FAQs are listed below the Rules

Rules
  1. You must wear a helmet that has a Snell approved safety rating
  2. You must never cross the center line, if you do you will be disqualified and asked to leave the course
  3. You must stay to the right-hand side of the lane at all times unless passing
  4. You must have a device to carry water with you while riding
  5. To be eligible for competition, and to receive your time splits, you must enter and exit timed sections during the posted times they are open. Failure to enter and exit timed sections while they are open is the riders sole responsibility.  All timed sections are open for specific durations; you must enter and exit each timed section during the specified scheduled time each section is open.  This is figured on an average progression speed between 20 mph and 10 mph (note: this is not average ride speed, this is average progression speed and includes all stopped time, i.e total time)
  6. Rider may use any standard bicycle that has two wheels and is not a recumbent.  This includes Road bikes, TT bikes, and mountain bikes.
  7. No recumbent bicycles allowed
  8. All bicycles must have working brakes
  9. Best combined time wins

FAQs

1.  How does a Gran Fondo work?
A Gran Fondo is a large group ride with several timed sections. Riders will leave at a specified time and can choose between different course lengths. Riders can ride at their own pace with the goal to finish or compete for best time over the timed sections.

2.  What is a national championship?
Riders will have the opportunity to compete to be the best Gran Fondo rider in the country. It is an opportunity for the strongest riders to come together and test themselves against each other.

3. Who is the beneficiary?
Beneficiaries are listed on the event page for each event.

4. Is there a National Championship competition for the 62 mile and 32 mile course?
The Gran Fondo National Championship and the Gran Fondo National Championship series refers to the 100 mile course only.  The 62 mile and 32 mile participants will only receive awards for their distance/category in the event for which they are competing and not be awarded any National Championship standing.

5.  What are the courses like?
Choose between 100, 62 and 32 miles. The roads are not closed to traffic but they are the less traveled roads of the region. Scenic, challenging and safe are the objectives when we design a course.

6.  What is the Schedule?
Start time is mandatory all riders must start together. All timed sections are open for specific durations; you must enter and exit each time section during the specified scheduled time each section is open.  This is figured on an average progression speed between 20 mph and 10 mph (note: this is not average ride speed, this is average progression speed and includes all stopped time, i.e total time)

7.  What is the Entry Fee?
Entry fees are posted online for each event and very based on the length of the loop and the specific event.

8.  How is the course timed?
We use a proven timing system used by other major Gran Fondos. Each rider will get a chip and be timed as they cross through timing sections. Splits will be recorded and posted at the event and online.  The 100 mile route has 4 timed sections, the 60 mile route has 2 timed sections, and the 30 mile loop has 1 timed section. *(the number of timed sections can vary form course to course.  See course  maps for details).

9.  What are the categories?
There are several categories.  The overall winners are those who finish first regardless of categories.  For example a rider who is in the Vet class and has the fastest combined times of the day will win the overall as well as 1st place for Vet category (this rider would be given a prize for the over all best time and get a 1st pace award for age category).  For the Gran Fondo National Championship in Frederick, MD the fastest time of the day for riders in their respective categories will be crowned the Gran Fondo National Champion and will earn a Gran Fondo National Champion title and Jersey.  Similar for the Series, the riders in each age & gender category will a  Gran Fondo National Champion Series title and Jersey.

Your racing age is the age you will be on December 31st of the current year we are in. (example: If you race on Sept 22nd and are 44 years old on the day of the race, and your birthday is Nov 3rd your racing age would be 45)

  • Junior (Male) 14-18
  • Senior (Male) 19-34
  • Vet (Male) 35-44
  • Masters (Male) 45-54
  • Super Senior (Male) 55-on up
  • Junior (Female) 14-18
  • Senior (Female) 19-34
  • Vet (Female) 35-44
  • Masters (Female) 45-54
  • Super Senior (Female) 55-on up

10.  What is included in the entry?
Each event includes different things.   If you register in advance, there is always an event Tshirt or included. There are aid stations along the route that supply food and drink. There is roving mechanical support. There is hot food after the event.  Custom Descente Event Jerseys are available for each event for a $50 fee.  ( A big thanks to Descente for providing a great deal, you want to buy these Jerseys).

Every GFNCS entry gets you one raffle entry to win a Specialized Roubaix SL4, the official bike of the GFNC Series!  Specialized and GFNCS will be giving away 2 bikes, one Roubaix SL4 Expert Compact and one Ruby Comp Compact, to be raffled off for the whole series.  Register today to win!  Every registration equals one raffle chance, enter multiple events and get multiple chances to win! One Female winner one male winner.

11.  Registration and start location?
See specific event page for details, some event require a day before event packet/number pick up

12.  Do I need a license to participate?
No, You do not need a special license to ride.

13.  What bike is appropriate?
Any bike in good safe working order will be able to ride in the Gran Fondo. The ideal bike is a road bike with skinny tires and multiple gears. This is a difficult course and heavy bikes with mountain bike tires will be at a distinct disadvantage, as will aero-bars. No recumbent bikes allowed!

14.  Is there a minimum age for participation?
Yes, Riders must be 14 years of age to participate.

15.  What are the timed sections like?
Many timed sections are climbs but not all are.  Timed sections are longer sections of roadway that do not have intersections that require control.

16. Where can I stay?
There are several hotels in each area; See event pages for details.
In Frederick, We Recommend the Hilton Garden Inn. If you inform them you are riding in the event they will give you a special discount rate of $129 per night
7226 Corporate Court Frederick, MD 21703  (240) 566-1500

17.  Where is there parking?
Parking details are provided for reach event.

18.  Refunds or transfers?
No refunds of transfers will be granted. If you cannot participate in the event you can volunteer in exchange for a deferral to next year’s event.

19.  Where are the aid stations?
Aid stations provide food and drink along the route. The location of the aid stations are marked in the race notes and maps.  Typically aid stations are about every 25 miles.

20.  Is there a time cut-off?
Yes, there are cut off times. All timed sections are open for specific durations; you must enter and exit each time section during the specified scheduled time each section is open.  This is figured on an average progression speed between 20 mph and 10 mph (note: this is not average ride speed, this is average progression speed and includes all stopped time, i.e total time)

21.  Mechanical Support?
Roving mechanical support is offered but be prepared to fix your own flats as you may have to wait longer for the roving support than it will take to fix it yourself

22.  Are there local bike shops I can get last minute supplies from?
Yes, each event has a bike shop in proximity

23.  If I can’t finish what do I do?
If you feel like you cannot finish, take one of the shorter routes back.  There will be a SAG vehicle that can give a ride back; however, this vehicle will stay behind the last rider ad will not provide immediate transport back.

24.  Is it a mass start?
Start time is mandatory all riders must start together.

25.  Rain or shine?
Yes

26.  Is there food provided?
At aid stations, after the finish we supply some hot food, but we also recommend checking out a real meal in the downtown areas.

27.  Can I volunteer?
Yes, please contact us at info@granfondochampionship.com

28.  Can I go on course and cheer people on?
Yes

29.  Are there any premes for the timed sections?
Bertucci watch company will present its Procolor series titanium watches to the fastest riders in timed sections. The fastest females in sections 1 and 3 and the fastest men in sections 2 and 4 will receive Bertucci A-2T Procolor, swiss movement watches.

30.  What riding gear/things do you need?

  •   Helmet—no helmet, no ride!
  •   Water bottles
  •   A basic tool kit
  •   Tire pump or CO2 cartridges
  •   Appropriate riding clothing to match the weather report
  •   Spare tube and patch kit
  •   If you have odd sized tires or tubes, bring an extra spare
  •   Personal ID and medical insurance cards
  •   Cell phone