Campagnolo GFNY Championship NYC 2016 by GFNY

2016

4 PH. R URNATO

6 A WARM WELCOME TO THE 6TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CAMPAGNOLO GFNY CHAMPIONSHIP NYC

The training for the big day is done. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to play. The tough GFNY course is prepped and ready for you to Be a Pro for a Day. It sets the scene for your 5,000 stories to be carried around the world. For some, GFNY is a hometown race. But for many, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s far away from home. You have dedicated time and money to make it here. We acknowledge each and every one of you when you register. Many names are very familiar, many are new but all of you are equally important to us. This is your day. Rest assured that the whole GFNY crew has been working hard for more than a year and left no stone unturned to offer you the best possible GFNY experience.

Meanwhile, our GFNY World is growing. We now offer events in Argentina, Colombia, Cozumel, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Uruguay and are working on several more. Seeing many of you in other locations across the world is truly humbling. If you finish three GFNY events this year, you will receive a special medal for your achievements. Some of you are already headed towards 10 GFNYs in total (any year). We have a surprise for you. But now get out there and Be a Pro for a Day in New York!

Lidia and Uli Fluhme GFNY Founders

TABLE of CONTENTS

GFNY WORLD

GFNY ITALIA

GFNY MONT VENTOUX

GFNY COZUMEL

GFNY DEUTSCHLAND

GFNY INDONESIA

GFNY MEXICO CITY

GFNY COLOMBIA

GFNY URUGUAY

GFNY ARGENTINA

IDEAL GEAR

THE GFNY JERSEY

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

NYC BIKE EXPO

MAP

TIME SHEET

CLIMB PROFILES

RULES

CATEGORIES

PRE RACE CHECKLIST

CODE OF CONDUCT

GETTING TO THE START

GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE

RACE MORNING

DURING THE RACE

FINISH GFNY BEAR 50

FINISH GFNY 100

SPECTATORS

GRUPPO SPORTIVO

MAGAZINE DESIGN: BLAIR STELLE; COVER: ALEX OSTROY

GFNY WORLD 2016/17 SEASON 25,000 athletes from over 100 countries will tackle the GFNY World events. At each GFNY event, you can expect: ■ The chance to qualify for the elite starting corral at the GFNY Championship in NYC ■ Closed roads or police moderated traffic with right of way at all intersections ■ The chance to do your best on a challenging course without having to worry about anything but riding ■ Chip timing, results and rankings ■ Competition prizes across all age groups for podium winners ■ Uniform set of rules ■ Great participant and family experience ■ An event organized by fellow cyclists with a passion for cycling and GFNY

BE A PRO FOR A DAY

GFNY WORLD SERIES

JUNE 26, 2016

AUGUST 28, 2016

SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

OCTOBER 2, 2016

OCTOBER 30, 2016

NOVEMBER 13, 2016

MARCH 5, 2017

APRIL 2017

JUNE 26, 2016

GFNY ITALIA AND WHAT REALLY IS AN ITALIAN GRANFONDO WHAT IS AN ITALIAN GRANFONDO? GFNY Italia was the first GFNY outside New York. It was of course no coincidence that it was held in the mother country of granfondo cycling. The event is headquartered in Terracina, a small coastal town one hour south of Rome’s International airports. GFNY Italia is organized according to the quality standards of the best Italian granfondos. The style of the course is that of a classic Italian granfondo that could happen any day of the year. And that’s exactly why we chose it. On top of that, the course itself is what Italians call “one of the most beautiful granfondos in Italy”. The 125km course with 2080m of climbing is not too long or challenging. Instead, its small, curvy roads make it highly entertaining and Italian riders approach it like they always do: “a tutta”, all out. More than ever, the Italian phrase “La corsa la fanno i corridori” (“the racers make the race”), is true for GFNY Italia. In recent years, the term granfondo has been used globally by many different styles of events and even products. This makes it hard for the uninitiated to understand what an Italian granfondo really is. Let’s dig a little into the Italian granfondo scene to clear things up. THE HISTORY AND DEFINITION OF GRAN FONDO CYCLING The first Gran Fondo ever held was Nove Colli on July 12, 1970 in Cesenatico, Italy. Today, Nove Colli is arguably Italy’s biggest cycling party with a large 2-day expo and a 12,000-rider field tackling three distances (80km, 120km and 200km). This year’s race was sold out in less than a minute. With chip timing becoming more popular in the 1990s, the number of Gran Fondo events grew rapidly in Italy. Today,

over 100 granfondos are held in Italy between February and October. Most of them have 500-1,000 participants while a few of the bigger ones go beyond that. It’s impossible to directly translate the term “Gran Fondo” (it would be “big floor”) but it loosely means something along the lines of “big challenge”. A Gran Fondo is for cyclists what a marathon is for runners: the front-runners compete for the win, in the middle the goal is a personal best and at the end riders aim to beat the cut-off time. Yet, for everyone it is a personal endurance challenge. The Italian Cycling Federation defines Gran Fondo as • at least 120km long • chip timed from start to finish • with prizes for the fastest riders in each category In short, Gran Fondos are cycling marathons. Have you ever heard of a running marathon that only times miles 17-18? Or a triathlon that only timed the bike but not the swim or run? Similarly, a Gran Fondo is a start-to-finish competition with classification based on fastest total time. WHO PARTICIPATES AT GRANFONDOS IN ITALY? The unique and great thing about Gran Fondo is that it brings cyclists 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. FARE UNA BELLA FIGURA 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”, or “looking great”, is just as much an essential part of Italian culture. The world is a 24/7 stage to perform on. Hence, an Italian Gran Fondo rider’s bike will usually look as sharp as his matching 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 clean and with the latest accessories. THE “DILETTANTI” To deeply understand the makeup of an Italian granfondo peloton, however, it helps to know the structure of amateur racing in Italy. Once 18 or 19 years old, an Italian racer competes in the so-called “dilettante” category. Despite what its name might suggest, these are very high-level races, just one notch below pro racing. All Italian professionals go through the ranks as “dilettanti”. Pro team scouts observe the races and pick the best riders for the coming season, similar to an NBA coach observing College basketball in the US. If a dilettante makes the jump to professional, it happens by the age of 23. If he can’t get a contract, he may be able to race a few more years with the dilettanti but by the time he’s in his late 20s, younger hopefuls will push him out. Unlike in other countries, such as the US, masters racing does not truly exist in Italy. While smaller, local circuit races

that generally last about 90 minutes are open to older racers, they don’t draw the masses of racers that didn’t make it to the pros. Partially that’s the case because “bike racing” in Italy is synonymous with road racing on long and challenging courses. Consequently, most dilettanti in their mid 20s turn to race granfondos. There, they have the ingredients of long, challenging races that are closest to what they are used to from being dilettanti as well as what they were aspiring to when racing pro. Top granfondo racers are organized in teams that pay for gear, races and a small monthly salary. Team cars are not allowed at the larger granfondos but team staff will be at various spots along the route to hand nutrition on the fly. Winning a large granfondo brings a lot of street cred and prestige for those who don’t have the ability to make it as pros. No less than three print magazines focus on just granfondos. And while some riders lament the rising “professionalization” of granfondos, most riders enjoy competing on the same course as the fast guys. Top granfondo racers are often better known among fellow riders than mid tier professionals. While these ex-dilettanti make Italian granfondos the most competitive mass participation cycling events in the world, they are just a small part of the whole field. The majority is made of riders such as the true weekend warriors, life-long cyclists, ex-pros in their 50s or 60s, as well as new riders.

WOMEN Competitive cycling in Italy is still very much a past time for men and the number of female riders is rather small. That said, more and more women are getting into the sport – and it’s well rewarded: race entries for women are often lower and sometimes even free. Plus, many men make it their mission to support women in the races by providing a draft or refilling their bottles at aid stations so they don’t have to stop. Make no mistake though: the front of the field is stacked with highly competitive women that would hold their own in pro races. THE ITALIAN GRANFONDO SEASONS The Italian granfondo season usually opens along the Ligurian coast in February, then races in the Italian cycling hubs of Tuscany and Romagna follow. May and June are the busiest months with several events each weekend that attract up to 10,000 riders. The season tapers off in July with some super tough courses in the Alps. 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. FEBRUARY AND MARCH The first races of the early Gran Fondo season can be among the best you will ever experience. Not necessarily for their difficulty, challenging courses or your top fitness, but for the excite-

GFNY ITALIA gfnyitalia.com Terracina September 18, 2016 COURSE 125km / 78miles ; 2068m / 6787ft of climbing WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT ■ An authentic Italian granfondo ■ A perfect late-season challenge WHAT MAKES THIS RACE SPECIAL? Race in the motherland of granfondo, a course from the sea to mountains and back WHAT’S THE HOST TOWN LIKE? Typical Italian beach town post-high season COURSE TRAFFIC CONTROL First half and finish closed to cars, remainder police moderated WHAT YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE ■ Italian food and wine ■ Beach ■ Ancient Roman sights ■ Trip to Rome WHAT WE LIKE ■ Riding in world’s most cycling-fanatic country ■ Climbing up the famous Sperlonga ■ Everything in Italy is more flavorful

ment in the air that only comes with a new beginning. Everyone is keen to show the new team kit and bike. It’s the time where you see old friends and together you complain about the lack of training courtesy of the dark and cold. And cold it can indeed still be at those first races, especially at the start in the morning. But once things warm up a little in the afternoon, there’s a chance you can enjoy the post-race festivities outside in the sun. Not only do the pros open their true racing season at the Mediterranean coast of France and Italy but so do the Gran Fondisti. There’s no doubt that GF Laigugelia is the unofficial kick-off to the Gran Fondo season. Few riders are in great shape in February (or any shape to speak of) but there’s hardly a better place to get into race mode than Laigueglia. After flying along the stunning coast during the opening kms, the course hits the inland hills, which immediately provide ample challenge to set apart the “already fit” from the “getting in shape”. APRIL AND MAY While February and March are the months where things get going at Gran Fondos in Italy, April and May are the months when the racing is in full swing. There’s no shortage of events to choose from. April’s GF Selle Italia is no joke. The big hitters flock to the coastal town of Cervia and head to the Apennine Mountains from there. Easter is very sacred in Italy so there’s little to no racing. Virtually any of the Gran Fondos on the weekends thereafter are a good choice. The “little brother” of Nove Colli is Dieci Colli (Ten Hills), in beautiful Bologna. It kicks off the month of May. But don’t be mistaken: there are enough areas in this world where those “hills” would be called “treacherous climbs”. Bergamo hosts Felice Gimondi’s Gran Fondo in mid May. “La Gimondi” is

packed with talent and masses. With 162k and 3,050m of climbing, the race is no slouch. Once you arrive in the small coastal town of Cesenatico, you understand why all Gran Fondos so far somehow feel like they were only lead-up races for the big mama of Gran Fondo: Nove Colli. The “Lungo” is a tad over 200k long and boasts 3,850m of climbing, including the infamous “Barbotto”. 12,000 riders celebrate this party on racing wheels. The 2016 event sold out within a minute. JUNE AND JULY In June and July the Gran Fondos in Italy hit the high mountains. Hard core courses like GF Sportful in the Dolomites or Fausto Coppi in the Southern Alps are more “man versus mountain” challenges than head-to-head races. The “lungo percorso” in these events is usually 150220k long, hits 3-5 passes and has over 4,000m of climbing. GF Sportful is the opener of the big daddies. With its 5,200m of climbing over 210km, it will test your abilities to merely finish. Only the extremely fit are still competing at that level. There may be other events in Europe that have a little more climbing but Sportful has the atmosphere and competition that’s unique to an Italian granfondo. A week later GF Campionissimo throws Gavia and Mortirolo, aka “the beauty and the beast”, at you. Yes, please! Back in the Dolomites only another weekend later: it’s time for the Queen of Gran Fondo. It’s a 140km-long mountain

party on closed to cars roads over absolutely beautiful and challenging Dolomite passes (Passo Giau anyone?). The field of 8,000 has to be drawn in a lottery. You can’t decide between sniffing some Tour de France air and doing a Gran Fondo? You don’t have to. GF Fausto Coppi, starting and finishing in Cuneo, is close to the French border and not far from the likes of Izoard and Galibier. It’s usually held around the time when the Tour hits the Alps so your chances are good to make it a combo trip. GF Fausto Coppi tackles the lesser known, but Giro-proven, Colle Fauniera aka “Colle dei Morti”. Now, the “Pass of the Dead” name shouldn’t keep you from riding it but some respect is definitely due. While Cuneo lies at a mere 300m above sea level, Fauniera hits 2,500m. SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER With the end of the family summer vacation in August in Italy, there is a lot of great cycling left in the fall. While some of the country’s cyclists never recover from too much ice cream-eating laziness to compete at challenging Gran Fondos, September is the best month for cycling in Italy. Temperatures reach 20C-30C depending on how far south you go and the accumulated miles since the spring are still in your legs. GF Scott in Piacenza and GF Prosecco in Valdobbiadene are among the better-known events in the north, while our own GFNY Italia is held in the warmer south, just 90 minutes from the Rome airports. You’ll hear all about the latter in our next chapters.

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when northern Europeans who come to Italy to race are in their best shape, given that their serious training tends to start quite a bit later than January due to ice and snow. GFNY WORLD SERIES LOGO GREEN BACKGROUND USE

WHAT TRAINING IN ITALY LOOKS LIKE Life in Italy is characterized a lot by “la famiglia”, the family. It dictates the daily, weekly and annual rhythm. Furthermore, Italians are generally very social and tend to enjoy group outings. SUNDAY The classic Italian training day and time is early Sunday morning when large groups of riders meet for anything from a “sgambata” or “pedalata” (easy ride) to an “uscita lunga” (long ride). The slow riders in the group usually dictate the pace. Double file riding is the norm. How else would you be able to talk to each other? All riders are welcome and are treated with respect, whether beginner or pro. It’s uncommon that others are judged by their fitness. Groups of riders coming the other way are greeted loudly with shouts and whistling. This, of course, is a broad generalization not taking into account local variations. All but the young and focused riders are back for lunchtime, which on Sundays often is held at the home of “La Nonna”, the grandmother, and can last several hours. DURING THE WEEK Many cyclists ride alone during the week: anywhere from 2-3 weekday rides to the more ambitious riders cycling every day, often following a strict training plan. A middle of the pack granfondista has an annual mileage of 5,000-8,000, while the strong guys tend to ride 15,000 miles, or more! The (half) joke is that some of the

good granfondo racers live more seriously than pros. They even weigh their food. DURING THE YEAR Apart from some locations in the higher Alps, riding is possible yearround in Italy. With the season heavily focused on May/June and races starting as early as February, serious training kicks off in January. And “serious” means intervals or tempo rides. By the time racing is in full swing, training takes a step back and recovery between races becomes a priority. Those who have access to longer climbs will make use of them from May on, conditions permitting, to be ready for the granfondos in the high mountains in June/July. By mid July, many granfondisti are looking at ten or more weekends of racing and are ready for a break. It comes at a good time because the country gets ready to shut down for the annual summer holidays. Between mid July and end of August, the focus is on “mare o monti” (sea or mountains) with the family. Some riders stop riding altogether for a couple of weeks, others keep it to short and easy morning outings due to the afternoons often being very hot. After Ferragosto (August 15), Italy slowly comes back to life, as do her cyclists. September has ideal cycling weather with temperatures ranging between 20C and 30C. Plenty of granfondos take advantage of the fantastic weather, including our GFNY Italia. While Italians might get a “second wind”, September is often the month

HOW ITALIANS TRAVEL TO A GRANFONDO - AND WHAT THEY EAT Unless a Sicilian travels to a granfondo in the Alps, travel is almost always done on the road. Apart from cars, motorhomes are popular with Italian granfondisti. They spare the cost of and time to search for hotels that can often be scarce in smaller towns. Very few events are held in places that have an abundance of accommodation. Hence, hotel owners often take advantage of that scarcity and riders have to book well in advance of the race to have a convenient place to stay. Clubs organize trips to the bigger races with vans or even buses equipped with trailers. It saves money and it’s more fun to travel with friends. The classic travel day is Saturday: depending on how far the trip is, riders leave early to have enough time to pick up their number and goodie bag (“pettorale” and “pacco gara”) as well as possibly going for an easy ride (“pedalata”) to shake out the legs after the travel. Dinner is consumed at around 8pm which is late considering that the wake-up call is often as early as 5am, but habits are hard to break, even pre-race. Also, few restaurants or hotels are ready to open the kitchen earlier than usual. Pasta is of course a staple of the pre-race dinner but so is a piece of meat and some “dolce” (dessert). A glass of wine or beer and water complement the dinner. Breakfast for an Italian means a cappuccino and a “brioche” or “cornetto” (croissant) or a couple of cookies. Not surprisingly, Italian cyclists usually do eat more before a hard day in the saddle. Panini (bread) with cheese or jam are staples as are fruit and eggs. It’s not uncommon to see a “pasta biancha” ordered: pasta with olive oil.

Most riders stay for the pasta party post race, which usually includes awards. After that, everyone is hitting the road to be back at work on Monday. THE PACCO GARA Few things are argued over as much at Italian granfondos as the “pacco gara”, the goodie bag. Discussions about it can get so heated that one might be left wondering if they are the very reason someone would sign up for and travel many hours to a cycling event. The “pacco gara” usually consists of one or two small gift items. Some of them are cycling-related, such as tire levers, bandanas, socks or the like. You could argue that a kilo of pasta or a bottle of wine are also somewhat cycling related. But anyone who has received a seemingly random item at a granfondo knows that there are indeed no limits to what you can find in the pre race bag (which might be a simple paper shopping bag or be in itself the goodie; think backpack, shopping bag, shoulder bag etc.). I don’t know who started the trend of the pacco gara but it must have been sometime in the early 90s when organizers decided to give more value for money without accruing any extra cost. The trick to achieve this: draw from local companies who want to get the word out about their products without giving cash. Few people would participate at one of the top granfondos because of the goodie bag. But smaller events know that a good bag might help a rider justify the event expense, even if it is as low as 25 Euro in some cases. A picture of the laid out goodie bag

was the staple in granfondo magazines when reporting on events. It seems that in recent years this has become less of a thing. But the pacco gara is alive and well. Few events get away with offering barely anything. Internet forums and social media are obviously where riders express their opinion on an event’s misbehavior in the pacco gara department. It of course is a vocal minority that feels entitled to get anything and everything for free, irrespective of what it costs to put on an event. Meanwhile the vast majority of riders are happy to receive a useful item that bears the name of the event so they can re-live the experience whenever they use it. And a bag of local pasta is a nice to have addon to bring home to la mamma. Long live the pacco gara. TIMING The advent of individual timing chips has arguably made granfondo what it is today. It allows fields of several thousand riders to have a fair race even if crossing the start line can take up to 20 minutes for riders in the back. While it seems that one-time use timing chips have become the norm around the world, Italian timing companies so far stick with the traditional re-usable chips. There are basically two companies who own the Italian market: SDAM and Kronoservice. A serious granfondo racer is likely to have an annual subscription for both. You can tell by looking at her bike: two timing chips are installed at the wheels or frame. Subscriptions have the advantage that chip rental is taken care of for the whole season. Day rental means returning

the chip after the race to receive back the deposit. It also means queuing up at packet pickup to get a check and verify the information. An annual subscriber also owns a login to the platform of the timing company. It’s where he goes to register for the granfondos because timing companies not only take the times at races but also administer registration for the events. At the races, riders get timed from start to finish. Occasionally, events add a “cronoscalata”, a timed climb within the race, if they want to spike up the competition or the course includes a famous climb where having one’s climbing split may add bragging rights. Events that only time certain segments of the course are frowned upon and not considered granfondos but rather a version of “cicloturismo”, bike touring. After the race, results are immediately posted with printouts at the finish area. Simply look where crowds form. Thankfully, timing companies now post results also immediately on their websites but it seems that staring at a few pieces of paper in a crowd is still part of the granfondo experience. Both timing companies also have Chip Challenges where riders are ranked by the number of race kms they’ve covered during a calendar year. Because each company has their own Chip Challenge, it encourages riders who want to do well in that ranking to be more loyal to events that work with that particular timing service. THE RACING While all Italian granfondos are chip

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timed, it’s still very important for a racer (“corridore”) to have a good starting position. Where a racer can or has to start is determined by several factors and varies from race to race. GRIGLIE All granfondo start areas are organized in “griglie”, corrals. The more griglie a race has, the better because it means that the organizer cares about proper seeding and provides various options to be staged. VIPs are often able to start in the first griglia. Often frowned upon, VIPs are usually the very people that make the event happen, from politicians to sponsors. Remember: many people ride and race bikes in Italy which means that sponsors and politicians often do as well. VIP entries are sometimes given in return for charity donations (“beneficio”) or to returning champions. Of course there are also “people who know people” in the VIP corral. Being in the second corral is just as good as being in the VIP corral from a racing perspective. This corral is often reserved to elite racers. For a while a few years ago, there was a list of the strongest 200 granfondo racers from the previous season called “Lista Rossa”. Riders on that list enjoyed preferred staging but were also more likely to be subject of doping controls. Other preferential staging might be offered to riders who are doing the “circuito” to which the granfondo belongs. Circuiti are regional or themed series of events that work together to attract riders. Discounted registrations and final awards are further incentives (more on

circuiti later). Everyone else then gets staged by the time of registration. This is a very helpful tool for organizers to get riders to commit early and register well in advance of the race. START Riders line up as soon as the griglie open which can be an hour before the start. Being at the front of your corral means being ahead of 200 to 500 riders in your corral so it does make a difference. Corrals have to be monitored strictly because there is always that guy who tries to sneak in further ahead than where he is supposed to be. Once the gun goes off, the race (“gara”) is on at an all-out pace, “a tutta”. Some granfondos might have a neutralized start which means riders are not allowed to pass the lead vehicles until the official race start line. ‘All-out means’ riders are racing at 50km/h (32mph) and more. Doing so, the strongest riders often force an early selection and avoid racing in a tight pack. The sooner the first climb comes, the better because it ensures a true selection. RISTORI An Italian granfondista tries to avoid the “ristoro” (aid station) at all cost because stopping means losing time. Everyone starts with two full bottles (“borraccia”) and the jersey pockets are filled with all the needed food for the race. Some granfondos in the spring that are shorter and on the cooler side can be done without a stop. For a 200km marathon with ample climbing, possibly in summer heat,

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stopping to refuel will be unavoidable at some point. Even events with several thousand riders often only have a couple of tables at aid stations. The basics are water (“acqua”), electrolyte drink (“sali”), GFNY WORLD SERIES LOGO GREEN BACKGROUND USE bananas, orange slices, “crostata” (small cakes) and dried fruit. Sometimes pieces of bread with cheese or ham are also on offer. Ristori are places of chaos with riders trying to keep the time off the bike to the bare minimum. Why stop for 30 seconds if you can do it in 15? There is always some elbowing and a bit of pushing amidst the chaos. GROUP RIDING Italians grow up on the bike so racing, and with that, riding in a group, comes naturally. You will very rarely see riders battle it out by themselves. If dropped from a group, a rider will carry on more casually and “wait” for the next group. Why waste energy by yourself if you can work with other riders? Italians don’t ride on their own because a group, and its draft, is so important in cycling. Even if the group isn’t going at their maximum effort, they are either working to pull the group or sitting in the group comfortably, conserving their energy for the inevitable hill coming up or the sprint to the finish line. Compared to cyclists from other countries who are determined to go at their maximum speed, regardless if in a group or alone, Italians have fine-tuned their Gran Fondo racing strategy to maximize their time in a group and at times enjoying a rest in a peloton to get back some energy for the

coming kms. The rhythm of a Gran Fondo is very predictable: groups form on flat sections, groups thin out on climbs when riders do their best on the hills, descend with a few others and grow the group in the next valley before the next climb. GRANFONDO SERIES (“CIRCUITI”) Almost every granfondo is part of a series of granfondos. Such series – “circuiti” – are often regional and sometimes topical. Being part of one series doesn’t prevent a granfondo to be part of another so it’s all but rare to see a race be part of two or even three series. Arguably the most important series is the Prestigio. It was founded in the 90s by the magazine Cicloturismo, usually referred to as “CT”. Every year, the magazine decides which ten races will form the Prestigio. It combines the granfondos that had the most participants in the previous year in each of four granfondo “seasons”. In addition, one other granfondo that might be interesting gets picked as well as one from abroad. The notoriously hard to get into Maratona dles Dolomites is always part of Prestigio but CT also chooses an alternate event for riders who don’t get in. This way they still have a chance become “Prestigioso”. To be an official “Prestigioso” finisher, a rider has to finish the long distance of at least 7 of the 10 granfondos. Beyond the physical challenge, it’s not an easy feat because it requires quite a bit of traveling, time, logistics and energy. Lots of riders start the season with hopes to become Prestigioso but life often gets in the way. Being awarded the Prestigio status is a blessing for any event because participant numbers tend to balloon. Losing the status often has a similar effect, in the other direction. Once a granfondo is an established Prestigio event, lots of riders continue participating in it, which means it will almost automatically be part of the series again in the following year. CT has tried to keep the series fresh by adding a new event and a foreign granfondo each year. In 2013, Gran Fondo

New York was chosen and for the first time ever (and only time ever) the “Prestigio” traveled overseas. But the Prestigio isn’t the be-all and end-all. It doesn’t offer registration discounts or a better start corral and the long travel required is a big challenge. So bring in the regional circuiti such as Coppa Lombardia or Centro d’Italia where riders can get an annual subscription at an attractive price that guarantees a good starting position. Our own GFNY Italia is part of the circuito Centro d’Italia that combines three granfondos in Central Italy in 2016. TERRACINA Our gran fondo GFNY Italia takes place in Terracina, Lazio. Many have asked us why we chose Terracina because it’s not your typical cycling destination in the Romagna or Tuscany. Twenty years ago, I heard for the first time about the Italian town of Terracina, situated between Rome and Naples. It was an article in an Italian cycling magazine about the pro cycling team Saeco training there in January. At the time, I spent two weeks in Cecina Mare in Tuscany. Cecina Mare is a perfect training ground and the weather is usually pretty good for cycling even in January with temperatures of 10-15C (50-60F). If you get unlucky, it can be colder. Bring in Terracina. Its shores and the coast south of it are sheltered to the cold winds from the North by various mountain chains. The “Golfo di Gaeta” is the warmest region in all of Italy (equal to Sicily that is a few hundred kilometers further south). Sure, there are other great places to train. Many travel to Mallorca, Spain, which has great roads. The Canary Islands are off the coast of Africa, which is a guarantee for warm weather in the dead of winter. But Mallorca can get cold, colder than Terracina. And the Canary Islands may be warm but expect storm-like winds and a limited variety of roads to train on. It’s the same old every day. While southern Lazio is a cycling-fantasy land, it is not on the radar of the av-

erage amateur rider or cycling enthusiast. And that’s just baffling. Rome’s airports Fiumicino and Ciampino are a mere 90 minutes north of Terracina. The town is close to the train route Rome-Naples and the fact that Italians love cycling and you’re not a weirdo there is a big bonus. Obviously the proximity of Terracina to Rome makes for fantastic day excursions. Add to that an affordable cost of life and delicious food, it’s a perfect mix. Terracina is not like Tucson, San Diego or Gran Canaria. You don’t have to know the three or four “rides” that you can do. With its hundreds of roads you can just head out the door and take any road you fancy. See that town on the hill over there? Let’s check it out! But as anywhere, there are highlights you don’t want to miss. Here are my five favorites: 1. The Sperlonga climb is easily one of the most scenic climbs I’ve done anywhere in the world. It starts in Sperlonga at the sea and heads inland. The road hugs the hill with spectacular views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. It’s a steady 5-6% climb. Pro cyclists use this 5k-long beauty to train “salita forza resistenza” (SFR), big gear strength training. Sperlonga is the first climb of GFNY Italia. If you continue towards Itri and from there to Gaeta, make sure you take the small road turning right just before Itri saying “Valle Quercia”. It’s spectacular and car free. 2. Pietra Porci / Campo Soriano: this climb starts right behind Terracina and loops around a hill. Use it as a beautiful start or end to a longer ride or simply a nice 20-mile loop past olive trees, orange trees and farms. At GFNY Italia, we use that loop for our pre-race group ride the day before. 3. San Felice Circeo is a village at the bottom of a 400m hill that overlooks the flat coast around it. It pops out of the ground from nowhere. The climb up is steady but has some steeper parts as well. North of the hill is a natural park with a beautiful road on a small stretch of land between the beach and a lake.

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4. Case Murate / Monte Romano: this GFNY WORLD SERIES LOGO BLACK BACKGROUND USE climb is arguably among the most challenging climbs in the area. It’s a longer climb with several steeper sections. The road isn’t smooth and requires some handling around the bigger holes, but the road is rarely used, it’s devoid of any GFNY WORLD SERIES LOGO GREEN BACKGROUND USE traffic, save for a shepherd and his flock and dog on a nearby pasture. 5. Strada Lungomare Pontino is a flat and scenic coastal road. It is a narrow stretch of land that has beautiful views of water on both sides, the Tyrrhenian Sea to one side and Lake of Sabaudia on the other. It’s a quiet road in the offseason with few cars. Terracina is a great place to visit for your non-cycling companions as well. There is a variety of activities to do nearby. For example, historic attractions like Temple of Jupiter, Grotto of Tiberius, the historic center of Terracina and the Castle in Gaeta. There is a very popular weekly outdoor market on Thursday mornings that sells everything from live seafood to textiles to baked goods to clothing. Our favorite sunset spots are at Jupiter Temple, Lungomare di Sabaudia and Gaeta. And for culinary fans, there are vineyards and olive producers to visit and learn more about their production processes.

GFNY ITALIA While Terracina might seem like an unlikely place to host a granfondo – Italy’s center is not as cycling-fanatic as the north – GFNY Italia’s course has all the ingredients that make the race so truly Italian. AUTHENTIC ITALIAN GRANFONDO Italy is a country with lots of coastline and mountains, most notably the Apennine that stretches almost along the length of the entire country. This geographical characteristic lends itself as the training ground for so many of the country’s cyclists and influences Italian cycling. As a result, the country’s racers have often blossomed as stage racers

that excel in the mountains or turned into one-day racers specializing in the hilly Ardennes classics or Giro di Lombardia. Criteriums and circuit races are almost non-existent. The sea is ever-present and never far from an Italian’s life. Almost no town in Italy is further than a two-hour drive from the coast. Spending summer vacations at “la spiaggia,” the beach, is as important to an Italian as are pasta and caffè. Many coastal towns are equipped to host a lot of tourism, particularly in the peak of summer in August. But in the spring and fall, many coastal towns boost their tourism by hosting a granfondo. Abroad, Italian granfondos are often misunderstood as arduously long events with insurmountable amounts of climbing. Perhaps because some cyclists seek the bucket-list races and those are the ones that get more known. However, the majority of Italian granfondos is in the 120-150km range with 2000-3000m of climbing. These are not easy events but they allow a decent number of riders to actually “race” the course instead of simply surviving it. Italians love racing and many participate at a dozen and more granfondos per year. The “survival” courses are reserved for the big events

of which most granfondisti do one or two per year. With its 125km and 2000m of climbing, GFNY Italia is an authentic Italian granfondo. It starts at the sea, heads into the hills (mountains for some) and finishes back at the sea. Quite a few other Italian granfondos embrace this theme, such as the season opener GF Laigueglia, Romagna’s GF Selle Italia, or Tuscany’s GF Diavolo in Versilia. Doing so, a cyclist’s family members can enjoy a day at the beach while the granfondo is going on. At February’s GF Laigueglia, cool temperatures might just allow for a stroll along the promenade to see and be seen. In Terracina in September, however, you will find ideal temperatures for sun and sea bathing. THE START GFNY Italia starts beside the fishing harbor of the town, just below the impressive Jupiter Temple, which dates back to the fourth century BC. The temple is large and spectacularly situated, dominating the shoreline and sea. It towers above the riders who are waiting impatiently to set off. The first 3km of the race are neutralized (riders have to follow a lead vehicle).

But the pace is already swift at 35-40km/ h. The course follows one of the oldest roads in the world, Via Appia, for which construction began way back in 312 BC. It was one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic and connected Rome to Brindisi, in southeast Italy. Once the peloton hits Via Flacca, the race is on. The road is flat, wide and completely closed to traffic. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself hitting speeds beyond 50km/h. At this phase it’s all about keeping calm and drafting. Italians have excellent handling skills and are used to riding at high speeds in tight packs. Relax and enjoy the ride. SPERLONGA 16km into the race, the first climb awaits: Sperlonga. After a roundabout, the road starts climbing slightly at 4%. Before a right hand turn off Flacca, it kicks up to 8% but most riders are still in their big ring. Just before entering the picturesque village of Sperlonga, the course takes a near 180-degree turn and heads for the hills instead. What follows is one of the most spectacular climbs in cycling. You will have incredible views of the Tyrrhenian

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Sea while you are racing on the tire marks of generations of Italian professional cyclists who honed their skills with countless Sperlonga repeats during winter camps. At 4.7k-long with an average incline of 4.4%, Sperlonga is what Italians call pedalabile. The climb never really gets steeper than 8%. Front riders attack the climb a tutta (all out) and in the big ring. Depending on your fitness, it might be a good idea to join that madness: sprinting up a 5km climb as if the race finishes at the top might be against common sense but drafting makes things easier. If you get dropped at Sperlonga, you’ll be with weaker riders for the rest of the day. It’s a gamble because you might on the other hand burn your energy completely. That said, I have never regretted trying to hang onto others as long as I can but have regretted “pacing” myself too much and being too conservative. Descending off Sperlonga is a blissful joy of weaving twists and turns. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, you can take them all at full tilt - provided it’s dry and you have the skills. Before you get to Itri, there is a 3k counter-climb. Again, not steep but

make sure you hang with your group and get into a good rhythm. Bombing straight through the town of Itri, which is closed for traffic, is a blast: people are lining the road enjoying the spectacle. The thrill is short lived because the second climb of the day awaits as soon as you leave town. PASSO SAN NICOLA At 10km long and with 423m of vertical climbing, Passo San Nicola is like a double Sperlonga. Few, if any, will big-ring the whole climb. It’s important to get into a rhythm here. Staying with other riders will pay off after the climb: most of the remaining 80km are draftworthy terrain! 15km of a descent at 2-5% are followed by 16 undulating kilometers. When you turn left in Castro dei Volsci at km75, the third and last climb of the day is on the schedule. SALITA DI VALLECORSA It’s at Salita di Vallecorsa where you realize how valuable it is to be in a group. While the climb is 17km long, the incline only averages 2.2%. If there is a headwind on the day, having a group or not is the difference between using your

big or small ring. You won’t be able to GFNY WORLD SERIES LOGO BLACK BACKGROUND USE gain much time at Vallecorsa but you can certainly lose quite some. If you are on your own but know of a group behind you, it might pay off to take it easy and “wait” for the group. GFNY WORLD SERIES LOGO

GREEN BACKGROUND USE THE FINISH At the top of Vallecorsa, the race is not over just yet but you can smell the finish for sure. While descending towards and through Lenola, you can see the sea again for the first time since Sperlonga. 14km of dropping down are done in the blink of an eye. What’s left is a slightly undulating 18km along citrus fields, through small villages and ultimately again on Via Appia, usually into an afternoon headwind coming from the sea. Make sure your group is rolling smoothly. Don’t waste energy on any attacks or go crazy with lead-outs. Anyone who is with you at this point will be your contestant for the sprint finish. Look for the 1km to go sign. This is where things heat up. Get towards the front of your group and ready for the sprint. The finish line is at the same spot as the start line so you know the run-in. Kick it! It’s what you do at an authentic Italian granfondo.

GFNY MONT VENTOUX IT WAS WHEN I WAS SAT ON THE ROAD, the sun beating down, sweat stinging my eyes, cramps in both legs and my bidon empty, watching as rider after rider passed me, that the enormity of the task I had taken on truly hit me. I reached into my jersey pocket, pulled out my phone and texted my brother two simple sentences: “The agony never ends. I’m done.” Six months earlier, three friends Jimbo, Wardy and Steve - and veterans of L’Etape and the Stelvio, had challenged me to join them in the GFNY that finished at the summit of Mont Ventoux. Even then, I had my doubts as to whether I could complete it. I considered myself a good climber - but that was on the short, sharp hills of Surrey, Kent and Sussex. Ventoux is a different beast altogether to Leith Hill or Ditchling Beacon. 21km and more than 1900m of non-stop climbing, the ‘Giant of Provence’ was way above my pay grade. French philosopher and cycling fan Roland Barthes described Ventoux: “A god of evil, to which sacrifices must be made. It never forgives weakness and extracts an unfair tribute of suffering.” But, egged on by my brother and my own ego, I prepared to make my offering in the GFNY Mont Ventoux. Lining up alongside the other members of the ‘Ventoux Quatre’ at the start line in the picturesque town of Vaison-la-Romaine, the butterflies really kicked in as I looked around at my rivals. I had hoped to see a few disheveled Frenchmen with overgrown stubble, perhaps with a Gauloise in one hand and a carafe de rouge in the other, but there was not a middle-aged paunch to be seen. I expected a fast start - and I wasn’t to be disappointed. We sped past the Roman amphitheater and were soon out

into the rolling French countryside. The pace was punchy but, with Steve putting in a good shift at the front of our little group, we settled into a steady rhythm for the first two climbs of the day, the Col de la Peyroniere and Col des Aires. Both were challenging but nothing too horrific - like longer versions of Box Hill in the UK - but what they did offer us was some stunning views of the valleys of Provence. It reminded me a lot of the scenery along the Garden Route in South Africa. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky but, at this stage, it was still quite cool. That would soon change, though. DEAD MAN’S PASS Next up, after about 40km, was the Col de l’Homme Mort - Dead Man’s Pass and if the name itself didn’t scare you, the length of the climb would, at 14km. It was here that I decided to make my attack. I felt strong, my legs felt fine

and the gradient seemed easy. I felt so comfortable that I committed the cardinal sin of texting my brother while I was still riding. I reached the top and was buzzing. Ventoux wasn’t that much steeper and just seven kilometers longer. I could handle that, I thought. Pas de problème. The descent from the Col de l’Homme Mort towards Ventoux is nothing short of spectacular - by far the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen while out on a bike. You weave through gorges, tunnels, hillsides and fields of lavender at breakneck speed but the road surface is immaculate and you never feel in danger of crashing. And this is coming from a man who is usually a total coward when it comes to descending. Finally, after 113km and barely stopping at the two feed stations (for which I’d pay dearly later) I reached the town of Bedoin, took a right and began the climb

to the observatory at the top of Ventoux. I still felt in great shape but things started to unravel in the first three or four kilometers. It was not much more than a false flat but it felt like I was cycling in sand. I was thinking to myself, ‘If this is what it’s like on the easy part, what will you be like on the tougher sections?’ I needed a moral boost so looked at my phone and there were about 50 messages of support from my family. It was just what the doctor ordered. DEAD MAN CLIMBING I hit the village of St Esteve and the next bit will always be seared in my memory. There’s a left turn and the road ramps up to about 10% - and that’s how it stays for kilometer after kilometer after kilometer. I had been lucky enough to interview Mark Cavendish a few weeks before the 2015 Tour de France and asked his advice about tackling Ventoux. I won’t lie to you, it’s pretty awful. But just remember one thing: it will end. It’s a motto I’ve had throughout my career. At some point, it will end. It certainly didn’t feel that way as I looked at my computer and realized that I wasn’t yet halfway up the climb and was already running on fumes.

Ventoux is brutal. Awful. Agony. And it never stops. There is never a moment where it eases off, lets you have a minute to recuperate, gives you a target to aim for. It just drags onwards and upwards through the Bedoin forest forever. There’s just you, the road and a million flies for company. First I got cramp in one leg, then the other. It made cycling impossible and I had to suffer the ignominy of stopping and getting off the bike to stretch. That was when I hit my low point and just sat on the road. I was exhausted and there was still about 15km to go. Suddenly, I heard Wardy’s voice. “You OK, Andy?” “No. I’m finished” was all I could manage in reply. Wardy glided past and I thought that would be the last I saw of him. I disconsolately got back on the bike and, pedaling square, weaved across the road to try to gain some momentum. Five hundred meters later, I see a familiar figure by the roadside. It’s Wardy, suffering from cramp in his hamstring. I don’t stop though. If I do, I might never start again. Plus, it’s every man for himself now, locked in his own personal battle with Ventoux. Crawling up the mountain at a pace a snail would be disgusted at, disaster then

GFNY MONT VENTOUX gfnymontventoux.com Vaison-la-Romaine June 26, 2016 COURSE Long: 130km / 80miles ; 3600m / 11,811ft of climbing Medium: 78km / 48.5miles ; 2390m / 7841ft of climbing WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT A stunning, challenging course to the top of one of the world’s most famous climbs WHAT MAKES THIS RACE SPECIAL? The only amateur race that finishes atop Mont Ventoux WHAT’S THE HOST TOWN LIKE? A Roman and medieval gem COURSE TRAFFIC CONTROL Most of the route is closed, moderated traffic on Ventoux WHAT YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE ■ Roman ruins ■ Weekly Provençal outdoor market with arts, crafts, local goods, food stalls, textiles, etc ■ Wineries ■ Bakeries WHAT WE LIKE Racing past stunning scenery: vineyards, lavender fields, quaint Provençal villages and Gorges de la Nesque

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strikes as I realize I’m out of water. In the 36-degree heat, I was sweating buckets, so I was forced to beg a bystander for “un peu de l’eau s’il vous plait!” Never has a bottle of sparkling water tasted so good. ASSAULT ON CHALET REYNARD After what seemed like an eternity spent in hell with the “god of evil”, the trees thin out and standing before you is the paradise of Chalet Reynard, the final feed station, about 6km from the summit. Wardy follows me in a couple of minutes later and tries to engage in conversation but I can’t speak. Instead, I pour a bottle of water over my head and, seeing that a van has its boot open, I crawl inside and curl up in the fetal position. After a few minutes, I emerge and begin filling my face with ginger cake, biscuits, energy bars - anything and everything I can lay my mitts on. Wardy, ever the enthusiast to my curmudgeon just said: “Fancy a quick 6km spin to the top?” And off we went. From Chalet Reynard onwards, the landscape is the familiar bleached-white ‘lunar’ landscape that you may have seen in the Tour de France. For the next couple of kilometers I didn’t feel too bad and managed to distance Wardy. To be fair, he probably didn’t realize he was in a race... But then the road ramps up again and it’s another case of just grinding it out. The observatory looks so close, you feel you can almost touch it. Yet however hard you pedal, it stays resolutely out of reach. I thought about stopping - again - but with the messages flooding in from my wife, brother, sister and mum, I knew I had to dig in. The quicker I got up there, the quicker the pain would end. I’d love to say I stopped at the memorial to British cyclist Tom Simpson, who died on Ventoux during the 1967 Tour de France, and left my bidon there as a mark of respect. But, in truth, I just wanted to finish, so I resorted to bowing my head as I went past. The last 2k nearly broke me but I remembered a text my brother sent me

before I flew out to France. “If you come last out of your mates, don’t bother coming home.” It was meant in jest - I think - but those words resonated with me and I ploughed on, taking the final, steep right turn with a smile on my face and my heart pounding through my chest. I crossed the finish line and didn’t have to wait long for Wardy. We hugged then went our separate ways so we could each have a ‘moment’. I phoned all my family and couldn’t hold back the tears - I was a physical and emotional wreck. Steve - who was actually the fastest

of us to climb Ventoux itself - and Jimbo soon joined us and we lay around, enjoying the view and trying to take in what we’d all achieved. There’s no denying it, Mont Ventoux is frighteningly tough. It’s a nasty, unrelenting climb and it will take you to the darkest of places. But if you can handle everything it has to throw at you and you can conquer Ventoux, it will live with you for ever and be right up there with the most amazing achievements of your life. It certainly was for me. Andy Elliott, Broleur.com

GFNY COZUMEL

COZUMEL, MEXICO. WHAT COULD BE better in November? Pretty much nothing, especially when you’re coming from New York. It’s the time of year when cyclists have to wake up 45 minutes earlier than usual to be sure we have enough time to get dressed to ride. Ugh. My husband and I happily fled ‘November in New York’ to participate in GFNY Cozumel, the perfect place to escape the dry air and chilly temperatures. First, a few words about Cozumel. The island is beautiful. It is in fact, a cyclist’s paradise. Flat, hot, sunny, with what I will not call a “bike path” circling almost 3/4 of the island. It is not a “path”, it is a “road” for bikes. Completely devoid of motor vehicles save the occasional taxi or scooter turning into beachside resorts. The riding there is a far cry from our normal cycling stomping grounds in New York where we live and train for GFNY. We were spoiled instantly. Steve and I arrived the Wednesday before race day and took a taxi to our hotel, about 8 miles south of the starting line. The first order of business was to put our bikes together. The balcony quickly became a makeshift mechanic’s area. Our plan was to ride both Thursday and Friday to familiarize ourselves with the course and acclimate to the heat. We were super

fortunate to have friends (specifically Uli Fluhme, my former GS-GFNY teammate and friend) already on-island to give us a personal tour. The plan was to meet Thursday morning at the driveway of our hotel, which was conveniently on the race route. (Travel Tip: pretty much every hotel is on the race route. The question is how far from the start line or Señor Frogs you want to be.) I’m going to focus on this training ride because it turned out to be the most important ride of the trip as it provided us with all the intel we would need for Sunday. Thursday was a gorgeous morning, starting out at what seemed a reasonable 73º Fahrenheit. Uli and another cyclist, “Canadian Bob” met us at 7:30am, we were immediately appreciative of the separate bicycle road. Even though Uli and I had been teammates for four years, we had never had the opportunity to ride together because we led different group levels. It was a pleasure to finally enjoy the road with him. Both Steve and I started to take in the terrain, the light, the heat, and potential shade. I wouldn’t exactly call the vegetation tropical forest because it’s too short but it’s taller than brush. It offered cover from the sun earlier in the morning and then again in the afternoon. This may not sound important, but we found it to be

super important in our decision making process on Sunday. After about four to five miles of smooth spinning, the light breeze changed to a headwind, still light, but definitely a headwind. Uli and Bob went ahead, Steve’s and my job for this day was to do an easy recon ride of the route. The brush started to thin out and the wind noticeably increased. We figured we were heading into the fabled “King of the Wind” section. As we rode out of the protection of the trees and sea grapes, we saw the left turn that takes you along the east side of the island, the wind started to pick up and stay steady in earnest. This is when we were given a taste of what it could be on Sunday. A straight-up side wind, constant at around 12-16mph with the occasional gust that could definitely knock you around the road a little, depending on your weight. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this is where the beauty of Cozumel shines brightest. It is truly stunning: beaches, surf, and gorgeous vistas that go on forever, uninterrupted by hills or buildings. Since we were supposed to be doing an easy recon ride we took the opportunity to take some pictures. In the distance we saw the clouds were starting to look familiar in a “daily-carribean-rain-liquid-sunshine-downpour” kind of way. After

another couple of miles, we saw a green jersey riding towards to us. It was Uli. He rode back to do the remainder of the route with us. It was a couple of miles later that the storm hit. I would be grateful for the cooling off after it was done, but while it was raining, it was intense. The sideways rain was stinging on the skin and sunglasses became useless. The wind got fiercer and the amount of rain on the road surface made it difficult to lean the bike too deeply against the wind as you could lose your edge. It was a balancing act for sure. The good news is that most times the storms are short and sweet, around five minutes at most. This was no exception. The three of us were happily air conditioned for the remainder of the ride. We made the left turn to ride the long flat back towards the city. We rode an awesome pace line through town, stopped to see where the expo would be and then Uli kindly showed us back to the beginning of the path and we rode back to the hotel. It was here I made my first discovery of the trip. Heat. The weather changes epically around 10-10:30am. Once the arc of the sun hits a certain place, there is no relief from the rays of the sun. I wasn’t

dehydrated, but totally overheated. Steve pulled me back to the resort, and it was a total slog. I had nothing in the legs. When we got back to the hotel, we needed to wash the bikes—the rainy section had left a small beach’s amount of sand in our drive trains. The hotel staff suggested we wash them in the outdoor showers next to the pool. The moment I stepped into the stream of water, I felt a thousand percent better. Lesson learned. Keep cool on race day. Well, cool-er anyway. Friday was a short morning spin and expo day! We took a short cab ride to the plaza where the outdoor expo was being held. It was an easy packet pickup, excellent vendors and a chance to see Lidia Fluhme at the GFNY booth. This time, we got a taste of the heat at midday without the benefit of a breeze or pool. It was hot. Really, really hot. Noted for Sunday. With our jerseys and race numbers, we were ready to put our feet up and wait for race day. Which we did, at pools and beaches, very happily. Race Day! We got to the start line via taxi just before 6am. (Travel tip: it’s dark at 5am and there are no lights along the bike road. If you want to ride from any of

GFNY COZUMEL gfnycozumel.com Cozumel November 13, 2016 COURSE Long: 160km/100miles; flat Medium: 80km/50miles; flat WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT One or two loops circumnavigating the island with nearly zero elevation gain while battling trade winds and Caribbean heat WHAT MAKES THIS RACE SPECIAL? Perfect end-of-season challenge and warm-weather getaway One big GFNY party both on and off the bike WHAT’S THE HOST TOWN LIKE? Cozumel is Paradise COURSE TRAFFIC CONTROL Completely closed to traffic WHAT YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE ■ Beach and water activities ■ Duty free shopping ■ Fantastic local food WHAT WE LIKE GFNY Cozumel puts on a fantastic show for riders and spectators alike The hospitality of Cozumel is second to none

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the beach resorts south of the start line, bring head lights!) The way to the start was well marked with signage and manned by an army of volunteers. We found a comfortable place in the corral, took a few photos and waited for the sun to rise and the race to start. About five minutes later, we heard, “Hey! Is that Heidi!?” Both Steve and I turned to see three of my favorite guys from the GFNY training rides and race, Edwin, Glen and Ross who had flown in the day before! SO cool to see familiar faces, in GFNY kit, in Mexico! 7am came, the start was amazingly relaxed and everyone stayed pretty neutral until we hit the bike road. The guys who were really racing were long gone. Steve and I found ourselves with a great group of 10-12 other cyclists in a double pace line for the entire southern leg of the course. It was a pleasure to be sailing along at 19-22mph with very little effort. I checked in with Steve to see how he was doing, in a word, awesome! He was feeling spry and spinning strong. The warm weather combined with the pace line seemed to have woken up his dormant inner racer. We got to the feed zone right before the King of the Wind section in a very timely 57 minutes. We stopped got a banana, refilled our bottles and I dumped two cups of very cold water down my neck and back. This was my “Do NOT Overheat” solution. It worked. The King of the Wind section on race day was, wait for it…NOT WINDY! Here’s

the catch, no wind meant the heat could really beat down on you. We had decided in advance that we were not in contention for this section so we would ride together in echelon and save our energy for the second loop and end of the race. We stopped at the feed zone at the end of that leg, more water pouring, more watermelon, a gel, refills and we were off! The next section was smooth and when we got closer to the center of Cozumel, there were more and more people cheering the riders on. We turned right to head toward the airport leg and were hit with pavement that essentially mimicked cobbles. No lie, it was a little bit of a beating there. More effort to keep a pace and the vibration was muscle-ache-making. Third feed zone? The moment of truth…would we continue on to do the second loop or finish the Medio and take a DNF? I left this up to Steve. It was really important that he finish this, his first race after knee surgery and recovery, on a high note. I felt like we both had the energy but ultimately, he decided that we would only do the one loop. The calculation was where we would be on the course at the peak of the heat, 1pm. Almost finished, but we would have been exposed at the hottest part of the day. A no go. With that decided, I said that if we were going to only do the one loop we were going to go full gas the last few miles. We had a couple of gels and went. As soon as we were off the choppy pavement, we hit the big rings, got into the drops and

I lead our two-man pace line to the finish line. We got to cross the finish line together, holding hands, with Steve feeling strong and like he could have done more. As we got our freezing, cold-water soaked towels and sodas (yay!), we were able to watch the winner come over the line. It was thrilling to see such a fast and strong first place win. It was truly a wonderful experience, so wonderful in fact, we decided to register (and already have!) for next year’s GFNY Cozumel. Knowing what we know now, we plan to go earlier, ride more and work to take a top 5 finish in the Him&Her category. Who knows? I cannot say enough about Shaun and Daniela Gad and their amazing organization of this epic event. Huge Kudos to them! I would be remiss if I didn’t also give a shout-out to Uli and Lidia Fluhme who created this whole totally amazing “world” of GFNY. Heidi Broecking If you have the opportunity to participate in this event, do NOT hesitate! We’ll see you there in November 2016! Heidi Broecking was a member of the Gruppo Sportivo GFNY for four years and Head of Group Rides for three years. Her husband (and awesome riding partner) Steve and son Devon have been her foundation of support and biggest cheerleaders. Steve had knee surgery in June of 2014. GFNY Cozumel was his first race after an 18-month recovery. Heidi was beyond happy to be able to return the support he has so selflessly given her for the past five Gran Fondo New York events. GFNY WORLD SERIES LOGO GREEN BACKGROUND USE

GFNY DEUTSCHLAND YESSSS! THE SECOND I WAS TOLD GFNY New York was coming to my home country, Germany, my excitement started to grow: the worldwide GFNY series is making it to Germany. Finally! It was overdue. You wonder why my I’m so ecstatic? Let me fill you in… My interest in the series started in the fall of 2014 at which time I had become an avid follower of GFNY. In December 2014 I started to notice more and more green jerseys on Facebook and I decided to get in touch with the German co-founder Uli Fluhme for my German cycling blog (speed-ville.de). “Alright, just another gran fondo with an enthusiastic founder,” I thought. I figured it would be smart to give him a few weeks to reply when things have quieted down and he’d be free to talk. I couldn’t have been further from reality. Uli was pushing the pedal to the metal even harder. And so did his wife Lidia with him, co-founder and President of GFNY. Lidia was instrumental in getting GFNY off the ground. Her resilience made the impossible possible: closing George Washington Bridge, world’s busiest bridge, to traffic in order to host the riders for the start. We all know what happened in the meantime and what was about to happen: the “green cyclists” were entering one country after another and became, in my opinion, the next big thing in cycling. But what’s differentiating Gran Fondo New York from other major cycling events? At this point I can only speak for the German market, but two details stick out: 1) Anti Doping Policy: In days where professional cycling seems to get back on track and the disgraceful past years of doping seem to be fading into the rearview mirror, granfondos have now been affected by doping issues. Shocking, right? Recreational riders are trying to improve

their performance by using drugs. This ideology is of course absolutely ridiculous. Yet, why is no one taking the initiative to do something about it? This was the question I was facing when being confronted with this topic. While most organizers are burying their heads in the sand, Uli is taking an impressive stand and invests a considerable amount of money to ensure his races are as doping free as possible. 2) Professional execution: Lidia and Uli are taking advantage of their extensive experiences on the bike and applying them to the events. Doing so, the athlete experience before, during and after the race is smooth and tailored to their needs. This is not always the case here in Germany where a few hosts prefer to make a quick buck. Impressed by these two points I conducted a very interesting interview with Uli in March 2015. Who is the brains behind the operation that established this outstanding brand? This couple with a vision, and a mission? After the interview, Uli and I stayed in touch, exchanging regular emails to discuss future opportunities and sharing our thoughts on developments in the granfondo world. In fall 2015 however, I received the most exciting email from Uli: “Daniel, GFNY is coming to Germany! Do you want to get in touch with Paul who is running it? Maybe you can also do an interview for Speed-Ville.de with him.” Hell yeah, of course I want to get to know the guy who is running the GFNY here. If you say that Uli’s passion is contagious you would be absolutely correct, but wait until you meet 57-year old Paul: in his everyday life, Paul is running a veterinary clinic. He was infected with the cycling virus only four years ago. During this very

short period, Paul became a man who very rarely uses the words ‘could and would’. Paul is a man of action. At the age of 57 he is now organizing his first ever cycling event, supported by GFNY’s helping hand and network. While other guys at his age are thinking of retirement, setting up their garden sheds or lying on the couch watching Discovery Channel, Paul is out there in the thick of the action setting up GFNY Germany. Hats off to such commitment and passion! When Paul asked me after the interview if I wanted to participate in the GFNY Germany, I could only answer with the only two words that came to my mind: “Hell yeah!” What a privilege. During our interview, one point really caught my attention, separating this event from all others I had ever witnessed before: The streets of GFNY Deutschland will be completely police-moderated! This is absolutely amazing news. Getting the commitment of the local authorities in Germany to hold such an event makes it apparent that there is going to be something magical about this race. To re-emphasize the situation for our non-German/Austrian readers: roads usually only get blocked for professional races. At the start of an amateur event over here riders are led by a motorbike making sure the peloton is leaving town during the “neutralized zone”. Once that “neutralized zone” is over, riders will not only compete against each other but also against Sunday drivers. Let’s further look into why GFNY will be great for Germany. If you have never yet had the opportunity to visit Germany, this race will kill many birds with one stone. Very important to mention is the host city of Hameln. When speaking about German cities,

most of you will think of the big three: Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. These are of course very nice and definitely worth a visit but from an event perspective, holding a granfondo there would only be a drop in the bucket. Large cities host big events on a weekly basis, which makes the general population wary and generally unimpressed by what’s going on. The GFNY host town of Hameln is situated less than an hour from Hanover and its population is roughly 60,000. Until now, Hameln has been most famous for its Pied Piper. Can you imagine what impact GFNY will generate in Hameln? On the weekend of the race, during the height of summer time, the town will be packed with tourists for the worldwide famous ancient rat saga – and 1,000 GFNY-green cyclists will be right in the middle of the action. How cool is that? It is also worth noting that Hameln isn’t just another town in Germany. It is the prototypical romantic and historic German city you know from all your parent’s post cards. Its beautiful Saxonystyle center with cobblestones and timbered houses will take your breath away and will keep your cameras busy. Have no fear, however, the cobblestones will not be part of the actual racecourse! Another fact that suits me pretty well is the characteristic of the course. I weigh 180lbs (82 kg) so I am obviously not a very good climber. Races in high mountains with long and steady climbs are killer for me. The GFNY Deutschland

course, instead, is very similar to the New York one: A lot of ups and downs but no endless climbs: 105 miles (170k) and nearly 7,000 ft. (2,100 m) of climbing – perfect for me! But beware: while the hills are short, the total elevation gain will surely suck the energy out of your legs. And the race will come to a defining close with a climb up to Schaumburg Castle. After already 87 miles (140 k) of racing, this ramp of 650 ft. (200 m) will be the rider’s nightmare. At its steepest section, the gradient reaches 14%. Sounds tough, huh? But stay with me. 6 miles (10 k) earlier, you already had to defeat the climb to Zersen – at its peak the gradient reaches even 16%. Fun and games. After these two major challenges have been mastered, it is time to head straight back to Hameln, where a town filled with people and the post-race party are welcoming you. If this course sounds too tough for you, don’t worry: Paul is offering a more digestible medium distance of 66 miles (107 k) with 3,600 ft. (1,100 m) of climbing. At GFNY Deutschland there is something for everyone. I am looking forward to seeing you and having the opportunity to enjoy a post-race beer with you. Welcome to Hameln! Tip: Hameln is located pretty much in the middle of the triangle Berlin-Hamburg-Amsterdam. Extend your journey post-race and tick those cities off your bucket list. Daniel Mueller of Speed-Ville.de reports from Germany

GFNY DEUTSCHLAND gfnydeutschland.com Hameln August 28, 2016 COURSE Long: 165km / 102miles ; 2,214m / 7,263ft of climbing Medium: 100km / 60miles ; 1,086m / 3,563ft of climbing WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT An undulating course on smooth German roads WHAT MAKES THIS RACE SPECIAL? Racing past medieval castles WHAT’S THE HOST TOWN LIKE? Small town with postcard-worthy Saxony-style architecture COURSE TRAFFIC CONTROL Police-moderated WHAT YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE ■ Castles ■ German food and beer ■ The incredible tale of the Pied Piper of Hameln WHAT WE LIKE GFNY Deutschland gives the chance for cyclists of all levels to race against each other and the clock, this currently does not exist in Germany

GFNY INDONESIA ON THE EXOTIC ISLAND OF LOMBOK LOMBOK IS NOT ONLY A PLACE FOR cycling; it is the perfect place to combine GFNY Indonesia with an exciting vacation. GFNY Indonesia is a 180 km / 112mile cycling race on the exotic Island of Lombok. The inaugural GFNY Indonesia is set to take place on Sunday, October 2, 2016. The start will be at 6 am. We expect 1000 participants from all over the world. The 80 km / 50-mile medium route is a non-competitive ride nearly on the same course as the longer distance, but with a shortcut. The start and finish of both distances is in the resort town of Senggigi. The highlights of both the long and medium routes are the climb up to Pusuk Pass with the monkey forest and the last 25 km along the North-West Coast of Lombok. Like a roller coaster, you have to climb up to the cliffs and you will go down again passing the valleys with palm trees. The 180 km riders will pass two mountain chains with steep climbs and spectacular views over the Indian Ocean. Podium finishers of all age groups and teams will take home prizes. In addition to the race, we will show the culture of Lombok with several cultural performances like drumming (Gendang Beleq), historic dancing (Drama) and Stick Fighting (Peresean). HOST TOWN SENGGIGI Start and Finish of GFNY Indonesia will be in the center of Senggigi, the oldest and most famous resort area of Lombok. It is the perfect place to relax. Senggigi boasts a series of white sandy beaches and safe swimming areas. The point at central Senggigi has good waves for surfers. This place has a colorful reef, which provides shelter to a variety of marine life, exquisitely shaped coral and makes it a perfect place to snorkel.

The town of Senggigi spreads out along nearly 10 kilometers of coastal road. This road continues north to Bangsal, the port for the Gili Islands. THE HOST ISLAND OF GFNY INDONESIA – LOMBOK With divine beaches, the majestic nearly 4000m-high Mt Rinjani and spectacular marine life to discover, the island of Lombok has no shortage of attractions both in and out of the water. Best-known resort area on the island is Senggigi, a township positioned on a sweeping bay that provides magnificent views of a blood red sunset over neighboring Bali. The view of this spectacular sunset is best enjoyed relaxing with a drink at one of the seafront restaurants or on The Hill overlooking the bay. Other visitors to Lombok choose to spend their time on one of the three Gili islands - Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air - secluded tropical islands of stunning beaches, a short 20 minutes boat ride from Senggigi by fast boat. Located immediately east of Bali, a deep trench separates the island of Lombok from Bali that divides the Asian continental shelf from the Australian shelf. Biologist Alfred Wallace was the first to notice in the 19th century that Lombok’s flora and fauna differed from those on the western islands of the Indonesian archipelago. Since then the Wallace Line was drawn from the Lombok Straits northwards up the Makassar Straits – separating Kalimantan from Sulawesi. Today Lombok is also home to a minority of Hindu Balinese, as well as smaller numbers of Chinese, Javanese, Bugis and Arabs. Lombok is also known for its magnificent South Sea cultured pearls grown in

pristine waters around the island. CLIMATE OF LOMBOK Being a tropical country, Indonesia is blessed with two seasons, namely dry and rainy. Dry usually occurs from June to September and the rest is rainy season. Sunshine is abundant except in rainy season when the sky tends to be cloudy. It is advisable to visit Indonesia during the dry season. During the rainy season, it rarely rains in Lombok for more than one or two hours. The max average temperature is always between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius. ACCOMMODATION: HOTELS AND VILLAS To make your stay in Lombok as pleasant as possible, we offer a range of accommodations. From beachfront resorts on the sea to villas on The Hill with fantastic views over the ocean to Bali or to simple backpacker hostels. GFNY Indonesia has direct contacts to owner accommodations (private villa homes) and we offer support and the best prices. We give you the guarantee that you cannot book them for less. If so, we’ll refund the difference. You can rest assured that GFNY Indonesia staff will personally care for your villa or resort booking and take care of you and your family while you’re our guest on the island. INDONESIA The Republic of Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world comprising of 13,466 large and small tropical islands fringed with white sandy beaches, many still uninhabited and a number still even unnamed. Straddling the equator, situated between the continents of Asia and Australia and between the Pacific and the Indian

Oceans, it is as wide as the United States from San Francisco to New York, equaling the distance between London and Moscow. Indonesia has a total population of more than 215 million people from more than 200 ethnic groups. The national language is Bahasa Indonesia. Because of her location, and geology, Indonesia is blessed with the most diverse landscape, from fertile rice lands on Java, Bali and Lombok to the luxuriant rainforests of Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi, to the savannah grasslands of the Nusa Tenggara islands to snow-capped peaks of West Papua. Indonesia’s wildlife ranges from the prehistoric giant Komodo lizard to the Orang Utan and the Java rhino, to the Sulawesi anoa dwarf buffalos, to birds with exquisite plumage like the cockatoo and the bird of paradise. This is also the habitat of the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, wild orchids, an amazing variety of spices, and aromatic hardwood and a large variety of fruit trees. Underwater, scientists have found in North Sulawesi the prehistoric coelacanth fish, a “living fossil” fish, predating the dinosaurs living some 400 million years ago, while whales migrate yearly through these waters from the South Pole. Here are hundreds of species of colorful coral and tropical fish to admire. Culturally, Indonesia fascinates with her rich diversity of ancient temples, music, ranging from the traditional to

modern pop, dances, rituals and ways of life, changing from island to island, from region to region. Yet everywhere the visitor feels welcomed with that warm, gracious innate friendliness of the Indonesian people. PLACES TO VISIT AND TO DO IN AND AROUND LOMBOK Lombok has so much to explore. Pristine beaches, waterfalls, rice fields and an interesting culture. Mountain climbing, diving, surfing and much more activities are possible. Party or chilling on the Gili Islands. Bali is also only one and half hour by fast boat away or 30 minutes by plane. GILI ISLANDS The Gilis consist of three islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. In Indonesians Language, “Gili” means “island”. The Gili islands are easily reached by a 20-minute speedboat trip from Senggigi. Or you can go by car along the beautiful North-West Coast, which is a part of our racecourse, to Bangsal and take a public boat. This is already an adventure. White sandy beaches. Tropical coral reefs. Warm inviting waters. All this awaits you on the Gili islands. With no cars, no motorbikes and no distractions other than beautiful tropical island scenery, the Gili islands off the northwest coast of Lombok are truly an ideal destination for a tropical getaway.

GFNY INDONESIA gfnyindonesia.com Lombok Island October 2, 2016 COURSE Long: 181km / 112miles ; 2,054m / 6,739ft of climbing Medium: 80km / 50miles; 937m / 3,047ft of climbing WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT Riding on beautiful coastal roads, through rice fields and some steep climbs. The long course passes two mountain chains with steep climbs and spectacular views over the Indian Ocean. WHAT MAKES THIS RACE SPECIAL? Lombok is rolling out the red carpet for GFNY riders on and off the bike, including a GFNY dinner and cultural performances like historic dancing, drumming and Stick Fighting. WHAT’S THE HOST TOWN LIKE? Senggigi offers a series of sweeping bays, with light-sand beaches sitting below a backdrop of jungle-clad mountains and coconut palms COURSE TRAFFIC CONTROL Completely closed to traffic WHAT YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE Pristine beaches, waterfalls, rice fields and an interesting culture A short ferry ride to neighboring Bali (1.5hrs) and Gili Islands (20 min) WHAT WE LIKE GFNY Indonesia brings cyclists from all over Asia and the world together on this exotic paradise island.

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Offering spectacular reefs and ominous dive sites like Shark Reef, the Gili islands are the perfect escape for anyone wanting to get away to beautiful, natural and relaxing surroundings. This is why these islands have become a popular destination for Western tourists looking for a remote island experience. There is no better place for divers and snorkelers than the Gilis where you can get up close to all kinds of marine life including the green turtle in all its glory. Swim up and watch this graceful creature glide through the ocean. You should be able to spot these turtles at depths of 1020 meters below the surface. Gili Trawangan is the largest and most popular of the three islands. It has a vibrant nightlife to keep you entertained once the sun goes down. With a wide collection of restaurants and bars, you will never be short of entertainment here. If you are after a quiet getaway, try Gili Meno or Gili Air. Gili Air is closest to the mainland and is the most populated of the Gilis. Gili Meno is the smallest island and, with only a few hundred permanent residents, it has the most

remote feel to it. Travel on the islands are only possible by bike or “Cidomo” the small horsedrawn carts taking three persons. BALI Bali has been the favorite destination for locals and international tourists for ages. Full of magnificent beaches, breathtaking sceneries, marvelous trinkets and interesting culture, Bali is ideal for people wanting to escape from daily activities, enjoy a honeymoon, or have a great time with family and friends. BOROBODUR TEMPLE Borobodur Temple is a majestic masterpiece. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Borobodur is the largest Buddhist monument in the world and the single most visited spot in Indonesia. 75 years in the making, Borobudur is constructed from 2 million intricately carved volcanic rocks, and assembled using a complex interlocking technique without the use of cement or mortar. Aside from its enchanting beauty and high artistic value, Borobodur is a structure rich in history,

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culture and religion. You can reach Borobodur Temple by direct flight to Yogyakarta (1 hour). KOMODO NATIONAL PARK RealGFNY dragons spurt no fire, have no WORLD SERIES LOGO GREEN BACKGROUND USE need to fly and cast no magic spells. Still, one look from them might render you speechless. These komodos, the real-life dragons, are a sight indeed. Gigantic, the lizard-like creatures are about two or three meters in length. They can easily weigh about 165 kilograms. Despite their sheer size and appearance, they are not active hunters. What makes them intimidating is the fact that they are a patient predator. In the wild, they stalk a victim, usually a weak or injured one. One bite is all that it usually takes. After following the victim for a while, sometimes for up to several days, the Komodo will devour the dying prey. The Komodo Dragon is an endangered species, which can only be found in the Komodo National Park (KNP) in East Nusa Tenggara because of the unique and rare nature of this animal. Tenne Permatasari and Axel Moeller

GFNY MEXICO CITY ON JUNE 26, GFNY ARRIVES IN MEXICO City, the New York Times number one recommended city to visit this year. The team that made GFNY Cozumel a huge success is getting ready to put on yet another show to impress you. The most important feature of the race is obviously the route, which has been designed to be both challenging and mesmerizing. The views that you’ll be taking in will remind you right away of the famous European climbs and hairpin turns of the major tours. GFNY Mexico City starts in the center of the city at the famous landmark The Angel of Independence on the Reforma Avenue, which is similar to Times Square in

New York City. As you start the race you will pass many other landmarks that are just as famous until you head outside the city to the rural areas that will make you feel like you’re not in the city at all. In the small pueblas (towns), locals will come out to cheer for you. For many, Mexico City might not seem like a place where a cyclist would go to ride but don’t be mistaken. Many of the world’s best professional cyclists have trained here to get ready for the season, taking advantage of the high elevation that helps them reach a higher red blood cell count. Names like Marco Pantani, Greg LeMond, Gianni Bugno, Raúl Alcalá, Laurent Fignon, Miguel

Indurain, Luis Herrera and many other greats. They have all used the same roads you will use for GFNY Mexico City. Mexico City is the world’s largest metropolis and is surrounded by mountains that are over 17,000 feet (5000m) above sea level. The mountains and elevation are what make GFNY Mexico City the perfect theater to host more than 3000 cyclists from around the world who are ready to conquer this majestic city. Beyond the incredible racecourse, Mexico City offers countless cultural, sports and entertainment options. The city has more than a thousand restaurants and cuisines from all over the world

and of course the delicious authentic Mexican food, which goes well beyond nachos and burritos. You can also enjoy a wide array of Mexican coffee, with its enticing aromas and unique flavors. Mexico City has more than 170 museums. The National Museum of Anthropology - less than a mile from the start of GFNY Mexico City - has the largest collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts from across the country. The Museum of the City of Mexico highlights the evolution and amazing transformation this city has undergone through the years. The city also has more than 600 hotels, from Boutique, to 5-star hotels. For your GFNY stay, we recommend the Maria Isabel Sheraton, which is the

premier host hotel. It’s where expo and race packet pick-up are held. The hotel is right at the start line of GFNY Mexico City. Flying to Mexico City is easy and simple with most of the world’s major airlines offering direct daily flights. During your stay, you will discover Mexico’s enthusiasm for cycling and feel the warmth of its people. Mexicans are genuine, friendly and welcoming and live life passionately. That passion is also demonstrated in their cycling. Check out the buzz at the pre-race expo, at the start or during the race – it’s contagious! Come join the fun and excitement at the inaugural GFNY Mexico City. Shaun Gad

GFNY MEXICO CITY gfnymexicocity.com Mexico City June 26, 2016 COURSE Long: 130km / 80miles; 3600m / 11,811ft of climbing Medium: 78km / 48.5miles; 2390m / 7841ft of climbing WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT Three challenging climbs at high altitude WHAT MAKES THIS RACE SPECIAL? Starting in the heart of Mexico City and heading into the surrounding high mountains WHAT’S THE HOST TOWN LIKE? The oldest capital city of South America that continues to be a leading global capital today COURSE TRAFFIC CONTROL Completely closed to traffic WHAT YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE ■ Very friendly people ■ Mexico City WHAT WE LIKE The excitement, passion and energy of the Mexicans for cycling in particular and life in general is infectious.

GFNY COLOMBIA AFTER OUR PLANE TOUCHED DOWN in Bogota’s El Dorado airport, the flight attendant spotted the helmet attached to my backpack and immediately struck up a conversation about cycling. The conversation felt a bit strange because she knew so much about cycling that I swore she was a cyclist herself, but she kept referring to cyclists as “you” or “they.” Turns out that she wasn’t a cyclist but she proudly told me that cycling is the #2 sport in her country, so of course she knows a lot about it. And then Uli, my husband, and I walked off the plane and the whole jet bridge was covered in cyclists! Movistar ads featuring their pro cycling team on bikes. We looked at each other in disbelief. It was incredible to see the attitude of Colombians towards the bike. Even in Italy there aren’t ads like this. As we spent the next few days meeting people, riding the racecourse and taking in some touristic sights, it became very obvious that Colombians are very warm and genuine people, and they are very passionate about cycling. We booked a room in one of GFNY Colombia’s official host hotels, City Flats in Bogota, and through the hotel we also

booked our airport transfers, a car to drive us to the course for some pre-race riding and the same car to take us to the start in La Calera (30 minute drive) and also drive us back to Bogota after the finish on race day. It was apparently not unusual that car service vehicles have car roof bike racks or that drivers drive behind their cyclists carrying any extra mechanical equipment, spare clothes, water or food. The hotel also offered us the service of a mechanic to come to the hotel to clean and prep our bikes before and after the race and a sports massage therapist. EXPO The pre-race expo is open Friday and Saturday. We arrived on Saturday morning and packet pickup was a breeze. The expo was located in a huge tent inside a beautiful, spacious, clean park, el Parque Museo de El Chicó. Being a mother of two little boys, I would be remiss not to mention the fantastic playground equipment in that park. Uli and I walked through the expo and checked out the various products for sale and booths of race sponsors. As we chatted with a few riders we knew, more riders were coming to packet pickup and

the excitement and energy kept building. We took a few pictures with the huge GFNY letters as we walked out and left the expo on a high note, feeling super pumped for race day. Then the driver took us to La Calera for a pre-race ride. Of course just moments after the start it began raining. But it was a brief rain that didn’t have much chill, and even though I was soaked, I didn’t need more than my base layer, jersey and arm warmers. I was glad to have my cycling cap to shield my eyes from the rain and cover socks to give an extra layer of warmth for my feet. I saw many other cyclists take on the same elements. It seems like in Bogota it’s difficult to plan a ride without rain, if you want to ride, just go out and ride and be ready for rain. RACE DAY The forecast for CRM GFNY Colombia is for 100% chance of greatness. The race offers the challenging mix of high altitude, strong rain showers and fierce competition. The infamous La Cuchilla climb with its 11,040 feet (3,365m) of elevation is at the core of what makes GFNY Colombia the highest mass

participation cycling event in the world, together with GFNY Mexico City. GFNY Colombia offers two distance options: a long route of 138km / 86miles with 2439m / 8001ft of climbing and a medium route of 98km / 59miles with 1471m / 4826ft of climbing. Both courses are fully closed to traffic. The town of La Calera, situated just 30 min from Bogota, is the host of the start and finish of the race. With its proximity to Bogota, La Calera is not only the weekend getaway for city people, but also the main destination for hundreds of cyclists on a daily basis. And La Calera rolled out the red carpet for the 2nd annual CRM GFNY Colombia. The start corrals were on one of the main roads in the town, drawing lots of spectators to watch and cheer as the peloton departed. The mayor of La Calera even joined GFNY for the first couple kilometers on her mountain bike. As soon as I started cycling, I remembered again I was at altitude and started huffing and puffing while others around me just breezed by, seemingly without

any effort. My lack of oxygen and heavy breathing was so extreme, I had to dial down the effort and find a sustainable pace. The race’s key section is the infamous “La Cuchilla” climb. Neither its 11km length nor its altitude gain of 700m make it stand out among revered climbs. The maximum gradient of 13% is stingy but manageable. What makes La Cuchilla so hard is its absolute altitude. The climb starts at the altitude where famous Col du Galibier tops out: 2,600m. When all is said and done, the crest of La Cuchilla towers a whopping 600m above feared Passo dello Stelvio, at the literally breathtaking height of 3,365m. It wasn’t long before it started raining, but we were more than ready to be wet. And because the race takes place at the equator, even though we’re 2700m-3000m high, it doesn’t really get freezing cold. The highest point of the race is at the top of La Cuchilla de Guasca at 3365m (11,040ft) and I was warm enough descending in heavy fog and rain with a rain jacket. After the descent from La

GFNY COLOMBIA gfnycolombia.com Bogota April 2017 COURSE Long: 138km / 86miles ; 2439m / 8001ft of climbing Medium: 98km / 59miles ; 1471m / 4826ft of climbing WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT ■ An undulating course with one big climb at high altitude ■ Experiencing all kinds of weather WHAT MAKES THIS RACE SPECIAL? Racing through unique towns and villages and beautiful nature of the Bogotá savannah, a high plateau in the Andes Mountains WHAT’S THE HOST TOWN LIKE? Vibrant Latin American metropolis COURSE TRAFFIC CONTROL Completely closed to traffic WHAT YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE Bogota WHAT WE LIKE Colombians are very passionate about cycling, both the cyclists and the spectators

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Cuchilla, the race course heads through a few small villages, along a lake on slightly undulating terrain and does a U-turn in the charming town of Sesquilé. The locals were out in full force cheering for us. The town looks very cool, and to have so many people out to cheer us was a memory I won’t ever forget. Here was the only aid station that I stopped at and it had a full assortment of various snacks, foods and fruits and drinks on offer. I loved how many women took part in CRM GFNY Colombia. These ladies are fierce! There was nothing easy about the course or the weather conditions, but I saw a lot of women who welcomed the challenge and conquered it in style.

We returned back to La Calera, to the finish line, using the same road that we took on the way out. As La Calera neared, I was worried about that climb to the finish because I wasn’t sure how much toll the previous hills took and how I’d feel at the end in altitude. The hilltop finish came into view and three riders just ahead of me sprinted and left me in the dust. After crossing the timing finish, there is a short descent. We were routed by course marshals through a series of turns into the heart of La Calera: the town center. As we neared, the music and cheering grew louder. After crossing the celebratory finish line, we received a finisher medal and were planted squarely in the very

center of all the action happening at the town square. Over a dozen local vendors of foods, textiles, souvenirs and arts and crafts were selling their goods and we were treated to cultural GFNY WORLD SERIES LOGO GREEN BACKGROUND USE performances like dancing and drums on the main stage. Plus so many riders from so many different countries and Colombian cities, all sharing their postrace war stories or catching up with old friends. Finishing such a challenge gave the riders a huge sense of accomplishment and that fantastic festive mood carried on throughout the afternoon. “WOW,” I said to Uli, “that race was incredible. This post-race party is incredible. We’re coming back next year!” Lidia Fluhme

GFNY URUGUAY HITTING A REAR DERAILLEUR with your front wheel makes a nasty sound. It’s been many years since I’ve had to suffer through such an occurrence but it’s a sound that’s impossible to forget. Ten miles into the inaugural GFNY Uruguay, it happens to me again. I desperately try to stay upright while leaning into the rider ahead for what seems to be an eternity while it’s probably only a couple of seconds. I use all of my 25 years of racing skills to stay upright. We’re going at upwards of 50km/h, supported by a strong tailwind. Crashing is always bad but doing so at such a speed and surrounded by other riders is even worse. PUNTA DEL ESTE To most people outside South America, Uruguay is somewhat of an unknown. Some might even have trouble finding it on a map. Argentinians and Brazilians, however, think of Punta del Este when they hear Uruguay. “Punta” is one of South America’s most glamorous resort getaways. Its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, luxury hotels and glitzy restaurants attract many visitors, especially between Christmas and Carnival, for a summer vacation. Best time to visit Punta is towards the end of the southern hemisphere summer - think March - when life gets more quiet while the weather is at its best with daytime temperatures in the 80s F (upper 20s C). And while Uruguay may seem an unlikely place for cycling, the sport’s popularity has grown tremendously in recent years. It’s also noteworthy that the 10-day Vuelta Uruguay elite race is in its 73rd year already, which shows Spain’s and Italy’s cultural influence. Punta can be easily reached by flying either to the city’s own airport – via connections to hubs such as Buenos Aires or Sao Paolo – or to Uruguay’s capital, Mon-

tevideo, which is only a 90-minute drive away from downtown Punta. THE COURSE GFNY Uruguay offers a long and a medium distance. The latter is a noncompetitive ride of 80km with 900m of climbing. It’s ideal if you don’t feel ready to tackle the 180km long course with 2000m of climbing. While Uruguay does not have any mountains worth talking about, the long course is all but flat or easy. Wind is always present and of course mostly comes in the cross- or headwind variety. Add to that a relentless up and down during the core miles of the course and you have a proper challenge. It’s arguably harder than GFNY in New York. BACK TO THE RACE A solid combination of skills and good old luck kept me upright. I took the brunt of the shouts of riders around me who are rightfully angry with me. Riding on the left side of the road, I glanced back to the left to see what’s left of the peloton after the frantic pace of the previous couple of miles. Doing so, I swerved a bit to the left

where, at the same moment, a rider was passing me. That’s exactly why you should put your hand on a fellow rider’s shoulder in order to keep going straight when turning around. My front wheel got quite a bit wobbly from the impact, which is not what you want when you have 160km of racing to go. That said, after I opened the brake a bit, the wheel was running through the brake. “Don’t be a sissy and deal with it,” I told myself. The incident occurred just after we had rounded the Peninsula of Punta. We continued on the coastal road with a massive tailwind that spurred the enthusiasm of many to attack. One strong rider actually managed to escape. We heard this guy was able to extend his lead to a whopping six minutes by 70km. Once we hit the coastal village of Manantiales, the course turns inland and starts to get hilly. Initially, the wind coming from the sea pushed us onwards. While the gap to the lead rider ever increased, everyone started to gear up for the main hills that were starting at 70km. The tiny village of Eden – “Population:

84” according to the road sign – is where the race got real. I don’t have a “punch” like other guys but am more of what the Italians call a passista, someone good at riding a steady pace, so I took the lead into the first of a series of short climbs. But soon enough all hell broke loose and the peloton splintered. We were going all out. Ahead, a group of five forms and I fight to stay in touch with six riders just behind that. I dug deep and closed the gap. We were working together over the next rollers to rejoin the lead group. After we left Eden, a place that is paradise to anyone who seeks a truly tranquil place to live, we crawled back to the leaders. With more nasty climbs coming up, I knew it would be short-lived. When we reach the base of the steepest hill of the race, I dropped out of the group and paced myself over the crest, recovering on the descent. I regrouped with six others but the distance to the five leaders was growing and I knew the race for the win was slowly drifting out of our sight. With 80km still to go, working together was key to keeping the remaining riders at a distance. We reached the highest point of the area that is visible from afar due to its tall antenna. A great crowd of locals came out to cheers us on as if we’d be racing up Alpe d’Huez

during the Tour. When we hit a torrential downpour shortly thereafter, we lost the two younger guys of the group. I can’t help but think that a race like GFNY Uruguay needs resilience that more mature riders are more likely to have. We were close to four hours into the race, the nasty crosswind was howling and the rain flooded the bumpy country road. The rain kept the temperatures in check but it never got so cold that I would have needed the vest that I carried with me. Just before we reach the highway, with 25km to go, the course crosses the small town of Pan de Azucar. After spending several hours on the vast and wind-swept countryside, we felt like warriors coming home from battle. People were lining the roads and kids were screaming excitedly. Police cars, motos and cars of the organization were ever-present around us throughout the whole course to ensure a safe and supported ride. Yes, Be a Pro for a Day! On the highway, we finally had a wellearned tailwind. The four of us rotated quickly, rarely leaving the 53/12, while one rider just sat in the back claiming to be too spent to work. With three kilometers to go, the course turns off the highway and back to where we started, at the beautiful Laguna del Sauce. Uli Fluhme

GFNY URUGUAY gfnyuruguay.com Punta del Este March 5, 2017 COURSE Long: 182km / 112miles ; 2000m / 6562ft of climbing Medium: 87km / 54miles; 885m / 2904ft of climbing WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT ■ The wind will dictate your pace ■ Long race with short climbs WHAT MAKES THIS RACE SPECIAL? Racing in one of the most sought after locations of South America WHAT’S THE HOST TOWN LIKE? “Punta” is often referred to as the Saint Tropez of South America COURSE TRAFFIC CONTROL Police-moderated traffic, rural roads with very few cars WHAT YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE ■ Beaches ■ Restaurants WHAT WE LIKE Varied scenery: city, beach, lake and ranches

GFNY ARGENTINA THE ROAD CONTINUES TO SLIGHTLY rise at 2-3%. I’m sitting third wheel behind two massive guys. We’re all the way to the left of the road, which is a bummer because the wind is gusting from the right. I do my best to get as much draft as possible, riding rarely more than an inch away from the dirt. Behind me sits a string of about 20 guys doing the same. I’m pushing 53/14. A couple of times the straight road takes a small dip which means I’m spinning out my 53/12. About a minute ahead, we can see the lead group of 30 in the distance. The chase seems futile: we’re barely 30k into the 155k GFNY Argentina and only have these two horses of men trying to get back to front while the rest of us are hanging on for dear life. The inaugural GFNY Argentina took place on December 6, 2015 in the San Luis region, an area well known for bike racing excellence. The Tour de San Luis professional races for men and women are the biggest of their kind in South America. Each January, European pro teams flock to the Southern hemisphere summer, to compete and get their bodies ready for the spring classics. The topography is mostly undulating with a few spectacular climbs sprinkled in. Best known is the Mirador del Potrero climb that is 5.7km long and peaks out at 1.270m. It sits just outside San Luis and provides spectacular views that reach almost as far as the Andes Cordillera. GFNY Argentina finishes on top of the Mirador as does a stage of the pro race each year. Beginning of December means beginning of summer in the Southern hemisphere where days are long and San Luis temperatures reach 25-28C. The start of GFNY Argentina is held in Potrero de los Funes, a small vacation town 10km from San Luis, situated at a picturesque lake and surrounded by hills and mountains. A racecar track surrounds

the lake. Throughout the year, it’s used as regular road, which makes for fun cycling. While the finish is on top of Mirador del Potrero, the post race meal is back in Potrero de los Funes, just a curvy and fun 5k descent away. This year’s race started fast from the gun. The local Continental team Somos Todos San Luis laid down the hammer and made sure that the cream is immediately separated from the crop. The first ten twisty kilometers through the town of El Volcan are an all-out affair and I’m soon victim of the pace: relegated to the crop. Just as we reach the straight road to the lake El Trapiche, I’m waving goodbye to the lead group. Around me, others are still desperately trying to close the gap. I settle into a manageable pace and wait for the gruppetto to form. About 5k later, the two men-horses are coming from behind, dragging along a string of riders. The seemingly futile attempt to catch the front again turned into a triumphant success just before we hit El Trapiche lake. As we reach the front, I tap the main horse on the shoulders and say “Animal. Incredible.” I turn around and spot Luciano Burti, former Formula 1 racer turned GFNY racer. We laugh and shake our heads, knowing well that we’re operating on borrowed time here. In the first hour we cover 44.2k on a net uphill and there are no signs of slowing down from there. I know that there are two hills along the lake and make sure I hit both of them at the front of the peloton. It provides me a buffer when I get handed through to the back. At the first hill, I just about

make it across the crest at the tail end of the furiously racing group. The second time round, a gap opens up with a few meters to the top. I duck down and try to sail back to the field on the descent, making it one last time. Back on the main road towards San Luis, the Continental team Somos Todos are at the front and using the next incline to get rid of the clutter: me. The team strings out the race in a single file and I’m redlining yet again. A few guys behind me start popping off. I can see the crest but that only means that the pace picks up even further because the riders at the front are already in the descent. I let go. The field slowly pulls away. The neutral service rolls by me, telling me that the race is “up there”. Oh really? I turn around and wait for the guys who have been dropped just before me. There is Burti and a couple other familiar faces from the original gruppetto. We get into a decent rhythm and rotate in a Belgian circle. 90k into the race, the third group rolls up to us. We join forces into the strong headwind to the turnaround at 120k. It’s a seemingly endless stretch, mostly uphill but stunningly beautiful. The two-lane

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highway is all ours. When we see the lead group come back the other way, we know it’s not much longer until we get to enjoy the tailwind. I use the tailwind on an uphill section to get rid of a few riders that have been getting a free ride by playing tired or pointing furiously on their legs and uttering something that sounds like “cramps”. From kilometer 143, the race is a 12k climb to the finish. The first 6k are only 2-4% steep but with cross winds. It starts getting tactical in our group. No one wants to lead. It turns into a “race within the race” that makes participating at a GFNY so much fun. We all know that the real race is ten minutes up the road. It doesn’t stop us, however, from the desire to be the best in our 15-man group. We’ve spent the last two plus hours side by side, analyzing each other’s strengths, sharing our decreasing water reserves and – most of us – working together to get to the finish faster than the next groups. I keep riding at or close to the front. At some point the pace gets so slow that I decide to go all the way to the end of the group, put in the big ring and “attack” the gruppetto 1k before the begin of the actual climb up Mirador the Potrero. There is nothing glorious about fighting for 30th place. And yet, we all can’t help it and go at it. A short guy, looking like a climber, im-

mediately follows me as if he was waiting the whole time for this moment. A sizeable gap opens up and we begin the climb together. He pulls ahead of me while I try to find a sustainable pace. My legs started cramping a little earlier so I knew I would have to be careful. I don’t have a computer or even power meter but ride purely by feel. I vouch to not use the 39/25 and try to ride as much as possible in 39/21. I keep the climber in sight but knew he would remain ahead of me unless he completely falls apart. 1k into the climb, I turn around and see the first three followers two bends below me. I guesstimate 40ish seconds. Shouldn’t be a problem if I keep this rhythm. I’ve done over 100 granfondos but few had a finish line as spectacular as GFNY Argentina. Although only 1270m high, the hill overlooks hundreds of kilometers of plains before the earth rises again in the distance towards the Andes. Finishing there, I felt like it didn’t matter whether I was 31st or 331st. Riding and racing outside the traditional cycling stomping grounds in Europe at races such as GFNY Colombia or Argentina, provided me incredible experiences. There is nothing like having a common ground in a tough and beautiful sport like cycling and live and experience it together with riders of a very different cultural background. Uli Fluhme

GFNY ARGENTINA

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gfnyargentina.com San Luis October 30, 2016 GFNY WORLD SERIES LOGO GREEN BACKGROUND USE

COURSE Long: 158km / 99mile ; 1,852m / 6,076ft of climbing Medium: 100km / 60mile ; 1,284m / 4,212ft of climbing WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT Southern hemisphere early-season race through Argentinean countryside with a hilltop finish WHAT MAKES THIS RACE SPECIAL? ■ Cycling in Argentina’s cycling hotbed ■ Police support equal to that of the Tour de San Luis pro race ■ Starting on a car race track in the heart of Potrero de los Funes WHAT’S THE HOST TOWN LIKE? Vacation town famous for its beautiful nature at the foot of the Sierra de las Quijadas COURSE TRAFFIC CONTROL Completely closed to traffic WHAT YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE ■ Relaxing getaway ■ Local wines and beef WHAT WE LIKE ■ A scenic, undulating course ■ Professional men’s and women’s teams racing GFNY Argentina and using the race to prepare for the Tour de San Luis and Tour Feminino de San Luis

THE IDEAL GEAR Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York is a one-day race that not only has a challenging course but also can present challenging weather conditions. Temperatures can range from 40F/5C at sunrise on the George Washington Bridge to 85F/30C in the afternoon at the finish. While four of five editions of GFNY were held in beautiful weather, the 2013 edition will long be remembered as extra tough due to unseasonably cold temperatures and relentless rain. We’ve created this guide to help you prepare for the big day. Proper clothing is a deciding factor when it comes to your race day experience and safety. Smart apparel choices will make the day unforgettable for the right reasons. Our event motto BE A PRO FOR A DAY includes all of the GFNY gear: we are not taking shortcuts when it comes to materials and fit. You will be wearing the same quality apparel as a professional cyclist.

RIDING TO THE START AT 4.30AM Most riders ride to the start when its still dark- and cold. There are three items that will help you stay warm without adding too much bulk when you take them off later. Plus, one essential item to keep you comfortable later in the day. GFNY Headgear: This simple piece of fabric provides variety of uses from hat, to headband, to facemask or scarf. If it’s particularly cold, wear one on your head under the helmet and the other as a facemask. GFNY Spring Gloves: These are ideal gloves because they are not as thick as winter gloves but are warmer than half-finger gloves. Grippy material on the inside prevents slipping off the bar and three fingers on each hand are touch pad enabled so you can continue using your smartphone. GFNY Cover Socks: Born out of the harsh climate of spring racing in Belgium, these feet protectors are comfortable without dragging down your feet with weight. The polyester material fits snugly around the shoes to prevent flapping or bulk. Clear bag for Bag Check: Don’t forget to pack the clear plastic bag that you received at packet pick up. You will be able to check the bag just before the entrance to the George Washington Bridge. Because the finish area offers shower facilities, bring spare clothes, including your GFNY t-shirt, a small towel, casual shoes and a small soap with you in the morning to be clean and comfortable in the afternoon.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE – THE WAIT A wind jacket or at least a vest should be part of your race equipment, no matter the forecast. The GFNY vest and jacket are Made by Biemme in Italy. Both are wind protecting and water repelling, which can make the difference between miserable and comfortable. While rain will never be an issue during the wait on the lower deck of the George Washington Bridge, the wind will always be. Keep in mind that you are waiting over one hour in a wild funnel at 200 feet above the Hudson River. The air is still cold without the sun’s heat and the chilly wind is constantly blowing.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE – THE START Stash away your GFNY vest or jacket before the start if it’s sunny. Riding in the protected peloton at high intensity will get you warm within minutes. If it’s raining, keep it on.

ALPINE HILL If you’re still wearing a protective layer, open it up before tackling Alpine Hill, the first climb of the day. Ideally if it is not raining, you are now wearing only a base layer and the GFNY race jersey, which is made by Biemme in Italy. Its lightweight and fully breathable

BEAR MOUNTAIN When climbing, you are riding at a slower speed and the wind doesn’t feel as cold. Get rid of any extra layers that you’re still wearing, including jacket, vest, hat, buff, arm warmers or warm gloves. We added the two trash pockets on the sides so you don’t end up with a sticky wrapper making a mess of the other items in your pockets. Unless it’s a truly warm day, put on your vest or jacket for the descent. Your body will be warm after the climb but the wind chill from descending and the lack of physical effort can cool you down and make you uncomfortable in under a minute.

CHEESECOTE The race has been going on for 60 miles/100k but you are still comfortable if you chose a good bib short such as the GFNY bib shorts by Biemme. The bibs feature a ceramic fabric for improved stability in the saddle and a revolutionary, patent-pending Garun 2 padding. The padding consists of two individual layers: a flat, seamless outer layer and an anatomical inner layer that follows the shape of the body to provide long-lasting comfort while wicking away humidity.

9W fabric ensures that you stay comfortable when sweating. The best temperature regulator is the zipper. We opted again for the full zipper because it provides the greatest versatility and makes putting on and taking off the jersey much easier. The cool morning air most likely calls for arm warmers. The GFNY arm warmers not only match the jersey perfectly but are also made of the warmer Roubaix fabric for that little bit of extra protection. Roll them down when you get too warm.

By the time you are back on (in-)famous Route 9W, temperatures can exceed 80F. Lower the zipper on your jersey to let air cool your core. But make sure it’s closed for a great finish picture.

45F/8C

50F/12C

65F/18C

85F/30C

NEW YORK CITY, USA

40F/5C

HOW WE CHOSE YOUR GFNY JERSEY HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF we here at GFNY HQ would ride in higher quality jerseys than those that we give to you to race in at GFNY? We could try to justify it by saying “for you it’s just for a few hours” or we can sell a higher-end jersey separately. After all, it really isn’t a big deal to do one race in a less-than-ideal jersey. We have done plenty granfondos that had the mandatory race jersey rule but didn’t offer a high quality jersey for one reason or another. Some jerseys were made of material that didn’t breathe and felt like a wet sponge after a few hours. Other jerseys had short zippers that didn’t ventilate on hot summer days. Or jerseys with tiny pockets that don’t hold the essentials for a 200k race in the Alps. Or jerseys with an ill-fitting

cut that makes the jersey flap in the wind. The perfect jersey gets three key components right: fabrics, cut and design. As the organizers of GFNY, we get to see pretty much every kind of jersey that is available. This provides us a unique insight into what’s possible in cycling apparel today.

FABRIC It’s incredible to see how fabrics have evolved over the past 25 years. They’ve become more breathable, lighter, and softer than ever. From our experience, Italian producers still have a leg up in terms of the latest high-end fabrics. But the gap is narrowing: Far Eastern products are not necessarily low quality. The spread from bad to good is still big, but there are plenty jerseys from the Far East that are on par with products from Europe. The fabric trend nowadays is going towards more specificity: a short sleeve jersey is no longer just a short sleeve jersey. Whether it’s rain or heat, there’s a jersey for it. But the lighter the fabric, the less durable the jersey. At GFNY, we choose a practical mid-weight fabric from Biemme that is the best mix of breathability and durability. The 2016 GFNY jersey is made of the latest Coolmax fabric, which is a step up from the previous version because it is very soft to the skin. It also has a full zipper for maximum ventilation even on the hottest summer days. For the fourth year, the jersey continues to feature the two extra side pockets for trash and those extra long days in the saddle. We’ve tested the trendy longer sleeves since last year and liked them so much that they are also part of the GFNY 2016 jersey. We’ve been wearing the jersey since last August and really like it.

CUT An ill-fitting cut can make an otherwise good jersey useless. And that’s where Italian manufacturers still lead the game. It’s not that cuts are hard to copy, but equipping the masses for their casual bike rides is a different task than decking out serious road cyclists like you for the long, hard days in the saddle. Italians understand this better than anyone. We have always trusted Italian companies to deliver the quality to you that we expect to have for ourselves. The GFNY race jerseys are commonly referred to as “Euro cut” in the US or “race cut” in Europe and other parts of the world. Some people suggest that the wider “American” or “drop” cut would be better for GFNY so that the riders that need bigger sizes feel more comfortable. However, this would completely disregard the variety of riders we have at GFNY (from over 90 countries now) and disrespect those of you who train hard. Besides a body type difference, some people prefer to wear a cycling jersey as if it were a t-shirt with flapping fabric and soggy pockets. But for us it’s important that a cycling jersey is form fitting enough that when cycling out of the saddle, the contents of the pockets don’t slide from side to side. To accommodate the most body types while still keeping our race cut jersey, we found a great solution. Since GFNY 2013, we’ve used stretch panels at the sides of our race jerseys. These panels stretch to fit any curve, whether a man’s or woman’s, and provide a better fit for the most people possible in our peloton of 5,000 riders. And now that all GFNY World events use the same jersey, we’re looking at already 50,000 riders being fitted with that jersey. We offer sizes 2XS to 5XL and the stretch panels catch those in-between fits and provide room for a rider’s weight fluctuations throughout the year.

DESIGN

THE FINAL PRODUCT

Some cycling kits are designed on paper and only look as intended while standing. However, cycling kit design is very unique because of the rider’s position on the bike. Only the upper part of the front of the jersey is visible and shoulders and side panels really stand out. We want you to look good not just when refilling your bottle midride, but also while you’re sitting on your bike. Since 2014, we trust Alex Ostroy of Poseur Sport with our kit design. He’s the most talented kit designer in the US and easily among the best in the world.

Biemme produces the GFNY jersey during the fall and winter. It takes a long time to print, cut and sew 5,000 jerseys plus the related bib shorts, vests, arm warmers, gloves, wind jackets, socks and cycling caps. But by February, the jerseys travel together with Elite bottles and Campagnolo items from Veneto to the port of La Spezia, and from there as ocean freight to NYC. When you go to pick up your race pack at NYC Bike Expo, the mandatory GFNY 2016 jersey will be waiting for you. That GFNY jersey will not only be the perfect item for race day, but also your goto item for the rest of the season’s training and races – and beyond. We travel around the globe for GFNY. Nothing is more exciting for us than a GFNY jersey sighting. Whether it’s in Buenos Aires, the French Alps or Australia, the GFNY jersey stands whatever test you choose it to stand up to.

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE FRIDAY MAY 13 11AM-7PM

NYC Bike Expo & Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York mandatory race packet pickup @ 69th Regiment Armory 68 Lexington Avenue between 25th St/26th St

SATURDAY MAY 14 11AM-6PM

NYC Bike Expo & Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York mandatory race packet pickup @ 69th Regiment Armory 68 Lexington Avenue between 25th St/26th St

SUNDAY MAY 15 5AM Opening of start area on lower level of George Washington Bridge (civil twilight 5:02am, sunrise 5:34am) 6:15AM

Closing of start area on lower level of George Washington Bridge

7AM

Start of Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York and GFNY BEAR

11AM

Start of festivities at the GFNY Finish Village in PIP Park, Fort Lee, NJ

11AM-2PM

GFNY BEAR 50 riders arrive in Fort Lee from Bear Mountain

3PM

Awards Ceremony at the GFNY Finish Village in PIP Park, Fort Lee, NJ

5PM

Course closes

7PM

End of festivities

PACKET PICKUP & NYC BIKE EXPO IMPORTANT! NYC Bike Expo hours are: May 13 @11am-7pm and May 14 @11am-6pm. Each participant must come in person to pick up his/her race packet. You must come to the expo either Friday or Saturday ONLY. You must be at the expo before 5:30pm on Saturday, May 14 in order to be able to pick up your race packet and take part in the race. If you do not come to the expo during expo hours, you forfeit your registration and ability to take part in the event.

NYC Bike Expo is the location for race number, timing chip, wristband, jersey and goodie bag pickup. Every participant must come in person to pick up his/her race packet in order to be able to participate in the race. There is no registration or packet pickup on race day Sunday. LOCATION 69th Regiment Armory 68 Lexington Ave between 25th/26th Streets HOURS Friday 5/13 @11am-7pm Saturday 5/14 @11am-6pm SUBWAY 6, N, R to 23rd Street PARKING Champion Parking, 111 E 24th Street, 212-529-2400 Charles Parking, 200 E 26th Street, 212-684-9704 Parking locations, availability and prices can be found on parkwhiz.com/69th-regiment-armory-parking In order to check-in for the race, please bring a government-issued photo ID (driver license or passport). There is no need to print your registration confirmation. Race packets are organized by your race number. At the entrance of the expo, check the board for your assigned race number. There will be tables with waivers. Please review the waiver, fill in your personal information on both the front and back and sign both pages in order to pick up your race packet. Bring your ID and signed waiver to the stand with your number in order to receive your race packet.

THE RACE PACKET INCLUDES: ■ Wristband, which will be attached to your wrist at packet pickup and must be kept on your wrist until the end of the race ■ Bike number plate with timing chip that you must attach to the front of your bike with the two provided zip ties ■ Bib number to attach to your jersey’s back pockets plus 4 safety pins ■ Bike number sticker ■ Bag check sticker ■ Course map ■ Profile sticker that you can attach to your bike’s top tube to keep track of your progress ■ Rider sticker ■ Standard-size clear bag that you can check-in on race morning. You will get it back at the finish. After you receive your packet, double check that all your personal information is correct. If you have any information changes like updating emergency contact info or changing your team name, please go to the DATA CHANGE / REGISTRATION stand. Keep your race packet handy, next you will go to pick up your race jersey. The jersey is mandatory attire for the race. You will receive the jersey size that’s marked on your envelope, which is the size you selected during registration. After that, you will receive your goodie bag and race poster. From there, you will be walking through the pre-race expo, New York City Bike Expo, where you’ll be able to check out GFNY World races and various products and services on offer. There is also the GFNY lounge, where you can grab a cup of Coperaco Coffee or wine from T Edward Wines.

HOW DO THE JERSEYS FIT? The GFNY jerseys by Biemme are standard European/ race cut, and therefore more fitted in the torso than typical American size. We suggest ordering 1 size larger if someone usually wears American-cut jersey. CAN I TRY ON THE RACE JERSEY? Yes, you will be able to try on your jersey for size at the fitting rooms. The jersey pickup booth is only for picking up the jerseys. Please don’t try on jerseys or ask to swap jerseys at the jersey pickup booth. WHAT IF THE JERSEY SIZE I SELECTED DOESN’T FIT ME? CAN I EXCHANGE MY JERSEY? We have a limited quantity of jerseys available for exchange. If you find the jersey you ordered is the wrong size, go to the JERSEY SIZE EXCHANGE stand and request the size you’re looking for. We may not have the exact size you need to swap to, but we’ll do our best to get a jersey size as close to your exchange size as possible.

I DON’T LIKE TO WAIT. WHAT IS A GOOD TIME TO COME TO THE EXPO, WITH THE SHORTEST WAIT? The expo is the busiest on both days 11am-1pm. The expo is less busy after 1pm on both days. MY SCHEDULE CHANGED AND I CAN’T COME TO NYC. CAN MY FRIEND PICK UP MY GOODIE BAG FOR ME? Yes. Send an email to your friend, authorizing them to pick up your goodie bag, along with a copy of your photo ID. Then at the expo your friend can show the email and a copy of your ID at the check-in booth to pick up your goodie bag and jersey for you. I’M FLYING IN ON SATURDAY NIGHT. CAN MY FRIEND PICK UP MY RACE PACKET FOR ME? No. For security reasons, every participant has to be present at packet pickup on Friday or Saturday. If you cannot make it to the expo to pick up your race packet, you will forfeit taking part in the event. We recommend changing your flight to arrive in NYC to make it to the expo in time.

THE WAIVER ASKS FOR MY RACE NUMBER. HOW CAN I FIND OUT MY RACE NUMBER BEFORE THE EXPO? You will find out your race number at the expo. DO I HAVE TO WEAR THE WRISTBAND? Yes, wearing the wristband is mandatory. It will be attached to your wrist when you come to pick up your race packet at the expo and you must keep it on until you leave the Finish Village at the end of the event. CAN I BUY THE MATCHING BIB SHORTS AND OTHER GFNY APPAREL AT THE EXPO? Yes, we have GFNY apparel and accessories available for purchase at the pre-race expo. The quantities are limited and sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you are worried about item availability, we recommend purchasing online in our online shop or coming to the expo early on Friday to have the greatest selection and size availability.

NEW YORK CITY, USA

BE A PRO FOR A DAY

TIMESHEET

CLIMB PROFILES eter 100 M

300 ft

ter 75 Me

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ter 50 Me

100 ft

ter 25 Me

s s s

MILES

1 1.6

1/2

400 ft

ETERS

KILOM

ALPINE

1 .5

Length: 1.6k~1mi Elevation: 120m~390ft Avg Grade: 7.4% Max Grade: 9%

1200 ft 1000 ft 800 ft 600 ft 400 ft 200 ft

eters 400 M eters 350 M eters 250 M eters 200 M eters 150 M eters 100 M

ES 4 MIL

3 2

1 Length: 6k~4mi Elevation: 1000ft/300m Avg Grade: 5.1% Max Grade: 10%

BEAR

ETERS

M 6 KILO

N I A T N MOU 4

eters 125 M eters 100 M ters 75 Me ters 50 Me

500 ft 400 ft 300 ft 200 ft 100 ft

2 1

MILES ETERS

KILOM

A E R D AN O L L E R PINA 2

1 Length: 3.3k~2mi Elevation: 160m~525ft Avg Grade: 4.9% Max Grade: 12%

300 ft

ters

200 ft

ter 50 Me

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s s

MILES

1 .5

75Me

E E T T O O C C E E CHHEEEESS C RS

ETE KILOM

1.7

Length: 1.7k~1mi Elevation: 80m~262ft Avg Grade: 4.6% Max Grade: 18%

400 ft

eter 100 M

300 ft

ter 75 Me

200 ft

ter 50 Me

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ter 25 Me

s s s

MILES RS

OMETE 1.7 KIL

1/2

L L I H N A M K DYC 1

Length: 1.7k~1mi Elevation: 100m~328ft Avg Grade: 6% Max Grade: 10%

RULES 6TH ANNUAL CAMPAGNOLO GRAN FONDO NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL ON MAY 15, 2016 GFNY CHAMPIONSHIP 1. Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York (“GFNY”) is a bike ride where riders are individually timed. 2. Entry 2.1. The entry to GFNY is open to riders aged 18 or older. Registration is done online at www.gfny.com. Online entry closes at 6,000 riders or on May 9, whichever comes first. After that, any available entries will be sold at NYC Bike Expo on May 13 and 14. GFNY has the sole discretion over entry numbers and cut off dates. 2.2. Riders who are serving a ban by a federation for a doping violation will be refused. Riders who have served their ban are allowed to ride in the event but will not be timed and not be in the results. 2.3. Each rider has to ensure that his/her health condition is sufficient for the event. 2.4. Each rider is responsible for having sufficient insurance coverage. GFNY may offer additional insurance at its sole discretion. 2.5. Entries are not refundable, transferrable or deferrable. No rider shall be entitled to an entry fee refund in case of disqualification. 2.6. GFNY reserves the right, in its sole and complete discretion, to deny entry, to revoke the entry application of any applicant at any time, and/or to disqualify any individual from the Event. 3. Equipment 3.1. Bike: any technically serviceable roadworthy bicycle is permitted. The following are not permitted for safety reasons: tandems, prone bicycles, recumbent bikes and bicycles with chair seating (except for challenged athletes), penny farthings or mono cycles. Unsafe bikes can be banned at any time during the event. 3.2. Triathlon/Aero handlebars are permitted IF the rider keeps both hands at the brake levers while riding within 10 meters of another rider. A violation can lead to immediate disqualification. Riders

using triathlon bikes and/or aerobars will be staged in the last corral. 3.3. Helmets must be worn by all riders at all times and have to be securely fastened with a chinstrap at all times while riding. 3.4. Jersey: the official event jersey of the respective year must be worn at all times. No exceptions. Wearing a different jersey will lead to disqualification. 3.5. Bike number: the number plate with the chip timing straps on the back must be attached to the handlebar and be clearly visible from the front at all times. Any alteration of the number will lead to disqualification or the timing chips may not work properly. 3.6. Jersey number: the jersey number must be worn on the jersey pockets, attached by safety pins. Any wrong positioning or alteration of the number can lead to disqualification. 3.7. Wrist band: the wrist band must be worn at all times during the event. 3.8. Riders have to carry at least one spare tube and a functioning pump or CO2 cartridge. 3.9. The use of headphones will lead to immediate disqualification. 4. Start 4.1. The start is at 7am on George Washington Bridge, lower level, outbound lanes. Entry to the start area is only from the designated ramp on the NYC side of the bridge. Riders without their GFNY jerseys, bike number, jersey number, helmet and wristband at the checkpoint will be refused access to the start area. 4.2. The starting corrals close at 6.15am. If a rider is late, he/she will not be able to cross George Washington Bridge on the road or be eligible for competition. 4.3. Start order: (1) VIP: Returning champions from the previous year (overall, age groups, teams), guests (2) Competitive corrals

(2.1) Top 10% of each age group of GFNY 2015 and all GFNY World events of the 2015/16 season. (2.2) Licensed racers in several corrals according to their ranking. Minimum requirement: active Pro, Cat 1-3 Men, Cat 1-2 Women, Cat 1-2 Masters Men, Cat 1 Masters Women and their international equivalent. GFNY reserves the right to limit the front corral to top 10% finishers at GFNY World events if there are space constraints. Race corral requests may not be honored after March 31, 2016. (3.) General GF riders according to their age group (younger to older) (4.) Challenged athletes with handcycles Riders have to start in their designated corral. Riders are allowed to start in a corral further back than their designated corral. If a rider attempts to get in a corral further ahead than allocated he/she will be disqualified. 5. Competition 5.1. All riders are timed by chip timing from start to finish. Overall rankings are determined by gun time. Age group rankings are determined by net (chip) time. Only riders who complete the full GFNY course are eligible for competition ranking and prizes. GFNY reserves the right, in its sole and complete discretion, to change the rules if deemed appropriate. 5.2. Categories: Category is determined by rider’s age on December 31. 1. overall m/f 2. 18-39 m/f 3. 40-44 m/f 4. 45-49 m/f 5. 50-54 m/f 6. 55-59 m/f 7. 60-64 m/f

8. 65+ f 9. 65-69 m 10. 70-74 m 11. 75+ m 12. under 90 him&her: times of a mixed gender team added. Riders have to be within 30 seconds at each checkpoint. Outside assistance between teammates is permitted and encouraged. No devices to push or drag are allowed. 13. 90 and over him&her: times of a mixed gender team added. Riders have to be within 30 seconds at each checkpoint. Outside assistance between teammates is permitted and encouraged. No devices to push or drag are allowed. 14. Team of four (any gender): times of the fastest four riders of a team added. 15. Vintage: non-competitive category for road racing bikes from 1987 or earlier. Characteristics: steel frame, down tube shifters, brake cables must pass outside and over the handlebars, toe clip pedals, 32+ spoke wheels 20mm deep or less. All Vintage riders must wear the official race jersey and an ANSI/SNELL/CE approved helmet. A jury at the finish will choose the best three vintage bikes and award prizes. 5.3. Prizes will be awarded to the top three in each category. Distribution of the prizes is at the sole discretion of GFNY. Prizes not picked up at the awards will be distributed to other riders. Prizes will not be shipped. 5.4. All protests concerning the order of finish shall be examined and resolved by the chief judge, whose decision is final and without appeal. It is the riderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s responsibility to familiarize himself/ herself with the rules of the event and the course before the start. Taking alternate routes or cutting the course short leads to disqualification from the current competition and to a ban at future GFNY. 6. Abuse 6.1. No rider may be disrespectful toward race directors, officials, staff, riders, volunteers or spectators. 6.2. No rider may use foul or abusive language during GFNY. 6.3. No rider may assault (an unlawful attempt, coupled with the present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another) or do battery (any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another) to anyone connected with GFNY (including but not limited to riders, spectators, public officials, volunteers, staff, etc.). 6.4. Any of the above will lead to disqualification and a lifelong ban for Gran Fondo New York Inc. events (including but not limited to GFNY World events). 7. Conduct 7.1. Cyclists have to obey all laws of the road including traffic lights and stop signs unless overwritten by police. Violators may be ticketed by local law enforcement

and/or disqualified and removed from the event. 7.2. No rider may make an abrupt motion so as to interfere with the forward progress of another rider, either intentionally or by accident. 7.3. Any rider who appears to present a danger to the other riders may be disqualified by GFNY either before, during, or after the event. 7.4. Pushing or pulling or any other physical assistance among riders is prohibited in all categories except the Him&Her categories where pushing or pulling is encouraged. Devices of any sort to pull or push are not allowed. 7.5. No outside assistance is allowed (incl. but not limited to team cars, personal support cars or handing in supplies from roadside). 7.6. If a rider is laying on the ground and is visibly in difficulty, any following rider has to stop and help unless there are already at least three people helping. You may continue if a) the victim is fine or b) medical personnel has arrived. Help others, you may need help one day. 7.7. Any misconduct with respect to the above will lead to disqualification and a lifelong ban at Gran Fondo New York Inc. events (including but not limited to GFNY World events). 8. Environment GFNY is committed to protecting the environment. Any discarding of trash or food outside the designated trash receptacles at the aid stations or â&#x20AC;&#x153;eco zonesâ&#x20AC;? is prohibited and can lead to disqualification and a lifelong ban at Gran Fondo New York. Any urinating in public is prohibited and can lead to disqualification and a lifelong ban at Gran Fondo New York Inc.

events (including but not limited to GFNY World events). 9. Performance Enhancing Drugs 9.1 GFNY is committed to a drug free sport. Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED) are prohibited in preparation for and during GFNY. GFNY reserves the right to enforce doping controls before, during and after the event. 9.2 Any violation of World Anti Doping Association (WADA) rules will lead to disqualification, reclaim of prizes and a lifelong ban at Gran Fondo New York, Inc. events (including but not limited to GFNY World events). GFNY shares positive doping controls with other event organizations as well as the public at large once USADA determined a rule violation. 9.3 If a rider declines to be tested, he/ she will be banned. 9.4 A Rider who tests positive at GFNY will have to reimburse the cost of the doping control. Furthermore, such rider has to reimburse GFNY for any damages to its reputation that are a consequence of his/ her positive doping control. If the rider is part of a team participating at GFNY, the team can be held liable for this damage. GFNY participants are highly encouraged to stay informed about PEDs and PED testing. GFNY recommends the USADA Pocket Guide. 10. Acceptance of Risk All those who ride and compete under these rules do so at their own risk. No liability shall attach to GFNY or any of its officials with respect to any loss or injury sustained or caused by anyone competing or riding in GFNY. 11. Rule Changes Rules can be altered if deemed necessary at sole discretion of GFNY.

CATEGORIES OVERALL WINNER

CHAMPION’S JERSEY

The female and male overall winners celebrate with the official Campagnolo GFNY Winner Trophy. The names of all winners over the years are engraved on it.

Winners of age groups, team, him&her teams and overall receive the Champion’s Jersey.

INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION The age groups are: 18-39 male/female 40-44 m/f 45-49 m/f 50-54 m/f 55-59 m/f 60-64 m/f 65+ f 65-69 m 70-74 m 75+ m

TEAM COMPETITION

HIM&HER CATEGORY

VINTAGE CATEGORY

Individuals can register as members of a team to take part in the GFNY Team Competition. • The four fastest times from a team will be added and ranked to determine the fastest team. • All team member splits are totaled and ranked. • The podium 4-person teams will be awarded prizes. • All members of a Cycling Team are eligible for individual age group prizes.

A female and male rider have to cross all check points and the finish line within thirty seconds of each other.

The Campagnolo GFNY Vintage category welcomes you to experience the GFNY Championship on a classic road racing bike. As a Vintage Category Rider you have to ride a road bike that is from 1987 or earlier.

EVERY FINISHER RECEIVES A CAMPAGNOLO GRAN FONDO NEW YORK FINISHER MEDAL.

Because it’s tough to find two riders of the same ability and fitness, pushing, pulling, dragging, encouraging, shouting and any other means of working together is allowed. The Him+Her team competion consists of two age categories: • sub-90 and • 90+ years old combined. Members of a Him+Her team are not eligible for individual age group prizes because rider assistance among team members in this category is permitted.

Characteristics: • steel frame • down tube shifters • brake cables must pass outside and over the handlebars • toe clip pedals • 32+ spoke wheels 20mm deep or less All Vintage Category riders must wear the official GFNY race jersey and a modern helmet – sorry, no wool jerseys or leather (“hairnet style”) helmets. The Vintage Category will be judged by representatives of Campagnolo. The jury will choose the best three vintage bikes and award prizes. Visit the Campagnolo tent at the end of the race in the GFNY Finish Village in PIP Park, Fort Lee. Judging will take place from 12pm to 5pm or until all Vintage Category riders check in with their bikes. Awards we be handed out at about 5pm. The Vintage Category rewards style and not performance. Participants in the Vintage Category will also be ranked in the competitive categories Individual/Team or Him & Her.

YOUR PRE-RACE CHECKLIST YOUR TO DO LIST FOR THE DAYS BEFORE THE RACE GET A FULL TUNE-UP FOR YOUR BIKE. A complete tune-up is the best way to minimize chances of getting a complicated mechanical during the race. GFNY mechanics have seen broken chains, derailleur problems, broken spokes, and many other difficult mechanical issues during the race. For a mechanical problem that you can’t easily fix yourself, one that involves rolling support to reach you, it may mean a wait of anywhere between 5-30 minutes. It’s an awful feeling to stand on the side of the road while other people are riding by. CHECK YOUR TIRES. If your tires show signs of wear, we recommend putting on new tires for the race. You don’t want to spend all this time training, maybe traveling to NYC, and then get flats on race day because of old tires. ATTACH THE BIKE PLATE TO THE FRONT OF YOUR HANDLEBARS. Be sure that the zip ties are attached the right way and they hold the bike plate in place. Pull your bike plate to ensure it’s securely attached to your bike. PUT YOUR BIB NUMBER ON THE BACK POCKETS OF YOUR 2016 RACE JERSEY. Attach the bib number on your non-dominant side. If you’re right-handed, attach the bib number to your left and center pockets. PACK YOUR RACE NUTRITION. The GFNY start area does not have any food or drink, make sure you bring enough for your way to the start line, for the wait and to get you to at least the first aid station in Piermont at mile 17. If you have any specific dietary / sports nutrition needs, bring them with you.

PLAN YOUR RACE MORNING. We recommend arriving at the start area no later than 5:30am. This will give you enough time to go to the bathroom, check your bag if you want, clear security and get into your start corral. At 6:25am, we close the corrals. If you pass security after that, you will be routed to the last corral. If you’re taking public transport to the start, check how long the trip will take and if you’re staying in a hotel, check where to buy breakfast early on a Sunday. CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST. Make sure you have the right gear to get you through the race. We always carry a mylar blanket in our bike tool bag in case of unexpected inclement weather. PACK YOUR CHECK BAG. Because the GFNY Finish Village offers showers inside Fort Lee High School, take advantage of the option to check a bag on race morning. At race packet pickup, you will be provided a standard-sized clear bag that you will be able to check before getting to the George Washington Bridge. If you’re riding GFNY BEAR, drop your bag at the truck labeled GFNY BEAR. Then your bag will be waiting for you at the GFNY Bear Shuttle Point at Bear Mountain. For the GFNY 100 riders, your bag will be waiting for you in Fort Lee. You can pack things like clothes, shower gel, towel and footwear. Don’t put any valuables in your check bag. GFNY does not assume responsibility for any lost or stolen personal property.

GFNY CODE OF CONDUCT KEEP THESE RULES IN MIND IN ORDER TO AVOID TIME PENALTIES OR DISQUALIFICATION TRASH – Please do not pollute the environment. Your GFNY jersey has a pocket at each side for your trash. There are five ECO ZONES along the course with large trashcans for disposal on the fly. URINATION – Please utilize the designated toilets. Do not pollute private or public land. HEADPHONES – Don’t wear headphones. No exceptions. We want you to be aware of your surroundings. RESPECT – Be courteous and respectful to your fellow riders, volunteers, spectators and staff – thank you!

RIDE THE COURSE – Ride on the route marked by GFNY. We have several checkpoints along the route to verify that you are completing the designated course. OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE – Do no accept outside assistance at any place other than the official feed zones or from rolling neutral mechanical support. It’s unfair to your fellow riders. FIRST AID – If a rider is lying on the ground and is visibly in difficulty, stop and help unless there are already at least three people helping. You can continue if a) the victim is fine or b) medical personnel have arrived. Help others, you may need help one day!

GETTING TO THE START FROM NYC, THE EASIEST WAY TO GET TO THE START IS BY TAKING THE SUBWAY OR RIDING YOUR BIKE. YOU CAN USE THE WEST SIDE HIGHWAY BIKE PATH AND FOLLOW THE BELOW MAP. THE CLOSEST SUBWAY STOP IS 168TH STREET ON THE A, C AND 1 TRAINS

BIKE FROM MANHATTAN TO THE START Bike northbound along the West Side Highway bike path, make a right at 158th St. (There is a metal swinging gate there). You will ride under an overpass, then you’ll see a traffic light. At the light, make a left and go up a slight incline. You’ll then come to a stop sign (sign says 158th St), and make a right at the stop sign. Make the first left turn you can, a 120° left turn onto Riverside Drive. Ride straight on Riverside Drive to access the start corrals. Check out the map below.

OVERPASS

TAKE SUBWAY TO THE START A / C / 1 TRAINS TO 168TH STREET 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 metro card and turn the turnstile. Then, they would release the emergency gate so you can walk through. Check http://mta.info for any weekend service advisories for A,C and 1 subway lines.

DRIVING TO THE START PARKING IN FORT LEE We recommend Fort Lee Municipal Parking Lots, parking fees apply: http://www.fortleeparkingauthority. org/parking-lot-locations The largest and recommended lot is: Guntzer Street Municipal Lot 2030 Guntzer Street Public Parking Spaces: 412 After you parked your car, ride your bike across the GWB bike path (bike path is open from 4am on the morning of GFNY) to NYC. Enter the bike path at Hudson Terrace just before the overpass (50ft past Bruce Reynolds Blvs, make a right). Off the bridge path, proceed to Fort Washington Ave or Haven Ave to 165th Street. Make a right onto 165th Street and ride down the hill to Riverside Drive. Make a right onto Riverside Drive and ride northbound on Riverside Drive to access the start corrals. Bear right at all times.

PARKING IN MANHATTAN There is limited curbside street parking in the area, check the signs for any parking details, length of stay maximums, and if there are any fees for parking at the specific spot youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking at. Website that lists all parking lots in the area: http://www.citidex.com/6093.htm CENTRAL PARKING Go to http://nycparking.spplus.com/parking-near/ New-York-NY-10032-USA.html to see Centralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s locations nearby and make sure to check their hours of operation. MPS PARKING 4168 Broadway (at 177th St), New York, NY 10033 T (212) 543-2700 Make sure to check their hours of operation. http://www.mpsparking.com/locations Ride from your parking garage along Fort Washington Ave or Haven Ave to 165th Street. Make a right onto 165th Street and ride down the hill to Riverside Drive. Make a right onto Riverside Drive and ride northbound on Riverside Drive to access the start corrals. Bear right at all times.

BIKE PATH ACROSS PARKING IN MANHATTAN

DROP OFF For the safety of cyclists arriving at the start area, and to minimize congestion approaching the start corrals, please get dropped off at one of these three locations: From the south: 153rd Street and Riverside Drive From the north or east: Along Audubon Avenue from 165th Street From the west: Along Lemoine Avenue from Bruce Reynolds Boulevard 65

PROUD SUPPORTER OF CAMPAGNOLO GFNY SINCE 2012.

RIDE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED T EDWARD WINES NEW YORK

GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE WORLD’S MOST SPECTACULAR CYCLING RACE START CYCLIST ENTRANCE TO LOWER LEVEL FROM RIVERSIDE DRIVE & 165TH ST CYCLISTS STAY IN RIGHT LANE BEAR RIGHT ON RAMP TO GWB LOWER LEVEL

The George Washington Bridge has the greatest vehicular capacity of any bridge in the world. It carries approximately 106 million vehicles per year, making it the world’s busiest motor vehicle bridge. Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York closes the entire lower level of the world’s busiest bridge to cars and offers cyclists a once-in-a-lifetime experience of riding across from Manhattan to New Jersey on a car-free road. Access the Gran Fondo New York start line from 165th Street and Riverside Drive. Ride Northbound. Bear right at all times to get to the start line staging area and corrals.

CYCLISTS STAY TO THE RIGHT TO ENTER LOWER LEVEL

RACE MORNING

IMPORTANT! MAKE SURE YOU’RE WEARING YOUR MANDATORY RACE JERSEY, BIKE PLATE, BIB NUMBER AND WRISTBAND. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE BRIDGE WITHOUT THEM. Will hotels you recommend have shuttles for cyclists from the hotels to the bridge? No. The GFNY hotels do not offer shuttle service to the start. You can ride your bike, take public transportation or get a ride from family or a car service. For cyclists coming from our NYC official hotels, we recommend that you take the A/C/1 trains to 168th Street and ride your bike from the subway to the start. For cyclists riding from the Double Tree Fort Lee and Holiday Inn Fort Lee, Fort Lee Police Department will offer a police escort to the bridge. Please ask the front desk about the time of departure for the police escort. Please be punctual for the escort. There will be just one departure time for the escort. A message from Fort Lee PD: “We will start the escort at the Holiday Inn, proceed to the Doubletree, where we will combine the groups, and then escort up the hill, and on to the GWB. For riders who want to be part of the escort, punctuality is very important, because as we know, Port Authority Police are not tolerant of tardiness.” How do I get to the start line from Fort Lee? To get to the start line from NJ side you will have to cross the bridge on the bike path. The bike path will be open for GFNY cyclists at 4am the morning of the race. There is no access to the start corrals from NJ side of GWB. 68

I’m coming from Fort Lee. How long will it take me to cross the bridge to get to the corrals? From Fort Lee, it’s less than 3 miles to the start corrals. From where do I access the starting corrals? You will access the start corrals from 165th Street and Riverside Drive in Manhattan. Will there be signage directing me how to get to the start? While we have ample signage along the race course, but we are not permitted to post signage for race morning. But there are volunteers in Manhattan wearing GFNY t-shirts and they will have GFNY flags. However, we recommend that you look at the maps we provide in this guide and get familiar with your route to the start. Be ready that there will be thousands of people riding to the start and likely using the same roads as you: crossing the bike path from NJ or coming the subway stations in Manhattan. If you’re ever unsure, you can also ask someone who is wearing their GFNY jersey and riding to the start. What services are available at the start area on the George Washington Bridge? The start area has: bag check, toilets, mechanical service provided by Campagnolo and medical service. The first thing you’ll see is the bag check. There is a separate bag drop for GFNY BEAR 50 and GFNY 100. Be sure to drop your bag at the right truck because the GFNY BEAR 50 bag check truck is taking the bags to Bear Mountain and the GFNY 100 bag check truck is taking the bags to Fort Lee. Next you will see the toilets, mechanical service

provided by Campagnolo and medical service stationed at the circle before going on the bridge. This is your last chance to use a toilet or get mechanical assistance because there are no toilets or mechanical assistance on the bridge. After you leave the start area circle, you will then proceed through security and get into the start corrals. Once you pass security, you will proceed forward until you see the corral entrance that has your corresponding bib number. Please help us keep the start area clean by depositing trash in the bags tied to the barricades lining the start corrals. The start line is at the halfway point on the bridge. Your timing chip will not begin counting your race time until your chip crosses the start line timing mat. We are part of a group, can we start together? You can always move further back if you want to start with a friend but not further ahead. If there are several members in your group, the person with the lower bib number can move to a corral further back. Everyone has to line up in the corral with the group member with the highest number. We recommend that on race day you take advantage of riding in the world’s most international peloton. Challenge yourself and work with whoever is riding at your level, and maybe make new cycling friends along the way. Then at the Rana Pasta Party in the GFNY Finish Village, you can regroup with your teammates to relive your day and share the war stories. Can I wear my own jersey during the race? No, the official GFNY race jersey is mandatory attire for the race. It is a police requirement for all participants to wear the official race jersey to be easily identifiable by officials while on the course.

Do you have advice for race morning? Advice from Lidia Fluhme, GFNY’s President: ■ Moderate your fluid intake on race morning. If you drink a lot, you will also have to pee a lot. ■ Keep your coffee intake minimal in the morning; you will already feel a bit jittery from the adrenaline and nerves. Coffee will also make you pee even more. ■ Between getting to the bridge, getting into the corrals and waiting for the start, the whole process can be up to 2 hours. Eat a sufficient breakfast to get you through the morning. Bring race nutrition with you because the first aid station isn’t until mile 17 in Piermont. ■ It’s very likely that you will need a wind jacket while waiting for the start on the GWB. We recommend packing your cycling wind jacket in your jersey pockets for the race. The river valley you are waiting in on the bridge acts as a wind funnel. But on days when they predict hot weather, a cycling vest should be sufficient. Check the weather and err on the side of caution. ■ As you get ready for the start, you can pack away some of your clothing in your pockets because you’ll warm up as soon as you start cycling. ■ Do not stop for anything in the first 4 miles of the race. These roads are closed for a short period of time to allow cyclists a closed road off the bridge. Immediately after the cyclists are off the bridge and off the road, the road reopens. If you pull over for a stop and stay behind as the peloton passes, the road will reopen and you may be stuck riding against traffic on an open roadway. If you have a mechanical in the first 4 miles, you will be picked up by a GFNY van and driven until mile 4 where you can address your mechanical in safety.

DURING THE RACE WHAT IS THE TIME CUTOFF FOR THE GFNY BEAR 50 AND GFNY 100? IS THERE A MINIMUM PACE THAT I HAVE TO MAINTAIN? CAN I RIDE AT MY OWN PACE? You must maintain at least a 10mph / 16kph average speed to be recognized as an official finisher. This includes any stops you make along the course or at the aid stations. There is also one hard cutoff on the course. If you cannot make this cutoff, you will not be able to continue the event. YOU MUST ARRIVE TO THE BASE OF PERKINS DRIVE (HALF WAY POINT UP BEAR MOUNTAIN) BY 11:40AM. If you reach Perkins Drive at 11:41am or later, you will be routed to the shuttle buses and be driven to Fort Lee. You will not be able to continue riding up to the top of Bear Mountain. This is a requirement made by Bear Mountain State Park officials. This 11:40am cutoff means 5h40m to complete 43 miles / 70km, which is a 8mph / 12.5kph average speed. The riders who have not been successful in reaching this cutoff in past years are people who made excessively long stops at the aid stations 1 and 2. If you are worried about making it to the finish line, either GFNY BEAR 50’s finish line at the top of Bear Mountain or GFNY 100’s finish line in Fort Lee, before the cutoff, we recommend making your aid station stops as quick as possible and not stopping along the course – to keep making continuous forward progress.

IF I CAN’T CONTINUE RIDING, CAN A VAN PICK ME UP AND TAKE ME TO THE FINISH LINE IN FORT LEE? Yes. If you’re not feeling strong enough to finish, we have shuttle vans that can pick you up. Call the GFNY HQ hotline phone number on your wristband and we will dispatch a race vehicle to come pick you up. Provide the dispatcher with the mile number on the course or intersection where you are so our van drivers can easily find you. GFNY vans are driving along the course and they can pick you up, but they will only drive you to the nearest aid station. From there, you will board a bus that will take you to Fort Lee. In order to save you time, we recommend that if you start feeling like you can’t continue riding to stay at the aid station and take a bus from there. The aid station also provides the benefit of having food, hydration and toilets that you can utilize while you await the departure of the bus. DO PARTICIPANTS OF GFNY BEAR 50 AND GFNY 100 RECEIVE A MEDAL? Yes, finishers of GFNY BEAR 50 and GFNY 100 all receive a medal. Finishers of GFNY Bear receive the medal at the top of Bear Mountain. The medal hand out is immediately after the timing mat at the top of Bear Mountain. Finishers of GFNY 100 will receive their medal in the finish chute of the race in Fort Lee.

THERE WERE PHOTOGRAPHERS ON THE COURSE TAKING MY PICTURE, HOW DO I BUY MY RACE PICTURES? The world’s best participant photo company, Sportograf, is on the course taking your race photos. sportograf.com/en/shop/event/3333 HOW DOES THE TEAM COMPETITION WORK? The four fastest times from a team will be added and ranked to determine the fastest team. If your team has 8 members or more, your team will be broken out as follows: fastest 4 members will be “Your Team Name A”, the next 4 fastest members will be “Your Team Name B”, etc, in the team results. ARE TRIATHLON BIKES ALLOWED? Triathlon bikes are allowed. However, you will have to keep both hands at the brake levers whenever around other riders, which will be almost all the time. All riders with tri bars and tri bikes start in the last corral, even if they are fundraisers. WHAT SHOULD I DO IN CASE OF EMERGENCY? If you are involved in or witness a bike crash or another emergency, CALL 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 will route your call accordingly. All local EMS ambulances are on the course and can react at a moment’s notice. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM? Bring 2 spare tubes, tire levers and a pump with you to be self-sufficient in case you get a flat. Also bring cash and credit card with you to be able to purchase any equipment (tubes, air cartridges, tires, chain, etc) if you have any larger mechanical on race day. Campagnolo mechanics will be at the start area in case you need assistance with a mechanical problem on race morning. Campagnolo is also offering rolling mechanical support along the GFNY route. At every aid station, a GFNY partner bike shop is offering mechanical service. If you can make it to the next aid station, you can get mechanical assistance there. If you are between aid stations, call the number on your wristband with your problem and location and we will dispatch Campagnolo to assist you. I WANT TO AVOID DISQUALIFICATION. WHAT ARE THE RULES THAT I SHOULD ABIDE BY? The full event rules can be found in this magazine.

FINISH OF GFNY BEAR 50 MILES WHAT IS THE TIME CUTOFF FOR THE GFNY BEAR 50? YOU MUST ARRIVE TO THE BASE OF PERKINS DRIVE (HALF WAY POINT UP BEAR MOUNTAIN) BY 11:40AM. If you reach Perkins Drive at 11:41am or later, you will be routed to the shuttle buses and be driven to Fort Lee. You will not be able to ride to the top of Bear Mountain. WHY ARE THE RESULTS OF GFNY BEAR 50 NOT PROVIDED BY FINISH TIME? GFNY BEAR 50 is a non-competitive ride. Each participant is individually chip timed start-to-finish, but results are provided alphabetically by the rider’s last name. If you want to compete and be ranked in your age group, you should take part in the GFNY 100 miles. CAN I RIDE GFNY BEAR 50 AS PART OF A TEAM OR IN THE HIM & HER CATEGORY? No. Because GFNY BEAR 50 is a non-competitive ride, there are no competition categories like age groups, team rankings or Him & Her rankings. Nonetheless, riding as a

Him & Her duo is still possible: because GFNY BEAR 50 is non-competitive and does not offer rankings, one rider can assist another. You can also be affiliated to a team as part of GFNY BEAR 50, but there are no team rankings. WHAT IS AVAILABLE AT THE FINISH OF GFNY BEAR 50? GFNY BEAR 50 finishes at the top of Bear Mountain. At the top of the mountain you will see a timing mat to mark the end of timing. You will also receive your finisher medal at the top of Bear Mountain, shortly after the timing mat. There is an aid station just after the timing mat with food, hydration and toilets. After you’ve refueled and taken in the sights, you will descend 2 miles to half-way down the mountain to Perkins Drive to the GFNY BEAR Shuttle Point. If you checked a bag at the GWB, you will receive your checked bag there. If you’re getting picked up by a private car at the Bear Mountain Inn parking lot and checked a bag at the GWB, you will need to stop by the Shuttle Point to retrieve your checked back.

PER KIN S

MEM

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BEAR MTN INN PARKING LOT

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P 9W

EXIT ROUTE FOR TRUCKS & BUSES TO FORT LEE

AID STATION/ END OF GFNY BEAR, MEDALS

GFNY BEAR SHUTTLE POINT, CHECKED BAGS

IVE

50 MILE CYCLISTS

100 MILE CYCLISTS

ROUTE SPLIT RACE ROUTE FOR ALL CYCLISTS

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ROUT

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CAN MY FAMILY CHEER ME ON AS I CROSS THE FINISH LINE AT THE TOP OF BEAR MOUNTAIN? No, unfortunately not. There is just one two-lane road to get to the top of Bear Mountain. GFNY cyclists utilize both lanes, one lane to ascend and the other lane to descend. There is no space for vehicles to also travel on the road; hence the road is closed to cars on GFNY race day. Unfortunately there isn’t a way for family/spectators to go to the top of Bear Mountain. If your family would like to cheer you at Bear Mountain and also pick you up at Bear Mountain, we recommend that they park at the Bear Mountain Inn parking lot (parking fee of approx. $10), then to walk to the road at the base of the mountain to cheer you. Then after you finish (top of Bear Mountain) and pick up your medal, post-race food bag and your checked bag (if you checked a bag at GWB) at the GFNY Bear Shuttle Point, you can descend down Seven Lakes Drive and meet them in the parking lot. I’M SIGNED UP FOR GFNY BEAR 50. IF ON RACE DAY I FEEL GREAT, CAN I CONTINUE RIDING TO FINISH GFNY 100? Yes! You don’t need to do anything or notify anyone, just keep riding. Your timing chip will be read at the next checkpoints on the course and your time will be recorded by the timing company. When you cross the finish line in

Fort Lee, you will be automatically added to the list of GFNY 100 finishers and ranked in your age group. I’M SIGNED UP FOR GFNY 100. IF ON RACE DAY I’M NOT FEELING GREAT, CAN I JUST DO GFNY BEAR 50? If you change your distance from GFNY 100 to GFNY BEAR 50 on the race day, we may have no seat for you in the bus. The bus transportation is confirmed only for riders already registered for GFNY BEAR. I DON’T WANT TO WAIT FOR THE GFNY SHUTTLE BUS. CAN A PRIVATE CAR PICK ME UP AT BEAR MOUNTAIN? Yes. You can have your family or friend or private car service pick you up at Bear Mountain. You are not required to take the GFNY Shuttle Bus. Ask your ride to go to the Bear Mountain Inn parking lot. The parking fee is $10. The car MUST utilize the parking lot because idling on the side of the road while waiting for you is NOT PERMITTED. State Police will be issuing tickets to cars standing on the side of the road, and the ticket fees will be higher than the $10 parking fee. Remember, if you’re getting picked up by a private car at Bear Mountain and you checked a bag at the GWB, you will need to stop by the Shuttle Point half way down the mountain to retrieve your checked bag. 73

GFNY FINISH VILLAGE OF GFNY 100 MILES IN FORT LEE What is the schedule of events at the Finish Village? 11am GFNY Finish Line & GFNY Finish Village are open to the public 11am First riders are expected to arrive at the GFNY Finish Line 11am Pasta Party by Giovanni Rana Pastificio & Cucina Restaurant of NYC opens 3pm Awards ceremony begins 5pm GFNY 100 Finish Line closes 7pm End of festivities

How do I get from Fort Lee back to Manhattan? You can ride your bike across the bridge (easy 1.7-mile ride) to Manhattan and take the subway. If you don’t feel up for riding your bike, we recommend that you book a taxi or car service to pick you up. Book the car directly with the company of your choice. Tell them to pick you up at 3000 Lemoine Avenue in Fort Lee, NJ. Then, follow the signs for TAXI STAND. The GFNY Shuttle Buses that travel between the parking lots, NYC and the Finish Village do not allow bikes on board.

How do I get back to my Fort Lee hotel from the GFNY Finish Village in PIP Park? For the return from the finish line back to your Double Tree Fort Lee or Holiday Inn Fort Lee, both hotels offer shuttle service to pick up their guests. Please inquire with your hotel directly to book this service.

I’m getting picked up after the race. Where can I meet my ride in Fort Lee? We recommend that your family picks you up at one of the Fort Lee Parking lots like Guntzer or across from 144 Main Street. You can ride your bike there, it’s less than 1 mile from the finish. Alternatively, your family can pick you up at the GFNY Taxi Stand, at 3000 Lemoine Avenue.

Where can my family meet me after the race? Your family can wait for you at the GFNY Finish Line or GFNY Finish Village.

I would like to know my official finish time. On race day: 1. All results will be posted at the GFNY Finish Village in Fort Lee, and 2. You and your family will be able to also track you and see your result online. The live tracking link will be provided in the days before the race. After the event, the results will also be on gfny.com. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stay for awards, but I finished in the top 3 of my category. Can you mail me my prize? No, we do not ship any prizes. You must be present at the awards ceremony to claim your prize. Is the Pasta Party by Giovanni Rana Pastificio & Cucina open to everyone? Yes. All GFNY riders receive one free meal with their wristband. Additional meals for family and spectators can be purchased directly at the pasta party. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. The Beer & Wine Garden is open to anyone over 21 years of age, remember to bring a photo ID showing proof of age.

SPECTATORS

GRUPPO

MY FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW ME IN A CAR, IS THAT ALLOWED? No. GFNY has 5000 participants and if all participants had a personal car following them, it would create a traffic jam and make it impossible for riders to have a clear road to ride on. Plus more than half the course is closed to cars. In addition, outside assistance is not permitted because it is unfair.

MY FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE TO SEVERAL SPOTS ON THE COURSE TO CHEER ME ON, WHERE SHOULD THEY GO? THERE ARE A FEW CHEERING ZONES: Start, Fort Lee 7:00am – 7:20am watch in Fort Lee Bear Mountain 8:30am – 11:30am park at Bear Mountain Inn ($10), walk to the road to cheer Finish Line, Fort Lee 10:45am – 5:30pm Hudson Terrace between Myrtle Ave & Washington Ave CAN MY FAMILY JOIN ME AT THE GFNY FINISH VILLAGE IN FORT LEE? DO THEY NEED ANY TICKETS? Your friends and family are very welcome to join GFNY at the Finish Village in Fort Lee, NJ! The GFNY Finish Village is open to the public, they do not need any tickets.

HOW COULD MY FANS GET TO THE GFNY FINISH VILLAGE IN FORT LEE? Your fans can take a car service / taxi to 3000 Lemoine Ave & New York Ave, at Fort Lee High School. Alternatively, if your family is utilizing NYC subways or Fort Lee municipal parking lots, GFNY offers shuttle bus service. STOP STOP LOCATION NYC Fort Washington Ave, bet 177th St & 178th St (near exit of the A train 175th Street stop) Fort Lee 1 Main Street Municipal Parking Lot (bus stop aside 116 Main Street) Fort Lee 2 Inside Guntzer Municipal Parking Lot (serving Guntzer, Center Ave and Gerome Ave Municipal Parking Lots) Finish Village PIP Park

If your fans want to walk from the subway to the GFNY Finish Village, it’s a 1.7-mile / 2.7km walk. WHERE CAN MY FANS PARK IN FORT LEE? Please visit fortleeparkingauthority.org for exact locations of Fort Lee Municipal Parking Lots. I SEE THERE IS A RANA PASTA PARTY AT THE GFNY FINISH VILLAGE. CAN MY FANS EAT WITH ME? Yes, your fans can join you at the post-race Pasta Party sponsored by Giovanni Rana Pastificio & Cucina restaurant of NYC. Each GFNY participant will show their wristband and receive one free meal and fans are able to purchase a meal ticket directly at the Finish Village.

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Your expert mechanics at Campagnolo GFNY Aid Station #2 in Stony Point

www.bicyclejulio.com 45 South Bedford Road - Chappaqua NY 10514 - 914 238 1312

GRUPPO LIDIA FLUHME

GRUPPO SPORTIVO GFNY TELLS YOU HOW TO TACKLE THE COURSE. 82

VITO VALENTINI

Campagnolo GFNY’s beginning on the George Washington Bridge is cycling’s best start line. Enjoy every minute of it. The roll out through the tunnel and Fort Lee is 110% adrenaline. Surf on it!

Piermont to Stony Point is a great stretch of road that allows you to find your rhythm without expending too much energy. If it is a windy day, find someone to work with. ULI FLUHME When you hit River Road, focus. It’s a constant up and down with tricky road conditions. Alpine hill at the end of it is the first real climb: don’t go too hard.

SPORTIVO JARED SKOLNICK FRANK LEE

Mott Farm Road to Cheesecote is arguably the hardest part of the course with several shorter but steeper climbs. You will get some minor relief in between, but still need to control your pace.

River Road is marked by fast but short descents and a kaleidoscope of rolling hills. Then thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the final ascent up Dyckman. Save a little in your tank for the approach... then redline it to the finish!

RAMON THOMPSON OMAR TEJADA Bear Mountain is the iconic climb of the race and the region. Get into a comfortable gear and ride up the five miles. Some say this is the true beginning of the race.

Ramapo to Palisades is the time to find your calm. Maintain a consistent effort while clearing your head for the final push to the finish.

SEE YOU AT

ON MAY 21, 2017 REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 16, 2016 AT 9AM ET GFNY.COM