Full preview of the inaugural Fredericksburg Fondo
Check out the routes of FCCUSA’s newest Fondo on October 21, in Fredericksburg, Virginia
Situated midway between Washington D.C. and Richmond, Fredericksburg is easy to get to from North Carolina, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The area is steeped in history; Fredericksburg was George Washington’s boyhood home and the area saw many historic battles during the Civil War.
The event starts and finishes in downtown’s Old Mill Park on the banks of the Rappahannock River.
There are three route distances of 33, 54 and 76 miles that 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 gently rolling hills throughout Spotsylvania and Caroline counties.
Expect a few challenging hills to elevate your heart rate!
The Gran Fondo
The 76 mile Gran Fondo contains 2,457 feet with some great climbs and gradients of up to 7%. For experienced riders the Gran Fondo will be a good challenge on quiet roads.
It boasts three rest stops that will allow you to hydrate and refuel .
GPS Download: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27650152
From Old Mill Park you’ll head through historic Fredericksburg and to the city limits with a police escort which will control traffic at intersections. After seven miles you will turn south and west along quiet roads leading to the historic village of Guinea where, at the 19-mile-mark, you will find your first rest stop at Hopewell Methodist Church.
Make sure you stock up with nutrition but don’t down too much, just 1.5 miles down the road is the first KOM timed section of Stonewall.
The Stonewall KOM is just under a mile and contains 110 feet of climbing with a maximum gradient of 5.6% and an average of 1.9%. Pace yourself until you reach the shallower gradients and give it your best shot!
After the KOM, you’ll make a sharp left passing a plantation established in 1705 and ending up at Paige Rd after another short climb. From there you’ll turn west toward Nancy Wright’s Corner and continue on gently rolling roads until you reach your second rest stop at County Line Baptist Church at the 38-mile mark.
Leaving rest stop #2, you’ll slowly descend down through Chilesburg, Cedar Fork (the most southerly point of the ride) and through Golansville. Heading east you’ll climb up over I-95, until you turn north on Balty Rd at the 50-mile mark. You are coming onto the home stretch.
At 54 miles, after an exhilerating descent on Bath Rd, you will reach the second KOM timed section of South River Rd. It’s just under a mile and contains 50 feet of climb with a maximum gradient of 3% and an average of 1.2%, so you should be able to climb this section pretty fast!
Luckily the 3rd rest stop is ideally located at historic Bethel Baptist Church in Paige. There’s time to refuel and then recover on a nice descent from the church to Woodford. After Woodford enjoy another stretch of quiet county road until you once again reach the village of Guinea and your final challenge.
This Gran Fondo has a sting in its tail!
The final KOM is at Guinea Station at the 62-mile mark. The Guinea Station KOM is around a mile long and starts with a descent before ascending to a maximum of 6% and around 100 feet of climbing. Pace yourself and do your best!
You can recover for the next three miles being rewarded with a great descent before turning back onto Tidewater Trail with just 5 miles of flat roads back into Fredericksburg.
Get ready to celebrate your achievements with food trucks, craft beer and live music at the finish!
The Gran Fondo will be real test of your endurance, the final two KOM timed sections come later on in the ride, so make sure you pace yourself and fuel up at the 2nd and 3rd rest stops.
The Medio Fondo
The Medio Fondo is 54 miles and contains 1,607 feet of climbing with two KOM timed sections. It will suit intermediate cyclists and features most of the route on the Gran Fondo except the most southern route from Welchs to Paige.
It boasts two rest stops that will allow you to hydrate and refuel on route.
The Medio Fondo is a challenging, but fun ride with some challenging climbs and will be a really good of your endurance.
GPS Download: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28276826
The Piccolo Fondo
The Piccolo Fondo is 33 miles and contains 1,348 feet of climbing with one KOM timed and will suit beginners.
It has one fully stocked rest stop that will allow you to hydrate and refuel 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/28276481
Late Registration and Packet Pickup
Old Mill Park – 2401 Caroline St, Fredericksburg VA 22401
Sat October 20, 2018: 2:00PM – 6:00PM Late Registration & Packet Pick-up
Sun October 21, 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, and 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, so sign up now and save by clicking in register button below.
For more details, please visit: http://fondocyclingcircuitusa.com/fredericksburg-va
