Make Your Plans for the TT1 Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo

Mark your calendar for this in-person event on April 18, 2021 in Helen, Georgia 

Helen, Georgia - the start and finish town for the TT1 Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo - brings the charm of a Bavarian village to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy Alpine food and drink as you explore historic timbered building and cobblestone walkways, surrounded by White County’s natural beauty, wineries, artisan tours, festivals, and much, much more.

The TT1 Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo will be held using the Colnago Gran Fondo National Series’ Socially-Distanced Format (view comprehensive COVID Safety Plan), which includes socially-distanced packet pickup, wave starts of 25 riders at a time, pre-packaged foods and one-way aid station procedures, and a convenient finish chute. The Series’ timed-segment competition format is perfectly suited for rider safety, allowing riders to set segment times riding solo or in small groups.

From 2003–2008, the Tour de Georgia attracted the world’s top professional cycling teams to Georgia for a premier 7-day stage race. The TT1 Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo retraces portions of stages from the race, through Helen, into the Unicoi State Park, and the nearby iconic climbs, made famous by the Tour de Georgia.

The event offers three challenging routes for riders of all abilities; the 25-mile Piccolo Fondo, the 64-mile Medio Fondo, and the 90-mile Gran Fondo with 8,962 feet of climbing and four timed sections!

The Timed Sections

The Colnago Gran Fondo National Series introduced timed segment competitions to road cycling in the United States in 2012, and the format has been growing ever since. With timed-segment competitions, a rider’s competitive result is based on the combined times through designated sections along the course. For the TT1 Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo, the Piccolo route contains one timed section, the Medio route contains three timed sections and the Gran route contains four timed sections.

You can view individual course maps through the links below:

25 Mile Piccolo Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18154018
64 Mile Medio Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18154052
90 Mile Gran Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35470963

Timed Section #1 - Unicoi Gap
Counts for HC, Gran, and Medio riders

In 2008, Unicoi Gap was the second to last climb on the approach to the race-deciding ascent up Brasstown Bald where Kanstantin Suitsou got the jump on Trent Lowe and Levi Leipheimer went on to win the Tour of Georgia. 
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31508224

Timed Section #2 - Hogpen Gap
Counts for HC, Gran, and Medio riders

The 2nd timed section is the ascent of Hogpen Gap, a 7.0 mile climb with 1,730 feet of climbing, riders will reach the highest point on the course at 3,470ft with ramps of 14%.  The views at the top of the surrounding peaks are breath-taking. Check your speed and be careful on the descent as there are many sharp turns. Enjoy the ride through the forest knowing that the hardest riding is behind you.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31508230

Timed Section #3 - Snake Branch
Counts for all riders

After tackling the two biggest climbs of the day riders will head east from Helen to hits the 3rd timed section after 64 miles, comprised of rolling terrain for a 4 mile section. The section rises 369 feet over 3 miles with gradient of no more than 6.7%. The section includes the 1.5 mile descent so riders looking for the fastest time need to be able to descend as well as climb.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31508242

Timed Section #4 - Oakey Mountain
Counts for HC and Gran riders

Be sure to save a bit of energy for the final timed section, it only last just over 2.5 miles but at over 84 miles into the day you'll need to find some power.

The section climbs for 1.7 miles with around 250 feet of elevation gain, it descends for half a mile and then climbs 100 feet for around 300 yards.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31508260

Premium Route Navigation on your Device

Get the RideWithGPS App and load the route to your smart phone or GPS

90 Mile Gran Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35470963  
64 Mile Medio Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18154052
25 Mile Piccolo Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18154018

Fully Supported

Riders will be supported on course with up to four staffed and stocked aid stations. Social distancing protocols will be in place at aid stations for the safety of riders and volunteers. Masks will be required, and food options will be provided in single-serving packages.

NRS & Events will be at the start on Sunday morning serving coffee from the Service Course Café Volvo, and they will be out on course to assist riders!  

The Prizes

All 4 segments count for Super Gran & Gran Route. Sections 1 & 3 count for Medio route, and only section 3 counts for Piccolo riders.
Awards presented three deep for each age group category for fastest section times
  Riders must be registered in Super Gran category to compete for overall placement.
  For Age Group Awards (including Series Points and qualifications to the Gran Fondo National Championship) the  Gran Route (90 mile) riders will be grouped together for age-group placement.
   Custom “Race Winner” kits Shorts and Jerseys from DNA Cycling are awarded to all Super Gran / Gran Route age group category winners
   Awards and Prizes for Gran Route, Medio and Piccolo age groups
   There is also a Team Competition. Teams must have three or more riders to qualify. Team riders are still eligible for individual awards.

The raffle is held after the awards, amazing stuff from series sponsors including prizes such as: Hyperice products, Industry Nine hubset, components from Cane Creek, Swiftwick socks, Shimano S-Phyre shoes, Lazer helmets, Wahoo Kick Snap trainer, Jittery Joe’s Coffee, a holiday at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy, as well as other prizes). Riders must start the event to qualify for Raffle prizes! (prizes subject to change, but they’ll still be great!)

Qualify for 2021 USA Cycling National Championship Event

Riders can qualify for the 2021 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship event, to be held during Gran Fondo Asheville in Asheville, NC on July 18, 2021. A USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship title, complete with a national championship jersey and medal, will be awarded to the winner in each age-group category at the annual USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship event. For Georgia riders can qualify by competing in the Gran Route (90 mile).

Review complete qualification details here.

Register NOW to Secure a Place!

Registration is open - but you'll need to hurry to secure a place on this epic challenge across north Georgia's Appalachian Mountains!

For more information, please visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-georgia

Benefitting Team Type 1 Foundation

TT1 fights for the right to live through a global mission of education, empowerment and equal access to medicine for everyone affected by diabetes. The Global Ambassador Scholarship Program makes heroes out of today’s college students with diabetes. This scholarship-based program recognizes athletes with type 1 diabetes who are using sport as a platform to educate, empower, and inspire those around them with diabetes via community outreach.

Their awarded funds offset the financial burden diabetes care places on families. Their Sustainable Diabetes Program saves lives in third-world countries by providing glucose meters, test strips and diabetes management education to thousands who would otherwise suffer debilitating complications and early death.

For more information, please visit: http://teamtype1.org