2020 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship Postponed until August 23

Due to the public health risks associated with COVID19, Gran Fondo National Series is evaluating individual events and the overall 2020 GFNS calendar

The Gran Fondo National Series season of gran fondo events normally begins March and finishes in September. They have already postponed several events. The status of all our events, as of April 15, is in the table below. You can also visit their website to view the current status of all GFNS events.

2020 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship

As of April 15, 2020 the USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship event originally scheduled for July 19 during Gran Fondo Asheville in Asheville, North Carolina, has been rescheduled to August 30, 2020. Qualification requirements for the Championship event are being revised in light of the postponement of springtime qualifier events, and will be announced as soon as possible.

Decisions to postpone future events will be announced no less than two weeks prior to the scheduled event date. Although we have postponed some events to 2021, if postponements are necessary for additional 2020 events, we will first look to reschedule the events in 2020. Athletes registered for events that are postponed will be notified by email.

As a nation we are all in this together, and as an organization our top priorities are to keep our riders, staff, volunteers, and host communities safe. Current directives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and local government officials in our event locations, are to forego large gatherings (including group rides and events), stay home, and minimize nonessential travel. Running a safe event also requires participation from local law enforcement and first responders, and during this National Emergency those resources need to be available for their communities.

About GFNS Entries for Postponed Events

(This section is included for transparency to share how we are handling event postponements. If an event is postponed, registered riders will receive an email specify for that event. If you are registered for a postponed event and have not received an email please check your spam folder and or email us).
This is a time of uncertainty for many people and businesses, and we are asking for your support and patience. This is a unique situation that developed quickly and is changing by the day. The decision to postpone or cancel events is not one I want to make, but it is necessary and appropriate. In order to maintain the quality of our entire event series, and in accordance with the policy stated in our event waivers, we are not issuing refunds of paid entry fees. Instead, we are requesting that for any GFNS event that is postponed, riders defer their entries to rescheduled dates or transfer entries to another GFNS event in 2020.

Just as I am requesting the support and patience of those riders who are registered for a postponed event, I want to show support as well. As the Road Runners Club of America pointed out in their guidance for event directors and participants, GFNS has committed to financial outlays for event costs we cannot get refunded. At the same time, this is a unique situation that calls for some flexibility. While I understand the decision of many events to strictly abide by their no-refund policies, I have decided that for athletes who are registered for postponed events, and request them by a specified date for each event, GFNS will process refunds equal to 50% of the paid entry fee. Any refunds will be limited to a portion of the entry fee and will not include reimbursement of expenses incurred for travel or lodging.

Together we will get through this crisis, and when we do I want to help our community recover by doing what I know how to do, which is bring people together to ride bikes. Deferring or transferring the entry will help GFNS stay in business so my team and I can get events rolling again as soon as possible.

Deferrals and Transfer Options Granted for Postponed Events

1. Defer Entry to the Rescheduled Event Date
Registered riders can choose to defer their entry to a GFNS event that has been rescheduled, no action is required on their part. If we do not hear from them, their current entry will be honored for the rescheduled date.

2. Transfer Entry to another 2020 GFNS event
Registered riders will complete an online form if they choose to transfer their entry to another GFNS event in 2020. They don’t have to make their choice now, but they must make this decision at least 20 days prior to the event they are transferring to.

3. Request 50% refund of paid entry fee
By completion of an online form emailed to registered riders a refund equal to 50% of the paid entry fee can be requested.

4. Contact us

If you have any questions or specific requests, please reach out to us in the following ways:
• Contact Form
• Email reuben.kline@granfondoseries.com
• Phone: 765-247-BIKE

We understand that some of you may be frustrated by our decisions. Please understand that these are not choices we want to make or are taking lightly. It is our sincere hope that this public health crisis will subside quickly and allow communities, businesses, and individuals to resume normal activities. The recommendations from the CDC and WHO make it clear that for this to happen, we all must do our part, which is why we believe postponing these events is the right and responsible choice.

We wish you all good health and good fortune, and we look forward to riding bikes together as soon as possible.

Reuben Kline
Series Director
Gran Fondo National Series