Fundraising Nears 2018 Goal
With fundraising open until September 30, the 2018 fundraisers are only $900 away from reaching their collective goal in support of the charitable mission of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo.
Lead by the outstanding efforts of amazing fundraising teams and individuals, 2018 fundraising is already poised to have a major positive impact for the Cancer Journeys Foundation Prostate Cancer Awareness Project.
As we celebrate the progress toward the 2018 fundraising goal, you are invited to add your support by contributing toward an individual or fundraising team or directly toward the overall fundraising goal.
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and we invite men to take advantage of a FREE Prostate Tracker account offered by the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project. You can sign up and share this opportunity with all the men in your life. Prostate Tracker is an anonymous way to track changes in your PSA level over time and get reminders when it’s time for your next PSA screening.
Second Chance to Order Jerseys
The 2018 edition event jersey is our most popular collaboration with Cutaway USA yet!
If your size sold out in advance of the event, you can take advantage of a new opportunity to order one.
Did you want to complete one of the challenging routes of the Gran Fondo before you ordered your jersey? You’re in luck!
Orders are being accepted now through October 12, at www.BikeReg.com/Jersey
Can’t remember if you’ve already ordered your 2018 jersey? Search your inbox for a confirmation e-mail from BikeReg.com or e-mail Erin@AlpineLoopGranFondo.com.
Front Country Presented by The Myrias Group at Alpine Loop Gran Fondo
“In the bluegrass world, musicians tend to define themselves by their tradition and discipline. But Front Country is defined by its no-rules approach.” – NPR Music
Presented by The Myrias Group, Front Country will perform on the Hotel Appalachia Stage at the Finish Line Festival of the 2018 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. Listen to Front Country’s latest album Other Love Songs and get ready for their skillful, uniquely talented and energetic performance on September 30.
An acoustic band born in the land of tech innovation, Front Country was never going to be accepted as an authentic American roots band out of the gate. Cutting their teeth in progressive bluegrass jams in San Francisco’s Mission District and rehearsing in the East Bay, they learned to play roots music their own way, with the tools they had on hand. A mandolinist with a degree in composition and classical guitar. A guitarist trained in rock and world music. A bassist equally versed in jazz and bluegrass. A violinist with technique that could seamlessly hop between honky tonk and electropop. A female lead singer with grit and soul that was also a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. In a wood-paneled country dive bar in the shadow of the San Francisco skyline, Front Country forged a sound hell bent on merging the musical past with the future.
“Lead singer and songwriter for progressive bluegrass band Front Country, Melody Walker is an outspoken force.” – Paste
Front Country presented by The Myrias Group
Sunday, September 30
Hotel Appalachia Stage
2018 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo Finish Line Festival
Venue Noon, Show 4:00 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
Adam Roszkiewicz, Jeremy Darrow, Melody Walker, Jacob Groopman and Leif Karlstrom make up the modern bluegrass band Front Country
2018 Cancer Journeys KOM/QOM Contest
The Mountain is Always Queen (or King)
Cyclists riding the Valley View Challenge and Mt Solon Metric Century can try to clock their fastest times through the Mole Hill Timing Segment to earn the distinction of King and Queen of the Hill. Winners will be recognized on the podium and awarded a pair of The Alpine socks custom designed for the 2018 event by Ridge Supply.
Cyclists riding the Alpine Loop, Shenandoah Mountain Century and Shenandoah Mountain Adventure routes can compete for the Cancer Journeys Foundation Prostate Cancer Awareness Project King and Queen of the Mountains titles and jerseys. Full details follow:
Cancer Journeys Foundation Prostate Cancer Awareness Project KOM Jerseys will be awarded to men’s and women’s winners in 5-year age group categories.
NEW for 2018, Shenandoah Mountain Century and Shenandoah Mountain Adventure riders will compete against each other as they tackle three KOM segments on course: the paved climb up Virginia Route 33 on Shenandoah Mountain, the paved climb up Reddish Knob Road from Sugar Grove, and the paved climb on Mole Hill. To view the timing segments on course, view the route maps.
NEW for 2018, Alpine Loop riders will face four KOM segments on course. The first KOM segment is up the paved climb up Virginia Route 33 on Shenandoah Mountain. The second KOM segment is on the infamous climb up Fultz Gap. The third KOM segment is on the climb up Reddish Knob Road from Sugar Grove. The fourth and final KOM segment is on Mole Hill. To view the timing segments on course, view the route maps.
Male and female participants can team up to compete in the Cancer Journeys Foundation Couples Conquer the Mountain KOM Contest; a KOM competition in which the male/female pair with the lowest combined time on three of the KOM segments will win. Participants can be riders in the Shenandoah Mountain Adventure, Shenandoah Mountain Century and/or the Alpine Loop routes – in any combination. This contest is inspired by the Cancer Journeys Foundation Couples Conquering Cancer initiative that highlights the importance of men and women teaming up through lifestyle, diet and screening for cancer prevention.
The KOM Start/Finish Points will be indicated on the route maps, and published in the race manual on or before September 1, 2018. Exact locations will be subject to re-positioning – only slightly and to suit the needs of timing equipment on the course.
KOM Start and Finish locations will be designated on course by “KOM Start” and “KOM Finish” signs.
Electronic chip timing for KOM segments is provided by Mid-Atlantic Timing. All riders will wear electronic timing chip bands. These will be distributed at the start and reclaimed at the finish line. Bib numbers will be worn on riders’ bodies. Your number is important for event timing, to help identify your location on course, and for emergency purposes.
Click here for more information about the routes.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Project KOM and QOM podium ceremonies will take place at the Finish Line Festival according to the following schedule, approximately:
4 p.m. – Shenandoah Mountain Adventure/Shenandoah Mountain Century KOM Ceremony
5:45 p.m. – Alpine Loop KOM Ceremony, Couples Conquer the Mountain Ceremony
Prostate Cancer Awareness Project President Robert Hess (right) awards PCAP KOM Jerseys at the Gran Fondo
Ridge Supply at 2018 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo
Ridge Supply will bring their stoke for cycling to the 2018 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo.
Ridge Supply has partnered with the event to create a custom version of the classic Alpine sock designed to complement the 2018 event jersey. The socks feature a high-vis, asymmetric color scheme. They will be awarded to the Cancer Journeys King and Queen of the Mountain contest 5-year age group winners, and available for purchase along with a full selection of Ridge Supply cycling apparel. You can visit the Ridge Supply booth at packet pickup and the Finish Line Festival.
Ridge Supply founder, Matt Hawkins, will join in the event – taking on the challenge of the Alpine Loop route.
