Features

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

 

Registrants for the 2017 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo are passionate in their support for the charitable mission of the event. The 2017 Supporter’s List is updated to include the following participants who have made additional contributions as individuals. Thanks to the following:

Champions of the Gran Fondo
Michael Bell
Jameson Cahill
Jorg Decressin
Andrew Huggins
GMike Rodgers
Michael L. Smith

Gran Fondo Supporters
Craig Beaumont
Steve Boward
Eddie Bumbaugh
Ed Edmundson
Adrian Halme
Christopher Peak
Grant Parker
Garrie Rouse
Michael L. Smith
Michael Zymowski

Friends of the Gran Fondo
Paul Allen
Steve Cook
Andrew Cowan
Wade Craig
Joseph Creed
Joseph Dugan
Jane Gray
Brian Howell
George Komatsoulis
John Lowell
Jeff Marco
Donna Markey
John McCann
Matt Parker
John Phifer
Luis Prudencio
Marc Quintyn
Allon Shiff
Cees van de Mortel

Outstanding Participants
Jose Cervera
James Chapman
Daniel Combs
Brandon Corbin
Giovanni Daniele
William Donahoe
Andrew Erwin
Norman Field
Timothy Fleming
Matthew Freund
Keith Hagg
Mary Haley
Lee Hemming
Dennis Houmard
David Ingels
Christopher Izenour
David Jiang
Drew Kolbeck
Eric Kreinar
Jerome Lard
Michael Lidik
Jeffrey Luker
John Maguire
Christopher McChesney
Sean McLaughlin
Paul McNutt
Catherine Mitchell
Clark Mitchell
Richard Morton
Skip Nelson
Major Nelson
Marc Quintyn
David Rattigan
James Roaf
Andrew Robson
Nikolas Rogers
Jacob Rykken
David Safford
Brian Sweeney
Cees van de Mortel
Dennis Wasitis
George Weightman
Tony Whetham
Roger Wilcoxen
Pete Wolfe
LC Yarnelle

Those who gave to the Gran Fondo Scholarship Fund
Steve Corbeille
Joseph Creed
Ed Edmundson
Alban Gaultier
John Maguire
Jon Markiewicz
John McCann
Joanne Neukirchen
Luis Prudencio
Allen St. Jean
Robert St. Jean
Michael L. Smith
Brian Sweeney
Marc Tremblay

and all who participated in the 2017 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo.

Special thanks to those donors who contributed to the fundraising efforts of participants via the PledgeReg fundraising channels in support of the charitable mission of the event. Click on the following links to view PledgeReg fundraising totals and contributors:

The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project,

Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition, and

Build Our Park

Learn more about the charitable mission of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo.