Event director Erin here with an update and some announcements:
This year, we’re putting the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo on hold to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of my amazing parents. While I’d hoped to simply shift the event date this year, the late-spring release of the James Madison University football schedule offered no great alternatives that wouldn’t also encroach on other local cycling events that I admire. The high-quality experience of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo and the City of Harrisonburg’s ability to roll out the red carpet for riders, their friends and families is inextricably linked to holding the event when the university is not also hosting a special event weekend (homecoming, parent’s weekend, etc.).
The Alpine Loop Gran Fondo will return in 2023.
In the meantime, there are exciting opportunities on the horizon:
In conjunction with Jeremiah’s roll as an advisory board member of The Lost River Trails Coalition (LRTC), we invite you to join in the inaugural Lost River Classic gravel race on August 20, 2022. The Lost River Classic will support the development of multi-use and mountain biking trails in Lost River State Park in Hardy County, West Virginia. The immediate aim of the LRTC the creation of a beginner-friendly trail system with the goal of establishing a youth mountain biking program in Hardy County. Jeremiah will participate in the Lost River Classic and looks forward to reuniting with many Gran Fondo friends there.
Register here
On September 11, 2022, the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) will host the 40th annual Shenandoah Valley Century. The Century serves as a fundraiser for the SVBC. This event is capped at 300 participants and always fills in advance.
Register here
In December, Jeremiah will host his annual Grüß von Krampus ride. This formerly hush-hush gravel expedition will grow to welcome more riders to take on the wicked challenge. Details and registration will be announced in September.
Looking to 2023, we’ve got a new gravel adventure planned for late spring and the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo will return as our season’s capstone cycling celebration.
As always, we invite you to support the mission of the Cancer Journeys Foundation Prostate Cancer Awareness Project and urge those of you who are 35-years and older to schedule your routine PSA screening. Get your FREE PSA-tracking tool at ProstateTracker.org.
The Cancer Journeys Foundation hosts a full calendar of Stress Buster Zwift Rides for Cancer Survivors and #StopCancer Advocates. Looking to relieve stress and maintain a healthy exercise routine? Join us for stress-free, easy, 30-minute group cycling rides on Zwift.The Zwift rides will be lead by CJF Founder, Robert Hess, and will take you on a virtual scenic route. As you ride, you’ll be able to chat with fellow cancer survivors and #StopCancer advocates, and get a healthy dose of exercise. Learn more at https://cancerjourneysfoundation.org/events/