Second Annual White Mountain Gran Fondo Expected to Draw Hundreds of Cyclists to Northern NH
Boost for City Year New Hampshire
Lincoln, NH – Back by popular demand, the 2nd Annual White Mountain Gran Fondo presented by Bank of New Hampshire will be challenging nearly 800 cyclists in the ride of their lives on Saturday, August 23. Cyclists will test their strength and endurance through 100 miles of some of the toughest climbs and most brilliant scenery that New Hampshire’s White Mountains have to offer. Cyclists can still register by visiting www.whitemountaingranfondo.com.
This “Big Ride for a Big Purpose” benefits City Year New Hampshire’s work to help struggling students stay in school and get back on track toward high school graduation. In Manchester, City Year’s diverse corps of 50 young people serve in six of the city’s elementary schools.
City Year New Hampshire’s Executive Director Pawn Nitichan explains, “With one in four Manchester children currently living in poverty and one in seven dropping out of high school, thousands more students at the middle and high school level are in need of similar assistance. The White Mountain Gran Fondo is critical in helping City Year raise the funds to expand and help meet the needs of all students.”
Gran Fondos are long distance, mass-participation cycling events that have been extremely popular in Europe – and increasing in popularity in the U.S. The WMGF will include three ride options: a 100 mile Gran Fondo starting at Loon Mountain, a 50 mile Medio Fondo starting at Bretton Woods Ski Resort, and a 25 mile Piccolo Fondo starting in Franconia, NH. Each ride will challenge cyclists with daring terrain and breathtaking scenery.
Last year, the event attracted nearly 400 athletes, 21 sponsors, 112 volunteers and hundreds of spectators to the White Mountains and raised $78,000 in support of City Year’s work. The event received overwhelmingly positive feedback from riders and sponsors alike.
One participant remarked, “Over the last five years I've participated in about a dozen organized bike rides annually. This was the best organized and most scenic ride I've ever been on.”
Tony Ilacqua, Branch Manager for Bank of New Hampshire in Lincoln said, “Last year, numerous people went out of their way to thank me and my company for supporting such a wonderful cause. I have always been proud to represent my company, but never as much as on that day. What a great event and more importantly what a great Partnership that Bank of New Hampshire is proud to be a part of.”
Paul McCormack, Irish Olympic cyclist and the official Event Technician said, “City Year members bring an amazing level of spirit and organization that make the White Mountain Gran Fondo an incredible success – one of the best events I’ve been to in recent years.”
Loon Mountain Resort will host all of the action at the event’s start and finish line. Participants will be treated to joyful welcomes from City Year New Hampshire staff and volunteers as they arrive. The 100-mile ride will launch at 8am. The riders will turn right out of Loon Mountain to make the long, steady climb up the Kancamagus Highway and on to Bear Notch and Crawford Notch. The beautiful day of riding will conclude with a trek up Kinsman Notch with volunteers wildly cheering at the top. Then, it is all downhill to the finish. The course will be teeming with energetic City Year staff and corps members who will cheer, direct and assist riders the whole way.
“We’re so pleased to host City Year’s big event. We’re grateful to the organization, volunteers, sponsors, riders, and their family and friends for heading to the Lincoln area and allowing us to be a part of their success,” said Andrew Noyes, Sales Director at Loon.
City Year New Hampshire is partnering with the Bank of New Hampshire and several other local businesses to make this event possible, including Loon Mountain, Bretton Woods, Papa Wheelies, Pedro’s, The Mountain Club at Loon, Baker Newman Noyes, the McLane Law Firm and 13 other sponsors and partners.
For more information about the event and to register, visit www.whitemountaingranfondo.com.
Photo: More than 500 cyclists will hit the roads in the North Country to celebrate the 2nd Annual White Mountain Gran Fondo cycling challenge to benefit City Year. Photographed by Bob LaPree
About City Year
City Year is an education focused AmeriCorps program that unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time, team based service to keep students in school and on track to graduate successfully. Evidence-based research has determined the early-warning indicators allowing us to identify the students likely to drop out of school. By focusing on students’ ABCs - Attendance, Behavior and Course performance in math and English, City Year corps members, working in partnership with teachers, serve as tutors, mentors and role models who are uniquely able to help students and schools succeed. For more information, visit www.cityyear.org.
About Bank of New Hampshire
Bank of New Hampshire, founded in 1831, provides deposit, lending and wealth management products and services to families and businesses throughout New Hampshire. With 21 banking offices throughout New Hampshire and assets exceeding $1 billion, Bank of New Hampshire is the oldest and largest independent bank in the state. Bank of New Hampshire is a mutual organization, focused on the success of the bank’s customers, communities and employees, rather than stockholders. For more information, call 1-800-832-0912 or visit www.BankNH.com.
Stage 1 - Le Perray-en-Yvelines
