Dirt, Tires, Gears
All participants should arrive to the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo with bikes in adventure-ready condition; a pre-event tune-up and fresh tires and tubes are encouraged. If you’ll use electronic shifting, come fully charged. If you have ultra-specific equipment, come prepared with what you will need to replace or repair. All riders should carry a least one (preferably, two) spare tubes, a pump, a multi-tool, and any other necessities. While we are talking packing pockets, riders should also start with enough food and water to fuel you to your first rest station. For further route-specific info, read on.
The Shenandoah Mountain Adventure and Shenandoah Mountain Century, and Mt Solon Metric Century and the Valley View Challenge routes take place on entirely paved surfaces. We’ve recently revised the routes to eliminate all unpaved surfaces – while preserving the country lanes and riverside roads. These riders won’t need any event-specific equipment to prepare for the road surfaces.
Riders in the Shenandoah Mountain Adventure and Shenandoah Mountain Century routes will want to be prepared with appropriate gearing for the smooth, paved mountain climbs.
The Alpine Loop is a completely different challenge and will return to its roots for the ninth edition. Throughout its approximately 110 miles, the Alpine Loop route features about 10,000 feet of climbing including the smooth paved climb on Virginia Route 33 and some incredible mountainous dirt roads. In all, be prepared for about 11 miles of rugged, unpaved rolling to steep mountain roads.
Alpine Loop riders are tested by Fultz Gap Road; three gritty miles with 1,600 feet of elevation gain.
The Alpine Loop’s major dirt section is up West Virginia’s Fultz Gap Road, where the pitches are the day’s steepest over the course of three amazing miles and 1,600-feet of elevation gain. Fultz Gap Road is a county road that is maintained for vehicles and includes a mix of primarily dirt with some well-worn-in gravel. The summit opens up to an unexpected mountain-top meadow.
When you cross this special threshold atop Fultz Gap, West Virginia seems to fade into Switzerland.
Further along the route, from miles 54-70, Alpine Loop riders will be treated to an incredible all-new section of the course incorporated for the first time in 2018. This addition was well received by new and returning riders alike. A careful look at the course profile will show you that there is a nice little climb hidden in these new miles. Road surfaces will vary from paved to gravel and dirt country backroads. Here you’ll be treated to some amazing sights and wind your way along the Brushy Fork and Blackthorn Creek.
The dirt climbs are what make the Alpine Loop the unique challenge that it is. If you talk with previous years finishers, you’re sure to hear amazing stories of how they tested their limits, cursed the mountain, rose to the challenge, forged new friendships and made some of their best memories right here on the dirt of the Alpine Loop.
To ready for the challenge of the Alpine Loop we recommend that you prepare not only your legs, but your bicycle too:
Get ready to roll over a variety of surfaces on the Alpine Loop
Our tire recommendations include (but are not limited to): Continental Gatorsins, Schwalbe Double Defense and Maxxis Re-Fuse. When you’re selecting tires, be sure to talk it over with your usual mechanics at your local bicycle shop – they know you and your bike well, and can help make your selection simpler. You can also read “Under Pressure: Tire Tech from the Paris Roubaix.” The article gives a glimpse into rigors of tire selection and air pressure – even for the pro teams.
Gearing
Easy gearing is a must for the Alpine Loop. A compact, triple or a very large cassette will do the trick.
The challenge is a reward in itself – but wait until you see the views at the top!
Other Equipment – Regulations
For complete equipment regulations that all riders must comply with based on the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo’s permit and insurance policy, visit the “Equipment” page.
