Gran Fondo Asheville transitions to a Solo Fondo Challenge this August

Asheville moves to Solo Fondo & Driveway Challenge format on August 22nd & 23rd in order to maximise the health and safety of all participants

The Gran Fondo National Series have announced that the Gran Fondo Asheville will change its format due to the ongoing public health restrictions, with participant’s health and safety being the top priority.

For those who can make it to the start in North Carolina, registered riders will be able to ride to the Piccolo, Medio, and Gran routes of Gran Fondo Asheville on August 22 and 23 whilst maintain social distancing, avoiding large groups and staying safe. Solo Fondo Asheville routes will be marked including timed sections, with orange spray chalk.

Registered riders have received a free entry to the Solo Fondo, while NEW registrations are open now for just $20.

For those who cannot make it to the start, the Driveway challenge will allow you to take part virtually from the safety of your own home and cycle trainer.

What is Solo Fondo Asheville?

A Solo Fondo is a Gran Fondo you complete on your own any time within a specific date range and on an official course. For years we’ve worked with RidewithGPS.com to provide riders with downloadable routes and turn-by-turn directions, and with assistance from Ride with GPS, we can now post the timing results of your ride on any of our Asheville routes on the leader board for Overall and Age Group competitions.

On August 22 and 23, the Piccolo, Medio, and Gran routes of Gran Fondo Asheville will be marked, and athletes who register for Solo Fondo Asheville, ride a route, and upload their ride file to RidewithGPS.com will have their official results added to the leader boards and be eligible for competition awards as well as raffle prizes described below.

Athletes are encouraged to maintain social distancing on course, avoid congregating in large groups, wear masks where social distancing is not possible, and follow all local and state health guidelines.

What About the Driveway Challenge for Asheville?

The Driveway Challenges will be tracked through RidewithGPS.com and open to those who cannot, or wish not to, travel to Asheville and ride the actual route. The Asheville Driveway Challenges will offer various options that can be completed from your driveway (or any other starting point), one based on distance, and one based on elevation gain, for each route Gran, Medio, Piccolo.

Riders must complete their selected challenge goal the weekend of August 22 and 23, and upload their ride file to RidewithGPS.com to have their official results recorded and be eligible to win raffle prizes described below. The Asheville Driveway Challenge is not a competition, it is a community ride you can complete anywhere (just sign up and go ride your bike from anywhere).

Athletes are encouraged to maintain social distancing when riding, avoid congregating in large groups, wear masks where social distancing is not possible, and follow all local and state health guidelines.

How do I sign up for Solo Fondo Asheville and or the Driveway Challenge?

To register: (If you are already registered for Gran Fondo Asheville, you have automatically been registered for Solo Fondo Asheville / Driveway Challenge at no charge and will receive an email in the coming days with details about the event ) for anyone not already registered for Gran Fondo Asheville, follow these steps:

  Register via BikeReg.com (By including your address we can ship you any applicable prizes and/or awards. Note: for your convenience you can add a link to your social media post at any time.)

  You will receive a confirmation email that contains RSVP links to Ride with GPS. To participate in Solo Fondo Asheville or a Driveway Challenge, you must click a link and sign in to Ride with GPS or create a free Ride with GPS account. (The auto-RSVP approval link will give you access to premium app features during your ride, this as well as a link to the maps will be e-mailed to you upon registering).

  Ride your event route, navigating by Ride with GPS  or your own GPS device on August 22 or 23, 2020.

  Save your ride using the Ride with GPS app or upload your ride file using your GPS device to have your times scored. Rides must be saved or uploaded to Ride with GPS to be counted.

Will the route be marked?

Yes, all Solo Fondo Asheville routes will be marked on August 22-23, including time sections, with orange spray chalk.

How much does it cost?

Fee is $20 to register, 50% of which goes directly to 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.

Are there Awards and Swag?

You bet!

  Overall Winner, Male and Female. The first placed male and female riders on the event leaderboard on September 1, 2020 will be awarded a Free One-Year Ride with GPS Premium Membership.

  Age Group Winners, Male and Female. In every GFNS age group and distance, the first placed male and female riders as of September 1, 2020 will receive a GFNS Winner’s Medal by mail.

  Top 3 Age Group Finishers, Male and Female. In every GFNS age group and distance, the top three placed male and female riders as of September 1, 2020 will receive Swiftwick socks or an engraved cycling multitool as a special gift from our friends from Volvo Neutral Race Support. .

  Swag Bag for all Solo Fondo and Drive way Challenge Participants. All riders who complete a Solo Fondo Asheville & Driveway Challenge will receive the following, by USPS mail:
  Event t-shirt
  BonkBreaker Nutrition products
  Hammer Nutrition products
  Additional products from GFNS partners

  Raffle Prizes. All riders who complete a Solo Fondo Asheville route and upload their files - regardless of pace or performance - will be entered into a raffle for prizes that include:
  Stay for two at the Garda Bike Hotel in Lake Garda, Italy
  Stay at Sourwood Inn in Asheville, NC
  Wahoo Kickr Snap Trainer
  ENO Hammock
  Industry Nine Hubset
  CaneCreek eeBrakes
  Shimano S-Phyre Shoes
  Lazer Century Helmet
  Others to come…

  Social Media Prize from Swiftwick. Post a photo, video, or update about your Solo Fondo ride to your favorite social media app and tag both @Swiftwick and @granfondoGFNS and we’ll send you a pair of Swiftwick socks. To make sure we don’t miss your post, add a link to your post in your registration (we’ll e-mail you a link to edit.)

For full information, please visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/asheville-solo-fondo

For the status of all Gran Fondo National Series events, please visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/blog/2020/7/28/gran-fondo-national-series-status-of-events