1. GRAN FONDO EVENT GUIDE
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2. GRAN FONDO EVENT GUIDE
Table of Contents
Special guest: Greg LeMond............................................................3
Event overview/descriptions...........................................................4
Schedule of events/packet pick up dates........................................5
Parking & Directions........................................................................6
Route Descriptions ..........................................................................7
– 60 Mile Route (Piccolo Fondo) .................................................8
– 75 Mile Route (Medio Fondo) ............................................... 10
– 90 Mile Route (Gran Fondo) ................................................. 12
– LeMond Challenge Hill Climb ................................................ 14
– Results/Awards .................................................................... 15
– Photographs ......................................................................... 15
Lodging, Travel and Directions ................................................... 16
Safety, Rules and Emergency information ................................. 16
Echelon Staff and Contact Information ..................................... 16
Questions and comments can be addressed to:
David Cochran, Event Director
davidc@echelongranfondo.org
Echelon Hotline 415‐730‐7003
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3. GRAN FONDO EVENT GUIDE
Special guest
Greg LeMond is riding the Gran Fondo
Greg LeMond is a former professional road bike racer from the United States and a three-
time winner of the Tour de France. He was born in Reno, Nevada.
In 1986 LeMond became the first American and the first non-European cyclist to win the
Tour de France. The following year he was shot and seriously injured in a hunting
accident. He was able to return to the Tour in 1989 winning it dramatically in its final
stage. He won again for the third time the following year in 1990. He is one of only nine
cyclists to have won the Tour three or more times. Be sure to see Greg for at the 3 PM
autograph signing.
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4. GRAN FONDO EVENT GUIDE
Hood River September 24 events
Echelon Gran Fondo is a series of European‐style mass participation cycling rides
(Cyclosportif rides) held on epic courses in destination locations. We encourage all
cyclists including casual riders, weekend warriors, amateur racers and a few professional
cyclists. All courses include a theatrical party atmosphere, great food & entertainment.
In Hood River we are timing the 7 Mile Road hill climb one of the dirt sections.
All rides start at 8:00 AM
Echelon CrossMountain is an on/off road course for cyclocross and mountain bike
riders.
A Taste of Hood River is our food festival for everyone. It is included in your entry
and $15 for your guests. $10 for kids. Echelon Wines and Sierra Nevada beer are
included. It starts at noon and ends at 6 PM.
What you get: All participants in the Fondo and Challenge get a SWAG bag, on course
food/rest stops, and A Taste of Hood River + two complimentary tickets for wine or
beer. The festival is free to family members and food tickets can be purchased at $15
for adults and $10 for kids. Beer and wine will be for sale as well to non participants.
What to expect
We try our best to offer you:
• Efficient check in, free parking
• A great on course experience in Echelon style
• Timed Hill Climb
• Post ride festival with food, beer and wine included
• Minimal $15 charge for family and guests to join the Taste of Hood River
• Post Ride Bike Valet
• A fun fulfilling day
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5. GRAN FONDO EVENT GUIDE
Schedule of Events
Thursday September 22nd—Packet Pickup/Registration
4:30 pm ‐ 6:30 pm
River City Bikes
706 SE Martin Luther King Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
503‐223‐8973
Friday, September 23rd—Packet Pickup/Registration
4:30 pm ‐ 6:30 pm
Discovery Bikes
210 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031
541‐386‐4820
Saturday, September 24th Event day‐‐Packet Pickup/Registration
PARKING
210 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031
Coming from east or west, get off the route 84 freeway at exit 63, go north of the exit
two blocks to parking. Park, then ride your bike back over the freeway to the event.
We recommend you not drive to packet pick up first but you can. (You may leave a bag
there in the bike valet)
Packet Pick up/Day of Registration
Packet pickup is at the start line (you may leave a bag there in the bike valet)
210 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031
6:00 AM—Packet pick up/Registration—at Full Sail Brewery start line
506 Columbia Street, Hood River, OR 97031
7:30 AM—Rider line up
7:45 AM—Opening Ceremony
8:00 AM—Gran Fondo/CrossMountain mass start time
12:00 PM—Taste of Hood River is open
12:00 – 3:00 PM‐‐ Gran Fondo/CrossMountain riders return
3:00 PM—Greg LeMond autograph signing
4:00 PM—Awards ceremony
6:00 PM—Event Concludes
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6. GRAN FONDO EVENT GUIDE
Parking & Directions
Start area
Parking/Directions
From Interstate 84 (east or west), get off on exit 63 and go north 2nd Street
Follow signs to parking
GPS input: 0 Frontage Road, Hood River, OR 97031
Park, then ride your bike back over 2nd Street, follow signs back over freeway to the
event start in town at the FULL SAIL BREWERY
We recommend you not drive to packet pick up first but you can.
Event start/Packet Pick up‐at the Full Sail Brewery
GPS input: 500 Columbia Street, Hood River, OR 97031
Start ceremony is at 7:40
Start time for all riders is at 8:00 AM
AGAIN: Day of packet pick up and registration is not where parking is. Park your car and
ride to the start. Bring a bag if you want to valet some clothes.
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7. GRAN FONDO EVENT GUIDE
Route Descriptions
All rides begin together at 8:00 AM from the Full Sail Brewery in downtown Hood River.
The first 5 miles of the Gran Fondo is police escorted. All rides finish in downtown Hood
River.
30 Mile Course
http://www.echelongranfondo.org/hood_river/hood_river_course30.ht
ml
(pending)
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30 Mile Turn by Turn directions
(pending)
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80 Mile Course
http://www.echelongranfondo.org/hood_river/hood_river_course80.ht
ml
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10. GRAN FONDO EVENT GUIDE
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80 Mile Turn by Turn Directions
(pending)
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100 Mile Course
http://www.echelongranfondo.org/hood_river/hood_river_course100.h
tml
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13. GRAN FONDO EVENT GUIDE
100 Mile Turn by Turn Directions
(pending)
CrossMountain Course map
(pending)
“LeMond Challenge” Timed Hill Climb—Our event has a specially timed section
Time bonus system
To make the playing field level for all riders, we are awarding the following time
bonuses. (NOT FINAL)
Men age 16 and under: 2 minutes
Men age 17‐23 45 seconds
Men age 24‐29 no time bonus
Men age 30‐39 30 seconds
Men age 40‐49 60 seconds
Men age 50‐59 90 seconds
Men age 60‐69 3 minutes
Men age 70+ 5 minutes
Women age 16 and under: 10 minutes
Women age 17‐19 7 minutes
Women age 20‐29 no time bonus
Women age 30‐39 5 minutes
Women age 40‐49 7 minutes
Women age 50‐59 8 minutes
Women age 60‐69 15 minutes
Women age 70+ 20 minutes
Additional time bonuses for men and women
Yellow Jersey fundraiser holder 10 minutes (because you raised $5,000+)
Polka Jersey fundraiser holder 5 minutes (because you raised $2,500 +)
Green Jersey fundraiser holder 2.5 minutes (because you raised $1,000+)
Blue Jersey fundraiser holder 1.5 minutes (because you raised $500+)
Black Jersey fundraiser holder 1 minute (because you raised $250+)
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Results will be posted in print at the festival as well as on line on bikeradar.com,
cyclingnews.com
Awards—Please see our BLOG on our Hood River home page
Award Ceremony—4 PM center stage in downtown Hood River
Photographs—Echelon has a partnership several photographers who will be posting
links on line in a day or two post event. Some are free and some will be for purchase.
We are also planning a photo session with Greg LeMond.
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15. GRAN FONDO EVENT GUIDE
Lodging
Please refer to our Hood River home page and look for the link.
http://www.echelongranfondo.org/hood_river/hood_river_travel_lodging.html
Safety, Rules, and Emergency Information
We have worked hard with all local agencies, police and public works officials to create a
safe course and event. In case of an emergency, basic first aid and triage units will be at
the expo and on course. Emergency incidents will be handled by on call ambulatory
service and the hospital closest to the incident.
Riders will receive a police escort out of downtown Hood River. The remainder of the
ride will be rules of the road, marked with our new jumbo sized signs complementary of
Sierra Nevada. Riders will need to hit rest stops by cut off times. Riders reaching a rest
stop after cutoff time will be re‐routed or SAG’d back to the expo.
Lost & Found
Command Center in Echelon tent at the expo
Event Staff and Contact Information
First
Last Name Name Function Phone Number email
Ziesing Hunter Chief Executive Officer 415‐720‐6789 hunter@planetz.org
Cochran David Chief Operatimg Officer 415‐730‐1003 davidc@echelongranfondo.org
Klein Linda Sponsorship Chair 415‐488‐9361 artxlynndah@comcast.net
Bonnie Buss Festival Chair 707‐944‐0799 BonnieBussEvents@aol.com
Sexton Michael Technical Director 415‐309‐4560 Michael@sextonarts.com
Cochran David Registration Chair 415‐730‐1003 davidc@echelongranfondo.org
Cochran David Expo Chair 415‐730‐1003 davidc@echelongranfondo.org
Sexton Michael Volunteer Chair 415‐309‐4560 Michael@sextonarts.com
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