Boone Gran Fondo

Complete event details available at https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-boone

Includes Event Jersey if registering 26 or more days in advance

 

BOONE GRAN FONDO
Boone, NC
August 4, 2024

Event Open to All from Beginner to Elite

3 Loops to Choose From

Benefiting: Watauga Pioneers Mountain Bike Team
The local NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) team

4 Timed Sections in the 100 mile loop – Best Combined Time Wins

Age Group Categories

Awards and Winners jerseys for Gran Route 

Awards  for Medio and Piccolo Age Winners

Ride with your friends, Race with your friends

Fully Stocked Aid Stations to keep you going

Come Challenge Yourself

 

Packet pick up:

(Watch for updated Information on these dates and locations the below is from 2023 but will likely be the same) 

Saturday - TBA

Sunday from 6:00 AM to 7:15 AM - 164 S Depot St, Boone, NC 28607 (at location of race start)

U23 Made Possible By Shimano

Riders who will be 23 years of age or under as of December 31, 2024, are eligible to use the coupon code: U23byShimano at checkout for any of the company’s owned SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series events including Gran Fondo Florida, Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo, Highlands Gran Fondo, Gran Fondo Asheville, Boone Gran Fondo, Gran Fondo Maryland, as well as the 2024 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships. The offer is limited to participants under the age of 23 and entrants are verified by their age. Juniors – cyclists under the age of 18 – are eligible to use the same coupon code.

What does the price of your entry include?

Traffic controlEvent-specific cycling Jersey if registering 24 or more days in advanceFully stocked aid stations with energy product and foodFour Chip Timed Sections Post-race food, beverage, and entertainmentGoody-bag with various swag itemsFinisher gift for all Gran Route FinishersAwards for age-group placement Chance to win Prizes and Awards for placementChance to win raffle prizes at post event raffleThe enjoyment of riding an amazing cycling route

Course Description 

In mid-summer, the High Country of North Carolina enjoys 80-degree temperatures while the surrounding East Coast temperatures hover in the high 90s. August 2rd 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 forth 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.

 

For information regarding our COVID-19 safety plan, navigate to https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/covid19-safety-plan

 

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Believe in the Bike

Reuben Kline
Gran Fondo National Series
www.gfncs.com
765-247-BIKE