Ride the Cool Mountain Air at the Boone Gran Fondo

On Sunday, August 4th, the SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series will host the Boone Gran Fondo p/b Capua Law Firm, offering cyclists an opportunity to ride the cool mountain air of North Carolina’s High Country and experience Boone's unique downtown atmosphere.

Starting and finishing in charming downtown Boone, the Boone Gran Fondo features routes of 24, 57 and 94 miles over scenic, low-traffic roads through the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“The Boone Gran Fondo is a perfect summer escape into the North Carolina mountains,” said Reuben Kline director of the Gran Fondo National Series. “Boone’s mild summer temperatures, quiet roads and stunning scenery provide the ideal setting for a rewarding cycling experience.”

The Boone Gran Fondo will start and end at Capua Law Firm on South Depot Street in downtown Boone, where riders will enjoy a festive atmosphere with an Expo, food, drinks and music. All routes travel through the Blue Ridge Mountains showcasing the area’s natural beauty.

Riders of all abilities are welcome at the Boone Gran Fondo. Whether aiming for a personal best time or enjoying a leisurely ride through the countryside, the event offers something for everyone.  Registration includes a *custom event jersey by SUAREZ, finisher medal, post-ride meal and beer, and fully stocked rest stops along the route.

You can ride with confidence on the marked and marshalled course, supported by law enforcement, safety motos, mechanic and sag vehicles too.

3 Routes for all Abilities

There are three distances on offer, the 94-mile Gran Route has 4 timed sections and 8,437 feet of climbing, the 57-mile Medio route has 3 timed sections and 5,432 feet of climbing, and the 24-mile Piccolo Route has 2 timed sections and 2,366 feet of climbing.

Timed Sections

The timed segment format allows riders to be social and competitive within the same event. During the timed segments, cyclists who choose to compete can "show their strength" and record fast times. When you’re outside those timed sections, everyone has the opportunity to regroup, ride together, enjoy the beautiful scenery, relax, and stop at aid stations.

No racing license is required, and support includes fully stocked aid stations and SAG support to keep you going. Enjoy a great meal and beer at the finish line, plus chances to win valuable prizes!

Even though the course will be well marked, you can load the route to your smart phone or GPS device.

Time Section #1; 25mi, 57mi & 94mi riders; https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40344489
Time Section #2; 57mi & 94mi riders: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2768399
Time Section #3; 57 mi & 94mi riders: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36681033
Time Section #4; 94mi riders: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2769478

Solo, Team and Age Group Prizes!

Professional chip timing keeps track of every rider on course and allows riders to compete for the best combined time through up to 4 timed sections on route. Riders can compete solo or as a team, while also regrouping and riding at a more relaxed pace with others between timed sections to and enjoy the views! 

There are competitions for overall male and female victories, as well as age group competitions for males and females. The team competition is won with the combined time of a team’s fastest three riders. Bonus seconds are awarded for additional team members who finish, meaning there’s a benefit to bringing a larger team.

Riders will be rewarded for their efforts back at the Expo located outside Capua Law Firm in Boone with the best finish line party featuring great local food and beer, the award ceremonies and the legendary prize raffle featuring more than $5,000 in prizes from Series sponsors!

Results, Awards, and Prizes

All 4 segments count for Gran route. Sections 1, 2, & 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
- Custom SUAREZ winners kits for all Gran Route age group category winners
- Awards and for top 3 riders in each age category for Gran, Medio and Piccolo winners
- Finisher Medals for Gran, Medio and Piccolo finishers
- For the Gran Fondo Route there is the team prize. Teams must have three or more riders to qualify. Team riders are still eligible for individual awards.

Qualify for 2024 USA Cycling National Championships

Riders can qualify for the 2024 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships, presented by Ourisman Automotive Group, to be held during Gran Fondo Maryland in Frederick, MD on September 15, 2024

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 National Championships.

Review complete qualification here: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-national-championship

Prize Raffle

All Gran Fondo National Series events have more than $5000 of prizes to give out from Series sponsors, and ALL riders are eligible to win. Not everyone can be fast, while we give great prizes to the winners, we also have great prizes in our raffle. The only rule: you MUST be present to win!

- Stay at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy
- Monari Federzoni  The Passion of Family, a high density premium balsamic vinegar
- Wahoo KICKR smart trainer
- Lazer helmet
- Industry Nine wheelset
- Cane Creek eeBarKeep & computer mount
- inGamba promotional items
- Swiftwick socks
- Bike Flights travel voucher
- Shimano road components
- CTS Trainright Membership
- Jittery Joe’s Coffee
- UNDRBUDR anti-chafe cream
- Ride with GPS Premium Memberships

*Register before July 9th to receive a FREE SUAREZ event Jersey!

New for 2024, the SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series including an event-specific custom jersey from SUAREZ Cycling Apparel when you register at least 26 days before a Gran Fondo National Series owned event, for Boone Gran Fondo the deadline is July 9^th 2024.

Benefitting Watuaga Pioneers Mountain Bike Team

Proceeds from the Boone Gran Fondo will benefit Watuaga Pioneers Mountain Bike Team a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting 6th through 11th grade student athletes ranging from, and volunteer coaches. The Watauga Pioneers Mountain Bike Team will be manning the aid stations.

The Boone Gran Fondo is one of 13 events in the 2024 Gran Fondo National Series. The series hosts premier cycling events in scenic locations across the United States, with the mission of providing riders an unparalleled cycling experience in a welcoming, inclusive environment.

Register NOW and SAVE!

Registration is open, but with just over a month to go you'll need to hurry to secure a place on this epic challenge across the High Country of North Carolina!

*Register before July 9th to receive a FREE SUAREZ event Jersey!

Prices go up on July 22nd, so register now and save!

For more information and to register for the Boone Gran Fondo, visit https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-boone or click the button below to register now.

2024 Event Calendar

2024 Partner Events

In addition to the 6 events organized and run by the Series, there are a growing number Partner-Events where athletes can earn points toward the 2024 Gran Fondo National Series Points Championship. Watch for additional Partner-Events to be included for 2024.

For more information on the 2024 SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series, please visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com