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Vermont’s Formidable Four Gap Gran Fondo is Great Fun!

The Vermont Gran Fondo is a bucket-list century ride over 4 challenging mountain gaps in the Green Mountains of central Vermont

Entering its 6th year, the Vermont Gran Fondo continues to challenge riders from across the US, Canada and abroad. This century ride will once again climb 4 of the Green Mountain’s toughest climbs drawing from the notorious 6-gap route, said to be one of the toughest in the USA, blogged about by many who take on this challenge. The six gaps include the Appalachian Gap, Roxbury Gap, Lincoln Gap, Rochester Gap, Middlebury Gap, and Brandon Gap. In the past 5 years, the Vermont Gran Fondo has climbed all except Rochester Gap: the course is not yet fully ironed out and it could see this challenging gap have its first appearance. Time will tell.

Vermont’s Formidable Four Gap Gran Fondo is Great Fun!

Big changes in the event for 2019 will see the venue moved from Middlebury, 12 miles to the northeast, to Bristol, VT. The Bristol Recreation Club adjoining the high school offers a large open space for the after-party with ample parking in close proximity. All the event activities from start, finish and after party will take place here. With local food vendors, live music and an amazing westerly view to watch the sunset while recovering is a perfect way to cap off the day. If you still have energy post-event party, the local downtown offers additional options for entertainment into the evening. Need a late day dip in the cool waters of the New Haven River near by...no worries, there are several easy access points.

The Vermont Gran Fondo is a bucket-list century ride over 4 challenging mountain gaps in the Green Mountains of central Vermont

The course has always passed through Bristol on route to the Appalachian Gap, a formidable 2.7-mile climb with a maximum 26% grade and an average 8% grade overall, and this is where we will start the day's ride for the Gran and Medio course while the Piccolo turns off to less intimidating climbs. The remaining 3 gaps are still in the planning stages, but you can be assured of three things: the distance will top 100 miles, the climbing will top 10,000’ and the views will be amazing!

Big changes in the event for 2019 will see the venue moved from Middlebury, 12 miles to the northeast, to Bristol, VT.

Another announcement for the Vermont Gran Fondo for 2019 is the partnership with the Flyin Ryan Foundation(FRF). This Vermont based foundation’s mission is in part to “to stimulate adventurers to use their self-composed core values as a set of rails which influence daily attitude, engagement in life, and future decisions, both large and small”. The foundation’s ‘adventurers’ span across the country with a broad range of outdoor sporting endeavors.

The course has always passed through Bristol on route to the Appalachian Gap, a formidable 2.7-mile climb with a maximum 26% grade and an average 8% grade overall

The Vermont Gran Fondo is proud to commit a portion of all registrant’s entry fee to benefit the foundation. We feel that the FRF missions and goals align with our own values of sportsmanship, personal achievement, and community activism.

The Vermont Gran Fondo will be bigger and better this year, taking in all the feedback from our participants each year, to continuously tweak and improve the experience for all involved.

Hope to see you this June 29th for a great day of challenging riding followed by a relaxing recovery at the after party.

For more information, please visit: http://www.vermontgranfondo.com