Gran Fondo Asheville and Applewood Manor Foundation Collaborating to Raise Funds for Asheville’s River Arts District Artists Foundation (RADA)
Annual cycling race weekend will feature Donor Appreciation Events with 100% of donations benefitting RADA
For the 13th year, Gran Fondo National Series will host the Gran Fondo Asheville, presented by Applewood Manor Foundation, cycling event in Asheville, North Carolina on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Pre-race festivities, including Donor Appreciation Events hosted by Applewood Manor Foundation and a Bike Expo at Asheville Yards, will start on Friday and continue through the weekend. In collaboration with the Applewood Manor Foundation, Gran Fondo Asheville’s Donor Appreciation Events (described below) will raise funds for the River Arts District Artists Foundation (RADA).
About Donor Appreciation Events
Asheville’s River Arts District was decimated by Hurricane Helene. Applewood Manor Foundation will host Donor Appreciation Experiences for riders and guests. Applewood Manor Foundation is donating all expenses for the Donor Appreciation Experiences so that 100% of funds collected will go directly to the River Arts District Artists Foundation (RADA).
“We are eager to give back to the Asheville community that has supported Gran Fondo Asheville for more than a dozen years,” said Gran Fondo National Series Founder Reuben Kline. “Between the economic impacts of bringing hundreds of cyclists into the region for a great summer weekend and the direct fundraising collaboration with the Applewood Manor Foundation, we’re aiming to help Asheville and Western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene.”
Kimberly Self Hundertmark, Executive Director of the RADA Foundation, added, “From the River Arts District Artist community to the bike community, thank you for supporting the River Arts District Artists and the RAD community. We cannot wait to see our bike trails and roads used regularly again! Thank you for being a part of the comeback!"
DONOR EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday – Donor Appreciation Dinner at Applewood Manor
Kick off a great weekend in Asheville, North Carolina on Friday, July 18th with a special Donors Appreciation Dinner at Applewood Manor. Enjoy a multi-course dinner prepared by guest chef Kevin Chrisman of The Golden Hour at The Radical Hotel. Includes exceptional wine pairings from Applewood's wine cellar. This experience is limited to 16 guests and requires a minimum donation to RADA of $300 per person.
Saturday – Donors Cookout & Concierge Packet Pickup at Applewood Manor
On Saturday, July 19, join Applewood Manor founder Stephen Collins, Gran Fondo National Series founder Reuben Kline, and special guests for a Donors Cookout at Applewood Manor. Includes concierge packet pickup, an authentic paella cookout, craft beer from Burial Beer Co, wine provided by Collins, and a small fund-raising auction. This experience is limited to 40 guests and requires a minimum donation to RADA of $100 per person.
3-DAY Friday-Saturday-Sunday Donor Experience
After enjoying Friday’s dinner at Applewood Manor and Saturday’s Cookout and Concierge Packet Pickup at Applewood Manor, donors who contribute at least $500 to RADA will have the honor of starting Sunday’s Gran Fondo Asheville at the very front of the peloton. The 3-day Donors Experience includes everything listed above for the Friday and Saturday events.
Connections for Community
The Gran Fondo Asheville event has a long history of working with local businesses and partners, along with the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission. The event starts and finishes at Asheville Yards in downtown Asheville. The event’s presenting sponsor, Applewood Manor Foundation, is hosting pre-event group rides and VIP Experiences on the event weekend. The Bike Expo benefits local non-profit Asheville on Bikes, and will feature Western North Carolina outdoor equipment companies Cane Creek, Industry Nine, and others. Local bike shops are sponsoring aid stations on the course where riders can replenish themselves with food and water. Gran Fondo Asheville is a proven economic driver for Buncombe and Madison Counties, including the communities of Asheville and Marshall, North Carolina
Gran Fondo Asheville Details
Cyclists will depart from Asheville Yards on Sunday, July 20, 2025, between 8:00-8:30am to ride their choice of a 100-, 60-, or 30-mile route (view route maps) that takes them into the hills, valleys, and mountains around northwest of Asheville. The unique ‘timed segment’ competition format of Gran Fondo National Series events largely eliminates the need for road closures. Roads that comprise the cycling routes will remain open to car traffic and both cyclist and drivers are asked to exhibit grace and patience as they share the roads for the day.
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 is the organizer of the official USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship event as well as a season-long Series Points competition.