Ready for the Adventure!
2023 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo Need-to-Knows
This is one of the most exciting times of the year for us. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing in some great adventures. We want your experience at the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo to be outstanding. Need-to-know information highlights follow, below.
Route Switch?
We will account for all riders on course, and knowing which route you intend to complete is very important. Please use the Entry Edit feature prior to 5PM on Thursday. After that time, route updates should be relayed to volunteers at the packet pickup (in advance) or the timing staff (event morning). If you need to shorten your route selection on the fly, simply inform a volunteer at the rest stations. Anyone unaccounted for at the end of the day will receive a call from us to make sure they’re ok.
Transfer Your Entry
If you know that you will be unable to attend and you would like to transfer your registration to another rider who you know, you can Transfer Your Entry. These transfer requests must be received prior to 5 PM on Thursday.
Requests for reimbursement for non-participation for qualifying reasons should be made directly to the event insurance policy holder here: https://www.eventregistrationprotection.com/allianzregistration/home
Rider Bib Numbers
Numbers will be published online at www.AlpineLoopGranFondo.com by Friday, September 22. All you’ll need to know at packet pickup is your name or bib number. You completed a waiver online when you registered. If for any reason you do not have an online waiver completed in advance, you will simply be asked to sign one onsite.
Pre-Event Health Screening
For your safety on the course, you are strongly discouraged from participating in the event if you have experienced any of the following symptoms within 48 hours of the event: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue not attributable to exercise, chest pain, muscle or body aches not attributable to exercise, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
Packet Pick-up Opportunities
Your event packet will include your bib # and pins, Ridge Supply socks, your event t-shirt, and any additional merchandise (jersey, spectator meal tickets, etc.) you purchased when you registered. Pickup opportunities will take place outdoors at the following locations:
Saturday, September 23, 2-6PM
Brothers Craft Brewing patio
Address: 800 N. Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia
(Main parking lot to rear of Brewery can be accessed from 180 E. Washington Street)
Valley Pike BBQ will be onsite offering lunch and dinner.
Sunday, September 24, 6:30-7:45AM
Turner Pavilion – Start/Finish Line Location
Address: 228 S Liberty Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia
All timing chips will be distributed on Sunday morning. Timing chips must be returned to the finish line. If you abandon the ride for any reason, notify finish line volunteers and return your timing chip. The replacement cost of a timing chip is $100 and will be billed by the timing company to any participant who does not return their timing chip.
Event Start: Sunday, September 24 – 8:00AM (All Routes)
Spectators can watch the start from 409 S. Main Street. Cancer survivors and fundraising riders are invited to lead the start. When we roll out it will be in a neutral parade with police escorts for the first couple miles. Tandems and e-bike riders will be asked to stage in the rear.
On Course Support A detailed description of rest station food supplies will be updated at AlpineLoopGranFondo.com on Friday upon receipt of rest station supplies from our distributor.
Friends and Family Volunteers Helpful folks are welcome to lend a hand at the rest stations along the routes. Volunteer signups can be found here.
Come Prepared
Generally, come prepared to fix some flats, be highly visible, carry ID, a phone, a download of your route, enough food and water to get you to your first rest station, and any highly-specific nutrition or equipment repair needs you could need along the way. Charge your devices and electronic components. Bring a bike that is in excellent working order. All riders must carry at least one spare inner tube, a pump, and a multi-tool. Alpine Loop riders must bring two tubes. Share your route with accompanying friends or family so they can assist should you need unexpected support. Sag support has always been a creative combination of efforts among course vehicles, rest station crews, and a few roving helpers. Sag capacity is limited and includes ferrying riders forward to keep them rolling whenever possible.
Dress for Changing Weather
Dress in layers suitable for the changing weather conditions typical of the mountains and Shenandoah Valley. The forecast calls for some crisp mornings this week and afternoon highs in the low 70s. Come with a wind/waterproof layer and you’ll be prepared. You can drop gear at the rest stations if you are willing to wait for it to be shuttled back to town at the end of the day, but we recommend keeping it with you so you are adaptable to changing temperatures over the various elevations.
An important message about emergency communications
Ultimately, you are responsible for your safety. Carry a cell phone if possible, and note: even when your cell phone shows no reception, if there is another provider in the area, that provider is obligated to connect your 911 emergency call. In remote areas along the course, houses have landlines. Remote rest stations and some roving support vehicles will carry satellite phones. Deputies and ambulances will be stationed at critical locations on Shenandoah Mountain and have emergency radios. Sometimes going backwards on the course will be the fastest route to one of these communications options.
Finish Line Reminders
The giant Swiss bell will be waiting for you. Give it a ring to announce your finish! Claim your medal and enjoy having your picture taken at the photo booth. Your event bib will have your meal and beer tickets attached. Bring your ID and cash for additional beer. There will be no showers at the finish line this year. We’re bringing back the family-style banquet tables, but you’re still invited to bring a lawn chair and/or picnic blankets to spread out and relax in the grassy area adjacent to the finish line if you prefer.
Podium Ceremonies
Here is a general schedule of festival happenings, subject to slight revisions at the event:
Finish Line Catering Opens 10:30AM
Brothers Craft Brewing Beer Garden Opens – Noon
Valley View Challenge Podiums – 12:45PM
Mt Solon Metric Century Podiums – 2:45PM
Shenandoah Mountain Routes Podiums – 4PM
Alpine Loop, Couples Conquer the Mountains – 5:45PM
Final Finishers Expected – 6PM
Brothers Craft Brewing Closes – 6:30PM
Finish Line Catering Closes – 6:30PM
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