Join us at GFNY Rockford

GFNY, the global endurance sport series, is coming to

Rockford, Illinois on August 7, 2022!

 

The Course

The pre-race expo and post-race festivities are all hosted from the Venetian Club. The race start and finish line is conveniently located just aside the Venetian Club, on Elmwood Rd. After you depart from the Venetian Club, ride north to the loop through Winnebago County. Medium distance athletes will complete the loop once, long distance athletes will be racing the loop twice.

Enjoy fast racing over rolling hills in summer conditions through scenic northern Illinois. You’ll ride past the incredible nature: Nygren Wetland Preserve, Williams Tree Farm, The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms, Colors Sands Bluff Nature Preserve, Ferguson Forest Preserve and across and along the Pecatonica, Sugar and Rock Rivers.

Take advantage of long straights in the first half of the loop to cover the distance quickly with your group. The early miles on the long straight roads will lead to attacks, stay near the front of the pack to cover attacks and keep company for the recovery.

The return portion of the loop has small, winding roads and turns, making your peloton positioning an important part of your race strategy. Because of the twists and turns, the attacks will become decisive race moments that will fragment groups.

Luckily, being in peak summer form, your legs are able to cover the speed and effort variations. Enjoy the pelotons coming together and splitting apart and ideal long distance racing conditions to make the most of your summer fitness at GFNY Rockford.

 

Long Route – 93.6 miles / 3583 ft +

 

Medium Route – 59.4 miles / 2326 ft+

 

About Rockford

Rockford is the second largest city in Illinois outside the Chicago metro area. It’s located just 1hr from Chicago and its main international airport, Chicago O’Hare (ORD), making the trip to GFNY Rockford easily accessible from anywhere in the world.

Rockford has many activities like the Discovery Center Museum and Burpee Museum of Natural History, as well as a downtown area lined with shopping and great bars and restaurants. Outside the downtown area, there are many shopping and dining options, especially the large shopping and hotel center off the I-90 in the eastern part of Rockford.

There are many bike paths throughout the city adding a fun way to explore the city, its parks and activities while you’re in town during GFNY race week. The Rock River is the main natural attraction that runs through the heart of Rockford, and several bridges connect the city. Searls Park and the Anna Page Forest Preserve are beautiful parks you should visit.

 

 

GFNY Perks


THE JERSEY
All riders receive the official GFNY race jersey, which is mandatory attire at the race. The jersey is designed in NYC and Made in Italy.

FINISHER MEDAL
Every GFNY Rockford finisher receives a medal, no matter which distance they complete. All finishers also earn a “Finish” towards their 3×2022 GFNY medal or the 10x lifetime medal. Go to gfny.com/medals for more information on GFNY’s multi-finisher medals.

GFNY WORLD
The top 10% of finishers in all age groups riding the long course qualify for the front corral start at the GFNY World Championship NYC.

 

Getting There

 

Travel

Rockford (RFD) – 5.2 milesChicago O’Hare (ORD) – 64.6 milesMadison (MSN) – 61.5 miles

Milwaukee (MKE) – 77 miles

Chicago Midway (MDW) – 77.4 miles

Rockford’s own airport, RFD, is home to Allegiant Air, an airline with a wide national network and affordable prices.

Chicago O’Hare is just one hour drive to Rockford and US’s 3rd largest airport by passenger volume and easy access from destinations around the world. All major airlines fly to Chicago ORD.

Other nearby airports are Madison, WI (MSN) and Milwaukee, WI (MKE) and Chicago Midway (MDW).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GFNY comes to Rockford, Illinois

GFNY Rockford is scheduled for August 7, 2022

 

NEW YORK CITY, February 15, 2022 – GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series brings GFNY Rockford, scheduled for August 7, 2022.  It’s one of now 6 GFNY races in the US.

The competitive long distance of GFNY Rockford is 94 miles long with 3583 ft of climbing and the non competitive distance is 60 miles with 2326 ft of climbing. The flat to undulating course through Illinois nature will be ideal for strong riders looking for a challenge during peak summer season.

“Rockford’s support of GFNY, whether government or local residents, has been incredible from the get-go,” says GFNY co-founder Lidia Fluhme. “It’s been our goal for 2022 to expand GFNY across the US and we’re fortunate to be welcomed so warmly by cities like Rockford. Our riders will love the race and their stay.”

Rockford, is the second largest city in Illinois, located just 1 hour away from Chicago.  With its variety of activities, museums, shops, excellent bars and restaurants, it’s ideal for riders and their family and friends to have a great time.

Rock River is the main natural attraction of the city and runs through the heart and traditional centre of Rockford.  The city is connected by different bridges, bike paths, and has beautiful parks to visit such as Searls Park and Anna Page Forest Preserve.

 

Website: rockford.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 organising 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

30 plus events around the world. View the 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

Official GFNY Rockford 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.

Uli Fluhme,

Caroline Lindsay,

 

GFNY WACO PROMO SHOOTING & GROUP RIDE

Written by GFNY on .

GFNY Gruppo goes to Waco

Check out the full experience.

 

Enjoy cycling and mariachis at GFNY Zapopan

GFNY, the global endurance sport series, is coming to

Zapopan, Mexico on October 2, 2022!

 

The Course

GFNY Zapopan starts and finishes in the historic center of the city, in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan and the municipal plaza, on colonial style streets surrounded by beautiful flower gardens. This is a fast course with a few hills and lots of peloton racing. Even though the maximum inclines reach just 3%, you will be racing at 1500m elevation, which will add to the challenge.Experience the adrenaline of a mass start GFNY race as you go by numerous historic sights of Zapopan and the Guadalajara metropolitan area. Right at the start of the race, you will pass the Arcos de Zapopan and then make some fast turns inside the city until you reach Bosque de los Colomos, a large park known for its botanical gardens. As you race past the park, you then make a right turn on Av Acueducto, where the streets open up and the racing will kick into high gear.As you head north out of the city, you’ll feel the false-flat climb in your legs as we pass by the famous baseball stadium of the Chorros of Jalisco. You’ll pass by a number of tourism attractions, such as Museo Trompo Mágico, a famous children’s museum, Akron Stadium of the Chivas soccer team, and the beautiful Metropolitan Park.
You will complete the race loop back in the historic city of Zapopan. Medium distance riders will finish and get to celebrate their achievements, while the long distance riders will head out for a second lap. Expect a full show at the finish festival with bands, DJ, VIP area, pasta party, and all the well-known festivities that a GFNY Mexico finish party always offers.

 

Long Route – 146 Km / 1234m+

 

Medium Route – 73 Km / 616m+

 

About Zapopan

Zapopan is part of the Guadalajara metropolitan area and is one of the most upscale municipalities in Mexico. Best known as being the home of the Virgin of Zapopan, an image of the Virgin Mary made in the 16th century, which was credited with a number of Miracles and visited by pope John Paul II.

Zapopan and Guadalajara are also where Mariachi music originated in the 19th century and where you can find mariachi bands, dancers, food vendors and crafts stands in the heart of the city entertaining spectators. Stroll through the colonial-era center of Zapopan and enjoy the small streets, stores, parks, fountains, plazas and restaurants.

Just outside Zapopan are vast highland fields of Agave located in the municipality of Tequila, which is famous for its Tequila fields and factories. Due to its historical and cultural importance, the city of Tequila was declared a UNESCO world heritage site. Tequila tours are some of the fun activities you can do while here which will give you a real taste of Mexican culture, literally.

While here for GFNY, take your time and explore the city of Zapopan, its neighbor city, Guadalajara, and immerse yourself in Mexican history, its flavors and traditions.

 

 

GFNY Perks


THE JERSEY
All riders receive the official GFNY race jersey, which is mandatory attire at the race. The jersey is designed in NYC and Made in Italy.

FINISHER MEDAL
Every GFNY Zapopan finisher receives a medal, no matter which distance they complete. All finishers also earn a “Finish” towards their 3×2022 GFNY medal or the 10x lifetime medal. Go to gfny.com/medals for more information on GFNY’s multi-finisher medals.

GFNY WORLD
The top 10% of finishers in all age groups riding the long course qualify for the front corral start at the GFNY World Championship NYC.

 

Getting There


 

Travel
The Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Guadalajara International Aiport (GDL) is the second largest airport in Mexico and only 25min from downtown Zapopan. There are daily flights from all cities in Mexico and many international flights including from Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Antonio, New York, Atlanta, Phoenix and many more. If you can’t find a direct flight, you can fly into Mexico City and take a quick connecting flight to Guadalajara from there. Airlines that fly to Guadalaja include; AeroMexico, Volaris, Viva Aerobus, United Airlines, Delta and American Airlines.

 

Getting Here
It’s very convenient to drive to Zapopan from the cities listed below. Just pop your bike on the rack and come with all your family and friends. From Mexico City, Puebla, Tlaxcala and Veracruz, you can travel directly via the Cuacnopalan-Oaxacan Highway.
    • México City – 6h
    • Puebla – 7h
    • San Luis Potosi – 5h
    • Colima – 2h40
    • Aguascalientes – 2h40
    •  Culiacan – 8h

 

 

 

 

 

 

GFNY Mexico adds GFNY Zapopan

GFNY Mexico’s fourth race for 2022 is scheduled for October 2

 

NEW YORK CITY, February 2, 2022 – GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series brings GFNY Zapopan, scheduled for October 2, 2022. The competitive long distance of GFNY Zapopan is 146km long with 1234m of climbing. Start and finish are hosted in the historic centre in front of the Basilica of our Lady of Zapopan. 

“We´re excited to partner with Zapopan to offer another GFNY experience in Mexico”, says Shaun Gad, co-owner of the GFNY brand in Mexico.  “Aside our classics GFNY Cozumel and GFNY Monterrey as well as the new GFNY Oaxaca, GFNY Zapopan is bringing GFNY racing to Mexico’s second largest metropolitan area.  To get your GFNY 3-timer medal you won’t even have to leave Mexico.”

Zapopan, located in Jalisco, was conquered by the Spanish in 1541 and is surrounded by historic sites such as the Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan, the Arches of Zapopan and colonial style streets.  

Most of Zapopan is flat and  surrounded by only a few hills, which makes it a fast race. The two day packet-pickup and expo of GFNY Zapopan will be held in the heart of the city.

 

Website: zapopan.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

30 plus events around the world. View the 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

Official GFNY Zapopan 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.

Uli Fluhme,

Caroline Lindsay,

 

Relive the GFNY Conference 2022

Written by GFNY on February 1, 2022.

It was a fantastic set of sessions for the January 30, 2022 GFNY Conference. Panel topics included My First GFNY, the GFNY World 2022 calendar, How to train to do your best at GFNY, and The Future of Pro Cycling.
In case you missed the conference, you can still watch the recordings of each panel.

My First GFNY

GFNY World 2022 calendar

GFNY Training

The Future of Pro Cycling

Race up “La Cuchilla” at GFNY Bogota

GFNY, the global endurance sport series, is coming to

Bogota, Colombia on July 17, 2022!

 

The Course

The GFNY Bogota course starts and finishes in the charming town of Guatavita, at an elevation of 2725m. You’ll warm up your legs as you make your way to Sesquile, a nearby colonial town, and back, over a relatively flat 40km. You’ll enjoy the beautiful views of Guatavita Lake and lush greenery covering the rolling hills of the Bogota savanna.

The course then takes a left turn onto Calle 8, which is the beginning of the first major challenge: La Cuchilla, from Guasca. Starting at 2625m, this 14km-long ascent will 735m of climbing wow you with beautiful, rich, green Andes mountain views and numerous switchbacks. The scenery will help distract you from the challenge in your legs and lungs as you make your way to La Cuchilla’s summit at 3360m.

Once at the top of Cuchilla, put on your jacket or vest for the descent. The medium distance riders turn around and head back to the finish line in Guatavita, while the long distance riders take on the fast and beautiful descent down the other side of La Cuchilla, which is arguably the most beautiful part of the course.

The 20km descent will provide some recovery, but will drop you to the lowest point of the course, at 2390m. From this side, the La Cuchilla climb will be that same 20km you just descended and 1025m of climbing.

Once you reach the summit of La Cuchilla, it’s just 25km until the finish line in Guatavita, but the race is not over yet. The 14km descent will make you work, with its turns and switchbacks. At the bottom of the descent, find a group to cover the fast, flat, and straight 7kms before the final challenge of the day. The final 3km climb to the finish line in Guatavita has a manageable 3.4% average, but after racing almost 120km with 2500m, the climb will put a sting in your legs. There will be a total of 6 fully stocked aid stations on the race course, especially at the top of La Cuchilla.

Back in Guatavita, a festive post-race celebration with finisher medals, music and awards awaits. Check out the local crafts market and all that Guatavita has prepared for GFNY Bogota athletes to celebrate your accomplishments on this amazing day.

 

Long Route – 121 Km / 2565m+

 

Medium Route – 81 Km / 1475m+

 

About Bogota

Bogota is the capital of and largest city in Colombia. It’s a place of convergence for people from all around the country, making it diverse and multicultural, the “melting pot” of Colombia. This diversity drives a fascinating cultural, culinary and social way of life that makes for an exciting and memorable visit that you’ll want to repeat.

Within Bogota, the past and present come together from the commanding Andes mountains, to the colonial architecture to the modern high-rises with trendy decor. And you’ll enjoy this unique combination as part of your GFNY Bogota race: the pre-race expo takes place in Bogota, but it’s the nature outside Bogota that you’ll enjoy as part of the race course, including the famous La Cuchilla mountain at above 3000m altitude.

About Guatavita

Guatavita, the host town of the start & finish festivities for GFNY Bogota, is a 1hr drive from Bogota and is an architectural heritage site. With its colonial architecture, cobble streets, crafts market and Central Square, take some time in the days before the race to combine a course recon ride with sightseeing this charming town.

 

 

GFNY Perks


THE JERSEY
All riders receive the official GFNY race jersey, which is mandatory attire at the race. The jersey is designed in NYC and Made in Italy.

FINISHER MEDAL
Every GFNY Bogota finisher receives a medal, no matter which distance they complete. All finishers also earn a “Finish” towards their 3×2022 GFNY medal or the 10x lifetime medal. Go to gfny.com/medals for more information on GFNY’s multi-finisher medals.

GFNY WORLD
The top 10% of finishers in all age groups riding the long course qualify for the front corral start at the GFNY World Championship NYC.

 

Getting There

 

 

Travel
Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is the central hub of Colombia. It’s a modern airport with Duty Free shopping, free Wifi, money exchange and a handful of restaurants and bars. With daily International and domestic flights from many major cities around the world, you will find traveling to Bogota to be an easy trip. Some of the main airlines that fly into Bogota include:

  • United Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • Delta
  • Spirit
  • Copa Airlines
  • AeroMexico
  • Avianca
  • Wingo

 

*All foreign travelers need to fill out a small online form before entering the country as per immigration policy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GFNY returns to Colombia for 6th GFNY Bogota

Scheduled for July 17, 2022, GFNY Bogota expects 2500 racers

 

NEW YORK CITY, January 19, 2022 – GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series brings back GFNY Bogota, scheduled for July 17, 2022. The competitive long distance of GFNY Bogota is 121km long with 2565m of climbing. Start and finish are hosted in Guatavita at 2725m, one hour from Bogota. The race’s highest point is the legendary Cuchilla at a whopping 3365m.

“GFNY isn’t complete without a race in Colombia,” says GFNY CEO Uli Fluhme. “And this time we don’t leave it at one race. However, we do start where we left off before you-know-what: in Bogota”.

GFNY Colombia is now in the hands of the experienced Mexican GFNY crew around Daniela and Shaun Gad who own hugely successful races such as GFNY Cozumel and GFNY Monterrey.

Bogota is the capital and largest city in Colombia, located 2600m above sea level, surrounded by the Andes mountains and abundant vegetation. It is one of the most famous destinations in South America steeped in history, gastronomy, culture, business and fun. The two day packet-pickup and expo of GFNY Bogota will be held in the heart of the city.

Further GFNYs in Colombia in addition to Bogota are planned for later in the year and 2023.

Website: bogota.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

30 plus events around the world. View the 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

Official GFNY Bogota 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.

Uli Fluhme,

Caroline Lindsay,

 

Virtual Conference

Sunday January 30 at 12:00 PM EST // 18:00 CET // 9:00 AM PT

Expert Panels on training, travel, the GFNY World Calendar and the Future of Cycling. 

If you are new to GFNY, this is the place to get all the information you need before signing up. If you are already a part of GFNY, and are looking at doing more races in new destinations, get expert tips to make 2022 your best racing year!

 

12:00pm ET My First GFNY Panel 1
Panelists: Uli Fluhme, Vito Valentini, Noel Quintero
What it stands for, what does it offer, what does it mean
How to train for your first GFNY
What attracted you to GFNY
How to pack & prepare for your first GFNY
12:50pm ET GFNY World Calendar Panel 2
Panelists: Lidia Fluhme, Shaun Gad, Cedric Haas, Elena Nolasco, Luis Lemus
Overview of the GFNY World 2022 racing calendar, race features, how to prepare for your GFNY trip
1:35pm ET GFNY Training Panel 3
Panelists: Jill Patterson, Vito Valentini, Antonio Oliveros, Alberto Covarrubias, Ben Braem,
Mauricio Rodriguez Estrada
Advice about training for various races and presentations from GFNY Coaches
2:20pm ET The Future of Pro Cycling Panel 4
Panelists: Uli Fluhme, Luis Lemus, Jill Patterson, Frankie Andreu, Ben Wolfe
The current division between professional and amateur cycling, exploring how to grow professional cycling.
An in-depth conversation of the recent pieces by GFNY:

See you there!

Enjoy the glorious countryside at GFNY Uppsala

GFNY, the global endurance sport series, is coming to

Uppsala, Sweden on July 3, 2022!

 

The Course

GFNY Uppsala takes you from the bustle of Sweden’s 4th largest city to the picturesque nature of Uppsala County.

The race starts at IFU Arena and heads north. At km3, you travel past Gamla Uppsala’s Royal Mounds, then wind your way through the countryside to the start of the 60km loop.

Set in the tranquillity of the glorious Uppsala countryside, the highly-enjoyable 60km loop is raced twice by the long distance riders and once by the medium distance riders. The stillness and vastness of the Uppsala County nature will make you understand why this place was chosen thousands of years ago and has maintained its breathtaking beauty to this day.

While there are no significant climbs on this course (the highest point of the race is at 70masl), it will give you the impression the course is flat. But road accumulates 1800m of climbing on the long route because the road is constantly rolling. Your legs will be constantly adjusting to the changing topography, which will probably be the biggest challenge of the day.

After you complete the loop (or loops), you will trace the same route back to where you started the day, at IFU Arena. After crossing the finish line and getting your medal, enjoy the post-race meal, music, festivities, and awards ceremony.

 

Long Route – 168 Km / 1862m+

 

Medium Route – 105 Km / 1072m+

 

About Uppsala

Uppsala is Sweden’s 4th largest city and is located just a 18-minute train ride from Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport and a 40min train ride from Stockholm.
The Fyris river divides the city into two parts. The historic part, which holds historic sights such as the Uppsala Castle (Slottet) and its Botanic Garden and museums, Uppsala Cathedral (Domkyrka), and Uppsala University, which was founded in 1477 and is the oldest university in Scandinavia. The modern part of Uppsala holds the administrative, commercial and residential areas of Uppsala.
Uppsala dates back more than 2000 years, it was one of the main Viking settlements, the residence of the kings of the legendary Yngling dynasty and an important religious, economic and political center in Scandinavia. It was founded in 1286, but today is a modern, innovative and progressive city.
 
Given its scientific and academic heritage, Uppsala is a research and biotech hub, but also aims to be a leading sports city, with its several sports arenas for outdoor and indoor sports and sports clubs. Due to being a university city, Uppsala has a great restaurant and bar scene, and a wide range of hotel options for you and your family to have a great stay for GFNY Uppsala.

 

 

GFNY Perks


THE JERSEY
All riders receive the official GFNY race jersey, which is mandatory attire at the race. The jersey is designed in NYC and Made in Italy.

FINISHER MEDAL
Every GFNY Uppsala finisher receives a medal, no matter which distance they complete. All finishers also earn a “Finish” towards their 3×2022 GFNY medal or the 10x lifetime medal. Go to gfny.com/medals for more information on GFNY’s multi-finisher medals.

GFNY WORLD
The top 10% of finishers in all age groups riding the long course qualify for the front corral start at the GFNY World Championship NYC.

 

Getting There

 

 

Travel
Stockholm Arlanda Airport offers Sweden’s strongest route network with more than 181 different national and international destinations. Its proximity to Arlanda makes Uppsala an easily accessible destination for travelers from around the world.

 

Getting Here
Uppsala is just an 18 minute train ride from Arlanda airport. It is the easiest way to travel from the airport to Uppsala.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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