Inside the Peloton GFNY Sebring 2021 – Luis Alfaro

“Resilience & chasing dreams”
Luis Alfaro

From a district close to the capital of Costa Rica, Luis Alfaro is a veteran who is all about overcoming obstacles and coming back stronger. He will be part of the peloton at GFNY Florida Sebring this Sunday, October 31.

Luis has over 10 years of experience in the cycling world. Together with his cycling club CRC WORLD, he often rides in the beautiful nature of Costa Rica.

As a seasoned and well-rounded cyclist, he has many Costa Rican races under his belt. From multi-day races and climbing volcanoes on his mountain bike to riding CR TdF etappes and fellow Gran Fondo road races, Luis has seen them all.

But it has not always been like that. Luis opened up to me by sharing that he has struggled with alcoholism in the past. After a commendable 10 years of sobriety, he was recently faced with a bad experience in his life which caused a relapse. His humility and strength became all the more apparent when he matter-of-factly mentioned that he reached out to AA by himself and started training again shortly after that.

After a few months of recovery, feeling better and getting back to “the best sport in the world”, Luis saw the notice for GFNY Florida Sebring and immediately got excited about it. But with only a couple months till race day, participating would mean he would have to train extra hard. Resilient as ever, he was up for the challenge and decided to register. 

“I have participated in a lot of races in Costa Rica over the past years”, he says. “But, going to another country to participate in an international GFNY cycling race feels like a dream come true”.

Inside the Peloton GFNY Sebring 2021 – Charlie Pepinrivera

“Cycling saved my life”
U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Charlie Pepinrivera 

Charlie Pepinrivera is a highly decorated US Army veteran and Wounded Warrior who will ride inside the peloton at GFNY Florida Sebring this Sunday, October 31.

He retired after 24 years of service and served 5 tours of duty in Iraq, Kuwait, Bosnia and Afghanistan. After getting shot during a military operation in Afghanistan, falling from a military helicopter, 14 surgeries and being 100 lbs. overweight, he was struggling with anxiety, depression and PTSD. 

Charlie mentions that cycling saved his life. “After recovering, I wanted to feel like myself again and the only thing that helped me was God and cycling”. Cycling put him together with other disabled veterans he would have never met otherwise.

When first getting into the sport, his wife Maribel bought him his first bike. Within 6 months, he lost 80 lbs. and his anxiety and depression got much better. He still battles with this but when that happens, he hops on his bike. 

“I love cycling so much that when I am not on my bike, I dream about it”.

When asking Charlie for the thing that drives him, he has two clear answers for me. First he mentions his incredible family, who were there for him when he got hurt fighting for freedom. “When I was in the hospital, my wife never left my side”, Charlie says.

Next, he mentions endurance sports drive him and cycling in particular as he experienced first-hand the changes it can make to a person, both physically and mentally.

Whenever Charlie feels like he wants to throw in the towel, he tells himself to “NEVER GIVE UP”. It reminds him of all the struggles he’s had to face in his life and of everything he has accomplished.

Charlie mentions that for the future, he will focus on becoming a better cyclist and is determined to ride at least 3 GFNY races next season.

He would also like to motivate others who are struggling to find the relief he found in cycling. “Cycling is my motivation to keep going and be an example to others“, he says.

Charlie decided to join GFNY in Florida Sebring after reading an article about GFNY in the USA cycling newsletter he receives every month. “After that, I found some videos on YouTube and fell in love with GFNY. Florida has a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to be there this Friday and race on Sunday.”

GFNY North America Championship this Sunday in Sebring, Florida

Written by jenna on .

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is back in Florida with an incredibly international peloton despite lingering travel hesitations

After their inaugural GFNY Marathon in Sebring last week, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is back with cycling at the second GFNY Florida Sebring this Sunday, October 31. It’s this year’s GFNY North America Championship race where the champions win a fully covered trip to the World Championship in NYC on May 15, 2022.

Race week activities take place in the historic Downtown Sebring with group rides Friday & Saturday featuring Olympians Nelson Vails (USA) and Luis Lemus (Mexico). Saturday, 2-13 year olds get to Be a Pro For a Day at GFNY Kids.

On Sunday, the race starts at the Highlands County YMCA and heads west for a scenic loop through Central Florida’s tranquil and scenic nature. The 90-mile race will be fast and furious without any noticeable elevation gain. The 55-mile non-competitive ride is a shorter version of the same course.

Despite ongoing travel restrictions and a general hesitations of people to travel, the peloton will be incredibly international this Sunday. Athletes from 22 countries and all across the US are taking part. Because it’s a regional Championship, the top 20% of riders of all age groups in the long course will qualify for a front corral start at all GFNY cycling races for the following race season.

“Sebring is quickly becoming a hot spot for cycling and now also running due to the two races we hold here in October,’ says GFNY co-founder Lidia Fluhme. “Florida is a tough spot to hold races due to the lack of low traffic roads. But Sebring is conveniently located between Miami, Tampa and Orlando and has some of the very best cycling in the state. Highlands County has been amazing to work with to close or moderate roads in order to give the 800 racers a safe and exciting experience.”

Website: florida.gfny.com

 

About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.

Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.

 

Cycling

20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.

 

GFNY World Championship NYC

The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.

 

Further Material for Media Use

GFNY Florida Sebring video: here

GFNY Press Images: here 

GFNY Results: here

GFNY World calendar graphic: here

Previous GFNY press releases: here

 

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.

Jenna van der Heide,

Uli Fluhme,

GFNY announces GFNY Ann Arbor

Written by jenna on .

Scheduled for June 2022, GFNY expands its US race calendar with GFNY Ann Arbor in the Midwest

GFNY Ann Arbor is the latest addition to the GFNY Endurance Sports Series, making it the fifth GFNY cycling race in the United States.  Scheduled for June 12, 2022, riders will get to ride a flat and fast 100-mile course through beautiful midsummer countryside.

Located in the South of Michigan and surrounded by the Great Lakes, the wonderful host town of Ann Arbor will be the expo location as well as start and finish for the race. Ann Arbor is a university city with an international food scene and lots of surrounding nature. 

The scenic race course starts at Ann Arbor’s local ice rink and explores the country roads of Michigan where riders will get to see creeks, rivers and lakes. The long course is 100 miles and consists of a 40 mile double-loop along Sharonville State Wildlife Management Area and through villages like Manchester and Bridgewater. 

“We’re excited to add a new race in the home country of GFNY,” says GFNY President Lidia Fluhme. “We’ve always had a strong contingent of Midwesterners at our World Championship in NYC so it was only logical to bring a GFNY to them. It’s for them but of course also our national and international riders who enjoy traveling to and exploring new areas by way of racing

Website: annarbor.gfny.com

 

About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.

Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.

Cycling

20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.

GFNY World Championship NYC

The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.

Further Material for Media Use

GFNY Press Images: here 

GFNY Results: here

GFNY World calendar graphic: here

Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.
Jenna van der Heide, 
Uli Fluhme, 

First ever GFNY Marathon was held at birthplace of endurance sports in America

Written by jenna on .

Australian Jared Mills dominates first Marathon by GFNY Endurance Sports Series

Last Sunday, October 24 marked the inaugural running event from GFNY Endurance Sports Series with GFNY Marathon Florida Sebring. 

The race couldn’t have started on more symbolic grounds than on the historic Sebring International Raceway, the “birthplace of endurance sports in America”.  The illuminated race track just before dawn served under ideal conditions: cloudy and 70 degrees. Runners were able to choose from a  USATF-certified GFNY Marathon or Half Marathon course as well as the Sebring 4.2-mile fun run around the Sebring International Raceway. 

As it is customary in GFNY, all runners wore the official GFNY Race Singlet. Made of high end fabrics and with latest cuts, the ultralight garment took the GFNY Team eight months to develop. No stones were left unturned to make sure no runner had to deal with any unpleasant surprises in the race.

Australian Jared Mills, who currently lives in Colombia, dominated the marathon and took the win in 2:45:13. The podium was rounded out by two Floridians, Steven Wilcox and Leland Swenson, who finished second (3:08:21) and third (3:09:59) respectively. 

In the women’s competition, American Alexis Dwyer took the win in 3:43:33, followed by Panamanian Vanessa Alessan Campiolo and Giselle Lasso. 

“We’re proud to have our first marathon under our belt” says GFNY CEO Uli Fluhme. “This is just the beginning of many more marathons in beautiful and fun locations, for locals and travelling runners alike, with the same high standards that cyclists have come to appreciate.”

More GFNY Marathons in 2022 will be announced shortly. In the meantime, GFNY Endurance Sports Series will stay in Sebring for the second annual GFNY Florida Sebring cycling race this Sunday, October 31.

 

 

 

About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.

Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.

Cycling

20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.

GFNY World Championship NYC

The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.

Further Material for Media Use

GFNY Florida Marathon video: here

GFNY Press Images: here 

GFNY Results: here

GFNY World calendar graphic: here

Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.
Jenna van der Heide, 
Uli Fluhme, 

GFNY announces GFNY Waco

Written by jenna on .

GFNY expands its US race calendar with GFNY Waco in the Deep South on June 26, 2022

GFNY Waco is the latest addition to the GFNY Endurance Sports Series, making it the fourth GFNY cycling race in the United States.  Scheduled for June 26, 2022, riders will get to ride a 86-mile double-looped course on open county roads passing farmland, cattle ranches and dairies.

From a gentle start, the effort will go up a notch as riders tackle a 2-mile-long hill just before entering the 35-mile loop. The loop has some flat sections for fast peloton riding, and also gently rolling hills that will break up the pelotons.

Located in the tranquil and scenic heartland of Texas, the host town of Waco will hold race week activities at the Waco Convention Center as well as function as the start and finish of the race. Waco is a city that’s brimming with Texas history, a rich variety of cultural experiences, and wonderful nature surroundings. 

The race starts and finishes on North University Parks Drive aside the Waco Convention Center. After traveling on the closed-to-cars University Parks Drive and crossing the Brazos River via the Herring Ave Bridge, you leave the City of Waco and enter McLennan County and its vast nature. 

Website: waco.gfny.com

About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.

Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.

Cycling

20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.

GFNY World Championship NYC

The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.

Further Material for Media Use

GFNY Press Images: here
GFNY World calendar graphic: here
Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.
Jenna van der Heide, 
Uli Fluhme, 

GFNY launches Marathon running

Written by jenna on .

GFNY Florida Marathon marks the first running event of the GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series this Sunday, October 24

GFNY Endurance Sports Series is back in the United States with the inaugural running event, GFNY Marathon Florida Sebring. The course is USATF certified and the flat and fast route makes it the perfect race for runners wanting to score a personal best. GFNY Marathon Florida also offers a half marathon distance and 4.2-mile fun run around the Raceway.

The course starts before dawn with a big loop under the bright floodlights of the Sebring International Raceway. The flat course is divided into three out-and-back legs, which provides a fantastic racer and spectator experience. With ample aid stations, music and cheer-on stations, the race is destined to be a party for runners. 

“It’s a natural step for us to bring GFNY also into running” says GFNY CEO Uli Fluhme, “Both Lidia and I are lifelong runners, having run combined over 50 marathons. It’s always only been a matter of time for us when we would launch GFNY running and we’re excited it’s finally happening. GFNY Marathon Florida Sebring is the first of over many more marathons to come.”

Website: floridamarathon.gfny.com

 

About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.

Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.

Cycling

20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.

GFNY World Championship NYC

The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.

Further Material for Media Use

GFNY Press Images: here
GFNY World calendar graphic: here
Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.
Jenna van der Heide, 
Uli Fluhme, 

GFNY Italia races Tuscany’s historic strade bianche

Written by jenna on .

Sunday’s GFNY Championship Europe was held in Montepulciano on tough course

GFNY was back on Italian soil with the GFNY Championship Europe at GFNY Italia last Sunday. The main challenge of the 101 km course with 1889m of climbing and gradients up to 20% were 26 km of “strade bianche” (white gravel road). The 5 km climb to the finish line ended with a steep 18% climb to the town market square of Montepulciano. No clouds in the sky and perfect racing temperatures made the Tuscan hills an oversized sports ground that has to be described as Disneyland for cyclists: hills, small and twisty roads, historic towns and villages – spettacolo!

32-year-old former Lampre and Vini Farnese pro Alfredo Balloni (IT) took the win in 2:59:15. His average of 33km/h shows the difficulty of the course. The all-Italian podium was rounded out by Alessio Lazzeri in second place, and Fabio Orcame in third. 

With his win, Balloni earned a fully paid trip to the GFNY World Championship in New York City on May 15, 2022 where he will be a hot contender for the win if he is in the lead group at the final climb up Dyckman Hill.

In the women’s race, Italian Chiara Turchi took the win in 03:38:15. Dutch Rochelle Verhagen came in second place with a time of 03:45:06, and Rachele Chisi (IT) rounded out the podium. Race favorite and 2019 GFNY NYC World Champion Jill Patterson (USA) led the race for a long time until two flats ended her day.

“Racing on strade bianche is something that any serious bike racer should experience at least once” says GFNY CEO Uli Fluhme. “Given the good condition of the strade bianche – which are maintained as official local roads – this is far from a gravel race. It’s a road race with a twist. If you show up on a gravel bike, you’ll suffer more on the road sections than you gain on the strade bianche.”

GFNY Endurance Sports Series now returns to the United States with their inaugural running event GFNY Marathon Florida Sebring on this Sunday, October 24.

 

About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.

Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.

Cycling

20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.

GFNY World Championship NYC

The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.

Further Material for Media Use

GFNY Press Images: here
GFNY World calendar graphic: here
Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.
Jenna van der Heide, 
Uli Fluhme, 

Strade bianche racing at GFNY Championship Europe

Written by jenna on .

Authentic Italian gran fondo racing in the hills of Tuscany with GFNY Italia on October 17

GFNY Endurance Sports Series is back in Europe with the GFNY Championship Europe at GFNY Italia this Sunday, October 17, 2021. The host towns are Montepulciano and Torrita di Siena, located in spectacular Tuscany which is akin to a gigantic cycling stadium. GFNY Italia offers everything of a true Italian gran fondo, with the added thrill of “strade bianche” (white gravel roads) sectors. 

The course features 101 km of racing with 1889m of climbing over numerous hills and across four “strade bianche” sectors that run among the vineyards and olive groves of the Tuscan countryside.  The finish will be up an 18% climb to the town market square of Montepulciano.

“GFNY Italia is the perfect host for the 2021 GFNY Europe Championship”, says GFNY CEO Uli Fluhme. “At 101km the race may seem short but the relentless hills and 26km of strade bianche ensure that only the strongest prevail”.

Website: italia.gfny.com

 

About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.

Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.

Cycling

20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.

GFNY World Championship NYC

The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.

Further Material for Media Use

GFNY Press Images: here
GFNY World calendar graphic: here
Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.
Jenna van der Heide, 
Uli Fluhme, 

Your Site Plan for GFNY Marathon Florida Sebring

Written by jenna on .

We’re nearing race day! I hope you’re well-trained and feeling excited to race the first GFNY marathon. To help you be as prepared as you possibly can for the marathon, we have created a site plan for you. Please check out the site plan and other useful information below.

Site Plan

Getting There on Race Morning

The fastest way to access the GFNY Marathon Sebring parking & start area, is from US-98. Kenilworth Boulevard will be closed for your race, so plan your getting to the start route via US-98. From US-98 turn north into Madrid Drive. Continue on Madrid Dr past Castile Rd on a short unpaved section and through an open gate and continue north on Madrid Dr. Go straight / north on Madrid Dr until you see the entrance into the parking lot. To optimize the parking space, park double file.

Starting in the dark

We made the start time as early as possible, so you get to enjoy running in the cooler temps before the sun rises. The start time is at 6:45am, with a civil twilight at 7:07am and sunrise at 7:31am.

Bring a head lamp for race morning for while you get ready in your car. We will have light towers at the start corrals and the race track has lights that will light the route. The sun will rise while you exit the track and tackle the rest of the run course.

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