Performance Bicycle Blog: Questions with JB Before the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo

The team from Performance Bicycle HQ regularly takes part in the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. This year, in advance of the event they sat down with Jeremiah to get the inside scoop; what to ride, how to train and what to expect?

“When it comes to a big goal event to aim for during the year, you can’t do much better than a gran fondo. A term imported from Europe, gran fondos are big organized rides in scenic locations, that feature a few timed sections, usually climbs, thrown in to keep things interesting. Luckily for us, one of the toughest, and most beautiful, gran fondos in the US is just a few hours north from our home office, up in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The Alpine Loop Gran Fondo was founded by multiple-time mountain bike champion Jeremiah Bishop to raise money for a great cause and highlight some of his favorite training roads in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains. We’ve ridden this challenging route before – it’s definitely a ride you won’t soon forget! So before the big ride, on September 20, 2015, we thought that we’d check in with Jeremiah and see what’s up with his year, and what changes are in store for the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo.”

Read the full interview with Jeremiah.

Men’s Journal “Best Gran Fondos in America”

Jeremiah Bishop’s Alpine Loop Gran Fondo named among Men’s Journal “10 Best Gran Fondos in America.”

“You don’t need to speak Italian to know that Gran Fondo stands for badass bike ride. The actual translation is debatable – some say it means “big ride” and others “great endurance” – but the one we like is “great foundation.” That’s exactly what you’ll need to take on one of these mass-start event that have been a cycling culture staple since Italians first introduced them more than 100 years ago.”

Read more at Men’s Journal.