Make Your Plans for the TT1 Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo
Mark your calendar for Saturday April 16, 2022 in Helen, Georgia for the Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo p/b Team Type 1 Foundation
Helen, Georgia - the start and finish town for the TT1 Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo - brings the charm of a Bavarian village to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy Alpine food and drink as you explore historic timbered building and cobblestone walkways, surrounded by natural beauty, wineries, artisan tours, festivals, and much, much more.
With rolling farmland transitioning to mountainous terrain, the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River, and a section of the Appalachian Trail, White County is an outdoor recreation paradise.
Photo: Helen, Georgia
From 2003–2008, the Tour de Georgia attracted the world’s top professional cycling teams to Georgia for a premier 7-day stage race. The TT1 Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo retraces portions of stages from the race, through Helen, into the Unicoi State Park, and the nearby iconic climbs, made famous by the Tour de Georgia.
Photo: Unicoi State Park
There are four routes offered to match all abilities; the 25 mile Piccolo Fondo, the 66 mile Medio Fondo, the 90 mile Gran Fondo and 8,500 feet of climbing with four timed sections and nearly 9,000 feet of climbing!
There are well placed aid/feed stations on course for riders to rehydrate and take on additional nutrition to keep them fuelled up throughout the challenge.
25 Mile Piccolo Route: https://bit.ly/3KMEbPg
66 Mile Medio Route: https://bit.ly/3u46Bh2
90 Mile Gran Route: https://bit.ly/3w8lO3j
Timed Section #1 - Unicoi Gap
Counts for Gran and Medio riders
In 2008, Unicoi Gap was the second to last climb on the approach to the race-deciding ascent up Brasstown Bald where Kanstantin Suitsou got the jump on Trent Lowe and Levi Leipheimer went on to win the Tour of Georgia.
https://bit.ly/3MV9KIB
Timed Section #2 - Hogpen Gap
Counts for Gran and Medio riders
The 2nd timed section is the ascent of Hogpen Gap, a 7.0 mile climb with 1,730 feet of climbing, riders will reach the highest point on the course at 3,470ft with ramps of 14%. The views at the top of the surrounding peaks are breath-taking. Check your speed and be careful on the descent as there are many sharp turns. Enjoy the ride through the forest knowing that the hardest riding is behind you.
https://bit.ly/3wcIX4t
Timed Section #3 - Snake Branch
Counts for all riders
After tackling the two biggest climbs of the day riders will head east from Helen to hits the 3rd timed section after 64 miles, comprised of rolling terrain for a 4 mile section. The section rises 369 feet over 3 miles with gradient of no more than 6.7%. The section includes the 1.5 mile descent so riders looking for the fastest time need to be able to descend as well as climb.
https://bit.ly/3u0AiPW
Time Section #4 - Oakey Mountain
Counts for Gran riders
Be sure to save a bit of energy for the final timed section, it only last just over 2.5 miles but at over 84 miles into the day you'll need to find some power.
The section climbs for 1.7 miles with around 250 feet of elevation gain, it descends for half a mile and then climbs 100 feet for around 300 yards.
https://bit.ly/3u5nSpR
Premium Route Navigation on your Device
Get the RideWithGPS App and load the route to your smart phone or GPS
90 Mile Gran Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35470963
66 Mile Medio Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32697531
25 Mile Piccolo Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18154018
Ride with your friends, Race with your friends!
Timed segment format allows riders to be social and competitive within the same event. During the timed segments, cyclists who choose to compete can "show their strength" and record fast times. When you’re outside those timed sections, everyone has the opportunity to regroup, ride together, enjoy the beautiful scenery, relax, and stop at aid stations.
No racing license is required, and support includes fully stocked aid stations and SAG support to keep you going. Enjoy a great meal and beer at the finish line, plus chances to win valuable prizes!
Rueben Kline series director commented, “Any cyclist, of any ability, can challenge themselves while enjoy a safe and exciting bike ride, make new friends, grab some great swag, enjoy being looked after, and maybe even win a prize or two - either through raffle prizes or on our podium! Come and give it a try and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Stay fit and have fun! Miles mean Smiles! Our Florida event comes at great time in the season for riders to get in shape. There will be great food and cold beers waiting for you at the finish line party! Don’t miss the raffle, amazing prizes on offer from the series sponsors. It worth sticking around for!”
Solo, Team and Age Group Prizes
Professional chip timing keeps track of every rider on course and allows riders to compete for the best combined time through up to 4 timed sections on route. Riders can compete solo or as a team, while also regrouping and riding at a more relaxed pace with others between timed sections to and enjoy the views!
There are competitions for overall male and female victories, as well as age group competitions for males and females. The team competition is won with the combined time of a team’s fastest three riders. Bonus seconds are awarded for additional team members who finish, meaning there’s a benefit to bringing a larger team.
Results, Awards, and Prizes
All 4 segments count for Gran route. Sections 1 & 3 count for Medio route, and only section 3 counts for Piccolo riders.
- Awards presented three deep for each age group category for fastest section times
- Custom SUAREZ winners kits for all Gran Route age group category winners
- Commemorative gift for Gran Route finishers
- Awards and Prizes for Medio and Piccolo winners
- For the Gran Fondo Route there is the team prize. Teams must have three or more riders to qualify. Team riders are still eligible for individual awards.
The Raffle
The Georgia Gran Fondo raffle features more than $5,000 of prizes from Series sponsors, and ALL riders are eligible to win
Any rider who completes any 2022 SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series event format on the scheduled weekend will be eligible for the raffle. Raffle winners must be present to win. The raffle is held after the awards.
Great prizes from our sponsors such as:
4-night Stay at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy
Stay & Ride with Movich Cycling in Colombia
Wahoo ELEMNT Rival GPS Watch
Wahoo KICKR smart trainer (model TBD)
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)
Photo: Win a 4-night Stay at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy
Fully Supported
There are full stocked feed stations on all routes to keep you fed and hydrated, with individually-packaged food options, complimentary event T-shirt, Goody Bag with various swag items, a finishers awards for completing the Gran Fondo route, awards for age placement, a raffle and of course the chance to win prizes for placement in the overall timed climbs.
Volvo Neutral Race Support will be on course to assist riders.
A Post-event meal from local vendor and commemorative gift for Gran Route finishers
Charity Check-in
Donate $20 or more via BikeReg to get Priority Check-in at TT1 tent on Saturday Morning. Riders who are already registered to ride can make a donation without re-registering for the event.
Qualify for 2022 USA Cycling National Championships, presented by Applewood Manor
Riders can qualify for the 2022 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships, presented by Applewood Manor event, to be held during Gran Fondo Asheville in Asheville, NC on July 17, 2022.
A USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship title, complete with a national championship jersey and medal, will be awarded to the winner in each age-group category at the National Championships.
Review complete qualification here: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-national-championship
Register NOW to Secure a Place!
Registration is open - but you'll need to hurry to secure a place on this epic challenge across north Georgia's Appalachian Mountains!
For more information, please visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-georgia
Benefitting Team Type 1 Foundation
TT1 fights for the right to live through a global mission of education, empowerment and equal access to medicine for everyone affected by diabetes. The Global Ambassador Scholarship Program makes heroes out of today’s college students with diabetes. This scholarship-based program recognizes athletes with type 1 diabetes who are using sport as a platform to educate, empower, and inspire those around them with diabetes via community outreach.
Their awarded funds offset the financial burden diabetes care places on families. Their Sustainable Diabetes Program saves lives in third-world countries by providing glucose meters, test strips and diabetes management education to thousands who would otherwise suffer debilitating complications and early death.
For more information, please visit: http://teamtype1.org