Boone, NC
August 7, 2016
Start Time: 8:00 AM
Event Open to All from Beginner to Elite
3 Loops to Choose From: 100 mile, 55 mile, 20 mile
Benefiting: Western Youth Network (WYN)
4 Timed Sections in the 100 mile loop – Best Combined Time Wins
Cash Purse, Awards and Winners jerseys for Gran Route
Awards & Prizes for 55 mile and 20 mile winners
This is a 2016 Gran Fondo National Championship Series® event
Ride with your friends, Race with your friends
Fully Stocked Aid Stations to keep you going
Come Challenge Yourself
Packet pick up:
Saturday 8/6/16 - Lost Province Brewing Company 130 N Depot St, Boone, NC 28607
Sunday 8/7/16 - 164 S Depot St Boone, NC 28607
What does the price of your entry include?
- Traffic control
- T-Shirt included for registrations received more than 10 day's in advance of event date
- Fully stocked aid stations with energy product and food
- Four Chip Timed Sections (requires over $100,000 in contracted timing equipment).This amount of equipment could time six standard races or two triathlons. It takes a lot of technical equipment to time this event.
- Post-race food, beverage, and entertainment
- Goody-bag with various swag items
- Finisher medal for all Gran Route Finishers
- Awards for age-group placement
- Chance to win Cash and Prizes for placement
- Chance to win raffle prizes
- The 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 3rd 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.