Virtual Qualification Criteria via The Sufferfest
In order to create opportunities for riders to qualify for the National Championship event, The Sufferfest and GFNS worked together to create an 8-week Gran Fondo Training Plan and two virtual eracing events. The training plan will start May 4, 2020 and the virtual events will be held on Sunday, June 7 and Sunday, June 14. The Sufferfest is providing free two-month memberships (in addition to their normal 14-day trial) for cyclists working to qualify for Gran Fondo National Championships. Riders who meet any one of the following criteria will qualify for national championship event:
Complete at least 75% of all the workouts in the “GFNS Training Plan” on The Sufferfest app. Workouts must be posted in the app to count.
Complete both Sufferfest Qualification Events. These will be long video-supported routes in the The Sufferfest app, including designated timed segments.
Finish in the top 50% of riders who participate in one Sufferfest Qualification Event. If you don’t qualify after riding the first event, completion of the second one will meet the qualification criteria.
About The Sufferfest
The Sufferfest, now part of Wahoo Fitness, is a comprehensive training app for time-crunched cyclists. Subscribers get unlimited access to a library of structured workouts designed by elite coaches, 100 training plans, Strength Training for Cyclists, Yoga for Cyclists and a 10-week Mental Toughness program. The Sufferfest 4DP® platform creates the most effective workouts available, with targets personalized to an athlete’s complete power profile. Connection to smart trainers, power meters, cadence sensors, and heart rate monitors allows athletes to train to specific targets and analyze performance data. Available for iOS, macOS and Windows.
To get started:
Go to https://thesuf.com/get-started and create your account to start your 14-day free trial.
Download The Sufferfest for macOS, Windows, or iOS.
Log into your account at app.thesufferfest.com and select Manage Subscription.
Select the monthly subscription option and click "Add Coupon".
Enter code GFNSSUF60 to get two months free in addition to the 14-day free trial. Note that you will have to enter payment information for the code to activate but you won't be charged if you cancel before the end of the 60-day promotional period.
For detailed instructions on applying a coupon please see this help article.
If you plan on qualifying by completing at least 75% of the “GFNS Training Plan”, click the Training Plans tab in the top menu, then under the left-side menu “Find a training plan” select “Gran Fondo National Series” then select “GFNS Training Plan”. In the main window, enter any required information and click “Select Plan”.
Questions? Check out The Sufferfest Help Center or email theminions@thesufferfest.com
EVENT PROFILES AND INSTRUCTIONS
Event 1: Kitchen Sink (Mash-Up)
Date: June 7th
There are 3 intervals that will be used as qualification segments.
3 minute long effort, starting at 1:32:18
20 minute long effort, starting at 2:12:43
16 second long effort, starting at 2:56:25
Event 2: It Seemed Like Thin Air (Mash-Up)
Date: June 14th
There are 2 intervals that will be used as qualification segments.
20 minute long effort, starting 38:38
8 minute long effort, starting at 1:30:38
INSTRUCTIONS AND DETAILS
We suggest riding the Event days in Level mode if you have a Smart trainer. While you are free to ride as hard as you like throughout the rest of the video, we will only be looking at the average power held over the duration of the qualification segment. Pacing strategy is up to you, just know that your goal is to average the highest power possible for the duration of that segment.
You will be ranked by gender and age group on both the absolute power output for each segment, and your power to weight ratio for each segment. We are trusting that you are all honest when setting your weight accurately.
Before the Start of Each segment you will see the following on screen text:
“GFNS SEGMENT
UP NEXT”
There will also be “Coaches Notes” added to both events in your Training Plan Calendar, reminding you of the start time and length of each segment.
Please type in “GFNS” in the Add workout notes… field after completing the first event. This will allow us to process results faster, and let you know if you have auto qualified by being in the top 50% of your gender and age group. to help us process your results faster.
While both events are scheduled in the training plans for the 7th and 14th, you can complete Event 1 on either the 6th or 7th, and you can complete Event 2 on either the 13th or 14th.
We will notify you via email by June 11th if you have already qualified.