2020 Preliminary Results: KOM/QOM, Overall Elevation, Sprint Contests

Data-based results were posted on the morning of September 28 and were considered preliminary through midnight Tuesday, September 29. No protests were received, but following further examination, a technical concern was brought to our attention on October 2. Based on this insight, the Zwift segment-based (EPIC KOM and Fuego Flats Foward) data is again being considered preliminary and a decision about how to proceed has been announced. Updated segement-based results (EPIC KOM and Fuego Flats Forward) below will again be considered preliminary with the new protest period ending October 8 at midnight. Final results will be awarded October 9.

King and Queen of the Mountains titles to be awarded through outstanding selections and honorary distinction are not yet included on this page and will be published by Friday, October 9.  All data-based and outstanding and honorary KOM and QOM winners will recognized on Friday, October 9.

(Where applicable, Jeremiah Bishop’s data has been removed from these contests.)

Prostate Cancer Awareness Project King of the Mountains – Overall Elevation Gain
#MyGranFondo Challenge Strava Club-Based,
Week of September 21-27, 2020
1st – Jeremy Bartley 29,099ft
2nd – Colin Gay 25,063ft
3rd – Pete Czapiewski 19,002ft

Prostate Cancer Awareness Project Queen of the Mountains – Overall Elevation Gain
#MyGranFondo Challenge Strava Club-Based
Week of September 21-27, 2020
1st – Erin Bartley: 20,396ft
2nd – Elizabeth Ginexi: 17,395ft
3rd – Amanda Hamlet: 14,645ft

Prostate Cancer Awareness Project – King of the Mountains Contest
#MyGranFondo Challenge Strava Club-Based
EPIC KOM (Zwift Insider Verified), Qualifying Period of September 19-27, 2020, by age group:

25-29
1st – Brook Ballard: 21:55 on 9/21
30-34
1st -Andrew Stringer: 20:37 on 9/23
2nd – Phil Lekavich: 20:43 on 9/25
35-39
1st – Lukas Sakowicz: 28:57 on 9/25
50-54
1st – Eric Fletcher: 25:39 on 9/19

Prostate Cancer Awareness Project – Queen of the Mountains Contest
#MyGranFondo Challenge Strava Club-Based
EPIC KOM (Zwift Insider Verified), Qualifying Period of September 19-27, 2020, by age group:

30-34
Amanda Hamlet: 25:00 on 9/23

Prostate Cancer Awareness Project – Sprint Contest
#MyGranFondo Challenge Strava Club-Based
Fuego Flats Forward, Qualifying Period of September 19-27, 2020

1st Female – Amanda Hamlet: 36s on 9/25

1st Male – Phil Lekavich: 33s on 9/27
2nd Male – Mike Mason: 37s on 9/24
3rd Male – Kevin Brownstein 55s on 9/24

The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project King and Queen of the Mountains Contests and Sprint Competition were open only to registered participants of the 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge. (Complete details about these contests were published in this announcement. To qualify for the Zwift and Strava-based contests, participants needed to join the #MyGranFondo Strava Club and complete the required segments during the qualification time periods stated.)

If you are a registered participant and believe there is an error or omission in these results, please bring that to our attention by e-mailing Contact@AlpineLoopGranFondo by midnight October 8. These contests are being executed in new ways for the 2020 event, and we appreciate your cooperation if we’ve encountered any technical inconsistencies in examining the data. Thank you!

“See” You on the Road!

A thank you from Cancer Journeys Foundation and The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project founder Robert Hess to all who are joining in the 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge. Your participation is significant to spreading awareness about prostate cancer screening and early detection. Visit ProstateTracker.org to get your free and anonymous account and share this opportunity with others.

Unboxing Gran Fondo Goodies

Cancer Journeys Foundation president and The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project founder Robert Hess is sharing in the excitement of the #MyGranFondo Challenge from his home in Los Angeles, California where he’s unboxing his Gran Fondo goodie box.

Participants, as you set out on your #MyGranFondo adventures this weekend, continue to share photos and videos of your experience using the tag #MyGranFondo and tag @CancerJourneys and @JBsGranFondo on Facebook and Instagram.

Was there something in your Gran Fondo support box that you were especially excited to see? Did something come in extra handy when you needed it most? Share those stories! It’s inspiring to stay connected and celebrate your adventures.

Rolling Toward the Weekend, Sharing Your Story, and Virtual Ways to Connect

Get pumped for this weekend’s weather forecast! Throughout the region, it looks like Mother Nature will be setting a great stage for your big adventures.

Many participants have been training for a route that’s meaningful to them. It’s been inspiring to learn about what you have planned and share in your stories. The #MyGranFondo Strava Club has been an engaging new way for participants to come together, inspire and encourage one another. If you’re participating in the 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge and have yet to join the Club, it’s not too late to share in the opportunity.

If you’re still plotting an adventure for your #MyGranFondo Challenge, check out the collection of routes compiled by Jeremiah Bishop and other Alpine Loop Gran Fondo ambassadors across the country. All 2020 routes are unsupported and you are encouraged to make the safest choices given your location and unique circumstances.

The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project King and Queen of the Mountains and Sprint contests continue throughout the weekend. Participants’ efforts have been impressive! There have been massive suffer scores, hundreds of PRs, and quite a few new crowns among the activities. We’re cheering for all participants and look forward to awarding winners’ jerseys next week.

Friday, September 25, at 6:30PM Jeremiah will go live on Instagram for a happy hour-style weekend kickoff. Look for some familiar Gran Fondo faces to join him and share some special stories. Throughout the day on Saturday, September 26, he will share his Instagram story of the Alpine Loop to inspire others to similarly tell the story of what motivates and inspires their big rides.

Throughout your lead-up and preparations, big ride, and afterwards, please share your story. When participants use the hashtag #MyGranFondo and tag @JBsGranFondo, @AlpineLoopGranFondo, and @CancerJourneys on Facebook and Instagram, their stories will be shared and their achievements celebrated – including possible use in the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project video.

On Sunday morning at 8AM, virtual start line sendoff’s will be shared on Facebook and Instagram. At 6PM Jeremiah will again go live for a toast and ceremonial ringing of giant Swiss Glocken on behalf of all 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo participants.

It looks to be an adventurous weekend, wherever your inspiration takes you!

A Message From Robert Hess

Cancer Journeys Foundation CEO Robert Hess has a message to the riders participating in the virtual 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge for prostate cancer awareness.

Participants, Claim Your Ridge Supply Socks

Fresh from Ridge Supply, The Alpine – Loop 10 edition celebrates the 10th anniversary of the event and your #MyGranFondo Challenge. Included with your entry, all participants receive one pair of this custom design shipped direct.

Details about how to claim your complimentary pair of this Alpine edition were sent to all participants via e-mail titled “Your Gran Fondo Challenge, Contests and How To’s” on September 16. Look for that info and claim your pair today.

2020 King and Queen of the Mountains, Sprint Contests

Looking for results? Find them here.

The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project King and Queen of the Mountains & Sprint Contests
For Registered Participants: How To Compete

One of the many things we love about the Gran Fondo is The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project King and Queen of the Mountains contest. It’s a fun way to unleash competitive energy while still enjoying the camaraderie of an adventurous day in the saddle.

This year, the contest looks a little different, but its competitive and encouraging spirit remains, and 32 beautiful winners jerseys will be awarded!

The goals of the contest are to encourage participants to strive for fitness goals, foster some friendly competition, and offer the great reward of winners’ jerseys that highlight the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project. We’ve always aimed to execute this contest in the fairest way possible. As 2020 has brought many changes, we recognize that everyone is not able to access all technology in the same way. With that consideration in mind, the PCAP will also award jerseys in ways that anyone can participate.

The following are ways participants can join in for chances to earn a Prostate Cancer Awareness Project King or Queen of the Mountains jersey:

Time-Based Age-Group King and Queen of the Mountains
Using Zwift
Compete for your age group* KOM/QOM by summiting EPIC KOM Virtual Ride Segment Temotu Province, Solomon Islands. You can make as many attempts as you like. Results will be based on your best time achieved on or between September 19th through 27th, 2020. Summits made outside of this date range will not qualify to win leaders jerseys. Results will be determined on September 28. Your activity must be shared on Strava on or by September 27 to be considered, and you must be a member of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge Strava Club to appear on the leaderboards from which participants will be identified. You do not need a premium Strava account to participate. The premium leaderboard feature is accessible to the event organizer.

Honorary King and Queen of the Mountains Contest
Using Strava
For those participants who are not able to access Zwift – simply share a Strava activity where you claim a KOM or set a new PR on any ride and any segment on or between September 19th through the 27th, 2020. To alert us of your activity, tag fellow Club member E Bishop, with a mention like “check out my KOM/QOM ride” in a comment below your activity. Your activity will have been noted once you see that E Bishop has left a check mark emoji comment in reply. Any age groups which have no qualifying winners based on the previous Zwift/Strava method, will be awarded a King or Queen of the Mountains jerseys by an outstanding selection or drawing from among those who have participated this way.

Honorary King and Queen of the Mountains Contest
Using E-mail
Are your rides free from technology? Send an e-mail to Miles@AlpineLoopGranFondo.com with an anecdote, brief story, and/or photo of you taking on a climb of any type on or between September 19th through 27th, 2020. We’ll celebrate these stories and your achievements. An outstanding selection or random drawing among these submissions will award one King of the Mountains and one Queen of the Mountains jersey. Any age groups which have no qualifying winners based on the previous two methods, will be awarded King and Queen of the Mountains jerseys by random drawing from among those in that age group who have sent an entry via e-mail.

Athletes can participate in the King and Queen of the Mountains contest through any/all of these methods. Individuals can win only one jersey.

For 2020, two additional contests will be awarded:

The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project King and Queen of the Mountains Jersey: Overall Elevation Gain
Using Strava
Relying on the 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo Club Leaderboard to recognize the overall male and female athletes with the most Elevation Gain during the week of September 21-27th.

This is an overall contest and will not be subdivided by age group. Results will be based on athlete’s Elevation Gain achieved with activities on or between September 21st through 27th, 2020. Results will be determined on September 28. Your activity must be shared on Strava on or by September 27 to be considered, and you must be a member of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge Strava Club to appear on the age group leaderboards from which participants will be identified. You do not need a premium Strava account to participate.

The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project Sprint Jersey
Zwift / Strava-based

All-new for 2020, the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge will award Prostate Cancer Awareness Project Sprint Jerseys to overall male and female winners. Compete for the Sprint Jersey by completing the Fuego Flats Forward Sprint Virtual Ride Segment Temotu Province, Solomon Islands.

This is an overall contest and will not be subdivided by age group. You can make as many attempts as you like. Results will be based on your best time achieved on or between September 19th through 27th, 2020. Attempts on this segment made outside of this date range will not qualify to win leaders jerseys. Results will be determined on September 28. Your activity must be shared on Strava on or by September 27 to be considered, and you must be a member of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge Strava Club to appear on the age group leaderboards from which participants will be identified. You do not need a premium Strava account to participate.

* Male and Female Age Groups: 0-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-59, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+

Please e-mail Contact@AlpineLoopGranFondo.com if you have any questions. These contests are being executed in new ways for the 2020 event and we appreciate your patience if we encounter any unforeseen challenges.

Good luck competing!

Your Miles Have Meaning

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and all month long members of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo community will work together with the goal of riding 33,000 miles in honor of the annual number of lives claimed by prostate cancer within the U.S.

Participants are invited to join the 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge Strava Club, where their miles will count toward this collaborative goal. Participants who do not use Strava can send their daily or weekly mileage tally to Miles@AlpineLoopGranFondo.com with their mileage in the subject line – it’s that simple.

Each week, participants will be given new challenges and added incentives.

The 33,000-mile Challenge spotlights the importance of screening and early detection in the fight against prostate cancer.

The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project (PCAP) was founded with the hope that no man experiences a post-metastasis prostate cancer diagnosis. One in every six men will develop prostate cancer, but simple blood tests allow for early detection. The PCAP encourages all men to have these tests, and personally track their annual results, as part of an annual physical exam and consultations with their doctor.

To support this effort, PCAP has developed ProstateTracker.org a free PSA-tracking tool to monitor changes in PSA levels over time. Get a free account at ProstateTracker.org, and share this opportunity with men in your life. Share this opportunity with 6 men and it’s likely that you will save a life.

2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo participants are fundraising for the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project. To support these efforts, visit PledgeReg.com/GranFondo where you can contribute to an individual fundraiser or the event-wide goal.

cancer-journeys-fdn-pcap-2

#MyGranFondo Challenge

Propelled by the Cancer Journeys Foundation motto #NeverGiveUp, the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo community is taking on a huge late-season goal to motivate and inspire while staying connected and enjoying the camaraderie of shared adventure in support of meaningful causes.

The 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo has been transformed by necessity into a combination of decentralized real-world challenges and virtual competitions under the banner of the 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge. The Challenge invites you to share your inspiration, set a big goal, and make the challenge your very own.

On September 27, we will share in the adventure of decentralized real world rides. In advance, we will offer several suggested routes easily and safely accessible from areas where Alpine Loop Gran Fondo participants reside, as well as offering guidance from Jeremiah Bishop about how to create your own incredible routes.

Throughout the month of September we aim to collectively ride 33,000 miles in honor of the 33,000 lives annually claimed by prostate cancer in the U.S.

The Cancer Journeys Foundation will award jerseys to King and Queen of the Mountains Contest age group winners and Sprint Leaders based on virtual challenges that will be ongoing throughout September.

The option to fundraise in support of the Cancer Journeys Foundation – The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project will continue with new incentives recently added and inspired by the #MyGranFondo Challenge adaptation.

When you sign up, you’ll get a 10-week Gran Fondo training plan from Jeremiah Bishop, support from Bishop Training coaches through weekly virtual and real-world challenges, and access to the Strava #MyGranFondo Club where you can engage with coaches and other athletes.

All registrants will receive an event-week #MyGranFondo supply box shipped to them with products to fuel, support, and celebrate your Gran Fondo.

With your registration, you’ll receive:

  • 10-Week Gran Fondo Training Plan
  • Weekly Virtual and Real World Club Challenges
  • Access to Strava #MyGranFondo Club
  • Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Event T-Shirt
  • Ridge Supply #MyGranFondo Edition Socks
  • Cancer Journeys Foundation Cooling Neck Band
  • Sports Nutrition Products
  • Cutaway USA #MyGranFondo Edition Neck Gaiter
  • Personalized #MyGranFondo Commemorative Event Bib
  • Participant Medal on 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Ribbon
  • Personalized Fundraising Portal
  • Fun Surprises and Other Special Incentives

Technical details about submitting data toward the collaborative goals, one-day challenge, KOM/QOM and sprint compeitions will be published at AlpineLoopGranFondo.com and e-mailed to participants in August.

As all editions of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo, the 2020 #MyGranFondo Challenge will support meaningful beneficiaries. The Cancer Journeys Foundation – Prostate Cancer Awareness Project inspires with the #NeverGiveUp motivation to propel us through 2020. Participants are invited to join in the optional opportunity to fundraise in support of the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project and spread the message of the significance of screening and early detection. A personalized fundraising portal will be created for you upon registration.

A portion of all 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo entries will support:

  • Cancer Journeys Foundation – The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project
  • Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition
  • Our Community Place
  • Richmond Cycling Corps
  • Build Our Park

For more information about the charitable mission of the event, visit AlpineLoopGranFondo.com/mission.

Registration is open to a very limited number of additional participants through August 31.

An Update: 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo

#NeverGiveUp
An Update on the 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo

We’ve been quiet on the event social channels over the past couple of weeks as we’ve navigated the challenges of ongoing circumstances impacting events. During this time, our event director has been communicating with local permit holders and other leaders; event partners and volunteer representatives; and learning about national, state, and local-level guidance and regulations. Our insurance provider and permit holders’ risk-assessment tools make it very clear that the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo, in its traditional sense, is a high-risk situation given the ongoing pandemic.

The event currently represents registrants from 18 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and Canada, about half of whom are athletes over the age of 51, and including an inspiring cancer-battling and survivors community. While we want nothing more than to be together, we cannot risk the health of participants, volunteers, and the communities who host us.

Despite so much uncertainty in the world, some things are clear.

We are committed to the event and inspired to bring this great community together. Now, more than ever, we want to provide goals and challenges that will connect you, motivate, and inspire. We crave shared experiences and the camaraderie of big adventure. We want to support you and celebrate your victories. We want to reignite our conversations and engagement, to offer encouragement and share in your success. We have an outstanding group of partners committed to the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. We want to use our actions to support causes that offer meaningful benefits to those they serve.

With this clarity and renewed purpose, and inspired by the Cancer Journeys Foundation motto #NeverGiveUp, the 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo is being transformed into a combination of decentralized real-world challenges and virtual competitions under the banner of the 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge. This “my” is all about you.

Together the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo community can remain committed to our late-season cycling goals. We can stay motivated and inspired while remaining connected and enjoying the camaraderie of shared adventure in support of meaningful causes.

The 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge encourages you to share your inspiration, stay committed to your goal, and make the challenge your very own.

Through this challenge, there will be four areas of focus:

  • September 27th single-day #MyGranFondo cycling adventure
  • Collaborative month-long goal to ride 33,000 miles in September
  • The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project KOM/QOM & Sprint Contests
  • Support of the charitable mission

On September 27, we will share in the adventure of decentralized real world rides. In advance, we will offer several suggested routes easily and safely accessible from areas where Alpine Loop Gran Fondo participants reside, as well as offering guidance from Jeremiah about how to create your own incredible routes.

Throughout the month of September we will aim to collectively ride 33,000 miles in honor of the 33,000 lives annually claimed by prostate cancer in the U.S.

The Cancer Journeys Foundation will award jerseys to King and Queen of the Mountains Contest age group winners and Sprint Leaders based on virtual challenges that will be ongoing throughout September.

The option to fundraise in support of the Cancer Journeys Foundation – The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project will continue with new incentives recently added and inspired by the #MyGranFondo Challenge adaptation.

To support our athletes, the 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge will provide training plans and coaching advice, new ways to engages as a community with shared goals, engaging collaborative story-telling projects, and an event-week box filled with items to help support, fuel, and celebrate your adventure, including:

  • 10-Week Gran Fondo TrainingPeaks Training Plan by Jeremiah Bishop
  • Access to Strava Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Club
  • 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Event T-Shirt
  • Cutaway USA Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Edition Neck Gaiter
  • Ridge Supply 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Edition Socks
  • Cancer Journeys Foundation Cooling Neck Band
  • Partnered Sports Nutrition and Hydration Products
  • Personalized Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Commemorative Bib
  • Participant Medal on 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Ribbon
  • Fun Surprises and Other Special Incentives

Currently registered athletes have received communications to let them know what to expect. Event registration has temporarily been paused while the registration site is updated to reflected the necessary changes in store for the 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo.

In coming days the registration site will reopen to invite a limited number of new participants to join in. If you are interested in joining and would like to be contacted directly in advance, please e-mail Erin.

As all editions of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo, the 2020 #MyGranFondo Challenge supports meaningful beneficiaries.

The Cancer Journeys Foundation – Prostate Cancer Awareness Project inspires with the #NeverGiveUp motivation to propel us through 2020. Participants are invited to join in the optional opportunity to fundraise in support of the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project and spread the message of the significance of screening and early detection. Personalized fundraising portals are created for all registrants upon entry.

Contributions to the Gran Fondo Scholarship fund to increase participation among youth athletes will be redirected to the Richmond Cycling Corps to support their ongoing purpose. VIP Start Line and Additional Contributions will continue to support the charitable mission of the event, as designated. Start Line contributions will be recognized in new ways this year, and again at the start line of a future event. All contributions will be recognized in the 2020 Supporters List, and we will include these participants in special #MyGranFondo Challenge features.

Cutaway USA event jerseys are in production, with the option to purchase remaining open through July 22. These jerseys will be mailed with event-week boxes.

We hope the 2020 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo #MyGranFondo Challenge gives you renewed inspiration and motivates you through these unusual circumstances we are faced with.

We are excited to rise to this new challenge together.