A classic cycling event with a meaningful charitable connection, presented by the Cancer Journeys Foundation
Sunday, October 6, 2024 // Harrisonburg, Virginia
Named one of “America’s Top-10 Gran Fondos,” the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo cycling event welcomes you to Harrisonburg, Virginia for an exciting weekend of community, challenging rides, and charitable impact.
NEW for 2024, the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo is a Gran Fondo National Series partner event. Riders participating in the Gran, Medio, and Piccolo routes can earn Gran Fondo National Series points. The event also serves as a qualifier for the 2025 Gran Fondo National Championship.
Registration Includes:
Participation in route/category of choice
Electronic timing
Gran Fondo National Series competition
Cancer Journeys Foundation Queen and King of the Mountains, Sprint competitions and winners’ jerseys
High-quality event t-shirt (must select size by September 1 to guarantee)
Access to fully-supported rest stations
Medical and safety support
Catered meal and drink at Finish Line Festival
First Beverage in Beer Garden (must be 21+)
Supplemental USA Cycling event insurance for license holders
Commemorative award for all finishers
Entry into participant raffle for items from Flow Formulas, Ergon, Industry Nine and more.
Start Line: Harrisonburg City Hall, 409 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Finish Line: Turner Pavilion, 228 S Liberty Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia
(Start and Finish Lines are in adjacent spaces, within sight of each other.)
Event Start: 8AM
Parking: Free
Spectators and family members can purchase Finish Line Festival Meals in advance only, with participant registration or as unique transactions.
Permit/Insurance: Alpine Loop Gran Fondo is a USA Cycling permitted and insured event, though participants are not required to have a USA Cycling license to participate. USA Cycling members have access to additional supplemental event insurance in case of accident.
Category Change / Transfers: Participants can change their entry to another route or transfer to another person for the 2024 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. (Cutoff date for these options to-be-announced.) No deferrals to future year events.
Refunds: Event operates with a general “no refunds” policy. Registrants are encouraged to purchase event insurance during the checkout process. This insurance will reimburse entry fees for many qualifying reasons, including illness, injury, family medical, vehicle breakdown, military service, jury duty, and more.
Rain Date/Cancellation: No rain date. If the event is forced to cancel because of inclement weather, an unsafe venue, power failure, or a natural disaster, all participants will be refunded their entry fees.
More About the Event
The Alpine Loop was named after the glorious mountain top meadows, winding climbs and hillside farms reminiscent of Austrian, German and Swiss settings. This magnificent scenery is the backdrop for the most challenging and adventurous Gran Fondo in the United States. The route begins in Harrisonburg, Virginia and covers approximately 110 miles featuring approximately 10,000 feet of climbing, including the steep unpaved challenge of Fultz Gap. The Alpine Loop route is not recommended for riders who are aiming to complete their first “century” ride or those who do not have prior experience riding on unpaved roads or major mountain descents.
A Challenging Route for All Riders
The Shenandoah Mountain Century, Shenandoah Mountain Adventure, Mount Solon Metric Century, and Valley View Challenge routes encourage and challenge cyclists of all abilities to join in the festivities of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. These courses showcase the idyllic scenery that makes Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, Virginia and Pendleton County, West Virginia famed riding destinations.
Not sure which ride is for you? Visit AlpineLoopGranFondo.com/routes to learn more, including any changes in store for the 2024 event.
U23 Entries The 2024 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo will provide free entries for twenty three U23 participants. The purpose is to lower the barrier for young riders to have a chance to earn GFNS points and qualify for the 2025 Gran Fondo National Championship. U23 riders can e-mail Contact@AlpineLoopGranFondo.com to receive an entry code.
Downtown Harrisonburg, at the heart of “The Cycling Capital” of Virginia, is a great setting for family fun. The parade-style start of the Gran Fondo takes place on the historic Main Street. One block from the venue, you’ll find art galleries, clothing boutiques and specialty shops; and you’ll be at the center of Virginia’s first Culinary District where restaurants, breweries, and cafes abound.
Charitable Mission: Benefiting the Community
The Alpine Loop Gran Fondo provides the opportunity and inspiration for individuals and teams to take on great challenges in support of worthy causes. The event promotes and provide resources for charitable, educational, recreational and civic-minded purposes, including funding the construction of shared use trails and alternative transportation routes from Harrisonburg schools to surrounding neighborhoods, urban centers and outdoor recreation opportunities; and promoting cycling as a means to better the health and wellness, safety, and sustainability of the community. Participants have the option to take advantage of a personalized PledgeReg fundraising page to raise additional funds in support of the charitable mission of the event. Fundraising is optional. All participants who raise* $100 or more will be invited to a special Saturday shake out spin in advance of the event.
Event-wide field limit in effect. Previous editions of this event have filled in advance.
There is no on-site registration for this event.