Vermont Gran Fondo Releases Strava Segments
When it comes to climbing, Vermont came out top on Strava in 2015, with cyclists climbing an average of 1,500 feet every ride followed closely by cyclists in Colorado and California
The Vermont Gran Fondo was established in 2014 as the Green Mountains’ premier cycling event and named one of the U.S.’s Top 10 “Must-Do” Gran Fondos for 2016. The 3rd edition of this iconic event takes place on June 4th 2016. Previous editions have challenged cyclists from all over the U.S., Canada and internationally.
This year sees the Gran Fondo route tackle the Appalachian Gap, Moretown Mountain, Roxbury Gap, and Lincoln Gaps in succession. The event allows participants to compete for the overall KOM and QOM titles, with each climb being timed. Riders on the Gran Fondo route will climb more than 10,500 feet over 105 miles making the Vermont Gran Fondo one of the toughest cycling challenges in the Northeast regions of both U.S. and Canada.
Appalachian Gap
At nearly 3 miles with an 8% gradient, the first mile is an average of around 6%, the next mile rears up to gradients of 22%. Riders can a take slight rest before the road rises up to 26% in the last mile. The climb is rated an HC (Haute Category) 2 climb and riders will climb over 1,160 feet to the summit below Molly Stark Mountain.
The fastest male and female riders up the App Gap in the Vermont Gran Fondo will be awarded one of eight Vermont Gran Fondo KOM/QOM Jerseys, one for each of the timed climbs.
The current fastest man up the climb is Pro cyclist Bryan Lewis, Lupus Racing Team. Bryan Lewis clocked the fastest time on stage 3 of the 2015 Green Mountain Stage Race, which he won. He also took the Green Mountain Stage Race overall. Bryan has some other impressive wins last year including 1st Tour of the Battenkill; 1st at the 6 Hours of Warrior Creek and 6th USAC Marathon MTB Nationals.
The current fastest women up App Gap is British Pro cyclist Helen Wyman, Kona Factory Racing Team, 9 times national and 2 times European Cyclocross Champion, who recorded the fastest time on stage 3 of 2015 Green Mountain Stage Race too.
Vermont Gran Fondo official Appalachian Gap climb on Strava - https://www.strava.com/segments/11596992
Lincoln Gap
Purportedly the steepest paved mile in the U.S., the timed section starts halfway up the Lincoln Gap Road climb from Warren. The 1.3 miles timed section to the top has an average gradient of 15% and has sustained gradients of up to 24% and climbs more than 1,000 feet. The fastest male and female riders up the Lincoln Gap in the Vermont Gran Fondo will be awarded one of eight Vermont Gran Fondo KOM/QOM Jerseys, one for each of the timed climbs.
Amateur cyclist Ben Silberfarb from Vermont holds the fastest recorded time for eight years. Will it fall this year on the Gran Fondo?
Pro cyclist Lea Davison, Specialized Racing holds the current women’s record, set during the 2015 Vermont Gran Fondo!!!
Vermont Gran Fondo official Lincoln Gap climb on Strava - https://www.strava.com/segments/9695932
Moretown Gap
New for 2016, due to the surface re-paving and bridge construction in the Green Mountains, the climb starts straight out of Moretown up Mountain Road for 1.7 miles. The Moretown Gap is a little less known climb in the Green Mountains, but with an average grade of 8% and over 730 feet of climbing, is a force to be reckoned with, obtaining a HC (Haute Category) rating of 2.
Josh Dillon who rides for BikeReg Elite Cycling holds the KOM on the climb. Cindy Brennan from Boston, Massachusetts holds the current QOM title.
Will both the current KOM and QOM title fall into new hands in the 2016 Vermont Gran Fondo?
Vermont Gran Fondo official Moretown Gap climb on Strava - https://www.strava.com/segments/11674465
Roxbury Gap
NEW for 2016, due to the re-surfacing of some roads, this climb is not easy. At nearly 2.5 miles with an average gradient of 9% the Roxbury Gap packs a real punch. Turning off Northfield road, it immediately ramps up to around 10% and really doesn’t offer much in any respite the whole way up!
If the climb was a bit longer, could this be the U.S.'s answer to the legendary Mortirolo? Tree lined, steep, winding, with no real measure of the end anywhere in sight?
Riders will need to pace themselves to avoid going into the red as it will take at least 15 minutes effort to crack this climb. Local amateur rider Matthew Buckley has the current KOM record. With nearly 1,100 feet climbed, Matthew's predicted power output effort was over 300 watts. For the ladies, local rider Vivien Taylor from Brookfield holds the QOM title. Both records have stood for 4 years.
Will both the current KOM and QOM title fall into new hands in the 2016 Vermont Gran Fondo?
Remember, riders have 4 passes, over 10,500 feet and 105 miles to complete in the Gran Fondo. To pull off a QOM/KOM on any of the climbs in the event and grab one of eight jerseys - will without doubt earn them the right to wear it!
To get a KOM/QOM overall fastest time on Strava like Pro cyclist Lea Davison, Specialized Racing did on the Lincoln Gap during the 2015 Vermont Gran Fondo - that’s out of this world!
Vermont Gran Fondo official Roxbury Gap climb on Strava - https://www.strava.com/segments/11674490
Inteview with Pro Cyclist Lea Davison, 2015 QOM Winner
Interview with Dan Ober, 2015 KOM Winner
#vermontgranfondo
If you’re training, practicing the climbs or taking part in the Vermont Gran Fondo, please use the hashtag #vermontgranfondo on Twitter and Instagram. You'll be included in the Vermont Gran Fondo social media community channel and we'll also keep our an eye out at Gran Fondo Guide too!
The Routes
Riders on the Gran Fondo Route will climb more than 10,500 feet over 105 miles making the Vermont Gran Fondo one of the toughest cycling challenges in the Northeast of the U.S. and Canada. The Vermont Gran Fondo official route is now available on Strava - https://www.strava.com/routes/4389865
Sounds challenging? You betcha!
How about either the Medio or Piccolo distances? The Medio distance (68 miles) traverses the Lincoln and Appalachian gaps with 6,800 feet of climbing or the Piccolo distance (43 miles) traverses Baby App Gap with 3,200 feet of climbing.
About the Vermont Gran Fondo
The Vermont Gran Fondo is produced by Cycle Addison County, Inc. Addison County, Vermont was named “Best Road Biking” by Yankee Magazine in 2011. We are a non-profit organization and are applying for 501(c)3 designation. The organizing committee is made up of cycling enthusiasts and athletically-inclined tourism and business development representatives. Event proceeds will be distributed via grants to municipalities and non-profit organizations with the purpose of enhancing bicycling in Addison County through programs, education, infrastructure and/or equipment.
For full details please go to vermontGranFondo.com.
To register, please go to bikereg.com/vermont-gran-fondo
A special thanks to Vermont Gran Fondo ambassador Todd Warnock, who spent some of his Easter in the Green Mountains surveying the climbs.
