News – Page 2 – Alpine Loop Gran Fondo // Harrisonburg, Virginia

Loopie Partners with 2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo

Commemorate Your Cycling Achievement with Personalized Printed Artwork

Cyclists can celebrate their completion of the 2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo with a personalized Loopie print – a beautiful and lasting reminder of a great day on the bike.

A Loopie is an accurate but artistic representation of your ride, including mapping, elevation, distance and speed. Combining the aesthetics of fine art with elegant data visualization, the result is a personal and permanent reminder of an epic ride.

Loopie uses GPS data to create beautiful and personalized printed artwork. Each print is an accurate but artistic visualization of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo cycling route of choice, with data that is unique to each cyclist.

Loopies highlight the major climbs and locations along the routes of the Gran Fondo, including the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project KOM summits: featuring KOM times (personalized with “QOM” stamps for female participants). A personalized data set with individuals’ key ride information creates the ultimate reminder of a great day in the saddle.

Each Alpine Loop Gran Fondo Loopie is personalized with the cyclist’s name, finishing time, average speed and KOM/QOM times.

Light and dark versions of the print are available for each of the event’s five routes: Alpine Loop, Shenandoah Mountain Century, Shenandoah Mountain Adventure, Mt Solon Metric Century, and Valley View Challenge.

Sizes available: A3 (420mm x 297mm) and A2 (594mm x 420mm)
An additional 25mm is added to the border for framing and mounting purposes
Loopies are printed on thick, 320gsm fine art paper
Loopies come unframed and rolled in a protective art tube
Prints can take up to three weeks to receive from ordering
Prices start at $37.50 USD (30£)

The leading fundraising participant of the 2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo will be awarded a FREE Loopie. Learn more about fundraising incentives, here.

For more information, to see samples and place your custom order, visit www.LoopieRoute.com/alpineloop

Ridge Supply THE ALPINE LOOP GRAN FONDO

Ridge Supply has unveiled the official sock of Jeremiah Bishop’s 2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo: THE ALPINE LOOP GRAN FONDO in green and purple, a 6″ Single Cuff Aireator made in North Carolina. THE ALPINE LOOP GRAN FONDO socks are the perfect complement to the 2019 event jerseys by Cutaway USA.

The socks will be awarded to the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project King and Queen of the Mountain Contest 5-year age group winners, and available for purchase onsite along with a full selection of Ridge Supply cycling apparel. Visit the Ridge Supply booth at Alpine Loop Gran Fondo packet pickup and the Finish Line Festival, or shop Ridge Supply online.

Honeysuckle presented by The Myrias Group at the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo

Honeysuckle is a progressive folk act that blends older influences and traditional instrumentation with modern effects and inspiration.

Presented by The Myrias Group, Honeysuckle will perform on the Hotel Appalachia Stage at the Finish Line Festival of the 2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. Listen to Honeysuckle’s latest album Fire Starter and get ready for their performance on September 29.

Named Best Folk Artist at the 2018 Boston Music Awards, Honeysuckle is a progressive acoustic trio that blends traditional the instrumentation of bluegrass and folk with modern effects, beautiful songwriting, and masterful, intricate arrangements. Their distinct brand of baroque, elevated Americana has earned the Berklee alumni appearances at Lollapalooza, and Newport Folk Festival. Their new full-length album Fire Starter was released in June.

Comprised of Holly McGarry, Benjamin Burns, and Chris Bloniarz, this Boston based trio can frequently be found performing across the country, and playing alongside bands like Del and Dawg, The David Grisman Sextet, The Ballroom Thieves, Boy & Bear, Kitchen Dwellers, John Craigie and others.

Honeysuckle was chosen as a Converse Rubber Tracks artist, has recorded an Audiotree session, and performed at Lollapalooza, Mountain Jam, and Newport Folk Festival. They were named by NPR as one of the Top 10 bands of 2016 So Far, and in 2018 they received the honor of Best Folk Artist of the Year at the Boston Music Awards.

Honeysuckle presented by The Myrias Group
Sunday, September 29
Hotel Appalachia Stage
2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo Finish Line Festival
Venue Noon, Honeysuckle 4:15 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

Honeysuckle is comprised of Holly McGarry, Benjamin Burns, and Chris Bloniarz.

Fundraisers Invited to Ride – Special Spin Saturday, Sept. 28

Fundraising is an optional way that Alpine Loop Gran Fondo participants can support the charitable mission of the event. In 2019, participant fundraising supports the Cancer Journeys Foundation Prostate Cancer Awareness Project (PCAP). The mission of the PCAP is significantly increase the prostate cancer survivor rate by dramatically increasing the rate of early detection, with the objective that that no man experiences a surprise, post-metastasis prostate cancer diagnosis.

Alpine Loop Gran Fondo fundraising participants who raise* $100 or more toward the Cancer Journeys Foundation Prostate Cancer Awareness Project will be invited to join in a special pre-event spin lead by Alpine Loop Gran Fondo founder Jeremiah Bishop. Click here to view the complete list of fundraising incentives.

The ride will take place on Saturday, September 28 from 12-2 p.m. Road surfaces will be all-paved.

Invitations and more event details will be communicated with qualifying fundraisers in advance of the event. Fundraising continues through September 23.

To get started toward your fundraising goal, simply register for the 2019 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo at BikeReg.com/GranFondo and you will receive a customized fundraising page.

With your support, the charitable impact of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo will be greater than ever!

*Additional contributions, including VIP Start Line Recognition, made toward the charitable mission made with event registration will count toward $100 fundraising benchmark to join in this special event.

Thank you – 2018 Fundraisers, Supporters

Fundraising participants exceeded the 2018 fundraising goal in advance of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo and continued to rally support for the event’s charitable mission, taking fundraising to the next level!

Following are the names of participants who actively gathered contributions in support of the Cancer Journeys Foundation Prostate Cancer Awareness Project, listed in order of most funds raised:

Sarah Hynes
Mark Bates
GMike Rodgers
Selene Yeager
Brendan Stackpole
W. Paul Meehan
Michael Gnatek
General Donation
Robert Ketterlinus
Thomas Jacquemet
Gregory Rockett
Marc Tremblay
Jonathan Leavitt
Brook Ballard
Taylor Abraham
Brent Bykowski
Joe Kumer
Eben Block
Adam Steinman
Dusty Barr
Lisa Barr
Earl Smith
Augustus Mealor
Pablo Bachelet
Peter Dattels
Jeff Marco
James Cardona
Paul Allen
Brian Howell
David Duvall
David Ingels
Chris Hardee
Brian Sweeney
Patrick Timoney
Arthur Lechtman
Consuelo Bachelet
Theodore Jones
Robert Birdsey

Alpine Loop Gran Fondo participants also showed their support for the charitable mission of the event, by making additional contributions along with their registrations into the event. For these contributions, thanks to the following:

Champions of the Gran Fondo
Barry Sherry
Jeremiah Bishop
Michael Jay Borza
Matt Hawkins
Marc Tremblay
Jameson Cahill
GMike Rodgers
Jorg Decressin
Robert Hess

Gran Fondo Supporters
Matt Parker
Donald Deeds
Michael Zymowski
Craig Beaumont
Eddie Bumbaugh
John Lowell
Adrian Halme
Jane Gray
John Phifer

Friends of the Gran Fondo
Jim Duncan
Allon Shiff
Lynne Blake-Hedges
Bradley Vinz
Michael Joyce
Michael Lidik
Joe Kumer
Richard Stevenson
Jeff Rommel
John McCann
Ken West
Chris Hardee
Paul Allen
Max Huffman
David Duvall
Simon Ritchie
Michael Basgier
Dane Petersen
Erik Keith

Outstanding Participants
Henry Monti
Brent Bykowski
Joan Wicks
Philip Koenig
Jason Eversole
Douglas Schutte
James Harvey
Kate Hoof
John Maguire
Evan Papageorgiou
Julian Macovei
Anja Decressin
Conrad Decressin
Frank Giresi
Robert Newman
William Donahoe
Marc Siegel
Palo Mojto
Giles Howson
Nicholas Satriano
Sean Mclaughlin
Marta Chaffee
Philip Rosenberg
LC Yarnelle
David Safford
Carl Erickson
Ed Edmundson
Todd Kinkead
Bill Aspinwall
Barbra Wehrle
Clay Perfall
Peter Dula
Gretchen Sallah
Christopher Moschella
Tyler Hemmerich
Gustavo Pecunia
Dennis Houmard
Kevin Lavin
Brandon Corbin
Steven Barnett
Dan Combs
Maddie Matarazzo
Joseph Cloud
Jerry Smith
Craig Burow
Dusty Barr
Lisa Barr
Alexander Berezner
Rick Bartlett
Donald Stevenson
Rebecca Kebberly
John Workman
Jonathan Leavitt
Brook Ballard
clark Mitchell
Phil Falconer
Lee Bock
Jon Kemp
Todd Erickson
Jack Ketterlinus
Robert Ketterlinus
Jacob Rykken
Jonathan McClure
Lary Neron
Athena Moundalexis

Those who gave to the Gran Fondo Scholarship Fund, supporting reduced entries for 27 college, high school, and youth cyclists in 2018:
Brian Sweeney
Matthew Freund
Jeff Marco
Nicholas Satriano
David Robinson
Marta Chaffee
LC Yarnelle
Ed Edmundson
Misha O’Hanlan
Peter Dula
Gretchen Sallah
Chris Danaceau
Marc Tremblay
John Maguire
Chris Hardee
George Ganoung
John McCann
Augustus Mealor
Michael Zymowski

Thanks to all who participated in or volunteered with the 2018 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo.

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

2018 Sponsors – Thank You

The 2018 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo was made possible by outstanding support from the following event sponsors. Please join us in giving thanks to these important partners and stay connected with them in the future.

Cancer Journeys Foundation – The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project
Porsche of Charlottesville
Brothers Craft Brewing
US Foods
Bishop Training
The Myrias Group
Hotel Madison
Ridge Supply
Cutaway USA
Chestnut Ridge Coffee Roasters

Advantage Physical Therapy
Black Sheep Coffee
Bluestone Bike & Run
Briery Branch Community Center
Chanello’s Pizza
Coca Cola
The Frazier Quarry
Front Country
Hall Home Events
Hank’s Grille & Bar
Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance
Heritage Bakery and Cafe
Honey Baked Ham Cafe
Honey Stinger
Hotel Appalachia Recording Studio
Outbound
Raw Revolution
Rocktown Bicycles
Shenandoah Bicycle Company
Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition
Shen-Rock Bike Team
South Fork Volunteer Fire Department
Tradeshow Direct
Wyse Cycles

With additional thanks to the following groups for providing volunteer support for the event:

Bluestone Bike & Run
Bluestone Elementary School Community of Helping Hands
JMU Cheerleading
JMU Cycling Team
Shenandoah Bicycle Company
Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition
Shen-Rock Bike Team
Staunton Harrisonburg Organization of Religious Temple Youth
W.H. Keister Elementary School PTO

Countless other individual volunteers support the Gran Fondo; on event day, in the weeks leading up, and all throughout the year. For their help, we are immensely grateful.
Thanks to everyone who shares in creating the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo.

Advantage Physical Therapy at Finish Line Festival

Advantage Physical Therapy will be at the Finish Line Festival of the 2018 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo to provide on-site stretching and manual therapy techniques to assist recovery for participants. If you have tight muscles or tired joints following your big ride, head to the Advantage Physical Therapy tents where physical therapists and athletic trainers will ready to help.

As a long-time supporter of the charitable mission of the event, Advantage Physical Therapy will donate all tips or money collected for their services directly back to the cause.

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.

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

Cycling Event Entries, Festival Music Lover and Meal Tickets on Sale NOW: www.BikeReg.com/GranFondo

2018 Host Hotel

Now open in the heart of Harrisonburg, the new Hotel Madison and Shenandoah Valley Conference Center will serve as the host hotel for the 2018 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo.

Gran Fondo participants will be invited to take advantage of very special pricing being offered by Hotel Madison just for the occasion:
Deluxe Double Queen Rooms: $159/night Friday/Saturday, $118 Sunday
Deluxe King Rooms: $169/night Friday/Saturday, $128 Sunday
(The rates offered to Alpine Loop Gran Fondo guests are reduced from regular the $229/night average fall weekend rate.)

Guests can book directly by following this link, using the Group Code SALGF18928, or calling the hotel and mentioning the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo group name. Guests who will stay beyond the dates of September 29 – October 1 are encouraged to call to book directly.

Hotel Madison features a blend a sophisticated style and relaxing comfort. Featuring rooms with mountain and downtown views, a farm-to-table restaurant, and a location that can’t be beat, Hotel Madison will be the perfect lodging selection for those coming to Harrisonburg to enjoy the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. The hotel offers an upscale experience, rustic elegance, and the convenience to access the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo like never before – including some special event activities that will be hosted within the hotel’s adjacent conference center ballroom.

Alpine Loop Gran Fondo event director Erin Bishop says she has looked forward to the partnership with Hotel Madison for many years. “Having an upscale hotel, which can accommodate a large number of our event participants as guests, right here in the heart of Harrisonburg is going to add to the authenticity and experience of the Gran Fondo for those who are traveling to the area for the adventure,” she says. “The event is an extension of our family and what we love; we invite people here to share in the Gran Fondo and to get a taste of what Harrisonburg and our cycling community are really like.”

From Hotel Madison, Bishop says “cyclists will be able to roll right out of the front doors and onto Main Street just a couple of blocks away from the Gran Fondo’s start/finish venue. I think Hotel Madison will be especially loved by our participants’ family members and other guests,” she adds. “Our family often travels to cycling events, and it is always delightful to stay in location that is both comfortable and conveniently located. Hotel Madison is just a stroll away from the event, and this year I think we will see an increase in the number of families who choose to make a weekend adventure out of the Gran Fondo,” she says. “It’s great to be able to make these meaningful connections to our community.”

The 2018 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo is September 30. For more information, visit www.AlpineLoopGranFondo.com