Gran Fondo Maryland transitions to Solo Fondo Maryland & Driveway Challenge for 2020
GFNS 2020 Season to Conclude with Solo Fondo Maryland on September 19-20
The Gran Fondo National Series has announced that in light of the changes necessary to Gran Fondo Maryland due to the ongoing public health restrictions, the 2020 event will transition to a Solo Fondo format for athletes who can make it to Frederick, Maryland, and a Driveway Challenge format for those who want to participate from home.
On September 19-20 in Frederick, Maryland, registered riders will be able to ride to the Piccolo, Medio, and Gran routes of Solo Fondo Maryland while maintaining social distancing, avoiding large groups, wearing masks where social distancing is not possible, and following all local and state health guidelines. Routes will be marked including timed sections, with orange spray chalk.
Riders pre-registered for Gran Fondo Maryland had their entries automatically deferred to 2021 and have received a free entry to the Solo Fondo. For those who cannot make it to Frederick, MD, the Driveway Challenge will allow athletes to take part virtually from the safety of their own homes and indoor trainers. NEW registrations for either Solo Fondo Maryland or the Maryland Driveway Challenge are open now for just $20.
Gran Fondo National Series has also announced that the 2020 GFNS Season will conclude with Solo Fondo Maryland and the Maryland Driveway Challenge on September 19-20, 2020. The Highlands Gran Fondo and Gran Fondo Florida, scheduled for October 4 and October 11, respectively, have been moved to 2021 and there are no plans for further Solo Fondo options associated with those events. GFNS is excited to turn its attention to the planning and launch of the 2021 event calendar, with the expectation of hosting in-person events starting in March 2021.
About Solo Fondo Maryland and Maryland Driveway Challenge
A Solo Fondo is a Gran Fondo you complete on your own any time within a specific date range and on an official course. For years we’ve worked with RidewithGPS.com to provide riders with downloadable routes and turn-by-turn directions. For Solo Fondos, registered riders upload their ride files to RidewithGPS.com to have their official results added to the leader boards and be eligible for Overall and Age Group prizes awards as well as a host of amazing raffle prizes.
The Driveway Challenges will be tracked through RidewithGPS.com and open to those who cannot, or wish not to, travel to Frederick, MD. The Maryland Driveway Challenges will offer various options that can be completed from your driveway (or any other starting point), options based on distance, and options based on elevation gain, for each route Gran, Medio, Piccolo.
Riders must complete their selected challenge the weekend of September 19 and 20, and upload their ride file to RidewithGPS.com to have their official results recorded and be eligible to win raffle prizes described below. The Maryland Driveway Challenge is not a competition, it is a community ride you can complete anywhere, including virtual platforms.
How do I sign up for Solo Fondo Maryland and/or the Driveway Challenge?
To register: (Riders who were already registered for Gran Fondo Maryland have automatically been registered for Solo Fondo Maryland / Driveway Challenge at no charge and will receive an email in the coming days with details about the event.) For anyone not already registered for Gran Fondo Maryland, follow these steps:
Register via BikeReg.com (By including your address we can ship you any applicable prizes and/or awards. Note: for your convenience you can add a link to your social media post at any time.)
You will receive a confirmation email that contains RSVP links to Ride with GPS. To participate in Solo Fondo Maryland or a Driveway Challenge, you must click a link and sign in to Ride with GPS or create a free Ride with GPS account. (The auto-RSVP approval link will give you access to premium app features during your ride, this as well as a link to the maps will be e-mailed to you upon registering).
Ride your event route, navigating by Ride with GPS or your own GPS device on September 19 or 20, 2020.
Save your ride using the Ride with GPS app or upload your ride file using your GPS device to have your times scored. Rides must be saved or uploaded to Ride with GPS to be counted.
Will the route be marked?
Yes, all Solo Fondo Maryland routes will be marked for September 19 and 20, including time sections, with orange spray chalk.
How much does it cost?
Fee is $20 to register.
Are there Awards and Swag?
You bet!
Overall Winner, Male and Female. The first placed male and female riders on the event leaderboard on October 1, 2020 will be awarded a Free One-Year Ride with GPS Premium Membership.
Age Group Winners, Male and Female. In every GFNS age group and distance, the first placed male and female riders as of October 1, 2020 will receive a GFNS Winner’s Medal by mail.
Top 3 Age Group Finishers, Male and Female. In every GFNS age group and distance, the top three placed male and female riders as of October 1, 2020 will receive Swiftwick socks or an engraved cycling multitool as a special gift from our friends from Volvo Neutral Race Support.
Swag Bag for all Solo Fondo and Drive way Challenge Participants. All riders who complete a Solo Fondo Maryland & Driveway Challenge will receive the following, by USPS mail:
Event t-shirt
BonkBreaker Nutrition products
Hammer Nutrition products
Additional products from GFNS partners
Raffle Prizes. All riders who complete a Solo Fondo Maryland route and upload their files - regardless of pace or performance - will be entered into a raffle for prizes that include:
Stay for two at the Garda Bike Hotel in Lake Garda, Italy
Wahoo Kickr Snap Trainer
ENO Hammock
Industry Nine Hubset
CaneCreek eeBrakes
Shimano S-Phyre Shoes
Lazer Century Helmet
Others to come…
Social Media Prize from Swiftwick. Post a photo, video, or update about your Solo Fondo ride to your favorite social media app and tag both @Swiftwick and @granfondoGFNS and we’ll send you a pair of Swiftwick socks. To make sure we don’t miss your post, add a link to your post in your registration (we’ll e-mail you a link to edit.)
For full information, please visit: https://granfondonationalseries.com/solo-fondo-maryland
