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4th Annual Award Winning Tehachapi GranFondo Registrations Open

Voted BEST Century in 2016, 2015 and 2014 by Cycle California Magazine

2017 Gran Fondo Tehachapi, September 16th 2017If you’ve been keeping up with Gran Fondos and century rides in California the past few years you’ve probably come across the Tehachapi GranFondo by now.

Your first question likely is “Where is Tehachapi?” quickly followed by “and how do you say it?” Pronounced ‘Te-Hatch-A-Pea’, the quaint mountain community is nestled below the southern end the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Many road travelers come across it driving between California’s Central Valley and the Mojave Dessert. Just take Highway 58 and when you reach an elevation of 4,000 ft you’ve found one of the friendliest towns around.

Tehachapi is quickly becoming known for it’s incredible annual cycling event after hosting it for just three years. Already ranking at #13 on Gran Fondo Guide’s top 15 Gran Fondo’s, Tehachapi has also won Best Century from Cycle CA! Magazine all three years in a row! Now you’ve got to be wondering “what’s so special about this event?”

Tehachapi’s two-day cycling event is probably one of the most organized and well-staffed Gran Fondos you’ll ever find. Over 250 local volunteers help to keep registration simple, man the free bike valet and even put on a carbo-loading Pasta Fest the night before. Cyclists get to choose from one of five route options ranging from 18 to 104 miles and get a custom event jersey from  Italian cycling apparel masters, Biemme with most registrations. And whether you choose to climb 10 feet in elevation or all 7,428 feet, you’ll finish at the festival where cold beer and a free lunch will await you and your finisher’s medal.

Like most event directors, Michelle Vance road many before organizing this one for the City of Tehachapi. “I remember being exhausted with a popular coastal ride that first year after stopping at about 15 traffic lights and dodging rocks on the shoulders. Those events helped me envision what I wanted our participants to experience.” Vance tells us. As the City’s Economic Director, she immediately set out to work with local officials to help clean and repair roads, assist with traffic control and even allow riders to jump on the State Highway 58 for a short distance. As a result, you experience only one traffic light and likely never have to stop for all 104 miles of the Tehachapi GranFondo. That is unless you want to rest at one of their half dozen hospitality stops for a free healthy snack or hydration break.

And if you’re a cycling warrior who is more competitive at heart, peddle on with your timing chip and the King and Queen of the Mountain competition. The challenging route will allow you to experience everything from giant wind energy farms, beautiful mountainsides and even get to see the world famous Tehachapi Loop where long trains actually cross over themselves to climb the steep grades you’ll do on your bike.

Registration for the 2017 Tehachapi GranFondo is already opened but will only accept 1,250 riders. They typically sell out so don’t wait too long.  Prices range between $45 for the 18 mile FunFondo and $125 for the GranFondo. Each registrant receives a custom jersey or tech-tee, swag bag filled with goodies, rest-stops, roaming SAG vehicles and a lunch at the festival.

To sign up, visit TehachapiGranFondo.com or cal Michelle Vance at (661) 822-2200 ext 121.

VIDEO: 3rd Annual Tehachapi GranFondo

3rd Award Winning Annual Tehachapi GranFondo Registration OpensDescent throuth the largest wind park in the USLehigh Southwest TeamTehachapi GranFondo StartKHS Cyclist Cory Lockwood leading the pack.3rd Award Winning Annual Tehachapi GranFondo Registration Opens
3rd Award Winning Annual Tehachapi GranFondo Registration Opens