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United States | Southeast | Virginia >> Stratton Mountain Presents The Vermont Challenge Gran Fondo

Stratton Mountain Presents The Vermont Challenge Gran Fondo

Now in its fourth year, the Vermont Challenge returns August 12-16, 2015 with a series of multi-day tour options including a route on Saturday (8/15) that winds up with a four-mile climb to Stratton Mountain Resort in the only mountain-top Gran Fondo finish east of the Continental Divide. In addition to the 100 mile Gran Fondo, the Vermont Challenge will offer both the Medio (68 miles) and Piccolo (26 miles) Fondos so the entire family can enjoy the ride and weekend festivities.

Saturday and Sunday events (8/15 and 8/16) at Stratton will include live music, craft brews, Vermont fare and farmer’s market, contests and entertainment for the kids and, of course, bicycle test rides, clinics, training and nutrition.

John Sohikian, founder of the Vermont Challenge, is excited to team with Stratton Mountain Resort to offer a Gran Fondo in the true tradition of European Gran Tours.  “We looked at how we could create something unique for our riders, and a mountain finish really offers  something they can’t find anywhere else in the Eastern U.S.” stated Sohikian.

“Stratton has been a proud partner of The Vermont Challenge since the beginning,” said President and COO Sky Foulkes. “The organization is first rate and the routes are scenic and challenging, rewarding the rider in so many ways.  This year’s Challenge will truly showcase the Stratton and southern Vermont summer experience and we look forward to hosting participants and their families.”

In addition to the one-day Gran Fondo presented by Stratton Mountain, the Vermont Challenge will continue to offer its signature multi-day tours that are extremely popular with riders.  This year those tours will be center around Manchester VT offering a variety of terrain – everything from farm country, picturesque towns, cooling rivers and mountain passes.

            Four-day Grand Challenge: 8/13-16, plus the Fondo

            Three-day Challenge: 8/14-16, plus the Fondo

            Two-day Challenge, Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday including the Fondo

            One-day Gran, Medio & Piccolo Fondo presented by Stratton Mountain: 8/15

Each day the Vermont Challenge will offer long routes to challenge the elite level recreational rider, medium and shorter routes that are designed for lower to upper intermediate riders. The Challenge provides full sag support and rest stops every 20-25 miles that are fully stocked.

Registration fee includes Sag and Tech support, high performance jersey, tech tee, socks and water bottle. Plus $25 of each registration goes toward supporting Vermont Food Banks and families in need through the Stratton Foundation.

Route overview by day:

        Thursday 8/13: Southern routes out of Manchester – 30, 40 or 66 miles

        Friday 8/14:  Routes to/from the Vermont Country Store plus BBQ! - 30, 45 or 55 miles

        Saturday 8/15:  Grand, Medio & Piccolo presented by Stratton Mountain:  26, 65 or 97 miles respectively all departing and ending at Stratton Mountain or Bondville.  Three Strava timed segments: 2-KOM & 1-Sprint

        Sunday 8/16 – Northern routes out of Manchester - 25, 40 or 55 miles