Ridge Supply THE ALPINE LOOP GRAN FONDO
Ridge Supply has unveiled the official sock of Jeremiah Bishop’s 2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo: THE ALPINE LOOP GRAN FONDO in green and purple, a 6″ Single Cuff Aireator made in North Carolina. THE ALPINE LOOP GRAN FONDO socks are the perfect complement to the 2019 event jerseys by Cutaway USA.
The socks will be awarded to the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project King and Queen of the Mountain Contest 5-year age group winners, and available for purchase onsite along with a full selection of Ridge Supply cycling apparel. Visit the Ridge Supply booth at Alpine Loop Gran Fondo packet pickup and the Finish Line Festival, or shop Ridge Supply online.
Honeysuckle presented by The Myrias Group at the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo
Honeysuckle is a progressive folk act that blends older influences and traditional instrumentation with modern effects and inspiration.
Presented by The Myrias Group, Honeysuckle will perform on the Hotel Appalachia Stage at the Finish Line Festival of the 2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. Listen to Honeysuckle’s latest album Fire Starter and get ready for their performance on September 29.
Named Best Folk Artist at the 2018 Boston Music Awards, Honeysuckle is a progressive acoustic trio that blends traditional the instrumentation of bluegrass and folk with modern effects, beautiful songwriting, and masterful, intricate arrangements. Their distinct brand of baroque, elevated Americana has earned the Berklee alumni appearances at Lollapalooza, and Newport Folk Festival. Their new full-length album Fire Starter was released in June.
Comprised of Holly McGarry, Benjamin Burns, and Chris Bloniarz, this Boston based trio can frequently be found performing across the country, and playing alongside bands like Del and Dawg, The David Grisman Sextet, The Ballroom Thieves, Boy & Bear, Kitchen Dwellers, John Craigie and others.
Honeysuckle was chosen as a Converse Rubber Tracks artist, has recorded an Audiotree session, and performed at Lollapalooza, Mountain Jam, and Newport Folk Festival. They were named by NPR as one of the Top 10 bands of 2016 So Far, and in 2018 they received the honor of Best Folk Artist of the Year at the Boston Music Awards.
Honeysuckle presented by The Myrias Group
Sunday, September 29
Hotel Appalachia Stage
2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo Finish Line Festival
Venue Noon, Honeysuckle 4:15 PM
Adults 21+ can bring cash and ID to enjoy the Brothers Craft Brewing beer garden to benefit the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition. Heritage Bakery and Cafe will be onsite with a selection of tasty treats for purchase. Hank’s Smokehouse will offer a complete meal, meal tickets are only available in advance.
Cycling Event Entries, Festival Music Lover and Meal Tickets on Sale NOW: www.BikeReg.com/GranFondo
Honeysuckle is comprised of Holly McGarry, Benjamin Burns, and Chris Bloniarz.
Fundraisers Invited to Ride – Special Spin Saturday, Sept. 28
Fundraising is an optional way that Alpine Loop Gran Fondo participants can support the charitable mission of the event. In 2019, participant fundraising supports the Cancer Journeys Foundation Prostate Cancer Awareness Project (PCAP). The mission of the PCAP is significantly increase the prostate cancer survivor rate by dramatically increasing the rate of early detection, with the objective that that no man experiences a surprise, post-metastasis prostate cancer diagnosis.
Alpine Loop Gran Fondo fundraising participants who raise* $100 or more toward the Cancer Journeys Foundation Prostate Cancer Awareness Project will be invited to join in a special pre-event spin lead by Alpine Loop Gran Fondo founder Jeremiah Bishop. Click here to view the complete list of fundraising incentives.
The ride will take place on Saturday, September 28 from 12-2 p.m. Road surfaces will be all-paved.
Invitations and more event details will be communicated with qualifying fundraisers in advance of the event. Fundraising continues through September 23.
To get started toward your fundraising goal, simply register for the 2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo at BikeReg.com/GranFondo and you will receive a customized fundraising page.
With your support, the charitable impact of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo will be greater than ever!
*Additional contributions, including VIP Start Line Recognition, made toward the charitable mission made with event registration will count toward $100 fundraising benchmark to join in this special event.
Calling All Volunteers!
Do you look forward to seeing some of the spectacular scenery along the course? Want to connect with your special someone out there? Love to provide encouragement or want to lend a hand at the Finish Line Festival?
Community, camaraderie and encouragement are at the heart of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. And just like riders, volunteer participants are a big part of this event!
From pre-event preparations, to day-of excitement and after-party celebrations, volunteers have many special talents to share and roles to fill.
We’d love to welcome you to the team!
Follow this link to let us know how you’d like to help at the 2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo!
THANK YOU!
2019 // Gravel and Mountains Training Weekend
Created in response to the requests of Alpine Loop Gran Fondo participants, this road cycling weekend will help ready riders for the mountains of the Shenandoah Mountain Adventure and Shenandoah Mountain Century, and the gravel of the Alpine Loop routes of the 2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo and similar events.
Taking place over two days, August 24-25, the training weekend will include training-based strategies, onsite clinic-style instruction, and on-course training rides to help attain your best performance. Topics will include performance, training, nutrition, course-specific instruction, equipment and setup.
On both days of the training weekend, Jeremiah Bishop will lead rides with assistance from other Harrisonburg-based professional cycling guides. The rides will be fully supported with cycling snacks, a variety of sports drinks and water, fruit, and sag vehicles.
This training weekend is a great opportunity for you to get a glimpse of some steeps climbs and/or dirt roads of the 2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo, including two of the timed KOM segments. It’s timed to provide a great training boost in preparation for the Gran Fondo. If you can’t participate in the Gran Fondo, this training weekend will be a great adventure in and of itself.
On Saturday, all riders will complete a 36-mile route that includes the first 10 and final 18 miles of the Alpine Loop, Shenandoah Mountain Century and Shenandoah Mountain Adventure courses of the 2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo, including the Mole Hill KOM segment where we are sure to have some fun! Alpine Loop riders will see a stretch of unpaved road where Jeremiah Bishop will give additional instruction on gravel riding. Following the training ride, Jeremiah will lead the entire group in a training-based discussion; covering fitness, performance, nutrition, equipment and setup, and allowing a good amount of time for individual and group-specific questions. Training ride and discussion officially wrap up by 5:30 p.m. but continue as long as you like to talk training.
Following the training ride and discussion, we will stay at Shenadoah Bicycle Company’s patio for drinks and appetizers (5:30) and a build-your-own burrito meal (beginning at 6:30) p.m.
On Sunday, riders who are training for the Alpine Loop should be prepared to ride 81 miles with 7,000+ feet of climbing – including unpaved steep surfaces. Exact route will be e-mailed prior to the ride.
On Sunday, riders who are training for the Shenandoah Mountain Adventure and Shenandoah Mountain Century should be prepared for a 61-mile ride with 6,000-feet of climbing on paved mountain climbs. Route will include the climb up Shenandoah Mountain’s Moyers Gap Road from the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. Exact route will be e-mailed prior to the ride.
On Sunday, after a warmup through the Valley, the ride will make its way up some great mountain roads. The first climb will treat participants to spectacular scenery. We will divide into two groups which will be based on participant’s desired ride length; and ultimate training goals: the Alpine Loop, Shenandoah Mountain Century or Shenandoah Mountain Adventure. Throughout the ride, you’ll have access to full support from SAG vehicles and enjoy the guidance and expertise of local cycling pro’s and seasoned Alpine guides. At the ride’s completion, you’ll be treated to a late afternoon meal, relax, recover and enjoy discussing training tips and preparation for the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo with Jeremiah and other professional cyclists.
For more information, and to register, visit www.BikeReg.com/Train
