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QUICK LINKS

 
 

RideR Road Book

The 2022 SUAREZ Gran Fondo Maryland Road Book is available as a PDF download or as a Ride with GPS Experience. In either you will find:

  • Packet Pickup times and locations

  • Parking information

  • Course details

  • Elevation profiles

  • Timed segment details

  • Turn-by-turn navigation (RWGPS Experience only)

 
 
 

97/61/28 Miles

Timed Segment Racing

Full Support



Finish Line Party



Awards & Raffles

REGISTRATION

PRICE PERIOD GRAN MEDIO PICCOLO
Until January 9, 2022$120$100$65
Jan 10 - Aug 19, 2022$130$110$75
Aug 20 - Sept 8, 2022$145$125$95
Sept 9 - Sept 14, 2022$165$145$115
Sept 15 - On-site$180$160$130
 
 

EVENT FEATURES

 

Even though the course will be well marked, you can load the route to your smart phone or GPS device.

Use this RSVP Code to access premium RideWithGPS features and get turn by turn navigation for free: https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Event/22956/CG1nIlifBZh1N5xC

 
 

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.

 
 

SURPRISINGLY CHALLENGING AND FUN

You may not associate Maryland with climbs, but Gran Fondo Maryland has one of the highest ratios of elevation gain per mile of any Gran Fondo National Series event. But don’t worry, the perfect pavement and cooler early fall temperatures make this one of our most popular events.

SHORT DRIVE FROM DC OR BALTIMORE

Frederick, MD is a very unique town and a fantastic place to bring the family. The Gran and Medio courses also pass by Camp David, the longtime country retreat for United States Presidents. The smooth, contoured road surfaces and quiet country environment lead us to believe Frederick County could be the best cycling destination in North America.

CELEBRATION OF SUMMER FITNESS

With proximity to huge cycling communities in Washington and Baltimore, and an early fall spot on the calendar, Gran Fondo Maryland is where cyclists go to celebrate their summer fitness before the cold weather comes. Some ride hard, and others just cruise, but everyone wants to get back to Frederick to enjoy the port-ride party.

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.

2021 Rider Photos

SAFETY AND SUPPORT

With lots of turns that could lead you astray, you’ll appreciate the carefully marked and marshaled course, and you can ride with confidence due to support from law enforcement, safety motos, mechanic and sag vehicles, staffed feed stations, and indoor bathrooms along with hot showers await you at the finishline.

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!

View raffle prize list

 
 
 

ABOUT THE COURSE

Gran Route will gain over 10,000 feet of elevation through several different state parks, municipal forests, protected watersheds, and the Catoctin Mountain National Park. After exploring this incredible region, riders will return back into historic downtown Fredrick and be welcome to well deserved festivities at the finish line, complete with great food, beverage, and more fun.

Riders will travel northwest out of the city of Frederick before entering the Frederick Municipal Forest where the first timed section will gain over 1270 feet in a 5.6 mile race segment. At the top riders will be able to relax and enjoy the cool mountain forest as the course plummets over the west side of the mountain range.

 

The second timed section ascends the southern approach to Harp Hill for a punchy up-down-up-down-up lasting for a brief 1.4 miles and 279 feet of vertical gain. For the next 25 miles and 2500 feet of cumulative gain, the route then follows a mix of small and obscure backroads heading north towards the decommissioned military base of Fort Ritchie.

Gran route will gain over 10,000 feet of elevation through several different state parks, municipal forests, protected watersheds, and the Catoctin Mountain National Park. After exploring this incredible region, riders will return back into historic downtown Fredrick and be welcome to well deserved festivities at the finish line, complete with great food, beverage, and more fun.

Riders will travel northwest out of the city of Frederick before entering the Frederick Municipal Forest where the first timed section will gain over 1270 feet in a 5.6 mile race segment. At the top riders will be able to relax and enjoy the cool mountain forest as the course plummets over the west side of the mountain range.

The second timed section ascends the southern approach to Harp Hill for a punchy up-down-up-down-up lasting for a brief 1.4 miles and 279 feet of vertical gain. For the next 25 miles and 2500 feet of cumulative gain, the route then follows a mix of small and obscure backroads heading north towards the decommissioned military base of Fort Ritchie.

Time Section #3 is a more dynamic segment and certainly cannot be called a timed climb. Section #3 will require riders to use caution and technical skill with several 90° turns including an old bridge crossing and tarp & chip road surface. The section starts on a wide downhill roadway where for the first 4.9 miles riders lose 500 feet of elevation before hitting the last 1k and 300 vertical feet to the finish of section #3 on top of Hornets Nest Road. Time segment #3 known as The Gully of Darius is a total of 5.5 miles -574 /+386 feet.  From here the route heads south and works its way back exploring nooks and crannies in the Catoctin Mountain Range and travels through Catoctin Mountain National Park  for 22 miles and +2250 feet of untimed pedaling. Past riders will be able to take special appreciation as they descend Park Central Road, which was used in the opposite direct as race section #2 in past years.

As Gran route riders approach mile 71 they need to take in a deep breath, shake out their legs and prepare for the hardest segment of the day, (this segment also counts as a time segment for Medio Route riders). Section #4 is 11.4 miles +1203 feet and will test every rider’s ability! The segment starts by gaining 784 feet over the first 4.6 miles and then continues for a challenging and undulating 6.8 miles on top of the mountain ridge on Gambrill Park Road through Frederick Watershed and into Gambrill State Park. After completing time section #4, riders will have over 1000 feet of elevation on their side as they drop off the mountain range and into the valley towards the finish, but completing the route in not over, there are still some hills that are sure to make riders know they are still alive. Riders will return back into historic downtown Fredrick and be welcome to well deserved festivities at the finish line, complete with great food, beverage, and more fun.

 

EVENT DETAILS

GRAN FONDO MARYLAND APP, powered by Ride with GPS

All event information will be available on the free Gran Fondo Maryland 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 Gran Fondo Maryland, a little bit of the hassle around shipping your bike can be relieved through BikeFlights. Their event specific website is https://www.bikeflights.com/Gran-Fondo-Maryland

PACKET PICKUP

Friday from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Conte's Bike Shop, located at 1331 4th St SE #107, Washington, DC 20003.

Saturday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Monocacy Brewing Company, located at 1781 N. Market St. Frederick, MD 21701. All riders over the age of 21 will receive a complimentary beer at the Monocacy Brewing packet pickup.

Sunday from 6:00 AM to 7:15 AM at 500 Fleming Ave, Frederick, MD 21701 (at location of race start)

For Gran Fondo Maryland, in order to speed up packet pickup and reduce congestion, riders may collect packets for up to three 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 or head tube 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

Please follow direction and park responsibly in designated parking spaces. Most on street parking near Baker Park is unmetered, but we encourage you to ensure it’s not a “resident only” location. There is also parking at the high school.

Do not park in regulated parking spots, you will get fined.

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: Google Maps

Event will start and finish under the arch 500 Fleming Ave, Frederick, MD 21701.

This is not a Start to Finish Race! Time sections determine placement.

AID STATIONS

There will be 4 aid stations along the 97-mile route and 3 on the 61-mile route, and 1 on the 28-mile route. We will provide Water, Heed sports drink, Soda, Hammer Gel, Bonk Breaker 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 97 & 61 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 Gran Fondo Maryland App by Ride with GPS, and on the website results page. Riders who finish in the TOP 3 in a competition categor (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 DNA Cycling.

  • Awards presented three deep for each category for fastest section times.
  • Custom produced Gran Fondo Maryland 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 four person team in the Gran Route details at: https://www.granfondonationalchampionshipseries.com/team-category/

Estimated times to start awards:

  • Piccolo: 2:00pm
  • Medio: 3:00pm
  • Gran: 4:00pm

We will try to do awards as early as possible. Please understand, it is not possible to tell who won until everyone is finished… this is the nature of timed segment competiitons, the first one back is not necessarily the winner. If you do place in the top three of your age group, and you cannot wait for the awards ceremony, you can send a self-addressed postage-paid mailing package to us and we will mail you your award.

PRIZE RAFFLE

Any rider who completes any 2022 Gran Fondo National Series event format on the scheduled weekend will be eligible for the raffle. Raffle winners must be present to win.

Great prizes from our sponsors such as:

  • Hyperice Hypervolt and Hypersphere
  • 4-night Stay at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy
  • Wahoo smart trainer
  • Lazer Sphere Mips helmet
  • Industry Nine hubset
  • Cane Creek brakes and seat post
  • Bike Flights travel voucher
  • Shimano products
  • ENO hammock
  • Shott Performance coaching packages
  • Jittery Joe’s Coffee
  • UNDRBUDR anti-chafe cream (List subject to change)

Coming Soon

 

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. Below is a list stating the times sections are open

 
 
 
 
 

LOCAL SUPPORTERS

 
 
 
 
 

COME JOIN US AT MARYLAND GRAN FONDO