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GRANFONDONY .COM RIDER GUIDE MAY 20, 2012

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Page 1: NY GUIDE GRANFONDO · for the 2012 edition! take GfnY as training for 2013 edition on June 30th! You are late for the 2012 edition! take GfnY as training for 2013 edition on June

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GRANFONDONY.COM

RIDER GUIDEMAY 20, 2012

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IT’S THE RIDE.

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IT’S THE RIDE.

2The number of GFNY participants has grown almost threefold since last year, from 1900 to a sold out 5000. We’re humbled by this increase in registrations. With this, GFNY boasts the largest number of Gran Fondo participants in the world. Participants from over 70 countries make it the most international Gran Fondo. It’s all a tribute to the world’s greatest city.

Your participation allows us to grow every aspect of the event and make it even more memorable for each and every one of you. The long weekend starts with the two-day NYC BIKE EXPO, New York’s largest road bike expo and ends with a party for you after completing the course.

If you hear us say our motto “la corsa la fanno i corridori”, it means “the racers make the race”, we truly mean it. GFNY is about each and every one of you. The stories you bring to the GFNY are what make this event so special.

We’re not resting at the status quo but rather working hard to provide an experience that is worth your valuable time. It’s exciting to see what our partnership with the inaugural Gran Fondo Roma will bring. We’re working on staging a UCI World Tour professional race to lead out Gran Fondo New York. And one of our future plans is to bring a European stage race to NYC for its opening stages.

To the various towns that GFNY visits, police departments, EMS corps, New York City, The Port Author-ity of New York and New Jersey, Palisades Interstate Park, the State of New York, the State of New Jersey, Gruppo Sportivo GFNY, the amazing hundreds-strong event crew, sponsors, media partners, and passionate volunteers: without your support this event would not be possible. Thank you!

LIDIa fLUhmE ULRIch fLUhmE

Welcome to the 2nd annualInternatIonal Gran FondoneW York!

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GRaN fONDO IN ITaLY

TERRacINa, ITaLY

aNDREa PINaRELLO

SchEDULE aT a GLaNcE

NYc BIKE EXPO

ROUTE maP / cOmPETITION

RULES

RacE DaY LOGISTIcS

ImPORTaNT

hOW TO SURVIVE GfNY

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GRUPPO SPORTIVO

GRaN fONDO NEW YORK

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GRaN fONDO IS aN ESSENTIaL PaRT Of ThE ITaLIaN

cYcLING cULTURE. EVERY WEEKEND BETWEEN fEBRUaRY aND OcTOBER

ThOUSaNDS Of RIDERS cOmPETE ON chaLLENGING cOURSES aLL OVER ThE cOUNTRY.

GRaN fONDOIN ITaLY

The season usually opens along the Ligurian coast with Gran Fondo Laigueglia, then races in the Italian cycling hubs Tus-cany and Romagna, like Gran Fondo Via del Sale, follow. May and June are the busiest months with several events each weekend that attract up to 10,000 riders. Nove Colli is the big mama of them all, the most colorful cycling circus, held in Cesenatico, Marco Pantani’s birth place in the Romagna region. The course is tough, covering nine relentless hills and 200 kilometers (130 miles). Other major Gran Fondo include Felice Gimondi in Bergamo, Dieci Colli in Bologna or Damiano Cunego in Verona.

The season tapers off in July with some super tough courses in the Alps like Giordana, Fausto Coppi and Maratona Dolomi-ti which is the Queen of all. The dead of summer is reserved for “la famiglia”. September though sees a last spike of Gran Fondo events before the season ends where it started, at the Ligurian coast.

The unique and great thing about Gran Fondo is that it brings cyclists of all ability levels together. At the front, you have elite racers gunning for the win. Some of them end up as

professional racers, some look back at a few seasons as pros or “dilettanti”, elite amateurs. They are in the first corral, the “Lista Rossa”. But the guys and gals in the corrals behind them are no slouches either. Italians are born on the bike. While some racers may be limited to being weekend war-riors, most of them look back on twenty or more years of racing and thousands of training miles.

However, never let looks fool you. Just because a rider looks like someone who just escaped from the Giro d’Italia peloton, it doesn’t mean he’s super fast. “Fare una bella figura”, look-ing great, is just as well an essential part of Italian culture. The world is a 24/7 stage to perform. Hence, an Italian Gran Fondo rider’s bike will usually look as sharp as his matching club team kit. Golden rule: you will never find a true Italian in a pro team kit unless he rides for the team. Another no-go are black shorts and single color jerseys. The kit must be loud but matching and the bike be clean and with the latest accessories.

Distances at Italian Gran Fondo vary but all of them have one thing in common: ridiculously hilly courses. Usually organiz-

by Ulrich Fluhme

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You are late for the 2012 edition!

take GfnY as training for 2013 edition on June 30th!

You are late for the 2012 edition!

take GfnY as training for 2013 edition on June 30th!

facts 2012:29.300 participation requests for 9.000 starting places55 participating nationalities86 miles / 13.747 ft vertical gain6 hours live broadcast on national TVJoin Team Gran Fondo New York at Maratona 2013

www.holimites.com

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THE 4 GRAN FONDOseasons IN ITALY

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

ers make sure that they cover every single hill or mountain in the area. If the Gran Fondo is not your thing, you can choose the Medio Fondo or even Piccolo Fondo. Abbreviated, these courses are called “lungo”, “medio” or “corto” but never, ever would any of these be simply called “Fondo”. It’s like calling a Marathon a “thon”.

Few people have a realistic shot at the overall win or even an age group win. But no one likes to go home empty handed. That’s where the “pacco gara”, the goodie bag comes into play. Every participant receives some event memorabilia like a jersey, vest, arm warmers, bag, mini pump, base layer, cov-er socks, etc., usually branded in the Gran Fondo colors. But it doesn’t stop there. Local companies sponsor the event with their products so riders receive pasta, olive oil, wine, cheese, ham and other delicacies from the area. Italians love to judge the value of a Gran Fondo based on the “pacco gara”. Gran Fondo magazines like “Cicloturismo”, “Giornale delle Gran Fondo” or our partner “La Bicicletta”, usually contain up to 300 pages with epic stories and pictures of recent races.

The first races of the new Gran Fondo season can be the best you will ever experience. Not necessarily because of their dif-ficulty or your top fitness but because of the excitement in the air that comes only with a new beginning. Everyone is keen to show the new team kit and bike. It’s the time of year when you see old friends and together you complain about the lack of training courtesy of the dark and cold. And cold it can indeed still be at those first races, especially at the start in the morning. But once things warm up a little in the after-noon, there’s a chance you can enjoy the post race festivities outside in the sun.

Not only the pros open their true racing season at the Medi-terranean coast of France and Italy but so do the Gran Fondis-ti. Loano is host to the first and incredibly early GF on Febru-ary 5 at the Ligurian Coast. The event has more of a local flavor compared to its neighbor in Laigueglia, held one week later. In 2011, GF Laigueglia was part of the “Prestigio” se-ries, which led to record participation of 4,000 riders. There’s no doubt that Laigugelia is the unofficial kick-off to the Gran Fondo season. Few riders are in great shape in February (or any shape to speak of) but there’s hardly a better place to get into race mode than Laigueglia. After flying along the stun-ning coast during the opening k’s, the course hits the inland hills which immediately provide ample challenge to set apart the “already fit” from the “getting in shape”. Due to road constructions, the 2012 course was slightly modified and is now 100k long with 1,600m of climbing.

fEBRUaRY& maRch

Entry fees for Gran Fondos in Italy are usually between $40 and $70. They can be kept lower than in the US because au-thorities charge very low permit fees, if any. Events are most-ly held on empty, rural roads which remain completely open to traffic, with a handful of police cars and motorbikes clear-ing the way for the front bunch leaving the majority to ride in traffic. In comparison, Gran Fondo New York pays $500,000 in permits and police fees just to make the event happen.

The pasta party after the event is the best place to exchange “war stories” with fellow cyclists who have covered the same course. Good food and good company wrap up an usu-ally challenging but equally rewarding day. More bottles of wine, cheese rolls, dried pork legs as well as bike parts are handed to the winners before everyone has to get going. “A la prossima”, see you next time.

aPRIL & maY

While February and March are the months where things get going at Gran Fondos in Italy, April and May are the months when the racing is in full fly. There’s no shortage of events to choose from. So, where to go? Every race has a certain appeal to it. Some are must-do large happenings, some are difficult and others are small and unique. Let’s have a look at a few.

April first’s “Selle Italia” in Cervia is no joke. Notoriously sold out early these days, the big hitters flock to the coastal town of Cervia and head to the Appennin hills from there.

Easter is very sacred in Italy so there’s little to no racing. Virtu-ally any of the Gran Fondos on the weekends thereafter are a good choice. If you have a full week, one of the very few Gran Fondo stage races is held on a beautiful island: Giro di Sardegna.

The “little brother” of Nove Colli is “Dieci Colli”, “Ten Hills” in beautiful Bologna kicks of the month of May. But don’t be mistaken: I know enough areas in this world where those “hills” would be called “epic, treacherous climbs”.

Gran Fondo delle Alpi in Sondrio is one of the first races that touches the Alps. The event is put up by the same organiza-

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Proud Sponsor of

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tion as GF Laigueglia in February and GF Giordana in June, and includes a sister climb of the legendary Mortirolo. When I raced there a few years ago, I thought it was a good idea to go on the attack early. I tend to just “go” if given the chance, knowing that I won’t play a role in the outcome of the race. Might as well play... However, attacking a few k’s before the start of the key climb turned out to be a very painful idea.

Bergamo is host to Felice Gimondi’s Gran Fondo. Being part of a few key series in the Italian GF calendar, “La Gi-mondi” is packed with talent and mass-es. With 162k and 3,050m of climbing, the race is no slouch. Be ready.

Once you arrive in the small coastal town of Cesenatico, you understand why all Gran Fondos so far somehow feel like they were only lead-up races for the big mama of Gran Fondo Nove Colli. The “Lungo” is a tad over 200k long and boasts 3,850m of climbing,

aPRIL & maY

JUNE & JULY

In June and July the Gran Fondos in Italy hit the high mountains. Hard core courses like GF Sportful in the Dolo-mites or Fausto Coppi in the Southern Alps are more “man versus mountain” challenges than head-to-head races. The “lungo percorso” in these events is usually 150-200k long, hits 3-5 pass-es and has over 4,000m of climbing.

GF Sportful (fka GF Campagnolo) is the opener of the big daddies. With its 5,200m of climbing over 210km it will test your abilities to merely finish. Only the extremely fit are still competing at that level. There may be other events in Europe that have a little more climbing (Oetztaler and Alpenbrevet) but Sport-ful has the atmosphere and competi-tion on its side that’s unique to an Ital-ian GF.

A week later GF Giordana throws Gavia and Mortirolo, aka the beauty and the beast, at you. Yes, please!

Back in the Dolomites only another weekend later: it’s time for the Queen of Gran Fondo. I may have referred to Nove Colli with that title but scratch that. Maratona dles Dolomites trumps them all. It’s a 140km long mountain party on closed to cars roads over ab-solutely breathtakingly beautiful and challenging dolomite passes (Passo Giau anyone?). The field of 8,000 has to be drawn in a lottery. If the valley could handle 30,000 riders, they would be there.

including the infamous “Barbotto”. 12,000 riders celebrate this party on racing wheels. The event sells out within a few days in October. Nove Col-li now is in its 42nd year. Home town hero Marco Pantani once competed in the event with a wig. It was his come-back from a devastating injury.

If you have been shut out of Nove Colli or just don’t want to deal with such masses of people, consider Marcial-onga Cycling. It’s the first Gran Fondo of the season that hits the high moun-tains. But beware: the Dolomites at the end of May can provide challenging weather conditions.

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You can’t decide between sniffing some Tour de France air and doing a Gran Fondo? You don’t have to. GF Fausto Coppi starting and finishing in Cuneo is close to the French border and not far from the likes of Izoard and Galibier. It’s usually held around the time when the Tour hits the alps so your chances are good to make it a combo trip. GF Fausto Coppi tackles the lesser known but Giro proven Colle Sampeyre and Colle Fauniera aka “Colle dei Morti”. Now, the “Pass of the Dead” name shouldn’t keep you from riding it but some respect is definitely due. While Cuneo lies at a mere 300m above sea level, both Fauniera and Sampeyre hit 2,500m.

But, of course, there is more, such as the Maratona Apen-nini or La Pinarello that have their own characteristics and challenges.

ThE faLL

With the end of the family summer vacation in August in Italy, there could be a lot of great cycling left in the fall. But it seems as if the country’s cyclists never recover from too much ice cream eating laziness to compete at challeng-ing Gran Fondos. Sure, there still are a few events, some of them even on the bigger side, but the Gran Fondo scene seems unable to awaken to its spring-time glory. Until this year.

You want to take advantage of the still warm days and your strong base? Gran Fondo Cinque Terre in Deiva Marina or Gran Fondo Colnago in Piacenza, both held in September, are probably the two key events of the fall season. But there are two new Gran Fondos on the horizon that have the biggest potential to shake up post summer dreariness: La Magnifica and Gran Fondo Roma.

La Magnifica on September 9 promises a spectacular course through the heart-land of cycling. After the start in Forli at the bottom of the Apennines, riders tackle a 227k course with over 4.700m of relentless climbing, dirt roads (“strade bianche”) and cobblestone sections. To top it of, the finish is held Roubaix-style in a velodrome. If that’s too much course brutality for you, Gran Fondo Roma will be the spectacle you have been waiting for.

JUNE & JULY

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On October 14, 2012, the inaugural Gran Fondo Roma brings amateur cycling to the eternal city. The Terme di Caracalla (Baths of Caracalla) provide the backdrop for what will be a spectacular course through the city along the Colosseum and other historic sites. Be ready to be transported to Ancient Rome as you ride your bike in and around Rome over the 145km / 90 mile challenging route with four hill climbs.

Italian tour operator XEvents (born out of the Pinarello family) organizes a trip that will immediately make you reach for your credit card. The week starts in Tuscany, where the group will participate at the now famous “l’Eroica”, a non-timed ride where the bikes have to be at least 30 years old. The following week is spent traveling by bike across Tuscany and Lazio, ending in Rome in order to participate at the inaugural Gran Fondo Roma on October 14. Your luggage will be carried from town to town as you make your way to Rome. Tour de France stage winner Eros Poli (yes, Mr. Mt.Ventoux) will be your rid-ing companion.

Gran Fondo Roma is partnering with Gran Fondo New York to crown the World Champions of the two worlds, old and new. The man and woman with the best result from both Gran Fondos will be invited to the following Gran Fondo (flight and hotel included). Plus, the 753rd finisher of Gran Fondo Roma (Rome’s founding year) and 1,454th finisher of Gran Fondo New York (height in feet of the Empire State Building) will receive a race kit from the partner event as well as other prizes.

GRaN fONDOROma

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Fifteen years ago I heard for the first time about the town of Terracina in Italy, situ-ated between Rome and Naples. It was an article in an Italian cycling magazine about the pro cycling team Saeco training there in January. At the time, I spent two weeks in Cecina Mare in Tuscany. Cecina Mare is a perfect training ground and the weather is usually great for cycling even in January with temperatures of 10-15C (50-60F).

Usually. If you get unlucky, it can be cold-er. Bring in Terracina. Its shores and the coast south of it are sheltered by various mountain chains. The “Golfo di Gaeta” is the warmest region in all of Italy (equal to Sicily that is hundreds of kilometers further south).

Sure, there are other great places to train. Many travel to Mallorca/Spain which has great roads. The Canary Islands are off the coast of Africa, which is a guarantee for warm weather in the dead of winter. But Mallorca can get cold. And the Ca-nary Islands may be warm but expect storm like winds and a limited variety of roads to train on. It’s the same old every day.

While southern Lazio is cycling fantasy land, it is not on the radar of the amateur rider or cycling enthusiast. And that’s just baffling. Rome’s airports Fiumicino and Ciampino are a mere 90 minutes north of Terracina. The town is close to the train route Rome-Naples and the fact that Ital-ians love cycling and you’re not a weirdo there is a big bonus. Yes, Tucson, Arizona

TERRacINaITaLY

may be warm, but as a cyclist you’re not a normal sight. I don’t have to mention that the food is amazing in Italy (but I still do). And the proximity of Terracina to Rome makes for fantastic bad weather or rest day excursion.

There is a hotel in Sperlonga, 20k South of Terracina, that hosts most pro teams, including Cipollini’s Saeco and Domina Vacanze, Pantani’s Mercatone Uno or just recently Vini Farnese with Pippo Pozzato. For a stay longer than a week, however, I suggest to rent an apartment. We paid 1,000 Euro for three weeks for a two bedroom, one bathroom, living room, kitchen and a humongous terrace just by the beach. Sat TV and WiFi in-cluded. Restaurants and supermarkets with all the fresh food you’d ever wish are close by.

by ulrich Fluhme

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Terracina is not like Tucson, San Diego or Gran Canaria. You don’t have to know the three or four rides that you can do. With its hundreds of roads you can just head out the door and take the road you fancy. See that town on the hill over there? Let’s check it out! But as anywhere, there are highlights you don’t want to miss. Here are my three favorites:

1. The Sperlonga climb is easily one of the most scenic climbs I’ve done. It starts in Sperlonga at the sea and heads inland. The road hugs the hill with spec-tacular views of the Mediterranean sea. It’s a steady 5-6% climb which is ideal so early in the year. Pros use this 5k long beauty to train “salita forza resistenza” (SFR), big gear strength training. If you continue towards Itri and from there to Gaeta, make sure you take the small road turning right just before Itri saying “Valle Quercia”. Spectacular and car free.2. Pietra Porci: this climb starts right behind Terracina and loops around a hill. Use it as a beautiful start or end to a

longer ride or simply a nice 20 mile loop through olive trees, orange trees and farms.

3. San Felice Circeo is a village at the bottom of a 400m hill that overlooks the flat coast around it. It pops out of the ground from nowhere. The climb up is steady but has some steeper parts as

well. North of the hill is a natural park with a beautiful road on a small stretch of land between the beach and a lake.

We’ll be back next year.

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Few people in the world know as much about Gran Fondo or any amateur racing as Andrea did. He raced all year, starting in February at Gran Fondo Laigueglia, to the Belgium classics, over-seas (USA, Japan), the mountain monuments in the summer like Maratona dles Dolomites and Marmotte, until the last races in the fall. Everyone knew Andrea and it seemed like he knew eve-ryone. He was not only the face of Cicli Pinarello or an avid racer but also the organizer of Gran Fondo Pinarello, one of the most prestigious GF in the world.

We were excited to have Andrea at our inaugural Gran Fondo New York on May 8, 2011, especially because it was on the same weekend as the start of the Giro, an occasion not to be missed by an Italian cyclist.

On August 3, 2011, Andrea died after a race in Friuli from a heart attack. It’s obvious that he left a gap at Cicli Pinarello that is hard to fill. Personally, I think his death is an even bigger tragedy for the Gran Fondo community. But all that is completely irrelevant com-pared to a wife losing her husband and three kids losing their dad. His daughter Andrea never met her dad. She was born shortly after his death. My heart goes out to them.

The third timed climb at Gran Fondo New York is called “Colle An-drea Pinarello”. I encourage everyone to dig just a little bit deeper when climbing it while not taking it too seriously. That’s how An-drea would have liked it.

ULRICH FLUHME

aNDREa PINaRELLO

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SchEDULE aT a GLaNcE

FrIdaY, maY 18

mondaY, maY 21

SaturdaY,maY 19

11am-8pm

NYC BIKE EXPO and mandatory packet pickup Penn Pavilion in midtown Manhattan 401 Seventh Avenue (at 33rd Street) across from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden

12pm-7pm

RACE OFFICEMERCHANDISE SALES

Swim-Bike-run203 West 58th Street (between 7th Avenue and Broadway)212-399-3999

SundaY, maY 20

5am Opening of start area on lower level of George Washington Bridge (civil twilight 5:02am, sunrise 5:34am)

6.15am Closing of start area on lower level of George Washington Bridge

7am Start of Gran Fondo New York and Medio Fondo New York

11am Start of festivities in Weehawken, at the finish area

12pm First ferry departs Weehawken for Manhattan Ferries depart every 20 minutes 3pm Start of award ceremonies in Weehawken, NJ at NY Waterway ferry terminal parking lot

5.30pm Course closes

7pm End of festivities Last ferry departs Weehawken

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Packet Pickup and NYc BIKE EXPONYC BIKE EXPO is the location for race number, timing chip, wristband, jersey and goodie bag pickup. Advance pickup of your race materials is mandatory. Packet pickup can only be done in person. Please note that there is no registra-tion or packet pickup on sunday.

Your friends and family can join you at the expo. The expo is free admission and open to the public.www.nycbikeexpo.com

Getting yourRace PacketYour materials are organized by your race number. At the en-trance, check the board for your assigned number. Sign in on the pro-style sign-in wall. Next, sign the Gran Fondo New York waiver. In return for the signed waiver you get your reg-istration materials and the wristband that allows you access onto the course and also serves as your meal ticket.

After that, you can proceed to pick up your registration mate-rials. You will receive your bike number plate (with attached timing chip for GFNY participants), a jersey bib number, your jersey in the size you ordered, your ”Val Colla” sports bag, a bottle of GFNY wine by T. Edward Wines, your ELITE bike bottle, warming cream by Hibros, bike lube sachet by Finish Line, Delverde recipe booklet the GFNY race poster and a printed Rider Guide magazine.

If the jersey you ordered doesn’t fit you, please visit the GIORDANA booth that carries a few spare jerseys for ex-change.

During packet pickup, checking in will be done electronically, so there is no need to bring a printed confirmation. Simply bring a passport or driver license or another government-issued I.D. for identification purposes.

NYc BIKE EXPONYC BIKE EXPO brings two days of all things road cycling to NYC. 60 vendors showcase, sample and sell their products and services. check out www.nycbikeexpo.com for more information. admission is free and open to the public.

dates & hoursFriday, May 18: 11am-8pmSaturday, May 19: 11am-8pm

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BIKE

Free, secure, indoor bike parking is available. Bring your bike through the double doors at the 7th Avenue entrance. You will be able to

check your bike in with security staff.

facILITY aDDRESS TELEPhONE

edISon ParkFaSt #250 451 Ninth Ave, btw 35th & 36th St 212-502-4885

edISon ParkFaSt #8 245 West 28th St btw 7th & 8th Ave 212-695-4221

car ParKinG

SUBWaY / TRaIN

1, 2, 3 trains to 34th Street

a, c, e trains to 34th Street

B, d, f, M trains to 34th Street

n, Q, r trains to 34th Street

nJ Path trains to 33rd Street

lirr trains to Penn Station

aMtraK trains to Penn Station

nJ transit trains to Penn Station

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LOcaTION401 Seventh avenue

(southeast corner of 33rd Street and 7th Avenue)

NYC BIKE EXPO is situated in the heart of Manhattan. It has very convenient access to

public transportation (trains, subways and buses).

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the pro bike specialists

2347 HUDSON TERRACE – FORT LEE, NJ

201-944-7074

www.strictlybicycles.com

the pro bike specialists

2347 HUDSON TERRACE – FORT LEE, NJ

201-944-7074

www.strictlybicycles.com

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the pro bike specialists

2347 HUDSON TERRACE – FORT LEE, NJ

201-944-7074

www.strictlybicycles.com

MedioFondo~100K/GranFondo~170K/SuprFondo~220KGiroPreFesta/GiorneJaveFesta/FondoFesta/SeraFesta

PaccoDiFama/VIP/Expo

www.granfondoottawa.orgStomp the Pedals, Feel the Power, Think BigRide, GranFondo!

SEE YOU aT

NYC BIKEEXPO

GRUPPO SPORTIVO

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www.giordanausa.comOffIcIaL GfNY aPPaREL

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OffIcIaL GfNY aPPaRELThe bib number must be attached hori-zontally on the pockets with safety pins. You are free to choose which pockets you place it on. Usually, you would use the pockets on the non-dominant side of your body, eg. a right-handed person would put his number on the left and center pockets.

You will receive your race wristband at the expo. Upon providing your signed waiver, the wristband will be attached to your wrist until the end of the event. You are not permitted to remove the wrist-band. Any wristbands that have been tampered with will be considered void.

The two numbered stickers in your race packet are for your bike and your checked bag. Put the bike sticker somewhere safe on your bike, this sticker will allow you to utilize the secure bike parking at the finish. Attach the bag check number to any bag that you would like to check in on race morning, the bag will be waiting for you at the finish. You might want to put a pair of flip flops or old sneakers in your check-in bag.

You should put the course profile sticker, sponsored by Strava, on your top tube by the handle bars. It will provide you with easy reference as to where you are on

BIKE NUmBER,WRIST BaNDaND JERSEYNUmBER

the course, what is still to come and the upcoming aid stations and timed climbs.

Your bike number is also your timing de-vice. In the back of each number there are two timing chips glued on. In the picture you can see how you should at-tach your bike number to your bike. The timing chips will only work if you put the number at the front of your bike. The bike numbers cannot be modified or cut, otherwise the timing chips may get dam-aged and you will not be timed. Please do not bend the number! This will also damage the timing chips and you will not be timed.

You must wear the official black GFNY jersey, bike plate, wristband and bib number on May 20. Without these four pieces, you will not be able to access the GFNY start, timed climbs, aid stations or the finish.

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Reward those with the courage to challenge ‘normal ’

www.tedwardwines.com

T. EDWARD WINES

A selection of properties we proudly represent.

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YOUR ”VAL COLLA”

SPORTS BAG CONTAINS:

• bottle of GFNY wine by t. edward Wines • 750 ml elIte bike bottle• warming cream by hibros• bike lube sachet by Finish line• delverde recipe booklet• GFnY race poster• rider Guide magazine

VaL cOLLa Val Colla is a valley between beautifulmountain chains in Ticino, the Italian

speaking part of Switzerland.

tIcIno

ThEBaG

When we rode there last year, we thought about what gear the participants might like and de-cided on a sports bag. With the help of our outstanding designer Idil Berkan, the bag “VAL COLLA” was born.

at GfnY 2012, every rider receives this bag. It fits all the apparel you need for a day trip with your bike.

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cOURSE maP

50

60

35

NYc

110miles

60miles

hUDSONRIVER

31

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Individual competitionthe four timed climbs are added together to determine a total time and overall ranking.

the age groups are:

• 18-39 male/female • 40-44 m/f • 45-49 m/f • 50-54 m/f • 55-59 m/f

the medals:The top 25% of each category receive a gold medal. All other finishers including Medio Fondo

finishers receive a silver medal. The medal co-functions as a bottle opener.

Team competitionIndividuals can register as members of a team to take part in the GFNY Team Competition.

• The four fastest times from a team will be added and ranked to determine the fastest team.• All team member splits are totaled and ranked.• The podium 4-person teams will be awarded prizes.• All members of a Cycling Team are eligible for individual age group prizes.

him+her category A female and male rider have to start and finish each of the four climbs within thirty seconds of each other.

• Because it’s tough to find two riders of the same ability and fitness, pushing, pulling, dragging, encouraging, shouting and any other means of working together is allowed.• The Him+Her team competion consists of two age categories: sub-90 and 90+ years old combined.• Members of a Him+Her team are not eligible for individual age group prizes because rider assistance among team members in this category is permitted.

• 60-64 m/f• 65+ f• 65-69 m• 70-74 m• 75+ m

chamPIONS JERSEYWinners of age groups, team, him&her teams and overall receive the Champions Jersey.

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TImEShEET

ROUTEDISTaNcE (approx.) GRaN fONDO mEDIO fONDO

Km miles 25mph 20mph 15mph 15mph 10mph

George Washington Bridge 0 0 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00

Henry Hudson Drive 4 2.5 7:05 7:10 7:10 7:10 7:15

NJ-NY-Stateline 23 14 7:35 7:45 7:55 7:55 8:15

Piermont – Aid Station 1 27 15 7:40 7:45 8:05 8:05 8:35

Nyack 31 19 7:45 7:55 8:20 8:20 8:55

Route 9W 36 22.5 7:50 8:05 8:25 8:25 9:10

Rockland Lake 38.5 24 7:55 8:15 8:30 8:30 9:20

Haverstraw 48 30 8:10 8:30 9:00

Stony Point – Aid Station 2 51 32 8:15 8:35 9:05

Start 1st timed climb

Passo del Daino56 35 8:25 8:45 9:20

Finish 1st timed climb 58 36 8:30 8:45 9:25

Route 9W 61 38 8:25 8:55 9:30

Bear Mountain – Aid Station 3 68 42 8:45 9:05 9:45

Start 2nd timed climb

Montagna dell’Orso69 42 8:45 9:05 9:45

Finish 2nd timed climb 75 46 8:55 9:20 10:05

Bear Mountain – Aid Station 4 80 50 9:00 9:30 10:20

Mott Farm Road 88 55 9:10 9:45 10:40

Start 3rd timed climb

Colle Andrea Pinarello95 59.5 9:20 9:55 11:00

Finish 3rd timed climb 98 61 9:20 10:05 11:00

Pomona – Aid Station 5 102 64 9:35 10:10 11:20

Start 4th timed climb

Colle Formaggio107 67 9:40 10:20 11:30

Finish 4th timed climb 109 68 9:40 10:25 11:30

South Mountain Road 119 74 9:55 10:45 11:55

Ridge Road 127 79 10:10 10:55 12:20

Strawtown Road 128 80 10:15 11:00 12:20 9:00 10:00

West Nyack – Aid Station 6 136 84.5 10:30 11:15 12:40 9:20 10:30

Orangeburg 141 88 10:35 11:25 12:55 9:40 10:55

Sparkill 144 90 10:40 11:30 1:00 9:40 11:05

NY-NJ-Stateline 149.5 93 10:45 11:40 1:10 9:50 11:20

Henry Hudson Drive - Waterstation 161 100 11:00 12:00 1:40 10:20 12:00

Finish Weehawken 177 110 11:25 12:30 2:20 11:00 1:00

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Passo del DainoThe first timed climb is fairly short. But it’s one of those deceiving climbs that start out mellow and get tough later when it hits up to 14%. If you start it too fast, you will suf-fer badly towards the end. It’s a climb for the smart rider.

cliMB starts at aPProx. Mile 35.

TImED cLImBS

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montagna dell’OrsoThis climb is a true New York City cycling classic. It’s situated in a State Park. Here, New Yorkers test their true climbing abilities. As soon as spring arrives, athletes are flocking to Montagna dell’Orso or, as the locals call it, “Bear Mountain”. It is not as steep as the previous climb - it tops out at 10% - and hence will suit a passista scalatore best as it is nearly four miles (6k) long and very gradual.A controlled tempo effort will bring the fastest time.

cliMB starts at aPProx. Mile 42.

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New MEDIO 120 Km

New LUNGO 170Km

La Pina GOURMET

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colle andreaPinarelloThe third timed climb was already a part of the 2011 course but not timed. Riders unanimously voiced that we might as well time it if we put this beast on the map. We listen to our participants. Colle Andrea Pinarello, known by the locals as “Gate Hill Road” is neither long nor steep but it’s still draining. A few times you might think “Now I’m up!” just to be faced with yet another incline. The climb is named after the late Andrea Pinarello who was the am-bassador of Gran Fondo, not only representing the com-pany of his family but also the whole sport of cycling. He participated in the inaugural Gran Fondo New York 2011.

cliMB starts at aPProx. Mile 60.

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Spaghetti Marinara and Meatballs

2 lbs total Ground Pork, Veal and Chuck1 cup of breadcrumbs¾ cup grated Parmesan1 egg½ cup milk1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped1 tbsp chopped fresh basil1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped2 cloves garlic, minced1 medium onion, minced1 lb Delverde® Spaghetti 1 jar Lucini® Tuscan Marinara with Roasted Garlic

For recipes and more information about all of our products visit Lucini.com or call 1-888-5Lucini

HANDCRAFTEDNO SUGAR ADDED100% NATURAL

Inspired by authentic,

regional Italian recipes, the

Lucini Italia collection of

premium sauces is prepared by hand in small

batches using 100% fresh ingredients, such

as sun ripened plum tomatoes, Tuscan basil

and Lucini® extra virgin olive oil. Made

with only the highest-quality ingredients,

all of our sauces are 100% natural. Embark

on a culinary journey with each recipe –

from the fiery f lavors of Italy’s southern

coast to the rustic farmhouse recipes of

central Tuscany.

only the most cared for ingredients make it to the lucini jar.

www.facebook.com/luciniitalia @luciniitalia

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the above ingredients, aside from the spaghetti and sauce, in a large bowl, using your hands. Once combined, form 12 meatballs and placed on a deep dish baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, until they are slightly browned.

Meanwhile, simmer the sauce in a large saucepot. Carefully place the browned meatballs in the sauce and simmer on low for at least an hour, stirring occasionally.Prepare the spaghetti according to the package directions and cook until al dente.

Pour the prepared pasta in a large serving dish. Top with sauce and meatballs.

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colle formaggioColle Formaggio is a hidden gem in the area.Ask the 9W enthusiast and most will have never heard of it. New to GFNY 2012, Colle Formaggio which is also known as “Cheesecote” or “Overlook Road” is the perfect icing on the cake. Make sure you turn around at the top to oversee large parts of Hudson River and on a clear day all the way to Manhattan’s skyscrapers.

cliMB starts at aPProx. Mile 67.

TImED cLImBS

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1. Gran Fondo New York (“GFNY”) is a ride where the Gran Fondo (“GF”) course has four timed climbs which count towards the competition. The Medio Fondo (“MF”) course is a purely non-competitive ride.

2. entry2.1. The entry to GF and MF is open to riders aged 18 or old-er. Registration is done online at www.granfondony.com. Entry closes at 6,000 riders or on May 19, 7pm ET, whichever comes first. GFNY has the sole discretion over entry numbers and cut off dates.2.2. Riders who have been banned by a federation for a doping violation will be refused.2.3. Professional cyclists and former professional cyclists who raced within the last five years can join the ride but are not al-lowed to compete. If a professional cyclist joins the ride, he has to stay out of the way of competing riders during the timed climbs.2.4. Each rider has to ensure that his/her health condition is suf-ficient for the event.2.5. Each rider is responsible for having sufficient insurance cover-age. GFNY may offer additional insurance at its sole discretion.2.6. Entries are not refundable or deferrable. Transfers may be al-lowed at the sole discretion of GFNY. No rider shall be entitled to an entry fee refund in case of disqualification.2.7. GFNY reserves the right, in its sole and complete discretion, to deny entry, revoke the entry application of any applicant at any time, and/or to disqualify any individual from the Event.

3. equipment3.1. Bike: any technically serviceable roadworthy bicycle is per-mitted. The following are not permitted for safety reasons: prone bicycles, recumbent bikes and bicycles with chair seating (except for challenged athletes), penny farthings or mono cycles. Unsafe bikes can be banned at any time during the event.3.2. Triathlon handlebars are permitted IF the rider keeps both hands at the brake levers while riding within 10 meters of another rider. A violation can lead to immediate disqualification.3.3. Helmets must be worn by all riders at all times and have to be securely fastened with a chinstrap at all times while riding.3.4. Jersey: the official event jersey must be worn at all times. No exceptions.

22nd Annual

InternatIonal on May 20, 2012

3.5. Bike number: the number plate with the chip timing straps on the back must be attached to the handlebar and be clearly vis-ible from the front at all times. Any alteration of the number can lead to disqualification or the timing chips may not work properly.3.6. Jersey number: the jersey number must be worn on the left back jersey pockets, attached by safety pins. Any wrong position-ing or alteration of the number can lead to disqualification.3.7. Wrist band: the wrist band must be worn at all times during the event.3.8. Headphones are not allowed.

4. start4.1. GF and MF start at 7am on George Washington Bridge, lower level, outbound lanes. Entry to the start area is only from the des-ignated ramp on the NYC side of the bridge. Riders without their GFNY jerseys, bike number, jersey number and wristband at the checkpoint will be refused access to the start area.4.2. The starting corrals close at 6.30am. If a rider is late, he/she will not be able to cross George Washington Bridge on the road or be eligible for competition.4.3. Start order: 1. Lista Rossa: Returning champions from the previous year (overall, age groups, teams), VIP 2. Licensed racers in several corrals according to their ranking 3. General GF riders according to their age group 4. MF riders 5. Challenged athletes Riders should start in their designated corral. Riders are allowed to start in a corral further back than their designated corral. If a rider attempts to get in a corral further ahead than allocated he/she will be disqualified.

5. competition5.1. The accumulated time of four climbs counts towards the competition. Only riders who complete the full GFNY course are eligible for competition ranking and prizes. If two riders have the same overall time, the rider with the faster time at Montagna del’Orso trumps. If both riders are equal there as well, the faster time at the climbs in the following order trumps: Colle Andrea Pinarello, Colle Formaggio, Passo del Daino.5.2. categories: 1. overall m/f 2. 18-39 m/f 3. 40-44 m/f 4. 45-49 m/f 5. 50-54 m/f 6. 55-59 m/f 7. 60-64 m/f 8. 65+f 9. 65-69 m 10. 70-74 m 11. 75+m 12. under 90 him&her: times of a mixed

RULES

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2gender team added. Riders have to be within 30 seconds of each other during every timed segment. Outside assistance be-tween teammates is permitted and encouraged. 13. 90 and over him&her: times of a mixed gender team added. Riders have to be within 30 seconds of each other during every timed segment. Outside assistance between teammates is permitted and encour-aged. 14. Team of four (any gender): times of the fastest four rid-ers of a team added5.3. Prizes will be awarded to the top three in each category. Dis-tribution of the prizes is at the sole discretion of GFNY.5.4. All protests concerning the order of finish shall be examined and resolved by the chief judge, whose decision is final and with-out appeal. Rules and Course It is the rider’s responsibility to fa-miliarize himself/herself with the rules of the event and the course before the start. Taking alternate routes or cutting the course short leads to disqualification from the current competition and to a ban at future GFNY.

6. abuse6.1. No rider may be disrespectful toward race directors, officials, staff, riders, volunteers or spectators.6.2. No rider may use foul or abusive language or conduct during GFNY.6.3. No rider may assault (an unlawful attempt, coupled with the present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another) or do battery (any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another) to anyone connected with GFNY (in-cluding but not limited to riders, spectators, public officials, volun-teers, staff, etc...).6.4. Any of the above can lead to disqualification and a lifelong ban of Gran Fondo New York.

7. conduct7.1. Cyclists have to obey all laws of the road including traffic lights and stop signs. Violators may be ticketed by local law en-forcement and/or disqualified and removed from the event.7.2. No rider may make an abrupt motion so as to interfere with the forward progress of another rider, either intentionally or by accident.

7.3. Any rider who appears to present a danger to the other riders may be disqualified by GFNY either before, during, or after GFNY.7.4. Pushing or pulling or any other physical assistance among rid-ers is prohibited in all categories except the Him&Her categories where pushing or pulling is encouraged. Devices of any sort to pull or push are not allowed.7.5. Team cars or personal support cars are not allowed.

7.6. Any of the above can lead to disqualification and a lifelong ban of Gran Fondo New York.

8. environmentGFNY is committed to protecting the environment. Any discard-ing of trash or food outside the designated trash receptacles at the aid stations is prohibited and can lead to disqualification and a lifelong ban of Gran Fondo New York. Any urinating in public is prohibited and can lead to disqualification and a lifelong ban from Gran Fondo New York.

9. Performance enhancing drugsGFNY is committed to a drug free sport. Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED) are prohibited in preparation for and during GFNY. GFNY reserves the right to enforce doping controls before, during and after the event. Any violation of World Anti Doping Associa-tion (WADA) rules will lead to disqualification, reclaim of prizes and a lifelong ban of Gran Fondo New York, Inc. events. GFNY par-ticipants are highly encouraged to stay informed about PEDs and PED testing. GFNY recommends the USADA Athlete Handbook.

10. acceptance of riskAll those who ride and compete under these rules do so at their own risk. No liability shall attach to GFNY or any of its officials with respect to any loss or injury sustained or caused by anyone competing or riding in GFNY.

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Make sure to eat breakfast in the morning. Bring your ID, cash, credit card and cell phone with you. Fill up both your water bot-tles and stow some food in your jersey pockets. There is no food or drink station at the start line.

The black GFNY 2012 jersey by Giordana that you received at the expo is mandatorY attire for Gran Fondo New York and Medio Fondo New York participants. The green GFNY jersey, last year’s GFNY jersey or any other jersey are not permitted. no jersey, no start! Make sure you have your GFNY wristband on. It is your all ac-cess pass to the GFNY start on the bridge, timed climbs, aid stations, Delverde & Lucini Pasta Party and bike & bag check at the finish. no wristband, no start! Put the bike number sticker on your bike where it will be pro-tected and stay on your bike for the entire day.

Bag drop is at the entry to the George Washington Bridge. As soon as you start riding onto the ramp, there will be trucks

Because GFNY starts on the George Washington Bridge, only limited setup is permitted. There will be portapotties, bag check and MAVIC mechanics before you get on the bridge. Strict se-curity measures permit only registered GFNY participants to access the start corrals. littering (throwing your garbage on the ground) is strictly prohibited anywhere on the course. Littering at GFNY leads to automatic disqualification. On the bridge, any garbage that you throw on the road will end up polluting the Hudson River.

raceMORNING

The start area opens at 5am. Do not arrive later than 5.30am. It will take time to get everyone on the bridge. Access to the bridge closes at 6.15am. If you arrive after 6.15am, you will have to take the bike path across the bridge and you won’t be in the results.

waiting to collect your bags. You can check a standard-sized backpack or any bag with a maximum size of 40L and make sure that your bag is closed properly, the bag check number is attached well and the number is clearly visible. Don’t leave any valuables in the bag because GFNY is not responsible for any wet, lost or stolen items. everything must be picked up at the finish before 7pm or it will be donated to salvation army.

Throwing your garbage anywhere on the roads leaves a nega-tive imprint of the event on the communities, and your litter can prevent the event from utilizing the beautiful roads you will ride on during the race in the years to come. Use your jersey’s pock-ets (that’s what they are there for) to put your garbage in, and discard the garbage in a trash receptacle at the aid stations or at the finish area.

Bike access to the start line is from Riverside Drive and 165th Street. Ride northbound and keep right at all times.

The start corrals are numbered by 500s. The road is three lanes wide. Two lanes will serve as the corral staging area. One lane serves as the travel lane for emergency vehicles and getting to your corral. The corrals are divided by age groups. If your friends are in your age group, you will be in the same starting corral. However, if you are different ages, you can still start the event together. If you are allocated to different start corrals, the person with the lower bib number can move to a corral with higher numbers, the person with the higher bib number cannot move forward.

The event will start promptly at 7am, rain or shine. We begin the breakdown of the area immediately after the last rider leaves to reopen the roadway for cars. If you arrive after 6.15am, you must ride your bike across the GWB on the upper level bike path to cross the Hudson River. That can be accessed from Fort Washington Avenue and 177th Street. At 177th St, turn left (heading west). At Cabrini Blvd, turn right (heading north). Go one block. Get on the side walk on the left, the bike path access is half a block down. You will not be in the final results.

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fROmmaNhaTTaN

BY BIKE

WEST SIDE HIGHWAYBIKE PATH:

directions:

Bike northbound along the West Side High-way bike path, make a right at 158th St. (there is a metal swinging gate there). You will ride under an overpass, then you’ll see a traffic light. At the light, make a left go up a slight incline. You’ll then come to a stop sign (sign says 158th St), and make a right at the stop sign. Make the first left turn you can, a 120° left turn onto Riverside Drive. Ride straight on Riverside Drive to access the start corrals. Check out the map below.

OVERPaSS

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STaRT

fINISh

P3P4

P1

P2

DRIVING & BIKE OPTIONS

DROP Off & PIcK UPaREaS

Park dIrectlY at the FInISh area In WeehaWken, nJ

TO STaRTRide your bike 6.1miles/10km along Port Imperial Blvd /River Road to Hudson Terrace & Bruce Reynolds Blvd in Fort Lee, NJ.

Ride your bike across the GWB bike path to NYC (enter the bike path at Hudson Terrace just before the overpass (50ft past Bruce Reynolds Blvd make a right).

Off the bridge path, proceed to Fort Washington Avenue or Haven Avenue to 165th Street. Make a right onto 165th Street and ride down the hill to Riverside Drive. Make a right onto Riverside Drive and ride northbound on Riv-erside Drive to access the start corrals. Bear right at all times. See P4 for bike route maps.

afTER ThE fINIShRide 500ft to the adjacent parking lot.

PaRKING facILITIESPark at the NY Waterway’s 24-hour parking facilities, in the southern lot (it can accommodate over 1000 vehicles), parking fee is $10/day.

Weehawken terminal details and driving directions: http://www.nywaterway.com/PortImperialWeehaw-kenTerminal.aspx

Park In nYc near the 39th Street FerrY termInal

TO STaRTa) Bike from your garage northbound for 6.2miles/10km along the West Side Highway bike path, make a right to get off the bike path at 158th St (there is a metal swinging gate there). You will ride under an overpass, then you’ll see a traf-fic light. At the light, make a left go up a slight incline. You’ll then come to a stop sign (sign says 158th St), and make a right at the stop sign. Make the first left turn you can, a 120° left turn onto Riverside Drive. Ride straight on Riverside Drive to access the start corrals. Bear right at all times. See From manhattan By Bike for bike route map.

b) Take the subway A,C and 1 lines from 42nd Street to 168th Street. From 168th St subway station, ride south along Fort Washington Avenue to 165th Street. Make a right onto 165th Street and ride down the hill to Riverside Drive. Make a right onto Riverside Drive and ride northbound on Riverside Drive to access the start corrals. Bear right at all times. See By Subway & Bike for bike route map.

P1

P2

ThERE aRE fOUR PaRKING

OPTIONS, DEPENDING If

YOU’D LIKE TO PaRK IN

NYc OR IN NJ.

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afTER ThE fINIShTake the free GFNY ferry across the Hudson River from Weehawken, NJ to NYC’s West 39th Street Ferry Terminal and ride three blocks to your parked car.

PaRKING facILITIESFees depend on the facility, please check with the facil-ity directly for pricing info. Visit the provided web links for internet coupons. There is also some curbside street parking in the area, check the signs for any parking details, length of stay maximums, and if there are any fees for parking at the specific spot you’re looking at.

QuIk Park 601 West 41st Street, New York, NY T. (212) 868-3107 http://quikparkgarages.com/parking_locations/601_w_41st_st_new_york_10018.aspx 600 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036 T.212-564-0410 http://quikparkgarages.com/parking_locations/620_w_42nd_st_new_york_10036.aspx

Icon ParkInG501 West 41st Street, New York, NY (212) 564-9152http://www.iconparkingsystems.com/facilities/jds-parking-llc

ImPerIal ParkInG520 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036T. (212) 244-4786 http://imperial-parking.com/parking/Details.php?button2=Details&ID2=2

allIance ParkInG500 West 43rd St # 5, New York, NY 10036T. (212) 502-5268

nYc terminal details and driving directions:http://www.nywaterway.com/MidtownW39thTerminal.aspx

P3 Park dIrectlY at the Start In nYc

TO STaRTRide from your garage along Fort Washington Avenue or Ha-ven Avenue to 165th Street. Make a right onto 165th Street and ride down the hill to Riverside Drive. Make a right onto Riverside Drive and ride northbound on Riverside Drive to ac-cess the start corrals. Bear right at all times. Check the 2nd map in P4 for bike route.

afTER ThE fINIShTake the free GFNY ferry across the Hudson River NYC’s West 39th Street Ferry Terminal. Then:

a) Ride to 42nd Street and 8th Avenue and take the subway A,C and 1 lines to 168th Street. Ride to your garage.

b) Bike path to 181st St: Ride northbound 7.4miles/11.5km along the West Side Highway bike path, after the Little Red Lighthouse, proceed up a two-part steep hill, once it flattens keep riding north until a ramp for an overpass bridge that drops you at Riverside Drive and 181st St. Ride to your ga-rage.

c) Bike path to 158th St: Bike northbound 6miles/9.5km along the West Side Highway bike path, make a right to get off the bike path (there is a metal swinging gate there). You will ride under an overpass, then you’ll see a traffic light. At the light, make a left go up a slight incline. You’ll then come to a stop sign, and make a right at the stop sign, this is 158th Street. Ride to your garage.

PaRKING facILITIESLimited curbside street parking in the area, check the signs for any parking details, length of stay maximums, and if there are any fees for parking at the specific spot you’re looking at. Website that lists all parking lots in the area: http://www.citidex.com/6093.htm

central ParkInG

Go to https://find.parking.com and type in 10032 zip for the various parking garages. Over 15 locations near 165th Street and Fort Washington Avenue.

You can also visit Central’s Washington Heights site for parking coupons at two nearby locations (162nd St and 174th St): http://nyc.centralparking.com/Manhattan-Wash-ington-Heights-Parking.html

mPG ParkInG

4168 Broadway (at 177th St), New York, NY 10033 T· (212) 543-2700http://www.mpsparking.com/new-york-parking-locations.php

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droP oFF ZoneS

For the safety of cyclists arriving at the start area, and to minimize congestion approaching the start corrals, please get dropped off at one of these three locations:

from the south: 153rd Street and Riverside Drivefrom the north or east: Along Audubon Avenue from 165th Streetfrom the west: Along Lemoine Avenue from Bruce Reyn-olds Boulevard

PIckuP area

After the event, ask your family or friend to pick you up at the southern parking lot of the NY Waterway Terminal, around Pershing Road and Ferry Boulevard.

Park near the Start In Fort lee, nJ

TO STaRT

Ride your bike across the GWB bike path to NYC (enter the bike path at Hudson Terrace just aside the overpass (near Bruce Reynolds Blvd)

Off the bridge path, proceed to Fort Washington Avenue or Haven Avenue to 165th Street. Make a right onto 165th Street and ride down the hill to Riverside Drive. Make a right onto Riverside Drive and ride northbound on Riverside Drive to access the start corrals. Bear right at all times.

afTER ThE fINIShRide your bike 6.1miles/10km northbound along Port Impe-rial Boulevard/River Road all the way until Fort Lee, NJ and

your parking lot.

PaRKING facILITIESLimited curbside street parking in the area, check the signs for any parking details, length of stay maximums, and if there are any fees for parking at the specific spot you’re looking at.

We recommend the town lots, parking fees apply: http://fortleeparking.org/parking_authority_final_002.htm

BY BIKE fROm NEW JERSEY

GETTING TO ThE STaRT cOmING

Off ThE BIKE PaTh

BRIDGE cROSSING fROm NEW JERSEY

BY BIKE fROm hUDSON TERRacE

BIKE PaTh acROSS

P4

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BY SUBWaY & BIKE

directions:

You don’t need a bike permit to bring your bike on board an NYC subway.

Since your bike won’t be able to fit through the turnstiles, either ask an agent or a friend to help you. Usually, you go to the agent in the booth and inform them that you are going in with a bike. Have them watch you swipe your metrocard and turn the turnstile. Then, they would release the emergency gate so you can walk through.

Check http://mta.info for any weekend service advisories for A,C and 1 subway lines.

SUBWaY STaTION

168Th STREET

a / c / 1 TO ThE STaRT

If you’ve ever dreamed of racing Philly Bicycling Magazine Open

Sunday, June 3

A full 3 laps, closed course Time splits for each lap and each time up the Manayunk Wall Serious riders start at the front Form a team and ride for a cause (if you want) Cool giveaways Pre and post refreshments Stay and watch the pros

To register www.procyclingtour.com

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THE ART OF BASICwww.stacyssnacks.com

There’s basic. And then there’s the

art of basic. Stacy’s Pita Chips are made

from all-natural pita. But that’s just the beginning. They’re then twice baked, for the

perfect crunch, with delicious, all-natural seasoning baked

..............................................................................................................

right in. You might just say Stacy’s has perfected the art of basic - in the form of

the world’s most delicious chip.

If you’ve ever dreamed of racing Philly Bicycling Magazine Open

Sunday, June 3

A full 3 laps, closed course Time splits for each lap and each time up the Manayunk Wall Serious riders start at the front Form a team and ride for a cause (if you want) Cool giveaways Pre and post refreshments Stay and watch the pros

To register www.procyclingtour.com

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George WashingtonBridge

cyclist Entrance To Lower Level from Riverside Drive

BEaR RIGhT

BEaR RIGhT

BEaR RIGhT

Access the Gran Fondo New York start line from 165th Street and Riverside Drive. Ride Northbound. Bear right at all times to get to the start line staging area and corrals.

the George Washington Bridge has the greatest ve-hicular capacity of any bridge in the world. it carries approximately 106 million vehicles per year, making it the world’s busiest motor vehicle bridge. in 2012, Gran fondo new York again closes the world’s busi-est bridge to cars and offers cyclists a once-in-a-life-time experience of riding across from Manhattan to new Jersey on a car-free road.

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aid StationsThe Gran Fondo course will have six food/water stations at miles 17, 32, 42, 50, 64, 85 and one water station at mile 100.

The Medio Fondo will have two food stations at miles 17 and 35, and one water station at mile 50.

The food stations have a combination of all or some of the following: • PowerBars, PowerBar Energy Gels • Bagels with peanut butter and jelly • Bananas• Immaculate Baking Co. Chocobilly cookies• Stacy’s Pita Chips • PowerBar Ironman Perform electrolyte and calorie drink • Coca Cola• Water

There is no “feeding on the fly”. Use your GFNY ELITE bottles to refill. GFNY is an eco-friendly event.We do not provide cups or bottles.

EmergenciesIf you are involved in or witness a bike crash or other emer-gency, DIAL 911. Based on the cell phone tower you are closest to, you will be routed to the closest EMS dispatch center. The dispatch center will ask for the emergency and your location and will route your call accordingly. All local EMS services are on the course and can react at a mo-ment’s notice.

DisqualificationThe full event rules are covered earlier in this guide and on the GFNY website. Please familiarize yourself with GFNY rules. Here are four of the more important points:

Littering is strictly prohibited. Any participant seen throwing garbage on the road will be disqualified. Do not pollute the environment.

You must utilize the designated toilets. Do not pollute pri-vate or public land, polluting leads to disqualification.

Be courteous to GFNY staff, volunteers, spectators and other competitors. Being disrespectful, offensive or abusive will lead to disqualification.

Ride on the route marked by GFNY. We have several check points along the route to verify that all participants are com-peting the designated course. Cutting the course or taking alternate routes leads to disqualification.

ImPORTaNT

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mechanical SupportBring two spare tubes, tire levers and a pump with you to be self-sufficient in case you get a flat. Also bring cash with you to be able to purchase any equipment (tubes, air cartridges, tires, chain, etc) if you have any larger mechanical problems on race day. You should know how to change a flat and have spare tubes and a means to fill a tube with air.

MAVIC mechanics will be at the start area in case you need as-sistance with a mechanical problem on race morning.

MAVIC, Strictly Bicycles and DuVine Adventures are offering the rolling mechanical support along the GFNY route. If you need help, one of the 5 cars or 2 motorbikes will be out on the course. Wait on the side of the road and wave to a mechanic car or mo-torbike to get their attention when they drive by.

Two cutoffs for Gran fondo New York: miles 27 and 36There are two cutoffs on the Gran Fondo course. Since we have the road closure and exclusive use at Montagna dell’Orso (Bear Mountain) until 12pm, riders who reach the Medio Fondo turn off at mile 27 after 10am, will be routed to the Medio Fondo route.

Riders who reach the top of Passo Del Daino (Buckberg Moun-tain) (Timed Climb #1) after 11am will be routed to turn left to re-join returning cyclists, thus bypassing Montagna dell’Orso (Bear Mountain) and 20 miles of the course.

Road conditions, Technical Descents and SafetyAll courses feature fast downhill sections. There are certain de-scents that are steep, winding and on rough roads. They require technical bike handling proficiency to navigate safely. Stay in your lane, and as far to the right as safely possible. It is your responsibility to know the course that you are riding, and to ride within your skill and fitness abilities. Only the climbs are timed. Hence, there is no reason to descend in an unreasonable or un-safe manner.

SpectatorsWe recommend that spectators travel as little as necessary to see the cyclists. Many roads will be closed or will have moder-ated traffic, causing congestion. More cars will add to the ve-hicular congestion on the course.

If you are in NYC, come to the post-race Delverde & Lucini Pasta Party in Weehawken, NJ. You can get there by free ferry cour-tesy of Gran Fondo New York. The ferry leaves every 20 min-utes from NY Waterway ferry terminal at 39th Street and 12th Avenue in Manhattan. The free service starts at noon and ends at 7pm. Outside this time window the cost is $9 per person one way. Bikes are allowed. NY Waterway provides free buses from midtown to the 39th street ferry terminal. You can view the route map and timetable on their website.http://www.nywaterway.com/BusStopsSchedules.aspx

If you are in Rockland or Bergen or Hudson counties, go to the spot on the course that is closest to you.

Get ready to make some noise! GFNY is handing out 25,000 pairs of noisemakers to the GFNY fans along the route. Pick up your pair at your deli, coffee shop, grocery store and local bike shop in the week before GFNY. Or stop by NYC BIKE EXPO on Friday 5/18 or Saturday 5/19 at 401 7th Avenue (at 33rd Street) in NYC.

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I am a simple cycling teacher and thought that I would become a better teacher if I learned how to ride a road bike; the “road” I have been on over the past five years has been unbeliev-able, from not knowing how to change the gears on my first used $300 Fuji (courtesy of my good friend Nelson of Strictly Bicycles fame) to being part of Gruppo Sportivo GFNY, leading the C Group training rides every Sunday morning with Heidi Broecking and meeting some really fantastic people.

Davis Phinney, one of the pioneers of American road cycling and therefore a man to whom many American cyclists owe a huge debt of gratitude, when talking about how he placed fifth in the 1984 Olympics said “…that by obses-sively and entirely focusing on the goal (the gold), I forgot to celebrate the pro-cess.”

I tell those two stories because I be-lieve that is your first and most impor-tant survival tactic – enjoy the ride! Gran Fondo is a cycling celebration; sure there are a lot of really great prizes but for most of us completing the ride

and feeling a sense of accomplishment is the real goal. Look around as you ride, take in the scenery, talk to people along the route, say thanks to all the volunteers at the rest stops and the police officers who will keep us safe that day. Take all the photos you can – SAFELY – and your memories of Gran Fondo New York 2012 will last you a lifetime. By all means do your best and don’t be a GOMO (someone who goes through the motions) but remember that “champions finish strong”.

PREPaRaTION IS KEY SO BETWEEN NOW aNDmaY 13Th

If you are riding the Medio Fondo, then consider riding the River Road seg-ment, doing the Alpine climb, continue to Nyack, go up Old Mountain Road to Rockland Lake then come back through Nyack, stop for coffee and then ride 9W back to Strictly Bicycles. That will help you understand the climbing required in the Medio Fondo; there is absolutely no shame in walking a climb, it happens in pro races like Tour of Flanders all the time.

Gran Fondo riders ought to do at least two of the climbs in one ride if they can, either the weekend of April 29th (3 weeks out) or the weekend of May 6th (2 weeks out).

Please do your longest ride no later than May 6th (2 weeks out) and then begin to taper the length and intensity of your rides. Your Sunday, May 13th ride should be no longer than half the distance of your expected May 20th route.

hOW TO SURVIVEGRaN fONDONEW YORK by Vito Valentini

fINaL WEEK

Read the Rider Guide at least once each day so that you can absorb the ride. If last year’s guide is any indication it will be a really great read.

Do not make any drastic changes to your eating habits thinking that you can try to “drop those last five pounds” the week before the ride so you can keep up with Wade Wegner on the climbs.

Rest on Friday and Saturday. If you are riding Friday then that ride ought to be no more than 30% of your expect-ed May 20th ride. Rest equals sleep. Friday evening, early to bed then nap on Saturday and get to bed as early as possible Saturday evening so that you can get up and eat breakfast two hours prior to the start time.

If you want to ride on Thursday and/or Friday, short distance and low intensity; no more than 30% of your Sunday ride length.

fRIDaY aND SaTURDaY

Participate in NYC Bike Expo. I realize that you have to show up for your race packet and wristband however, if you can, set aside some time to visit our sponsors’ booths and see what they have to offer. There are so many great exhibitors and so many interesting peo-ple, don’t run in and out; it is a great place to learn a little bit more about some of the products that will help add to your passion for cycling. DO NOT STAY LATE – not everyone can be Joe Namath or Mario Cippolini! Try on your GFNY jersey along with the rest of your clothing and prepare your bike no lat-er than Saturday morning, then check your bike Saturday evening two hours

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c y c l i n g

INDOOR CYCLING T R A I N I N G

with the science and substance of outdoor rides

a u r o r a c y c l i n g . c o m734 Grand Avenue Ridgefield, NJ 201 313 0620

c y c l i n g

GranFondo Ad.indd 1 4/28/12 3:52 PM

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before you go to sleep – that will save the heartache of getting up and finding a deflated tire or some other issue that will distract you on Gran Fondo New York Sunday.

Prepare all the items that will go in your back pockets – two tubes, CO2 and three cartridges, levers, our GFNY wal-let with cell phone, ID, and cash (a $20, a $10, a $5 and 5 singles). Also, some snacks – I prefer real food like PBJ but high quality snacks like PowerBar work just fine.

Give yourself time to get to the start line at least 45 minutes before the ex-pected time. You will either get there early and have an opportunity to talk to other GFNY participants, take some photos and get rid of the butterflies OR something will happen to delay you and you will still get there on time.

DURING ThE RIDE

Be there no later than 5.30am.

Stay hydrated, no matter the tempera-tures, carry two water bottles and re-fill at every rest stop so that you will always have more than enough fluids. If you can, try to drink the PowerBar Ironman Perform electrolyte drink, but do not experiment with a new nutrition plan on ride day. If you haven’t tried electrolytes prior to ride day, then mix water and PowerBar Ironman Perform – 50/50. Drink at least one bottle per hour, two if you can. Eat while you ride. If you can, prepare snacks for the ride and bring them with you that will save you from having to stop at the first aid station.

TaKE IT SLOW IN ThEBEGINNING. Conserve some energy for later in the day, especially if you are participating in the Gran Fondo; the first two climbs, Buckberg and Bear Mountain are leg sappers but don’t be fooled into believ-ing that once those two are under your belt you are home free because the next two climbs are challenging as well. You will be home free when you get back to the NJ side of State Line climb – start

feeling good there because you are on the ride home and it is almost literally downhill from there on!

chaLLENGES

If you are feeling tired, take 5 minutes to stop, rehydrate, eat something, stretch your legs and then carry on. Your interpretation of this feeling will determine your ability to continue – simply view it like this – you are the waiter, your body is the customer and your customer has just signaled you to refill their water glass and requested

some more bread – no issue, happens all the time, take it in stride and roll on after the 5 minute break.

Mechanical issues – pull over to the right out of the way of the thundering herd and see if it is something you can fix on your own. If so, fix the problem and then give it just a little bigger effort to make up some time. If not, signal for help – the ride is fully supported and someone will be by in a short time. Please be patient with yourself and the support team.

Health issues – don’t be a hero (or heroine); if you start to have difficulties like cramps, dizziness, nausea, serious pain, etc – please pull over to the right and signal for help with the universally known “slump over with your elbows

on your knees and your head hanging down”; someone will help you or get someone for you.

fINISh LINE

What can I say – eat, drink and be mer-ry! As I said in the GFNY interview – anyone who has ever thought of doing something special should sign up for this Gran Fondo; it will change your life forever!

As Steve Jobs would say “just one more thing.” Thank you to all the peo-

ple who have made Gran Fondo New York a reality – Uli and Lidia for con-ceiving the idea and following through against sometimes painful odds, the sponsors who have generously sup-ported the event, the partners who believed in GFNY, all of the supporters and volunteers who will line the roads, people like Nelson at Strictly Bicycles who have donated so much of them-selves to help GFNY, the other seven members of Gruppo Sportivo GFNY and of course the 5,000 riders; the col-lective energy and spirit that you have thus far created and will continue to create on Gran Fondo New York Day is going to make a positive change in many people’s lives and help make the world a better place – Andiamo!

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Blue Ribbon Restaurants is proud to support Gran Fondo New York 2012

•C

YC

LI N

G

• C Y C L I N G • C

YC

LI N

G•C

YCL I NG•C YC L I NG

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The ride finishes with spectacular Manhattan views at NY Waterway ferry lots in Weehawken, NJ, at the Hudson River (across 50th Street in Manhattan).

The festivities begin right at the finish at 11am and end at 7pm. Delverde serves fresh pasta with Lucini sauce from the DELVERDE BUS. The pasta is also free for family members and fans.

In addition, riders receive a choice of water or soda, a piece of fruit, Chobani Yogurt, Rebootizer drink and a bag of Im-maculate Baking Co. Chocobilly cookies. Additional water to refill your bottle is available from coolers. PowerBar is pro-viding every participant with their Recovery Bar. No alcohol consumption is permitted.

The award ceremonies begin at 3pm with competition and raffle prizes. We begin with the overall winners and contin-ue with age groups and teams. Raffle prizes will be given throughout the afternoon to riders present at the ceremony. We do not ship any prizes, you must be present to claim your prize.

finish make sure you visit the booths of GFnY sponsors GIORDANA, PINARELLO, MAVIC, POWERBAR, DIADORA, TECHNOGEL, LIMAR, HIBROS, US PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE and STRAVA.

GFNY provides free ferry transportation for riders, family members and friends between NYC and the festivities in Weehawken, NJ. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from NY Waterway ferry terminal at 39th Street and 12th Avenue in Manhattan and in Weehawken, NJ. The free service be-gins at 12pm and ends at 7pm. Trip duration is eight minutes. Outside this time window the cost is $9 per person per ride. Bikes are allowed.

NY Waterway provides free bus service from Midtown Man-hattan to the Manhattan ferry terminal. Bikes are not allowed on the buses. Please check the complete bus route map and schedule.http://www.nywaterway.com/BusStopsSchedules.aspx

Any checked items must be picked up at the finish before7pm or they will be donated to the Salvation Army.Pickup area for the cyclists is at the southern parking lot of the ferry, near Pershiang Road and Ferry Boulevard.

PORT ImPERIaL /WEEhaWKEN

NYc / 39Th STREET

12:0pm 3:40pm 12:10pm 3:50pm

12:20pm 4:00pm 12:30pm 4:10pm

12:40pm 4:20pm 12:50pm 4:30pm

1:00pm 4:40pm 1:10pm 4:50pm

1:20pm 5:00pm 1:30pm 5:10pm

1:40pm 5:20pm 1:50pm 5:30pm

2:00pm 5:40pm 2:10pm 5:50pm

2:20pm 6:00pm 2:30pm 6:10pm

2:40pm 6:20pm 2:50pm 6:30pm

3:00pm 6:40pm 3:10pm 6:50pm

3:20pm 7:00pm 3:30pm

fERRY SchEDULE

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fREQUENTLY aSKED QUESTIONShow fast do i have to ride?

You can ride as fast as you want. However, the cut-off for completing the distance is 5.30pm which means you have10.5 hours for the ride. This equals to approximately 10mph for the Gran Fondo and 6 mph for the Medio Fondo including all rest stops. A broom wagon will trail the ride at 10mph. Stragglers who get passed by the car can either get a ride or will be riding on their own outside the event.

Also, there will be a cut-off at Passo del Daino (Buckberg Mountain) which is at mile 41/ km 66. Riders who arrive there after 11am will be directed left onto Mott Farm Road after the descent from the climb.

Will there be restrooms at the start/finish and on the course?

Yes, start/finish area and all aid stations are equipped with portapotties.

if i have a mechanical issue on the course, what do i do?

We highly encourage all participants to have basic safety and repair skills, and in particular fixing a flat tire. Bring your own pump and extra tubes for your bike. However, if you are still unable to make the repair, rolling mechanical support vehi-cles will be drving along the route throughout the day. Should you need assistance, a bus will take you to the finish line. Please note that the wait for assistance and/or a ride can be long and by waiting, you run the risk of not being allowed to finish the event. Visit your local bike shop to learn how to handle basic repair needs or ask an experienced riding buddy.

if i need medical assistance, what do i do?

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be on the course and on call. Police officers and bike mechanics will be trave-ling on the course on motorcycles and in cars. Police officers will be controlling traffic at intersections and volunteers will be guiding athletes for turns at intersections. Each of these people will be able to call 911 in case of emergency. If you need help, inform someone on the course and they will get help to you (or someone else) as quickly as possible and stay with you until help arrives. No matter at what point, help will always be close.

i don’t want to be disqualified. are there specific rules to avoid dQ?

There are a few actions that would result in disqualification. The big 4 to keep in mind : 1) DO NOT LITTER 2) USE PRO-VIDED TOILETS 3) RIDE THE DESIGNATED COURSE 4) BE COURTEOUS TO EVENT STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, SPEC-TATORS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS. There are no refunds given to disqualified participants.

if i have a bad day and realize i won’t be able to finish, what do i do?

Gran Fondo New York will have SAG (Support and Gear) ve-hicles along the course for any cyclists who are unable to complete this event.

Try to make it to the next or previous aid station, there you will have food, water, emergency medical services as well as volunteers to keep you company. If you are unable to ride to an aid station, move off the road and wait at the shoulder of the road until a mechanic or SAG rides by, they will be on the lookout for stopped cyclists. If you are riding and you see a cyclist on the side of the road who needs help, when you get to the next police officer or volunteer, report that you saw a stopped cyclist and their approximate location, they will call for an ambulance.

i never rode in a large group before. What do i have to be concerned about?

Group riding is faster because you save about 30% energy in a draft. It takes a bit of skill to get used to riding closely be-hind someone else’s wheel. Ideally, you find a riding partner to practice. If you live in the NYC area, you can take advan-tage of our free training rides for registered participants and practice group riding.

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i signed up for Gran fondo new York, if i don’t feel up to it, can i just ride the Medio fondo?

Yes. You can decide until as late as the turn off to the Medio Fondo at Mile 30, which route you want to ride.

i signed up for Medio fondo new York, can i instead race the Gran fondo?

No.

When and where do i find the King and Queen of Moun-tain results?

We are announcing the winners at the awards ceremony at 3pm and the full results will be online asap. 2011 we had the preliminary results posted online at 8pm on the same day. This is also our goal for 2012. Additionally, printed preliminary results will be posted at the finish.

When does registration for Gran fondo new York 2013 open?

Gran Fondo New York 2013 will take place on May 19. Registration for 2013 opens the morning after GFNY 2012: Monday, May 21, 2012 at 9am ET.

Visit www.granfondony.eventbrite.com. The registra-tion fee for the first week, until 5/27 at 11:55pm ET, will be an ultra-low $190. Take advantage of GFNY’s lowest possible entry fee by registering early.

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LIDIa fLUhmELidia is a 7-time Ironman Hawaii finisher with an Ironman PR of 10:22. In 2011 she discovered that she can also kick butt in a race that doesn’t involve swimming or running (just ask Fausto Pinarello). Lidia’s love for all things NYC run deep, she’s a New Yorker of over 20 years. Her resume includes investment banking, modeling and an MBA from NYU, now Lidia runs Gran Fondo New York smooth like butter.

hEIDI BROEcKINGHeidi takes the cycling world in storm. The designer, mother and yoga teacher lives in the quaint town of Nyack, a staple for New York cyclists. There’s no doubt she has the largest fan contingency along the GFNY route. Yoga has taught her to understand her body and become a better cyclist in the process.If you see someone shooting down Bear Mountain aside Kermit the Frog while singing Aerosmith’s “Crazy” as a duet, chances are that’s Heidi.

ULI fLUhmEUli is looking back at 15 years of Gran Fondo experience. Having grown up as a pure road racer, he briefly competed at Ironman triathlon professionally (PR: 8:59). After five years as an attorney at a financial institution, he thought it was time to move on and put his two favorite things together: Gran Fondo and New York.

GRaNT JOhNSONGrant’s enthusiasm is highly contagious, he has a fun larger than life per-sonality full of Brooklyn flavor. When Grant isn’t crunching numbers as an accountant, he’s collecting things, right now he’s into Starbucks cards. A perfect day for Grant would be a ride on the GFNY route on a beautiful summer day with Mark Cavendish. He would beat Cav at the finishline sprint and celebrate the win with the GFNY podium girls

GRUPPO SPORTIVO

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VITO VaLENTINIVito surrounds himself by women, he’s the general manager of Aurora Women’s Fitness in Ridgefield, NJ. Vito’s passion is to make a positive difference in peo-ple’s lives. It’s no wonder that he is referred to as the Human Potential Catalyst. Get ready to see a lot of Vito on the snowy, icy days that prevent us from riding outdoors: Vito invites the GFNY group riders into Aurora’s indoor studio for a train-ing ride. Both genders welcome!

WaDE WEGNERWade likes to go fast. Really fast. He prefers to let his legs do the talking. But that doesn’t stop him from waiving a friendly hello to other riders as he passes by. If you get a chance to keep up with him to ask what he does when he’s not on the bike or saving companies from disasters as a profes-sional risk manager, he’ll say: “Is there anything but riding?”

haYDEN JUDDHayden is an import from Down Under (Napier, New Zealand). He’s an avid racer but prefers the wide open roads of a Gran Fondo over racing loops in parks or in-dustrial areas. Perfect day on the bike? A 115 mile loop in his native New Zealand with Formula 1 racer Jensen Button. In real life he runs a Creative Agency that serves families in editing and organizing videos and photos. Sorry ladies, this well rounded Kiwi has been snatched off the market by lovely Hayley in 2011.

PaUL LEBONITTEPaul is a lover of all things cycling: he follows the pro sport as much as he enjoys coaching others and racing himself. Ask him about his latest trips to the US Pro Cycling Challenge or to Belgium where he raced at the Amateur World Champs. Before getting into cycling in 1996, Paul was an avid golfer. His favorite cycling spots are River Road, the high mountains of Colorado, Northern Italy and the Bavaria/Austrian countryside.

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SEE YOU aT

2013 maY 19

REGISTRaTION OPENS >> maY 21, 2012 9am ET

GRaNfONDONY.cOm