2021 Vermont Gran Fondo Sells Out Limited Registration
Currently 250 riders can join the waiting list for the Vermont Gran Fondo taking place August 7th
Organizers have set the initial limit to 250 with a waitlist for another 250. Additional opening of numbers will depend on how the Vermont State opening up plan progresses. The earliest openings will start after June 1st, that latest will be July 5th.
In order to keep the scope of the event manageable with unknown future conditions, the course selection has been reduced and the courses have been modified.
The Gran Fondo course will again push the limits with 9 – 10 K+ feet of climbing ~100+ miles and 2 challenging mountain gaps. The course will include an ascent of Middlebury Gap and Lincoln Gap. The course begins in the village of Bristol, Vermont, and heads east towards Lincoln. Climbing, albeit light, to begin with, starts just 1.5 miles in.
You’ll climb up towards the center of Lincoln and then on towards Ripton and the first mountain climb, Middlebury Gap. From Middlebury Gap, you’ll descend into Hancock and then climb out of the valley heading north towards Warren and the turn to Lincoln Gap; this is where the real challenge begins.
With a 24% maximum grade and an average grade of 15%, the east side of Lincoln Gap is reported to be the steepest paved mile in the U.S., according to Bicycling Magazine and one of the world’s steepest climbs by Global Cycling Network (GCN).
The Medio Fondo is approximately 65 miles with 5,400 feet of climbing twice ascending the Middlebury Gap and is ideally suited to intermediate cyclists.
The Piccolo Fondo is approximately 40 miles with 2,700 feet of climbing and suited to novice and beginners riders.
You can explore the courses in detail here.
King & Queen of the Mountains
This year’s event will feature something new in the KOM & QOM challenge. This year we’ll again offer the Gap Challenge focusing on the pinnacle climb, of the final course. Each year a single Gap pushes the envelope for steep climbs. This year we will award the top three results for men and women swag bags of local goodies.
The après ride party will get underway at the Start-Finish under the big tent on the Bristol Rec Grounds in Bristol, Vermont. Enjoy live music, a variety of food choices, locally-produced beverages, and farm-to-spoon ice cream. We’ll have non-alcoholic beverages too!
Join the Waiting List
The Canadia border opening has being a big unknown so, if the border opens after the waitlist period and before the event, anyone wanting to come to Vermont and ride the event can register on the day, however for day-of registrations, there is no guarantee of a post-ride meal.
Sign up to the waiting list now, for more information please visit: http://vermontgranfondo.com
