1,000 cyclists and 50 teams enjoy the biggest Highlands Gran Fondo ever!!!

1,000 cyclists and an incredible 50 teams enjoyed gorgeous weather to ride through the New Jersey Highlands last weekend, at the sold out round 3 of the SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series

Photo: Big medals and even bigger smiles at the finish line in Butler after 100 sunny miles!

To meet the demand for entries even after reaching their sold-out number, organizers found creative ways to create additional bib numbers and bike plates and were thrilled they did not need to turn anyone away! And yet, even with a record number of riders on course, riders experienced one of the smoothest events of Highlands Gran Fondo’s 11-year history.

The hilly Highlands region outside of Butler, NJ features great climbs, miles and miles of quiet country roads and is a great way to experience the landscape just 30 minutes from New York City. It’s clearly a favourite in cyclist’s eyes, as this year the event drew a record number of 1,000 cyclists. Luckily the weather was in the 70’s with some cloud cover but mainly sunny skies, a beautiful day for a bike ride!

There were three distances on offer, the 100-mile Gran Route had 4 timed sections and 7,400 feet of climbing, the 60-mile Medio route had 3 timed sections and 4,300 feet of climbing, and the 35-mile Piccolo Route had 2 timed sections and 2,450 feet of climbing.

Photo: Team work makes the dream work!

In the Gran Fondo, Dan Montgomery from Andover NJ was fastest over the four timed section in a time of 43m 05s. He was 1m 43 ahead of second fastest rider Jeremy Scheid Newton NJ. In third place Brandon Jennings from Far Hills was a full 10m 6s behind the leader.

In the women’s Gran Fondo, Galen Bolard from NY was fastest in a combined time of 47m 12s. Emma Betuel from NY was second fastest 12s behind and Aleksandra Maz from Chester NY was third fastest 3m 13s behind the leader. 

In the 60 mile Medio Fondo, Hugo Pelaez from Woodland Park NJ was fastest over the three timed sections in a time of 36m 14s ahead of Eziel Hernandez from Levittown NY 35s behind and Charlie Stein from NY 36s behind in third place

In the women’s Medio Fondo, Jillian Mcgee from Verona WI was fastest in a time 41m 46s ahead of July Calderon from Cliffside Park NJ 3m 25s behind and Idy Judowitz from Lkwd NJ 5m 4s behind in third place. 

In the 35 mile Piccolo Fondo, Oscar Romero from Corona NY was fastest over the 2 timed sections in 29m 52s ahead of Mauricio Murillo from NY was 2m 53s behind in second place and Deven Damiano from S Richmond Hill NY was 4m 12s behind in third place.

In the women’s Piccolo Fondo, Rachel Liberatore from Huntington NY was fastest in a time 35m 15s, ahead of Sandy Ng from Scarsdale NY 26s down in second place and Deisy Mendez from Corona NY was also 26 behind in third place. 

Riders were rewarded for their efforts with brilliant sunshine back at High Point Brewery in Butler with the best finish line party featuring great local food from Boca Bowls and Ramstein beer form High Point Brewery, the award ceremonies and the legendary prize raffle featuring more than $5,000 in prizes from Series sponsors!

Gran Fondo National Series founder and director Reuben Kline commented, “Thank you for joining us for an incredible weekend at the Highlands Gran Fondo! We sold out the event for a third year in a row. To meet the demand for entries even after we reached our sold out number, we found creative ways to create additional bib numbers and bike plates and we were thrilled that we did not need to turn anyone away! And yet, even with a record number of riders on course, you all encouraged and watched over each other and we had one of the smoothest events of our 11-year history! “

“Riders came from near and far, and we thank you for choosing a SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series event. We also want to send a special shout out to Boca Bowls and their great servers for providing wonderful fresh meals for riders throughout the day. Not only was it great on its own, but it also paired wonderfully with Ramstein Beer!”

“We look forward to hosting you again at other Series events around the country! Our next stop is Gran Fondo Asheville, p/b Applewood Manor in Asheville, North Carolina on July 16, 2023. For riders who plan on joining us in Asheville, please check out the VIP Experiences with Applewood Manor. And mark your calendar for the 2024 Highlands Gran Fondo on June 3, 2024.”

Photo: Gran Fondo National Series founder and director Reuben Kline and the team!

Congratulations to the age group winners for the Gran Route:

WOMEN U23    Sophia Papadakis
WOMEN 23-34  Galen Bolard
WOMEN 35-44  Gosia Goclowska
WOMEN 45-54  Aleksandra Maz
WOMEN 55-64  Susan Haid
WOMEN 65-69  Barbara Haney

MEN U23          Matan Sopher
MEN 23-34       Dan Montgomery
MEN 35-44       Jeremy Scheid
MEN 45-54       Brent Vollrath
MEN 55-64       Ronald Malone
MEN 65-69       Robert Mcfarland
MEN 70+          Bob Smith

Congratulations to the age group winners for the Medio Route:

WOMEN 23-34  Jillian Mcgee
WOMEN 35-44  Christine Provo
WOMEN 45-54  Ida Judowitz
WOMEN 55-64  Patricia Ouimet
MEN U23          Eziel Hernandez
MEN 23-34       Charlie Stein
MEN 35-44       Hugo Pelaez
MEN 45-54       Uber Uribe
MEN 55-64       Paul Brewer
MEN 65-69       Peter Sisti
MEN 70+          Bruce Mandel

Congratulations to the age group winners for the Piccolo Route:

WOMEN 23-34  Deisy Mendez
WOMEN 35-44  Victoria Pinsky
WOMEN 45-54  Rachel Liberatore
WOMEN 55-64  Maria Inacio
WOMEN 65+     Tami Furman

MEN U23          Patrick Bubniak
MEN 23-34       Ryan Kaminsky
MEN 35-44       Oscar Romero
MEN 45-54       Deven Damiano
MEN 55-64       Mauricio Murillo
MEN 65-69       Kevin Gaydar
MEN 70+          Roger Kyte

50 teams fielded in the Team Competition!

An incredible 50 teams were fielded in the team category and competition was fierce. Usual podium placed Blue Wealth Management p/b Cannondale were back with 6 team members. They finished second to Highlands Velo, who fielded 11 team members and won overall on the fastest combined time of 2h 7m 24s with bonuses. In third place was the CRCA / Oynx team out of Englewood NJ.

Photo: Highlands Velo took 1^st place in the team prize with 50 teams entering the competiton.

Over 140 riders qualified the 2023 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships by finishing on the podium or in the top 25% of their age category, a full list of can be found here.

The 2023 USA Cycling Gran Fondo Championships take place in Maryland on September 17^th and all Gran Fondo National Series participants get the chance to qualify at participating events across the USA.

Link to 2023 Gran Fondo Highlands Results: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/highlands-2023-results

Link to the amazing 2023 Gran Fondo Highlands Photographs: https://firstplacephoto.shotsee.com/gallery/highlandsgf2023

Next Up: Gran Fondo Asheville p/b Apple Wood Manor

Mark your calendar for 10th annual Gran Fondo Asheville on July 16th in Asheville, NC held in conjunction with the Asheville Bike Fest, presented by Cane Creek.

The Applewood Manor is a premier destination for cyclists visiting Asheville, North Carolina. In addition to six luxury suites for guests and a world-class kitchen, the Manor caters to cyclists with services that include ride planning, on-ride guides, follow vehicles, coaching, mechanic services and bike assembly/break-down, sports nutrition, and world-class rental bikes provided by partner 3T.

Asheville Bike Fest, presented by Cane Creek

Downtown venue Rabbit Rabbit will once again host the 2-day event including Asheville Bike Fest, a cycling festival that showcases local outdoor companies and national cycling brands and features family-friendly activities for all ages. Asheville Bike Fest, presented by Cane Creek, will feature an extensive outdoor expo, food, beer, and cycling clinics, bike park, cargo bike expo, urban rides, and film. Gran Fondo Asheville riders will be able to pick up their packets at Rabbit Rabbit on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Both Asheville Bike Fest and Gran Fondo Asheville benefit local non-profit Asheville on Bikes.

The Asheville Gran Fondo Raffle features more than $5,000 of prizes from Series sponsors, and ALL riders are eligible to win. Any rider who completes any 2023 SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series event format on the scheduled weekend will be eligible for the raffle. Raffle winners must be present to win. The raffle is held after the awards.

Asheville features small, twisting and turning tree-lined quiet roads, which is part of the reason that its drawn professional cyclists to North Carolina for decades. The terrain is stunning, demanding, and a ton of fun to experience on a bicycle!

Award-winning timed segment format: Competitions based on best combined time through timed sections.

4 timed sections in 100 mile Gran Route, 3 in 60 mile Medio Route, 2 in the 30 mile Piccolo Route.

3-day VIP Cycling Experience Package

In conjunction with July 16th's Gran Fondo Asheville, riders can expand their weekend plans in Asheville, North Carolina with three days of VIP experiences from Applewood Manor. Accommodations at Applewood Manor are not included or required to take part in VIP Experiences.

- FRIDAY, JULY 14: VIP DINNER

Join fellow riders and special guests for an athlete-focused menu from local farm-to-table ingredients, prepared by the Manor's culinary team and paired with expertly chosen wine and non-alcoholic selections. – Á LA CARTE Price $145

- SATURDAY, JULY 15: VIP PACKET PICKUP & GOURMET COOKOUT 

Skip the line and come get your Gran Fondo Asheville packet at Applewood Manor, and enjoy a gourmet cookout with fellow riders, special guests, and Series Director Reuben Kline. – Á LA CARTE Price $75

- Full 3 Day VIP Experience – Includes VIP Dinner & Cookout at Applewood on as well as Guided / Supported Rides Friday & Sat, VIP Dinner & Cookout at Applewood -Price $300

3 Day VIP Experience includes Guided / Supported Rides on Friday & Saturday, VIP Dinner on Friday at Applewood Manor, Cookout & VIP Packet Pick up at Applewood Manor. Does NOT include Gran Fondo Entry or Accommodations.

- FRIDAY & SATURDAY: VIP RIDES (require VIP attendance on either day)

Led by experienced local riders, including Applewood Manor Founder Stephen Collins, these rides will start and finish at Applewood Manor and preview key parts of the Gran Fondo Asheville courses.

- SUNDAY, JULY 16: GRAN FONDO ASHEVILLE

- Á LA CARTE VIP EXPERIENCES - Just want to join us for the VIP Dinner or the VIP Packet Pickup, but not the full package? Individual VIP Experiences are available for your convenience. Friday and Saturday VIP Rides are only available with the purchase of the VIP Dinner or VIP Packet Pickup/Cookout.

Register NOW and SAVE!

Register now to secure a place, prices go up June 16^th!

Current price is just $135 for the Gran & Medio and $80 for the Piccolo.

For more information on the Asheville Gran Fondo, please visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-asheville

To register now, please visit: https://www.bikereg.com/asheville-gfns or click the button below:

Benefiting Asheville on Bikes

Asheville on Bikes cultivates the culture of urban and commuter cycling through advocacy and celebration. We believe that cycling has direct benefit to the health of our community.

2023 Event Calendar

2023 Partner Events

In addition to the 7 events organized and run by the Series, there are a growing number partner events where athletes can earn points toward the 2023 Gran Fondo National Series Championship.

Save more with a 3-Day Series Pass!

Register for three or more 2023 Gran Fondo National Series events at the same time, and get the lowest-possible price. Can also be used anytime during the season, even after single-entry prices have increased.

About the Gran Fondo National Series

Founded in 2012 by event director Reuben Kline, the Gran Fondo National Series is the largest and most competitive series of gran fondo cycling events in the United States. Gran Fondo National Series was the first series to implement timed-segment racing into US gran fondo events and has crowned Gran Fondo National Champions and Gran Fondo National Series Champions since 2012. Starting in 2020, the organization entered into a partnership with USA Cycling to bring the existing Gran Fondo National Series events into the USA Cycling portfolio including the presentation of an official USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship events. 

The Series has successfully coordinated more than 90 Gran Fondos across the nation, serving more than 55,000 participants.

For more information, or to register for an event, go to www.granfondonationalseries.com