What you need to know for riding the Inaugural GranFondo Cannondale Vail!

1. Aug. 19
RIDERGUIDE What you need to
know for riding the
Inaugural GranFondo
Cannondale Vail!
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2. VAIL, CO
August 19, 2012 Dates
GranFondo
Cannondale Vail
takes place over
the weekend of
August 18 & 19.
With Expo and
Packet Pick up on
the 18th and the
ride itself taking
place on the 19th!
EXPO AND PACKET PICK UP / AUGUST 18 & 19
Athletes will need to join us on August 18th between 10AM and 6PM to visit all of our sponsor booths as well as
pick up their rider packet for the ride.
Expo and Packet pick up will be located Rider Packets Include:
in the Lionshead Square area of Vail. Please •Athlete Bib Number
head to the Vail parking garage at 450 S •Wrist Band
Frontage Road West, Vail, CO. Rider Packets •Timing Chip
will be located inside the Visitor’s Center on the •Route Cues
lower level of this parking garage. Entrance •Jersey
located off E. Lionshead Cir. •Goody Bag
Rider Packets will be available during the
following times: King and Queen of the Mountain prizes will
SATURDAY 8/18 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM be determined by chip timing. If you are
SUNDAY 8/19 5:00 AM - 6:30 AM interested in competing for KOM or QOM you
must wear a timing chip for the duration of the
All athletes will be required to sign an ride. Timing chips will only be active for the
EVENT WAIVER and show their photo ID in State Bridge Climb for the full distance riders.
order to pick up their packet. Athletes must pick
Parking !
FREE PARKING available by the
up their own packet!
Town of Vail in the parking
garage located at:
450 S Frontage RD West, Vail, CO
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3. Spectators / Families
Did you know the town of
Vail has a free shuttle
service that can take you
around town and transport
you between Lionshead
Square and Vail Village?
While you are waiting for
your athlete on Sunday
make sure to check out
the Vail Farmer’s Market
on E. Meadows Dr.
400 E
Lionshead Cir.
Vail, CO
Start / Finish Line Location
Lionshead is best known for the Eagle Bahn Gondola that whisks The Finish Line Area will be open as early as 6:00 AM. When the ride
skiers, mountain bikers and other visitors to the top of the mountain year starts at 7:00 AM, Town of Vail Police will escort riders out of Lionshead
round. However Lionshead Square is home to world class condominiums, and down S. Frontage Rd West until they reach a bike path that will lead
hotels, shopping and restaurants. It is a vibrant village within the Town of riders onto US 6. Once on US 6. Colorado State Patrol will lead the main
Vail. peloton through the Town of Avon.
GranFondo Cannondale Vail will take place amongst the pedestrian Please note that the bike path may have pedestrians and non
mall that makes up Lionshead Square and take advantage of its beautiful GranFondo riders, please use caution! All portions of the ride require
surroundings. On Sunday August 19th the ride will start at 7:00 AM from riders to follow the Rules of the Road. You are responsible for your own
roughly 400 E. Lionshead Circle, the entrance to Lionshead Square. All safety as well as the safety of the riders around you, remain alert at all
riders and spectators will have free parking available in the parking garage times!
adjacent to the starting line and should be ready to roll right at 7:00 AM.
POST RIDE CELEBRATIONS PIAZZA GRANFONDO
Blue Moose Presents
Once you are done with your ride head
into Lionshead Square to the Blue
Moose, Vail’s favorite pizzeria! The
Blue Moose will be the official hosts
of Piazza GranFondo and will take care
of your post race refueling needs! They
will host a GranFondo Menu free for
athletes and draft beer specials to
help support SOS Outreach!
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4. GranFondo Cannondale Course & King and Queen of the Mountain
Looking to be crowned the best climber in GranFondo
Cannondale Vail? Want to earn prizes and schwag from Cannondale?
Make sure you pick up a timing chip for your ride and we will record
your time as you climb up the Category 2 climb at State Bridge. State
Bridge is a five mile climb starting at mile 85 of the
ride. This hill will be an awesome test of your
climbing abilities! Maxing at with an 8.9%
KOM &
grade this is a marquee test for all cyclists
QOM tested on
in the Vail Valley. Elevations start at a
State Bridge staggering 6500 feet and rise to over 8200
Climb feet over a five mile distance.
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5. GranFondo Route Cues
START Head NW on E Lionshead Cir toward S Frontage Rd W
0.1 mi Turn left onto S Frontage Rd W and Head West
2.28 mi At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on S Frontage Rd W
3.48 mi Road Ends / Enter Bike Path
5.48 mi Bike Path Joins US 6. Head NW on US-6 W
7.78 mi At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on US-6 W
8.84 mi At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on US-6 W
18.7 mi Head Northwest on US-6 W toward CO-131 N
19.8 Energy Station #1 Yacht Club Grill Energy Station
21.53 mi Head West on US-6 W toward Bearden Rd
26 mi Head West on US-6 W toward Diamond Ranch Rd/Diamond Star Rd
29.11 mi Slight right to stay on US-6 W
36.47 mi Head northwest on US-6 W toward Trail Gulch Rd
36.68 mi At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on US-6 W
43.07 mi Turn right onto Colorado River Rd
43.4 Energy Station #2 on Left Side of CO River Road
54.61 mi Head North on Colorado River Rd
60.57 mi Turn right to stay on Colorado River Rd
61.4 Energy Station #3 Pinball Rec Site
65.74 mi Head East on Colorado River Rd toward 8548/8548A
77.8 mi Energy Station #4 Turn right onto CO-131 S/Lincoln StContinue to follow CO-131 S
79.06 mi Head South on CO-131 S
85.77 mi Bottom of State Bridge Climb / KOM & QOM
90.7 mi Energy Station #5 Top of State Bridge Climb / KOM & QOM
99.22 mi Turn left onto US-6 E
99.4 Energy Station #6 Yacht Club Grill
109.88 mi Enter the traffic circle
109.9 mi Exit the traffic circle onto US-6 E
113.5 mi Turn left onto Bike Path
114.07 mi Head East
114.85 mi Head Northeast
115.26 mi Continue straight onto S Frontage Rd W
116.35 mi Slight right to stay on S Frontage Rd W
116.38 mi At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on S Frontage Rd W
118.22 mi Head North on S Frontage Rd W toward W Lionshead Cir
118.6 mi Head South on E Lionshead Cir
118.7 mi FINISH LINE On E Lionshead Cir.
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6. MedioFondo
Vail Course
MedioFondo Athletes will
start alongside the
GranFondo riders starting
out of lionshead Square at
7:00 AM. Athletes will ride an
out and back course
officially equalling 56.75
miles. Riders will see two aid
stations, one close to the
junction of US 6 and 131
riders will have the
opportunity to stop at twice.
The second aid station will
be at the rider’s turn around
point at the top of State
Bridge. There will be a 25
mile marker for those
wishing only to ride 50 miles
total.
Experience
Vail Valley by
MedioFondo
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7. MedioFondo Route Cues
AT DIRECTION
START Head NW on E Lionshead Cir toward S Frontage Rd W
0.1 mi Turn left onto S Frontage Rd W
0.31 mi Head West on S Frontage Rd W
2.28 mi At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on S Frontage Rd W
3.48 mi Road Ends / Enter Bike Path
5.48 mi Bike Path Ends Head NW on US-6 W
7.78 mi At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on US-6 W
8.84 mi At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on US-6 W
18.7 mi Head northwest on US-6 W toward CO-131 S/Bellyache Ridge Rd
19.8 Energy Station #1 Yacht Club Grill Energy Station
19.69 mi Turn right onto CO-131 N
20.86 mi Head north on CO-131 N toward Red Mountain Rd
23.16 mi Head north on CO-131 N toward 8555
24.7 mi Head northeast on CO-131 towards Alkai Creek Rd
25.01 mi U Turn on CO-131 S toward Alkali Creek Rd
26.36 mi Head southwest on CO-131 S
28.53 Mi Energy Station # 2 Top of State Bridge Climb
30.34 mi Turn left onto CO-131 S/US-6 EContinue to follow US-6 E
36.53 mi Head east on US-6 E
37.24 Mi Energy Station #3 Yacht Club Grill Energy Station
47.9 Mi At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on US-6 E
48.95 Mi At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on US-6 E
51.3 Mi At Kayak Crossing Cross over US 6 before turning Right onto Bike Path
Continue East on Bike Path
53.33 Mi Exit Bike Path & Continue straight onto S Frontage Rd W
54.45 Mi At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on S Frontage Rd W
56 Mi Head east on S Frontage Rd W toward E Lionshead Cir
56.65 mi Turn right onto E Lionshead Cir
56.75 mi FINISH LINE On E Lionshead Cir.
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8. Energy Stations
SIGNAGE Energy Stations are located throughout the ride. There are Five stations placed
around the GranFondo Course. For the MedioFondo course there are two energy
stations, one will be passed twice.
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GranFondo Locations
1.Mile 19.8, Yacht Club Grill on US 6
2.Mile 43.4, Us Forest Parking Lot
3.Mile 61.4, Pinball Rec Site
4.Mile 77.8, CO River RD & 131 Junction
5.Mile 90.7, Top of State Bridge Climb
6.Mile 99.45, Yacht Club Grill on US 6
MedioFondo Locations
1.Mile 19.8, Yacht Club Grill on US 6
2.Mile 28.53, Top of State Bridge Climb
3.Mile 37.24, Yacht Club Grill on US 6
Weather and Gear
Colorado is known for its ever changing weather. August can present hot, cold,
dry and wet weather all in one day. Make sure you know what the forecast is for
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August 19th and plan accordingly with proper riding gear for all conditions you might
encounter!
Poor Mobile Service
The Colorado River RD has little to know mobile phone service please be
aware. There will be roaming SAG vehicles there to help any stranded cyclists,
please make your way towards the nearest aid station if possible for further
assistance.
Signage
Pictured to the left and below are examples of the signage you will find on
course. Look out for these GranFondo Signs to alert you to upcoming course
changes or caution points.
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9. MPH on these descents. Slower riders please
Rules of the Road
remain to the right. Please ride within your skill
CO RIVER RD.
All cyclists must obey the rules of the road
level and ability.
and all traffic laws. Law enforcement officials will
be at key intersections and traffic circles and will Bike Valet
give instructions to both cyclists and motorists Once you have completed the ride, we will
please remain alert and follow all instructions have special bike parking for all riders. You are
and road signs or signals. Violators will be not allowed to ride your bike through Lionshead
subject to ticketing, fines or removal from the Square, if you take your bike into the square
event. All riders are responsible for knowing all please walk your bike. Bikes are not allowed in
Colorado traffic laws. dining areas.
Safe Riding Post Race Dining
Riders should call out or signal potential The Blue Moose is hosting as the Piazza
road hazards for riders behind them. There are GranFondo and is providing the post race dining
three rail road crossings as well as one cattle experience. Riders will receive a Pizza, a soda or
guard crossing. Please use caution and cross draft beer and a fantastic Blue Moose cookie!
these hazards perpendicularly to the hazard. Families looking to eat with their athletes can
order off the menu or purchase the Blue
Dirt Road on Course
Moose's GranFondo special.
Colorado River Road includes roughly 17
miles of dirt road. This section is very hard Parking
packed however there are still bumps along the 450 S Frontage RD West, Vail, CO
way, please remain alert and ride safely.
Technical Descents
Once you have reached the top of climbs
such as State Bridge please use caution on the
decent. Cyclists can hit speeds in excess of 40
Dirt Doesn’t Hurt!
The Colorado River Road is
a stretch that is less
The Ride of traveled but truly shows
your life, a some of the most beautiful
celebration to scenery Colorado has to
offer. Following the CO
compliment! River, this road has about
17 miles of dirt which
locals regularly ride. It
has some amazingly smooth
sections but as you might
expect look for bumps
along the way!
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10. August 19, 2012
Questions?
If we haven’t been
able to answer your
question here please
let us know! Drop us
an email!!
info@vailgranfondo.com
Need to reach us
by phone: Call
GranFondo Vail RD at:
720-984-1761
WHY GRANFONDO?
You have so many choices when riding, what is GranFondo and why should you join us!?
Gran Fondos are long distance, mass- GranFondo USA started in San Diego
participation cycling events – not races – that creating America’s first Gran Fondo series with
are immensely popular in Italy. Participation is stops in San Diego, Los Angeles, Philadelphia
open to recreational and competitive amateur and Miami in 2011. In 2012, GranFondo
cyclists, and tens of thousands of riders of all Cannondale expands and includes rides in San
abilities participate. Diego, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Miami, and
Gran Fondos are often named after famous Vail in the United States. The amazing European
cyclists of the past, or after companies with a destinations of Bad Kleikirchheim, Valberg - Col
long heritage in cycling. Some of the most de la Bonette, Saint Tropez and Mont Ventoux
famous Gran Fondos include the Prosecco have also been added for the creation of
Cycling Classic, the Nove Colli and the Felice GranFondo World. Check back with us for
Gimondi. updates and new locations coming soon!
Some cyclists enter for the challenge and
satisfaction of making it to the finish line; others
Stay in Touch
want to push themselves and their friends; and
Visit us online:
some ride to win! www.granfondo-world.com
Regardless, every GranFondo World event Twitter: @grandondo
is an unforgettable cycling experience! www.facebook.com/granfondo
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