Gran Fondo returns to Morristown next month
MORRISTOWN – The 2015 Gran Fondo is just two weeks away from pedaling through Morristown, and entry fees go up after Saturday.
The fifth-annual event again features four rides of varying lengths. The titular Gran Fondo, meaning “great endurance” or “big ride” in Italian, is the longest at 107 miles.
The other three options are the 62-mile Medio Fondo, 42-mile Piccolo Fondo, and 18-mile Breve Fondo.
The 2015 Gran Fondo, which has raised more than $600,000 for local charities in its first four years, will be held Sept. 13, beginning at 7 a.m.
The ride benefits five local charities, including The Seeing Eye, Homeless Solutions, Grow it Green Morristown, Sustainable Morristown, and the New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition.
More than 2,200 people are expected to ride this year, including participants from more than 30 states, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Panama, England, Ireland, and Canada.
The Gran Fondo is not a timed ride aside from “King and Queen of the Mountain,” which awards a prize from one of the races sponsors to the man and woman who have the best total time for riding up the courses’ hills. There are prizes for seven age brackets, both men and women, in each of the four routes.
Gran Fondo executive director Bill Ruddick said new this year is a couple’s category, a combined total of the two times on the hill climbs.
Pre-registration for the Gran Fondo is open until Saturday, and costs between $175 for the Gran Fondo to $120 for the Breve Fondo. After Saturday, all rides will cost $200.
People can sign up until the start of the race as long as there are open spots, but the price jumps to $215 after Sept. 7.
Registration includes day-of event parking, entry into more than $30,000 in raffle prizes, hotel discounts, a finisher’s medal, a Gran Fondo pint glass, and more.
Entry also includes post-ride entertainment, a recovery zone, and a Food Festival and Bike Expo, as well as festive rest stops featuring both typical cycling and specialty food along the course.
Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gran-fondo-nj-2015-registration-13483857581 to register or granfondonj.com to learn more about the Gran Fondo.
Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com
If you go:
Gran Fondo NJ
What: Four bike rides of varying length through northern New Jersey
When: Sunday, Sept. 13, at 7 a.m.
Where: Ride begins and ends at 3 Speedwell Avenue in Morristown.
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gran-fondo-nj-2015-registration-13483857581
Cost: $175 to $120 before Aug. 29, $200 after for all races
Website: http://granfondonj.com/