PRESENTING SPONSOR: OURISMAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
The 2024 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship event will be held at Gran Fondo Maryland. To compete in the National Championship category riders must qualify (see below). Riders do not need to qualify to participate in Gran Fondo Maryland. All normal Maryland Gran Fondo routes (Gran, Medio, Piccolo) are open to all riders to register and do not require qualification. There is a separate start time for USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship participants, they will start 30 minutes prior to the Gran Fondo Maryland riders.
Ourisman Automotive Group was established in 1921 and now encompasses 44 dealerships selling and servicing 21 brands of cars, trucks, SUVs, and electric vehicles. Support from Ourisman Automotive Group and grants from the Maryland Sports Commission were instrumental in bringing the USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships to Frederick, Maryland for 2024. Learn more at Ourisman.com.
REGISTRATION
| PRICE PERIOD | NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS* | GRAN & MEDIO** | PICCOLO** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Until January 8, 2024 | $190 | $145 | $90 |
| Jan 9 - Aug 16, 2024 | $205 | $155 | $100 |
| Aug 17 - Sep 5, 2024 | $215 | $165 | $110 |
| Sep 6 - Sep 11, 2024 | $235 | $185 | $130 | Sep 12 - On-site | $245 | $200 | $145 |
| * National Championship participation includes commemorative jersey from SUAREZ Cycling. Riders must qualify to ride. See qualification criteria below. ** Open to ALL RIDERS. | |||
EVENT FEATURES
JERSEY INCLUDED FOR 2024 EVENTS!
New for 2024, we're including an event-specific custom jersey from SUAREZ Cycling Apparel when you register at least 26 days before a Gran Fondo National Series owned event!
There will be event-specific jerseys for Gran Fondo Florida, Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo, Highlands Gran Fondo, Gran Fondo Asheville, Boone Gran Fondo, and Gran Fondo Maryland. This offer does not apply to Partner Events.
3 Incredible courses
* Gran Route is used for National Championships competition.
TIMED SEGMENT RACING
With timed-segment competitions, your overall time from start to finish does not matter. Only the timed segments count. Your overall, and age group rankings are determined by your combined time for all timed segments on the route you choose. In between time segments riders can take in the beautiful scenery, stop at feed stations, and connect with other riders. View Complete Rules and FAQ.
Time Section #1 (all riders)
Time Section #2 (GFNats & Gran only)
Time Section #3 (GFNats & Gran only)
Time Section #4 (GFNats & Gran & Medio only)
The Gran Fondo National Championships
The 2024 Gran Fondo Maryland will include the 2024 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships. Athletes must qualify for a starting position, and will start in their own wave. Details here.
CHALLENGING AND FUN
You may not associate Maryland with climbs, but Gran Fondo Maryland has one of the highest ratios of elevation gain per mile of any Gran Fondo National Series event. But don’t worry, the perfect pavement and cooler early fall temperatures make this one of our most popular events.
CELEBRATION OF SUMMER
With proximity to huge cycling communities in Washington and Baltimore, and an early fall spot on the calendar, Gran Fondo Maryland is where cyclists go to celebrate their summer fitness. Some ride hard, others just cruise, but everyone wants to get back to Frederick to enjoy the port-ride party.
EVENT PHOTOS
The pros from First Place Photos will be out taking photos at multiple locations around the course. Event photos will available for purchase a few days after the event.
Bike rentals
Visit the Unlimited Biking Gran Fondo Maryland page
here: https://unlimitedbiking.com/events/gran-fondo-national-series-gran-fondo-maryland/
You can rent a state-of-the-art Cannondale for Highlands Gran Fondo. For convenience, bikes will be delivered and picked up in the start/finish area. All rentals include a helmet, and their experienced team will help with pedal installation and adjustments.
SHORT DRIVE FROM DC OR BALTIMORE
Frederick, MD is a very unique town and a fantastic place to bring the family. The smooth road surfaces and quiet country environment lead us to believe Frederick County could be the best cycling destination in North America.
SAFETY AND SUPPORT
With lots of turns that could lead you astray, you’ll appreciate the carefully marked and marshaled course, and you can ride with confidence due to support from law enforcement, safety motos, mechanic and sag vehicles, staffed feed stations, and indoor bathrooms with hot showers await you at the finish line.
PRIZE RAFFLE
We have more than $5000 of prizes to give out from Series sponsors, and ALL riders are eligible to win.
BONUS: Earn an extra raffle ticket by wearing any Gran Fondo National Series jersey during the event!
Visit historic Frederick
Visit Frederick welcomes you to hip and historic Frederick County, MD. Here you'll find information about hotels and ways to make your stay in Frederick enjoyable and memorable.
https://www.visitfrederick.org/gran-fondo/
Top 10 North American Gran Fondos 2023 by Granfondoguide.com
After a two year hiatus, this year we award and recognize rides in North America where organizers, sponsors, volunteers and communities have come together to go beyond the call of duty and CRUSH COVID
ABOUT THE COURSE
Gran Fondo Maryland is a great event for riders of all abilities. The event offers riders a choice of three distances of 30. 60 and 100 miles.
The 2024 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships will be held in conjunction with Gran Fondo Maryland. To compete in the National Championship category riders must qualify (see more details). Riders do not need to qualify to participate in Gran Fondo Maryland. All normal Maryland Gran Fondo routes (Gran, Medio, Piccolo) are open to all riders to register and do not require qualification. There is a separate start time for USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship participants, they will start 30 minutes prior to the Gran Fondo Maryland riders.
With timed-segment competitions, your overall time from start to finish does not matter. Only the timed segments count. Your overall and age group rankings are determined by your combined time for all timed segments on the route you choose. In between time segments riders can take in the beautiful scenery, stop at feed stations, and connect with other riders.
The 100 mile Gran Route will gain 10,000 feet of elevation and travel through state parks, municipal forests, protected watersheds, and the Catoctin Mountain National Park. After exploring this incredible region, riders will return back into historic downtown Fredrick and be welcome to well-deserved festivities at the finish line, complete with great food, beverage, and more fun.
Riders will travel northwest out of the city of Frederick before entering the Frederick Municipal Forest where the first timed section will gain over 1270 feet in a 5.6 mile race segment. At the top riders will be able to relax and enjoy the cool mountain forest as the course plummets over the west side of the mountain range.
The second timed section ascends the southern approach to Harp Hill for a punchy up-down-up-down-up lasting for a brief 1.4 miles and 279 feet of vertical gain. For the next 25 miles and 2500 feet of cumulative gain, the route then follows a mix of small and obscure backroads heading north towards the decommissioned military base of Fort Ritchie.
Gran route will gain over 10,000 feet of elevation through several different state parks, municipal forests, protected watersheds, and the Catoctin Mountain National Park. After exploring this incredible region, riders will return back into historic downtown Fredrick and be welcome to well deserved festivities at the finish line, complete with great food, beverage, and more fun.
Riders will travel northwest out of the city of Frederick before entering the Frederick Municipal Forest where the first timed section will gain over 1270 feet in a 5.6 mile race segment. At the top riders will be able to relax and enjoy the cool mountain forest as the course plummets over the west side of the mountain range.
The second timed section ascends the southern approach to Harp Hill for a punchy up-down-up-down-up lasting for a brief 1.4 miles and 279 feet of vertical gain. For the next 25 miles and 2500 feet of cumulative gain, the route then follows a mix of small and obscure backroads heading north towards the decommissioned military base of Fort Ritchie.
Time Section #3 is a more dynamic segment and certainly cannot be called a timed climb. Section #3 will require riders to use caution and technical skill with several 90° turns including an old bridge crossing and tarp & chip road surface. The section starts on a wide downhill roadway where for the first 4.9 miles riders lose 500 feet of elevation before hitting the last 1k and 300 vertical feet to the finish of section #3 on top of Hornets Nest Road. Time segment #3 known as The Gully of Darius is a total of 5.5 miles -574 /+386 feet. From here the route heads south and works its way back exploring nooks and crannies in the Catoctin Mountain Range and travels through Catoctin Mountain National Park for 22 miles and +2250 feet of untimed pedaling. Past riders will be able to take special appreciation as they descend Park Central Road, which was used in the opposite direct as race section #2 in past years.
As Gran route riders approach mile 71 they need to take in a deep breath, shake out their legs and prepare for the hardest segment of the day, (this segment also counts as a time segment for Medio Route riders). Section #4 is 11.4 miles +1203 feet and will test every rider’s ability! The segment starts by gaining 784 feet over the first 4.6 miles and then continues for a challenging and undulating 6.8 miles on top of the mountain ridge on Gambrill Park Road through Frederick Watershed and into Gambrill State Park. After completing time section #4, riders will have over 1000 feet of elevation on their side as they drop off the mountain range and into the valley towards the finish, but completing the route in not over, there are still some hills that are sure to make riders know they are still alive. Riders will return back into historic downtown Fredrick and be welcome to well deserved festivities at the finish line, complete with great food, beverage, and more fun.
EVENT DETAILS
The information below is subject to change. Details will also be communicated to registered riders via App, Rider Roadbook, and Registered Rider Emails.
GRAN FONDO MARYLAND APP, powered by Ride with GPS
All event information will be available on the free Gran Fondo Maryland App, powered by Ride with GPS. The app will be available for download the week of the event. From the Ride with GPS app on your phone, select "Open Shortcut" and scan the QR code or enter the code.
BIKEFLIGHTS
If flying into town for Gran Fondo Maryland, a little bit of the hassle around shipping your bike can be relieved through BikeFlights. Their event specific website is Visit the Gran Fondo Maryland BikeFlights page
BIKE RENTAL OPTION
Through a partnership with Visit the Unlimited Biking Gran Fondo Maryland page , you can rent a state-of-the-art Cannondale for Highlands Gran Fondo. For convenience, bikes will be delivered and picked up in the start/finish area. All rentals include a helmet, and their experienced team will help with pedal installation and adjustments. Click for details.
PACKET PICKUP
Friday from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Ourisman Honda in Bethesda, located at 4800 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Saturday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Volvo Cars of Frederick/ Audi Frederick, located at 6001 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD 21704. Please see map for dropped pin and enter dealership from Francis Scott Key Drive.
Sunday from 6:00 AM to 30 minutes prior to start (7:30 for #GFNats riders, 8:00 for Gran Fondo riders) at 500 Fleming Ave, Frederick, MD 21701 (at location of race start)
For Gran Fondo Maryland, in order to speed up packet pickup and reduce congestion, riders may collect packets for up to three additional riders. You must present your ID and a copy of each rider’s photo ID and a statement of permission. A text or email containing a photo of a rider’s ID and their statement will work.
Registration will also be available at an increased fee on Saturday and Sunday, tell your friends to sign up now; they can still register.
TIMING CHIPS AND BIB NUMBERS
All Timing Chips must be picked up on race morning. This is a very quick process that will be completed as riders check in for their start waves. Race numbers must be mounted on your back right side and be easily readable.
You must return your timing chip or you will be charged 100 dollars. Please make sure you return it!
PREPARING TO RIDE
As you prepare for your ride after picking up your packet, please abide by the following rules and recommendations:
- Bib number is mandatory, should be pinned to the back center of your jersey, and cannot be cut or folded.
- Bike plate is mandatory, mounted to the handlebar or head tube so course marshals and law enforcement can distinguish participants and for accurate photo identification. Bike plate can be cut to accommodate computer mounts.
- Timing chip (provided Sunday morning at start area) is required to be included in official results. For best accuracy, please wear timing chip on your ankle.
- Elevation/race section and name decals are provided for your convenience by our sponsor, Hub Labels.
EVENT WEATHER by Epic Ride Weather
Get the most out of your Gran Fondo National Series ride with personalized weather forecasts from the Epic Ride Weather app. Forecasts include wind speed, temperature and precipitation for the duration of your ride along the route. Plan your hydration and nutrition, pick the right clothing and plan to maximize the tailwind. Gran Fondo National Series events show up under "Events" in the app and are free to use for anyone riding the course. Get the app from https://www.epicrideweather.com
PARKING
Please follow direction and park responsibly in designated parking spaces. Most on street parking near Baker Park is unmetered, but we encourage you to ensure it’s not a “resident only” location. There is also parking at the high school.
Do not park in regulated parking spots, you will get fined.
START TIME AND LOCATION
National Championship riders must be staged by age group by 7:45 am for the start at 8:00am. Non-championship (all age groups and courses) will stage at 8:15 and start at 8:30 am. Timing chips will be issued immediately before riders enter the start area. All riders must cross the start line by 8:30 am. National Championship vs. Gran Fondo participation will be verified by chip read at the start. Starting in the incorrect field will result in disqualification.
Though timing begins at the first timed segment, participation will be verified by chip read at the start. Starting without crossing the start line will result in disqualification. The start and finish lines of timed segments only cover the RIGHT SIDE of the road. If you are on the wrong side of the road when you pass the start or finish line of a timed segment, your time WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
Start / Finish is loacted at 500 Fleming Ave, Frederick, MD 21701
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS START PROCEDURE
Riders competing in the Gran Fondo National Championship will be staged by age group on Fleming Avenue. Pick up your timing chip and proceed into the start corral. There will be gaps in the barricades. Riders must be in the start corral by 7:45 am for the national anthem and briefing. Riders will depart at 8:00 am. National Championship vs. Gran Fondo participation will be verified by chip read at the start. Starting in the incorrect field will result in disqualification.
Directions:Google Maps
Event will start and finish under the arch 500 Fleming Ave, Frederick, MD 21701.
This is not a Start to Finish Race! Time sections determine placement.
AID STATIONS
There will be 4 aid stations along the 97-mile route and 3 on the 61-mile route, and 1 on the 28-mile route. We will provide Water, Heed sports drink, Soda, Hammer Gel, Hammer bars, Bananas, Clementines, Cookies, Chips, and Fig Bars.
BATHROOMS
Aid-Stations will have bathrooms. Please use bathrooms. One of the biggest local complaints is cyclists peeing on the side of the road. Please help our reputation and use porta-johns.
CUTOFF TIMES
No exceptions for 97 & 61 mile riders! If you do not maintain an average progression speed greater than 10mph you will be directed to take a shorter route. These cut-off spots will happen at the pre-established splits and you will be directed to the shorter route. Please Note: This is a 10mph progression speed, not average speed. Progression speed includes all stopped time. No exceptions!
Lost items: We are not responsible for lost or damaged goods or anything left at aid stations or the start finish area. We will try to help but cannot be responsible for your personal items, including your bike.
FINISH AREA
Upon reaching the finish line, riders will be directed into a one-way finishers' chute to return Timing Chip. Your food and drink tickets are attached to your bib number! Tickets can be redeemed for a great meal. Riders with particular dietary needs should be prepared with own post-ride food options.
RESULTS AND AWARDS
Real-time results will be posted to the Gran Fondo Maryland App by Ride with GPS, and on the website results page. Riders who finish in the TOP 3 in a competition category (overall male & female for Gran/Medio/Piccolo routes, age groups by course and sex) will be invited to the podium presentations. Gran Route age group winners will be awarded custom kits from SUAREZ Cycling.
Gran Fondo National Championships riders who finish TOP 5 in a competition category (male and female by age group) will be invited to the podium presentations. National Champions will be awarded USA Cycling National Champion jerseys.
Awards presented three deep for each category for fastest section times. Custom produced Gran Fondo Maryland Winners kits will be awarded to the fastest riders in each age category of the Gran Route 100-mile event. These will be mailed to you post event in the size you order. Team competition: fastest four person team in the Gran Route details at: https://www.granfondonationalchampionshipseries.com/team-category/ Estimated times to start awards:
Piccolo: 1:00pm
Medio: 3:00pm
National Championship: 4:00pm
Gran Route: 4:30pm
We will try to do awards as early as possible. Please understand, it is not possible to tell who won until everyone is finished… this is the nature of timed segment competitions, the first one back is not necessarily the winner. If you do place in the top three of your age group, and you cannot wait for the awards ceremony, you can send a self-addressed postage-paid mailing package to us, and we will mail you your award.
PRIZE RAFFLE
Any rider who completes any 2024 Gran Fondo National Series event format on the scheduled weekend will be eligible for the raffle. Raffle winners must be present to win.
Our raffle will feature great prizes from our sponsors such as:
- 4-night Stay at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy
- Wahoo KICKR smart trainer (model TBD)
- inGamba promotional items
- Lazer helmet
- Industry Nine hubset
- Cane Creek components
- Swiftwick socks
- Bike Flights travel voucher
- Shimano products
- CTS Trainright Membership
- Jittery Joe’s Coffee
- UNDRBUDR anti-chafe cream
- Ride with GPS Premium Membership(List subject to change) (List subject to change)
RECOMMENDED LODGING AND ATTRACTIONS
MORE INFO
For more info please refer to our previous year's roadbook. Note information may change for the next event.
2023 Road book
Rules
You Must Obey Traffic Laws. This is not a closed course. That means stop at lights and stop signs. Think Safety First.
Do not cause an accident!!!
Be respectful of others on the road!
NEVER CROSS THE CENTER-LINE OF THE ROAD!!!
During all race sections you have the right of way. When you are outside of race sections you do not have the right of way. You will not be racing through any intersections; this means when you come to a sign or signal you should slow down, stop, and be safe.
As you approach the time sections you must travel through the designated area (in your lane of traffic!) so that your chip can be properly read and recorded. The times for your timed sections will be compiled for your review at the finish. 100 mile = 4 timed sections; 55 mile = 2 timed sections; 20 mile = 1 timed section. You can view all the details for timed section on the above map links, click the map icons for details.
Timed sections are open for specific durations. In order to be timed and eligible for awards you must maintain a progression speed between 23mph and 10mph. NOTE: this is progression speed not average speed, progression speed includes all stopped time.
LOCAL SUPPORTERS
Funded in part by a grant from the Michael Erin Busch Sports Fund through Maryland Sports Youth and Amateur Sports Grants Program.
