Gran Fondo Asheville Keeps National Championship Cycling in North Carolina for Second Year
1,000 cyclists expected for July 17th event with new 2-day Asheville Bike Fest, p/b Cane Creek
On Sunday, July 17, 2022, the Gran Fondo National Series will hold the annual Gran Fondo Asheville, p/b Applewood Manor cycling event, which includes the official USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship competition. The event reached its sold-out capacity of 1,000 cyclists in 2021 and the 2022 edition is on track to sell out. New this year, the road cycling event will include the 2-day Asheville Bike Fest, p/b Cane Creek at Rabbit Rabbit on July 16-17, showcasing local outdoor companies and national cycling brands and featuring family-friendly activities for all ages.
“Although Gran Fondo Asheville is an annual event, we are proud to bring the National Championship component to Asheville for a second year in a row, and expand the event with the Asheville Bike Fest,” says Series Director Reuben Kline. “We decided to keep the National Championship in Asheville for 2022 because of community support and rider feedback.”
Connections for Community
The Gran Fondo Asheville event has a long history of working with local businesses and partners, along with the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission. The event starts and finishes at Rabbit Rabbit in downtown Asheville. The event’s presenting sponsor, Applewood Manor, is hosting pre-event group rides and VIP Experiences on the event weekend. The Asheville Bike Fest benefits local non-profit Asheville on Bikes, and will feature Western North Carolina outdoor equipment companies Cane Creek, Industry Nine, and others. Local bike shops are sponsoring aid stations on the course where riders can replenish themselves with food and water.
Proven Community Impact
Gran Fondo Asheville is a proven economic driver for Buncombe and Madison Counties, including the communities of Asheville and Marshall, North Carolina. The Gran Fondo Asheville event has been a tremendous asset to our community each year and we are excited to host the National Championship in Asheville for the second year, said Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission President Demp Bradford. “Last year with the addition of the National Championships, the event impact calculation was close to $1 million and the event had almost 1,000 riders. This event not only impacts Buncombe County but also Madison County and we would like to thank all of the cities and communities who are part of this event.”
Event Details
Cyclists will depart from Rabbit Rabbit between 8:00-8:30am to ride their choice of a 100-, 60-, or 30-mile route (view route maps) that takes them into the hills, valleys, and mountains around northwest of Asheville. The unique ‘timed segment’ competition format of SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series events largely eliminates the need for road closures. Roads that comprise the cycling routes will remain open to car traffic and both cyclist and drivers are asked to exhibit grace and patience as they share the roads for the day.
Volunteer positions are still available. Groups or individuals who want to help riders have a great experience at Gran Fondo Asheville can volunteer in a variety of areas, including course marshal, registration, and aid stations. Volunteers will receive a complementary entry to another Series event (or the 2023 Gran Fondo Asheville), an event t-shirt, and lunch. Information on volunteering.
About 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 is the organizer of the official USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship event as well as a season-long Series Points competition.