Presenting sponsor
REGISTRATION
| PRICE PERIOD | GRAN & MEDIO | PICCOLO |
|---|---|---|
| Until January 8, 2024 | $145 | $90 |
| Jan 9 - Jun 5, 2024 | $155 | $100 |
| Jun 6 - Jul 21, 2024 | $165 | $110 |
| Jul 22 - Jul 31, 2024 | $185 | $130 | Aug 1 - On-site | $200 | $145 |
RIDER ROAD BOOK
The 2024 SUAREZ Boone Gran Fondo Road Book is available as a PDF download or as a Ride with GPS Experience. In any of these you will find:
Packet Pickup times and locations
Parking information
Course details
Elevation profiles
Timed segment details
Turn-by-turn navigation (RWGPS Experience only)
EVENT FEATURES
3 Scenic & Challenging Courses
One of the most fun courses of the entire series, the Boone Gran Fondo twists and turns through wooded climbs and descents before returning to the party atmosphere of downtown Boone, North Carolina.
Timed Segment Racing
With timed-segment competitions, your overall time from start to finish does not matter. Only the timed segments count. Your overall, and age group rankings are determined by your combined time for all timed segments on the route you choose. View Complete Rules and FAQ.
Time Section #1; 24mi, 57mi & 94mi riders
Time Section #2; 57mi & 94mi riders
Time Section #3; 57 mi & 94mi riders
Time Section #4; 94mi riders
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN ROLLERCOASTER
The rural roller-coaster roads around Boone are a ton of fun, and quite challenging. The climbs aren’t very long, but that means there’s not a lot of time for recovery on the descents, either. This is a great course for all-around riders.
WESTERN CAROLINA’S COOLEST TOWN
In mid-summer, the High Country of North Carolina enjoys 80-degree temperatures while the surrounding East Coast temperatures hover in the high 90s. Early August is a prime time to be in Boone!
SUPPORTIVE FAMILY ATMOSPHERE
The laid back atmosphere of this western North Carolina college town is contagious. One of the smaller fields for a Gran Fondo National Series event, the Boone Gran Fondo has a supportive, family feel, particularly when we all gather for great local food, cold beer, and fantastic raffle prizes after a challenging and competitive ride.
Event Photos
The pros from First Place Photos will be out taking photos at multiple locations around the course. Event photos will available for purchase a few days after the event.
Comfort suites by choice hotels
Reccieve 15% off your stay and a complimentary 6:00am ‘Early rider breakfast’!
SAFETY AND SUPPORT
Most cyclists can’t discover how great the riding is in Boone because long loops are difficult to self-support. But you can ride with confidence on the marked and marshaled course, supported by law enforcement, safety motos, mechanic and sag vehicles, and staffed feed stations.
Prize Raffle
We have more than $5000 of prizes to give out from Series sponsors, and ALL riders are eligible to win.
BONUS: Earn an extra raffle ticket by wearing any Gran Fondo National Series jersey during the event (even old versions, like this one)!
Fairfield by Marriot
Reccieve 15% off your stay and a complimentary 6:00am ‘Early rider breakfast’!
ABOUT THE COURSE
In mid-summer, the High Country of North Carolina enjoys 80-degree temperatures while the surrounding East Coast temperatures hover in the high 90s. Early August is a prime time to be in Boone! The Boone Gran Fondo rolls through Appalachian State University and, after just a few turns, climbs beside picturesque Winklers Creek during the first timed section.
After a short downhill and a climb up the gorgeous Shull’s Mill road, the course passes the Blue Ridge Parkway and turns onto Hwy 221. This section of road was hand built in the 1890’s across Grandfather Mountain and served as the Blue Ridge Parkway until the 1980’s. This second timed section is like a paved roller coaster.
After passing the Grandfather Park entrance, the downhill into Linville is a local favorite stretch of road. The route passes through the Avery County seat, the town of Newland. The back roads of Cow Camp and Squirrel Creek lead to the North Toe River Valley. Here, riders enjoy a few tranquil moments in the valley before the ascent, and third timed section, on the back of Beech Mountain.
Another nice downhill waits on the other side. The beautiful Bethel Valley brings riders to a climb to the Tennessee State Line to end the fourth timed section. From here, the route cruises on a very long gradual downhill grade through the valley and communities of Sugar Grove and Valle Crucis before it takes a climb up Laurel Fork and White Oak roads back to the town of Boone.
EVENT DETAILS
The information below is subject to change. Details will also be communicated to registered riders via App, Rider Roadbook, and Registered Rider Emails.
BOONE GRAN FONDO APP, powered by Ride with GPS
All event information will be available on the free Boone Gran Fondo App, powered by Ride with GPS. The app will be available for download the week of the event. From the Ride with GPS app on your phone, select "Open Shortcut" and scan the QR code or enter the code.
BIKEFLIGHTS
If flying into town for the Boone Gran Fondo, a little bit of the hassle around shipping your bike can be relieved through BikeFlights. Their event specific website is https://www.bikeflights.com/Boone-Gran-Fondo
PACKET PICKUP
Saturday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM – The parking lot just across the street from Capua Law Firm at 164 South Depot Street Boone, NC 28607.
Sunday, from 6:00 AM to 7:15 AM – At location of race start: Capua Law Firm at 164 South Depot Street Boone, NC 28607.
For Boone Gran Fondo, in order to speed up packet pickup and reduce congestion, riders may collect packets for additional riders. You must present your ID and a copy of each rider’s photo id and a statement of permission. A text or email containing a photo of a rider’s ID and their statement will work.
Registration will also be available at an increased fee on Saturday and Sunday, tell your friends to sign up now, they can still register.
TIMING CHIPS AND BIB NUMBERS
All Timing Chips must be picked up on race morning. This is a very quick process that will be completed as riders check in for their start waves. Race numbers must be mounted on your back right side and be easily readable.
You must return your timing chip or you will be charged 100 dollars. Please make sure you return it!
PREPARING TO RIDE
As you prepare for your ride after picking up your packet, please abide by the following rules and recommendations:
- Bib number is mandatory, should be pinned to the back center of your jersey, and cannot be cut or folded.
- Bike plate is mandatory, mounted to the handlebar so course marshals and law enforcement can distinguish participants and for accurate photo identification. Bike plate can be cut to accommodate computer mounts.
- Timing chip (provided Sunday morning at start area) is required to be included in official results. For best accuracy, please wear timing chip on your ankle.
- Elevation/race section and name decals are provided for your convenience by our sponsor, Hub Labels.
EVENT WEATHER by Epic Ride Weather
Get the most out of your Gran Fondo National Series ride with personalized weather forecasts from the Epic Ride Weather app. Forecasts include wind speed, temperature and precipitation for the duration of your ride along the route. Plan your hydration and nutrition, pick the right clothing and plan to maximize the tailwind. Gran Fondo National Series events show up under "Events" in the app and are free to use for anyone riding the course. Get the app from https://www.epicrideweather.com
PARKING
When you arrive please follow directions to park in designated parking in the Raley Lot off of River Street at red dot on map.
START TIME AND LOCATION
All riders must be staged by 7:45 am for the start at 8:00am. All riders must cross the official start line. Though timing begins at the first timed segment, participation will be verified by chip read at the start. Starting without crossing the start line will result in disqualification. The start and finish lines of timed segments only cover the RIGHT SIDE of the road. If you are on the wrong side of the road when you pass the start or finish line of a timed segment, your time WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
Directions: Start/Finish Location: Capua Law Firm at 164 South Depot Street Boone, NC 28607.
This is not a Start to Finish Race! Time sections determine placement.
AID STATIONS
There will be 4 aid stations along the 94-mile route and 2 on the 57-mile route, and 1 on the 24-mile route. We will provide Water, Heed sports drink, Soda, Hammer Gel and Bars, Bananas, Clementines, Cookies, Chips, and Fig Bars.
BATHROOMS
Aid-Stations will have bathrooms. Please use bathrooms. One of the biggest local complaints is cyclists peeing on the side of the road. Please help our reputation and use porta-johns.
CUTOFF TIMES
No exceptions for 94 & 57 mile riders! If you do not maintain an average progression speed greater than 10mph you will be directed to take a shorter route. These cut-off spots will happen at the pre-established splits and you will be directed to the shorter route. Please Note: This is a 10mph progression speed, not average speed. Progression speed includes all stopped time. No exceptions!
Lost items: We are not responsible for lost or damaged goods or anything left at aid stations or the start finish area. We will try to help but cannot be responsible for your personal items, including your bike.
FINISH AREA
Upon reaching the finish line, riders will be directed into a one-way finishers' chute to return Timing Chip. Your food and drink tickets are attached to your bib number! Tickets can be redeemed for a great meal. Riders with particular dietary needs should be prepared with own post-ride food options.
RESULTS AND AWARDS
Real-time results will be posted to the Boone Gran Fondo App by Ride with GPS, and on the website results page. Riders who finish in the TOP 3 in a competition category (overall male & female for Gran/Medio/Piccolo routes, age groups by course and sex) will be invited to the podium presentations. Gran Route age group winners will be awarded custom kits from SUAREZ Cycling.
- Awards presented three deep for each category for fastest section times.
- Custom produced Gran Fondo Asheville Winners kits will be awarded to the fastest riders in each age category of the Gran Route 100-mile event. These will be mailed to you post event in the size you order.
- Team competition: fastest three person team in the Gran Route details at: https://www.granfondonationalchampionshipseries.com/team-category/
Estimated times to start awards:
- Piccolo: 1:00pm
- Medio: 3:00pm
- Gran: 4:00pm
We will try to do awards as early as possible. Please understand, it is not possible to tell who won until everyone is finished… this is the nature of timed segment competition, the first one back is not necessarily the winner. If you do place in the top three of your age group, and you cannot wait for the awards ceremony, you can send a self-addressed postage-paid mailing package to us and we will mail you your award.
PRIZE RAFFLE
Any rider who completes any 2024 Gran Fondo National Series event format on the scheduled weekend will be eligible for the raffle. Raffle winners must be present to win.
Our raffle will feature great prizes from our sponsors such as:
- 4-night Stay at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy
- InGamba promotional items
- Wahoo KICKR smart trainer (model TBD)
- Tsuga Outdoor Gear Pivot Pro Hip Pack
- Lazer helmet
- Industry Nine hubset
- Cane Creek components
- Swiftwick socks
- Bike Flights travel voucher
- Shimano products
- CTS Trainright Membership
- Jittery Joe’s Coffee
- UNDRBUDR anti-chafe cream
- Ride with GPS Premium Membership (List subject to change)
RECOMMENDED LODGING AND ATTRACTIONS
MORE INFO
For more info please refer to our previous year's roadbook. Note information may change for the next event.
2023 Roadbook
Rules
You Must Obey Traffic Laws. This is not a closed course. That means stop at lights and stop signs. Think Safety First.
Do not cause an accident!!!
Be respectful of others on the road!
NEVER CROSS THE CENTER-LINE OF THE ROAD!!!
During all race sections you have the right of way. When you are outside of race sections you do not have the right of way. You will not be racing through any intersections; this means when you come to a sign or signal you should slow down, stop, and be safe.
As you approach the time sections you must travel through the designated area (in your lane of traffic!) so that your chip can be properly read and recorded. The times for your timed sections will be compiled for your review at the finish. 100 mile = 4 timed sections; 55 mile = 2 timed sections; 20 mile = 1 timed section. You can view all the details for timed section on the above map links, click the map icons for details.
Timed sections are open for specific durations. In order to be timed and eligible for awards you must maintain a progression speed between 23mph and 10mph. NOTE: this is progression speed not average speed, progression speed includes all stopped time.
Watuaga Pioneers Mountain Bike Team
The Watauga Pioneers Mountain Bike Team will be manning our aid stations. To help support them we are accepting donations which will go directly to the team, which currently has 29 student athletes ranging from 6th through 11th grades, and 16 volunteer coaches.
The team is part of NICA - National Interscholastic Cycling Association and is affiliated with the North Carolina State League of NICA.
