of the three week tour but it became clear that a deviation from the classic format can spike the excitement without deciding the overall classification too early, the worst nightmare of a stage race director. Gran Fondo New York is excited to partner with the Giro. Be ready to experience the Giro booth at the Expo and enjoy the three weeks of coverage on Universal Sports, starting on Saturday, May 7, the day before Gran Fondo New York. 2002 and 2004 Giro winner Gilberto Simoni will be at Gran Fondo New York as will be Giro veteran Claudio Chiappucci who almost won the 1991 Tour de France over Greg LeMond. Andrea Tonti has seen the Giro in the famed jerseys of Saeco, Quick Step and Cantina Tollo. Bring out your best Italian and pick their brain during this once in a lifetime opportunity. What's next for the Giro? In 2012, the Giro will start abroad again, this time in Denmark. But fans in the US may well see the Giro kicking off in New York City one day. Imagine the individual time trial prologue on the West Side Highway along the Manhattan skyline. Imagine the Giro following the route of Gran Fondo New York the day after you rode on it. 19
Bike Number and Timing Your bike number is also your timing device. In the back of each number, there are two timing chips glued on. Below you can see how you should attach your bike number to your bike. The timing chips will only work if you put the number at the front of your bike. The bike numbers cannot be modified otherwise the timing chips may get damaged and you will not be timed.
You get three zip ties to secure your bike number.
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Race Morning Make sure to eat breakfast in the morning. Bring your ID, cash, credit card and cell phone with you in your bike wallet “Portafoglio Spluga�.
The GFNY jersey that you received at the expo is MANDATORY attire for Gran Fondo New York and Medio Fondo New York participants. Make sure you have your GFNY wristband on. It is your all access pass to the GFNY start on the bridge, timed climbs, aid stations, Delverde & Lucini Pasta Party and bike & bag check at Roseland. Put the bike number sticker on your bike (anywhere you like). For bag check, you are allowed up to one backpack. Use the long sticker provided in your registration packet and wrap the sticker around a handle on your bag. Your bag will meet you at Roseland Ballroom in midtown Manhattan (same place as the Expo). Since it will be indoors, you do not need to have a waterproof bag. However, make sure the bag is closed securely and marked visibly with the bag check sticker with your number on it. Fill up both your water bottles and stow some food in your jersey pockets. There is no food or drink station at the start line.
About the Start The start area opens at 6am. No one will be permitted to start lining up on the bridge before 6am. Do not arrive earlier than 6am. Because GFNY starts on the George Washington Bridge, only limited setup is permitted. There will be portapotties, bag check and MAVIC mechanics. Hence, there is no need to arrive super early, there is nothing else to do at the start but line up in your corral. Bike access to the start line is from Riverside Drive, from along the northbound lanes. When you get to 168th St, you will see trucks where you drop off your checked bag. 23
Bag drop is at the entry to the George Washington Bridge. As soon as you start riding onto the ramp, there will be trucks waiting to collect your bags. You can check a standard-sized backpack or any bag with a maximum size of 40L and make sure that your bag is closed properly, the bag check number is attached well and the number is clearly visible. Don’t leave any valuables in the bag because GFNY is not responsible for any wet, lost or stolen items. The start corrals have some by-number corrals and some self-seeding. Use your best judgment. Be fair and respectful to other riders. Numbers 1-500: corral by number (only road bikes are permitted) Numbers 501-3000: Gran Fondo self-seeding in corrals by expected finish time Numbers 3001-4000: Medio Fondo corral The road is three lanes wide. Two lanes will serve as the corral staging area. One lane serves as the travel lane for emergency and getting to your corral. The event will start promptly at 7am, rain or shine. We begin the breakdown of the area immediately after the last rider leaves to reopen the roadway for cars. If you are running late by exactly 10 minutes or less, you will still be able to access the lower level roadway and ride across the bridge along the route. If you miss the start by more than 10 minutes, you must ride your bike across the GWB on the upper level bike path to cross the Hudson River. That can be accessed from Fort Washington Avenue and 1777h Street. At 177th St, turn left (heading west). At Cabrini Blvd, turn right (heading north). Go one block. Get on the sidewalk on the left, the bike path access is half a block down.
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Cyclist entrance to Lower Level from Riverside Drive & 165th Street Cyclists stay in right lane Bear right on ramp to GWB Lower Level
Cyclists stay to the right to enter Lower Level
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From Manhattan/Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island by Bike Take the West Side Highway bike path: http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/facilities/af_bike_maps.html Leave the bike path by following GFNY signs. You’ll ride under a bridge, and get onto West 158th Street. Check out the map below for the exact directions.
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From NYC by Subway & Bike You don’t need a bike permit to bring your bike on board an NYC subway. Since your bike won’t be able to fit through the turnstiles, either ask an agent or a friend to help you. Usually, you go to the agent in the booth and inform them that you are going in with a bike. Have them watch you swipe your metrocard and turn the turnstile. Then, they would release the emergency gate so you can walk through.
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From Out of Town by Car: Parking & Bike You have two options for parking: (1) near Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan, so that you have easy access to your car after the Delverde & Lucini Pasta Party and awards ceremony and don’t have to deal with Manhattan traffic to get from the finish line to the party (you can either ride your bike or take the subway from the finish to Roseland) (2) park near GWB so you have easy access to your car for the start line & finish line
(1) Roseland parking The Hampton Inn Manhattan Times Square North garage at 851 Eighth Ave (bet 51st & 52nd Streets) 212-581-8490. The special rate is $17 including tax for a 24hr period. Guests have to get their parking voucher stamped at Roseland. Then follow “From NYC by Subway & Bike” instructions to get to the start.
(2) Fort Lee parking There is no event parking in Palisades Park aside the finish line area. The size of the event is too large and the finish area cannot accommodate us parking there. There are many parking options within 2 miles of the finish line and 2 miles of the start line. Refer to this link for Public Parking in Fort Lee, NJ. http://fortleeparking.org/parking_authority_final_002.htm The closest lots are: • Main Street Business Lot 1 and 2 • Gerome Avenue Municipal Lot • Guntzer Street Municipal Lot Street parking curb-side along Hudson Terrace
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Course Maps and Profiles
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Route
Distance
Gran Fondo
Medio Fondo
Km
Miles
25mph
20mph
15mph
10mph
15mph
10mph
George Washington Bridge
0
0
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
7:00
Hry Hudson Drive
4
2.5
7:05
7:10
7:10
7:15
7:10
7:15
NJ-NY-Stateline
23
14
7:35
7:45
7:55
8:15
7:55
8:15
Piermont – Aid Station 1
27
15
7:40
7:45
8:05
8:35
8:05
8:35
Nyack
31
19
7:45
7:55
8:20
8:55
8:20
8:55
Route 9W
36
22.5
7:50
8:05
8:25
9:10
8:25
9:10
Rockland Lake
38.5
24
7:55
8:15
8:30
9:20
8:30
9:20
Route 304
44
27.5
8:05
8:25
8:40
9:40
8:40
9:40
South Mountain Road
47
29.5
8:10
8:25
8:50
9:50
8:50
9:50
Start 1 timed climb Colle della Punta Rocciosa
51.5
32
8:15
8:35
9:05
10:05
9:05
10:05
Finish 1st timed climb
53
33
8:20
8:40
9:15
10:15
9:15
10:15
Garnerville – Aid Station 2
56
35
8:25
8:45
9:20
10:20
9:20
10:20
Wayne Avenue
59.5
37
8:30
8:50
9:30
10:35
Start 2 timed climb Passo del Daino
63
39
8:35
8:55
9:35
10:50
Finish 2nd timed climb
64
40
8:40
9:00
9:45
11:00
Route 9W
66
41
8:45
9:05
9:50
11:10
Bear Mountain – Aid Station 3
74
46
8:50
9:15
10:00
11:30
Start 3 timed climb Montagna dell’Orso
75.5
47
8:50
9:15
10:00
11:30
Finish 3rd timed climb
80.5
50
9:00
9:30
10:15
12:00
Bear Mountain – Aid Station 4
87
54
9:05
9:35
10:25
12:10
Route 9W
88
54.5
9:10
9:40
10:30
12:15
Mott Farm Road
95
59
9:20
9:55
10:55
12:50
Rockland County Road 106
101
63
9:30
10:05
11:10
1:05
County Road 98
106
66
9:40
10:15
11:20
1:30
Garnerville – Aid Station 5
112.5
70
9:45
10:30
11:40
2:00
Start 4 timed climb Colle della Punta Rocciosa
115
71.5
9:50
10:35
11:45
2:05
9:25
10:25
Finish 4th timed climb
116
72
9:55
10:40
11:50
2:15
9:30
10:35
South Mountain Road
117.5
73
9:55
10:40
11:50
2:15
9:30
10:35
Ridge Road
121
75.5
10:00
10:45
12:00
2:30
9:40
10:50
Strawtown Road
124
77
10:05
10:50
12:00
2:35
9:50
10:55
West Nyack
130
81
10:10
11:00
12:20
3:00
10:10
11:20
Orangeburg
137
85
10:25
11:15
12:40
3:25
10:30
11:45
Sparkill
142
88
10:30
11:20
12:50
3:45
10:40
12:05
Palisades – Aid Station 6
142
88.5
10:30
11:20
12:50
3:45
10:40
12:05
NY-NJ-Stateline
145
90
10:35
11:30
1:00
4:00
10:50
12:20
Henry Hudson Drive
151
93.5
10:45
11:45
1:15
4:20
11:05
12:40
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Gran Fondo New York is 100 miles/161 km long and has 6,600 feet/2,012m of climbing There are four chip timed climbs that make up the King and Queen of the Mountains competition. Medio Fondo New York 65 miles/105 km long and has 3,668ft/1,1118m of climbing There are two chip timed climbs for the challenge of the riders but the ride is non-competitive.
Colle della Punta Rocciosa (South Side) (GF+MF) 0.8m / 1.3k long 430ft / 140m of climbing max gradient 16%
Passo del Daino (GF) 1m / 1.6k long 370ft / 85m of climbing max gradient 14%
Montagna dell'Orso (GF) 3.7m / 6k long 1.000ft / 315m of climbing max gradient 10%
Colle della Punta Rocciosa (North Side) (GF+MF) 0.6m / 1k long 250ft / 80m of climbing max gradient 20% 36
the pro bike specialists 2347 HUDSON TERRACE – FORT LEE, NJ 201-944-7074
www.strictlybicycles.com 37
Emergencies If you are involved in or witness a bike crash or other emergency, DIAL 911. Based on the cell phone tower you are closest to, you will be routed to the closest EMS dispatch center. The dispatch center will ask for the emergency and your location and route your call accordingly. All local EMS services are on the course and can react at a moment’s notice.
Aid Stations The aid stations are set up in a square format and all tables have the same food available. If the tables in front of the aid station are busy, keep in mind that there are more tables on the other side of the tent. Food and drink available at the aid stations: water, gatorade lime flavor, coca cola Erin Baker’s Breakfast Cookies, peanut butter bagels, pb & jelly bagels, bananas, Stacy’s Pita Chips
Mechanical Support At the start and at each aid station, there will be mechanics stationed in case you need assistance with a mechanical problem or need to purchase any equipment (tubes, air cartridges, tires, etc). Please remember to thank the local bike shops that are providing these services to you. Start: Mavic On Course: Mavic Aid Station 1: Piermont Bike Connection Aid Station 2&5: Toga Bikes Aid Station 3&4: R&A Cycles Aid Station 6: Strictly Bicycles
11am Cutoff for Gran Fondo New York at Buckberg Mountain There is one cutoff on the Gran Fondo course. Since we have the road closure and exclusive use at Bear Mountain until 12pm, riders who reach the top of Buckberg Mountain (Timed Climb #2) after 11am will be routed to turn left to rejoin returning cyclists, thus bypassing Bear Mountain and 20 miles of the course.
Call for Assistance If you are stranded for any reason and need medical help, mechanical support or a SAG wagon to pick you up, please dial (469) 4GF-NY11 (469-443-6911) to reach the event dispatcher
Road Conditions, Technical Descents and Safety All cycling courses feature fast downhill sections. There are several descents that are steep and winding, which require technical bike handling proficiency to navigate safely. Stay in the right hand lane, and as far to the right as safely possible. It is your responsibility to know the course that you are riding, to be able to react to changing road conditions and to ride within your skill and fitness abilities.
Spectators We advise your families and friends not to venture far onto the course. Many roads will be closed or will have moderated traffic, causing congestion. More cars will add to the vehicular congestion on the course. We recommend that spectators travel as little as necessary to see the cyclists. If you are in NYC, come to the post-race Delverde & Lucini Pasta Party. If you are in Rockland or Bergen, go to the spot on the course that is closest to you.
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The Finish The Gran Fondo New York finish in Palisades Interstate Park will be kept simple. It's a public park and we're very fortunate to be allowed to finish there. That said, the delicious Delverde pasta with Lucini sauce will be served in midtown Manhattan at Roseland Ballroom from 12pm. It's the same iconic and famous NYC venue where we hold the Expo. Park your bike at Roseland at the Bike Check (make sure your bike number is on your bike) and enjoy the festivities. At Roseland our top 10% finishers of the KOM/QOM competition receive their medals, the winners and runners up their fantastic prizes and the lucky ones in the crowd their amazing raffle prizes. So once you crossed the finish line, don't waste any time and get to Roseland! Shower facilities are available at Bally Total Fitness located at 350 West 50th Street (bet 8th & 9th Ave). You come to Roseland to pick up your checked bag, store your bike at bike check and for a $10 fee take a shower at Bally. Show your wristband and pay the $10 at the entrance of the gym.
By Subway
A train from 175th St to Columbus Circle & transfer to B/D trains to 7th Ave
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Delverde & Lucini Pasta Party Roseland Ballroom will not only host the two-day Expo but also our post race meal and awards party. Doors open at 12pm. Riders can park their bikes and bags downstairs and enjoy the festive atmosphere on the main floor. Kick back with a plate of beautiful Delverde pasta and Lucini sauce and watch what's happening on the stage. We're handing out the UWCT qualifier medals, Miss Italia USA and her sister crown our champions in all categories and award our amazing competition and raffle prizes. It's here where you can share war stories with fellow riders or meet your family. The meal and water is free for participants. Drinks can be bought at the bar and additional meal tickets are available for purchase onsite at just $10 each.
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Frequently Asked Questions If I have a bad day and realize I won’t be able to finish, what do I do? Gran Fondo New York will have SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles along the course for any cyclists who are unable to complete the event. Try to make it to the next or previous aid station, there you will have food, water, emergency medical services as well as volunteers to keep you company. If you are unable to ride to an aid station, there will be police officers controlling traffic at intersections as well as volunteers guiding athletes for turns at intersections, so ride forward or backwards until you see a police officer or volunteer and they will inform the SAG vehicle to pick you up. If you are unable to ride, move off the road and wait along the shoulder of the road until a marshal or police officer or mechanic rides by, they will be on the lookout for stopped cyclists. If you are riding and you see a cyclist on the side of the road who asks for help, when you get to the next police officer or volunteer, report that you saw a stopped cyclist and their approximate location. Do I need a racing license to participate? No, a racing license is not needed or required. Every cyclist will be insured individually by USA Cycling. The cost for the insurance is included in the entry fee. If you would like to race in the UCI Amateur World Championship in Belgium in September, you will need to purchase a license from USA Cycling or your respective national cycling federation. What are the categories for King and Queen of Mountain? The cumulative time of each timed climb will determine winners for each category at Gran Fondo New York. Each award winner will receive a polka dot jersey as an award for being the King of the Mountains or Queen of the Mountains. Overall winners are not eligible for the age group category. Top three in each category are eligible for prizes from event sponsors. Overall KOM & QOM 18-29 KOM & QOM 30-34 KOM & QOM 35-39 KOM & QOM 40-44 KOM & QOM 45-49 KOM & QOM 50-54 KOM & QOM 55-59 KOM & QOM 60-64 KOM & QOM 65+ KOM & QOM Under 80 Combined Age Him and Her* 80+ Combined Age Him and Her* Cycling Team (best four riders) * Both members of a Him+Her Team must do all climbs and finish together (time difference not more than 30 seconds) to be eligible. Pushing is allowed.
The Medio Fondo is non-competitive. What are the prizes for King and Queen of Mountain? There will be various product prizes from our sponsors with a total value of more than $100,000. KOM and QOM winners will receive a PINARELLO road bike. Other prizes include Mavic R-SYS racing 46
wheels for the runners up, a full Campagnolo Chorus group for third place, Diadora shoes, Limar helmets and shades, Selle San Marco saddles, Finish Line products and much, much more. Medio Fondo New York is non-competitive, what does that mean? Medio Fondo riders start behind Gran Fondo New York racers and ride 65 miles of the Gran Fondo New York course. While Medio Fondo New York riders are chip timed up two timed climbs, the individual results will only be posted in alphabetical order. Consequently, there are no competition awards. But Medio Fondo New York riders are eligible to win raffle prizes during the post-race party. Where do I pick up my start number, jersey, chip and goodie bag (‘pacco gara’)? Packet pick up will be held at Roseland Ballroom located at 239 W 52nd St on Friday 10am-8pm and on Saturday 8am-8pm. Can I pick up my packet on the morning of the event? No. Pick up is only possible on Friday or Saturday. Are there race photos available? At your last event the official photographer took some amazing pictures of you. You clicked on two of them, go to the checkout page but they want $50 for two small prints. You think this is a ripoff? So do we. That's why GFNY is working Sportograf. Here's the deal: Sportograf shows up with a large team to capture the day. For a flat fee of $30 you can download ALL your photos plus a bunch of general event photos. Here is their website: http://www.sportograf.com/en/shop Sportgraf are the true pros out there. They just came home from Tour of Flanders with 380,000 pics. To make sure that GFNY will be just as big, they're sending a crew of ten photographers. How they can afford that? We don't charge them a fee to be our photographer. Gran Fondo New York: from athletes for athletes.
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