To search this page, please use the search function of your web browser (ctrl + F).
What’s the schedule at a glance?
Friday May 17 and Saturday May 18, 2013, both days 11am to 8pm:
Expo and mandatory packet pickup at NYC BIKE EXPO.
Sunday May 19:
- 5am opening of start area
- 6.15am closing of start area
- 7am start
- 12 begin of festivities
- 3pm award ceremonies and raffles
- 5pm close of the course
- 7pm end of festivities
How long is the ride?
Gran Fondo New York is approx. 100 miles/160 km long.
How much climbing does it have?
Gran Fondo New York has 7,000 feet/2,200m of climbing.
What is the entry fee for 2013?
- $190 until May 27
- $220 until September 30
- $235 until November 30
- $250 until January 31
- $265 until March 31
- $280 until May 12
- $300 at the expo
There is no event day registration.
The event is capped at 7,000 riders and is expected to sell out.
What is included with the entry?
Gran Fondo New York full zip cycling jersey Designed in New York and Made in Italy by Biemme, GFNY cycling tool bag, GFNY Headgear, course marking, aid stations, chip timing, post ride food and drink, competition and raffle prizes, bike valet service at the finish and much, much more.
Do I need a racing licence to participate?
No, a racing licence is not needed or required.
So is this a race only for racers?
No, not at all. GFNY is open to all fitness levels. Some will compete for prizes, others will do their best to beat the cut-off. A Gran Fondo is about doing your best whether it is competing for prizes or beating the cut-off.
Is there a minimum age for participants?
Riders must be 18 or older to particpate.
Where and how do I register?
Our registration partner is Eventbrite. They make registration a fast and simple process. Click on this link: www.granfondony.eventbrite.com
What type of bike can I ride for the event?
We suggest to use a road bike as it is the best option to ride in groups. Its light weight makes climbing easier.
You can also ride a mountain bike, touring bike or single speed (with two brakes). A triathlon bike is fine as long as you keep your hands on the brake lever while riding in a group.
If you chose to ride as a tandem, both riders have to register for the event. Tandems are not eligible for prizes.
Recumbent bikes, trailers and bike seats are not allowed for safety reasons.
Is it timed?
Yes, every rider will receive his/her start to finish time.
What are the categories?
Each award winner will receive a special jersey as an award. Overall winners are not eligible for the age group category.
Top three in each category are eligible for prizes from event sponsors.
- Overall (top 3)
- 18-39 (top 3)
- 40-44 (top 3)
- 45-49 (top 3)
- 50-54 (top 3)
- 55-59 (top 3)
- 60-64 (top 3)
- 65-69 (top 3)
- 65+ (top 3)
- 70-74 (top 3)
- 75+ (top 3)
- Under 90 Combined Age Him and Her*
- 90+ Combined Age Him and Her*
- Cycling Team (best four riders)
* Both members of a Him+Her Team must finish together (time difference not more than 30 seconds) to be eligible. Pushing is allowed.
What are the prizes?
There will be various product prizes from our sponsors. Prizes include racing bikes for the winners, racing wheels, shoes, helmets, shades and much, much more. Check our website and facebook page for latest updates.
I’m riding the event with my friends. Can we all line up together in the same 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 further back, the person with the higher bib number cannot move forward.
I am travelling from far away and don’t want to bring my own bike. Can I rent a bike somewhere?
Bike and Roll rents Trek 1.5 road bikes at ~$150 for two days. Pick up your bike on Saturday, May 18 at Pier 84. Bike and Roll will take the bikes back right at the finish. More information on bikenewyorkcity.com.
Where do I pick up my start number, jersey, chip and goodie bag (‘pacco gara’)?
Packet pick up will be held at the NYC Bike Expo Friday 11am-8pm and on Saturday 11am-8pm.
A wristband printed with your race number will be affixed to your wrist at check-in. This band will identify you as an official participant and must be worn during race weekend. The wristband is required for medical identification purposes and allows you access to start, aid stations and post-race festivities. You will not be allowed to remove your bicycle and/or gear from the transition area following the race without your wristband affixed to your wrist. Please do not remove your wristband until after the awards banquet or you will be denied entry.
Can I pick up my packet on the morning of the event?
No. Pick up is only possible on Friday or Saturday. No exceptions.
Can someone else pick up the packet for me?
For safety reasons, every participant has to be present at packet pickup on Friday or Saturday. Also, we want to ensure that the jersey fits the rider.
Is there an expo where I can see new cycling products?
There will be a large expo in midtown Manhattan where you pick up your
packet. Event sponsors will be present to showcase their latest products. Check out the NYC BIKE EXPO website for more details.
Where do I stay overnight?
You can find information on our partner hotels here. Gran Fondo New York has secured room blocks at the below hotels for Gran Fondo New York participants. When booking at these hotels, you are guaranteed the rate, guaranteed that there will be other cyclists staying at that hotel, and guaranteed that you can store your bike in your private hotel room instead of keeping it in the hotel’s general storage room.
May is a peak tourism time in NYC. Hotel rooms will be sold out. Reserve your hotel as early as possible. Rooms are likely to be filled (there are two large conventions in NYC on the May 19 weekend) and the rooms are booking at premium prices. For lower rates, check hotels outside of NYC.
What do I have to wear?
The official Gran Fondo New York jersey is mandatory (included in the entry fee) as is the writsband provided at registration. Helmets with buckled chin straps must be worn at all times. Also, Keep your wristband on for post event festivities.
Headphones of any kind are not allowed.
Where do I park?
Please check the GFNY RIDER GUIDE for details.
Can I use public transport to get to the start?
Yes, NYC Subways allow bikes. However, if you take the subway to the start, we strongly suggest to use a very early train as space is limited. A great option is to simply ride your bike to the start if you are in Manhattan.
Are there shuttle busses?
There are no shuttle busses provided by GFNY. You can use NYC subways or ride your bike to/from the staging area. You can also drive, although parking will be limited.
Do you provide bag drop?
Yes, you can check in one bag. Please bring a small, inexpensive and waterproof bag (size limit 40l volume). Don’t leave any valuables in the bag as GFNY is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. The bags will be picked up at the start and returned at the finish line.
I can’t start. Can I get a refund or do a transfer to another rider?
As a value-added service to our athletes, GFNY proudly offers a complementary registration fee protection plan absolutely free through 365Competitors, LLC. This policy entitles all paid registrants to a reimbursement of their registration and online processing fees, should they become ill or injured prior to the event. Go to 365competitors.com/endurance for coverage details.
Can I ride for a charity? Will there be fundraising?
Yes. Operation Smile is the official Gran Fondo New York charity which offers VIP entries to GFNY.
How many aid stations does GFNY have and what do they provide?
There will be six nutrition stations spread out along the course with solid food and fluids as well as at the finish.
Please note that there will be no food or water at the start available. Make sure your bottles are filled and carry a snack that keeps you going for the first part of the ride.
Does GFNY start if it’s raining?
Yes, rain or shine unless the event is cancelled by the authorities due to e.g. a severe storm.
How do riders line up at the start?
First it’s licensed racers (Elite Cat4 or Master Cat3 or Women Cat3 or equivalent and higher ranked) and Top 10% of each AG from the previous year. We reserve the right to restrict front start to higher categories if the demand is greater than the availability.
After that, riders will be grouped by age group (young to old).
To allow as little interference as possible, we encourage beginner and slower riders to line up at the back of the start. With this you will be able to ride your own pace unobstructed.
All participants will receive an email in April asking for a copy of their license (if any) to be provided by April 15.
Are the roads closed for traffic?
Some but not all roads will be closed for traffic. At all times, however, riders have to obey to traffic laws and ride on the right hand side of the street. Riders have to follow the instructions of police officers and volunteers to avoid disqualification.
How fast do I have to ride?
Gran Fondo is about riding a tough course as quickly as possible according to the rider’s fitness. The cut-off for completing the distance is 5pm which means you have 10 hours for the ride. This equals to approximately 10mph including all nutrition 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 outside the event.
Will there be restrooms at the start/finish and on the course?
Yes, start/finish area as well as aid stations are equipped with porta potties. At the start, the porta potties are situated on the bridge ramp just before you enter the corrals.
If I have a mechanical issue on the course, what do I do?
We highly encourage all participants to know basic safety and repair skills, including in particular fixing a flat tire. Be prepared and bring your own pump and extra tubes for your bike. Make sure you bring your bike to your local bike shop or one of our partner bike shops in the weeks leading up to the event.
However, if you are still unable to make the repair, course marshalls will accompany riders along all routes. Should you need assistance, just let one of the marshals know and, if a marshall is unable to assist you with the repair, a bus will take you to a rest stop where mechanical support may be available, or to the finish line. Please note that the wait for assistance and/or a ride to the nearest rest stop 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 service, what do I do?
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be on the course and on call. Police officers and bike mechanics will be traveling 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 armed with the EMS contact numbers. 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.
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) vehicles along the course for any cyclists who are unable to complete the 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, there will be police officers controlling traffic at intersections as well as volunteers guiding athletes for turns at intersections, so ride forward or backwards until you see a police officer or volunteer and they will inform the SAG vehicle to pick you up. If you are unable to ride, move off the road and wait along the shoulder of the road until a marshall or police officer or mechanic 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 asks for help, when you get to the next police officer or volunteer, report that you saw a stopped cyclist and their approximate location.
I never rode in a large group before. What do I have to be concerned about?
Group riding is faster as you save about 30% energy in a draft. It takes a bit of skill to get used to riding closely behind someone else’s wheel. Ideally, you find a riding partner to practice. If you live in the NYC area, you can take advantage of our free training rides for registered participants and practice group riding.
When and where do I find the results?
We are announcing the winners at the awards ceremony at 3-6pm and the full results will be online on this site asap.
Will there be food at the finish?
Yes, there will be food and drinks.
