Full preview of the inaugural Akron Fondo
Check out the routes of FCCUSA’s new Fondo in Akron, Ohio on October 14
The event is held at Lock 3 in downtown Akron, used for the town’s biggest festivals and community events. Akron is ideally located for cyclists from some of the big cities like Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Detroit and Indianapolis.
There are three standard distances of 30, 52 and 77 miles cater to cyclists of all abilities. The three routes for the Piccolo, Medio and Gran have been cleverly designed to offer cyclists a superb days riding.
During the ride you’ll experience the colorful scenic river valleys of the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas and pass the beautifully preserved Ohio and Erie Canal way.
Expect a few challenging hills to elevate your heart rate but expect some nice descents too!
The Gran Fondo
The 77 mile Gran Fondo will be a true test of your climbing ability with over 4,401 feet with some great climbs and gradients of up to 9%. For experienced riders the Gran Fondo will be a big challenge, albeit on quiet roads. It boasts four rest stops that will allow you to hydrate and re-fuel around route.
GPS Download: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27525377
From Akron you’ll head south for a lap around Goodyear’s Proving Grounds racetrack, where they test the latest in tyre technology!
Continuing south on quiet roads past the International Airport Park and Derby Downs, site of the All-American Soap Box Derby.
The route continues south through Firestone Golf course and onto Portage Lakes on undulation roads containing climbs of 100-200 feet. There’s no a lot of flat over the route, hence you’ll be working all the time and the cumulative climbs will surely add up to 4,401 feet of climbing on route.
State Street is the first KOM timed climb, 3.3% max gradient at an average of just 1% over ¾ of a mile. It comes after 15 miles, just after the first rest stop near Myers Island.
The route continues north through Copley and the second KOM timed climb of Down the Hatch! arrives after 29 miles. The timed section is 1.4 miles and starts with a descent before climbing over 200 feet over ½ a mile. The section continues down the descent before finishing. The timed section will test your descending and climbing skills.
The route continues north and you’ll reach the second rest stop at Youngs Corner after 34 miles. Make sure you take on lots of nutrition and liquid and you continue north on undulating roads that will sap the energy from your legs, you’ll pass through Granger Weymouth, past Valleaire Golf Club.
It’s here after 49 miles you reach the 3rd KOM timed section of Its Shady on Cady. The climb is 1.1 miles long with a max gradient of 7% and an average of 4% and contains 300 feet of climbing.
Good news, you turn south and it’s only 5 miles until the 3rd rest stop at Hinckley Lake. Through the gorgeous shaded Hinckley reservation, you’ll slowly climb upwards for the next 10 miles to reach the well positioned 4th rest stop after 65 miles.
The Gran Fondo is a great test of your climbing skills and endurance, with over 4,400 feet of ascent with hardly any real flat on route and some testing climbs!
You’re on the home stretch, with the two climbs of O’Neils Wood and Sun Run Metro Parks before descending down back to Akron ready to celebrate your achievements with food trucks, craft beer and live music at the finish!
The Medio Fondo
The Medio Fondo is 52.7 miles and contains 2,717 feet of climbing with two KOM timed sections of State Street and Down the Hatch! It will suit intermediate cyclists and features most of the route on the Gran Fondo excluding the loop north of Young’s Corner.
It boasts three rest stops that will allow you to hydrate and re-fuel on route.
The Medio Fondo is a challenging but fun ride with several good climbs and and a test of your climbing ability.
GPS Download: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27525353
The Piccolo Fondo
The Piccolo Fondo is 30.6 miles and contains 1,634 feet of climbing with one KOM timed section of State Street and will suit beginners.
It has one fully stocked rest stop that will allow you to hydrate and re-fuel halfway around the route.
The Piccolo Fondo is a doable ride with a few climbs thrown in for fun!
GPS Download: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27739065
Late Registration and Packet Pickup
Sat October 13, 2018: 2:00PM – 6:00PM Late Registration & Packet Pick-up
Sun October 14, 2018: 6:30AM – 7:30AM Late Registration & Packet Pick-up
8:00AM Start (all rides)
Prizes and Awards
Each athlete will receive a finisher’s medal!
The KOM and QOM winners for the Gran, Medio and Piccolo Fondo will receive recognition on the FCCUSA website.
Register Now to Secure a Place!
Each cyclist will receive a t-shirt, sling bag, finisher medal, water bottle, tickets to the food trucks and craft beer, plus other amenities. The ride includes start-to-finish chip timing, including timed KOM sections, police controlled start, fully stocked rest stops and on-course mechanical support.
Places are limited so early entry is advised to secure a place. Prices increase September 13, so sign up now and save by clicking in register button below.
For more details, please visit: http://fondocyclingcircuitusa.com/akron-oh
