2023 Gran Fondo Asheville Announces Presenting Sponsor and 3-Day VIP Experiences
The SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series is proud to announce Applewood Manor Bed & Breakfast is returning for the second year as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2023 Gran Fondo Asheville
The 11th annual event will be held on July 16, 2023, in conjunction with the Asheville Bike Fest, presented by Cane Creek.
Gran Fondo Asheville, presented by Applewood Manor
Technology entrepreneur and long-time cyclist Stephen Collins acquired The Applewood Manor in 2020 with a vision to create a premier destination for cyclists visiting Asheville, North Carolina. In addition to six luxury suites for guests and a world-class kitchen, the Manor caters to cyclists with services that include ride planning, on-ride guides, follow vehicles, coaching, mechanic services and bike assembly/break-down, sports nutrition, and world-class rental bikes provided by partner 3T. Applewood also offers world-class culinary experiences, business leadership programs and event hosting such as weddings, family reunions and corporate meetings.
As the presenting sponsor for Gran Fondo Asheville, Applewood Manor will host a course reconnaissance ride leading up to the events, as well as three days of VIP events from July 14 to 16. “The VIP Experiences with Applewood Manor were very popular in 2022. Working with Stephen, we created a unique 3-day package for riders, and we’re making individual aspects of the package available àla carte.
“I am proud to continue supporting Reuben Kline and Gran Fondo Asheville for a second year,” said Collins. “It’s a great event that showcases the tremendous cycling opportunities in and around Asheville, North Carolina. The Gran Fondo National Series has proven to be one of the most significant cycling initiatives in the industry over the past decade and grows the sport by welcoming cyclist of all abilities to participate, compete and excel in the sport. I’m proud to support the Series and all it brings to the sport of cycling in the US.”
3-Day VIP Experience, hosted by Applewood Manor
Gran Fondo Asheville riders can expand their weekend plans in Asheville, North Carolina with three days of VIP experiences from Applewood Manor. On Friday, July 14, guests will gather at the Manor for a gourmet VIP Dinner featuring local farm to table ingredients. On both Friday and Saturday, VIP rides will depart from Applewood Manor as well. And on Saturday evening, the Manor will host a gourmet Cookout and VIP Packet Pickup, along with advice and information from SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series Director, Reuben Kline.
Accommodations at Applewood Manor are not included in the 3-Day VIP Experience. Individual events within the VIP Experience are available àla carte.
On Sunday, July 16, cyclists will depart from Rabbit Rabbit in downtown Asheville at 8:00 am to ride their choice of 100-, 60-, or 30-mile routes that take them into the hills, valleys, and mountains north and west of Asheville. The unique ‘timed segment’ competition format of SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series events largely eliminates the need for road closures and allows cyclists of varying abilities to regroup, ride together, and stop to take in the scenery.
Asheville Bike Fest, presented by Cane Creek
Downtown venue Rabbit Rabbit will once again host the 2-day event including Asheville Bike Fest, a cycling festival that showcases local outdoor companies and national cycling brands and features family-friendly activities for all ages. Asheville Bike Fest, presented by Cane Creek, will feature an extensive outdoor expo, food, beer, and cycling clinics, bike park, cargo bike expo, urban rides, and film. Gran Fondo Asheville riders will be able to pick up their packets at Rabbit Rabbit on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Both Asheville Bike Fest and Gran Fondo Asheville benefit local non-profit Asheville on Bikes.
About The Applewood Manor
Built in 1912 and nestled on an acre of towering trees just a short walk from downtown Asheville, The Applewood Manor is a boutique hotel meets bed & breakfast experience, featuring six luxurious suites with highly curated amenities, farm to table dining and bespoke experiential services for cycling, culinary and business leadership. Applewood differentiates and elevates guest experience with the support of an exceptional network of brand partners including Duxiana beds (www.duxiana.com), 3T Bike (www.3t.bike), 1stDibs (www.1stDibs.com) and many others recognized at https://www.applewoodmanor.com/partners.
About Gran Fondo National Series
Founded in 2012 by event director Reuben Kline, the Gran Fondo National Series is the largest and most competitive series of gran fondo cycling events in the United States. Gran Fondo National Series was the first series to implement timed-segment racing into US gran fondo events and has crowned Gran Fondo National Champions and Gran Fondo National Series Champions since 2012. Since 2020, Gran Fondo National Series has been the organizer of the official USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships.