Boone Gran Fondo 2026 is a Gran Fondo National Series event, producing some of the best US cycling events. Mid-summer, the High Country of North Carolina enjoys 80-degree temperatures while the surrounding East Coast temperatures hover in the high 90s. Early August is a prime time to be in Boone! Picked as one of the best road cycling events in the Southeast, the rural rolling roads around Boone are fun and quite challenging. The climbs aren’t very long, but there’s not much time for recovery on the descents. This is a great course for all-around riders.

Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo is the second leg in the prestigious Gran Fondo National Series, established in 2012 and comprising 10+ European-style rides/races staged in the United States. Timed sections allow riders to compete in specific course segments, while casual cyclists can ride at their own pace. Participants can ride as individuals or on teams.

As is customary in GFNS events, there are three events to choose from at the Boone Gran Fondo: the Gran, Medio, and Piccolo, on one of the more exciting courses in the entire series with beautiful wooded climbs and descents. The Boone Gran Fondo offers a picturesque and exhilarating course. It starts at Appalachian State University and includes a climb beside Winklers Creek in the first timed section. After descending and climbing Shull’s Mill road, riders pass the Blue Ridge Parkway and transition onto Hwy 221, known for its roller coaster-like ride in the second-timed section. The route continues through Linville, Newland, and the North Toe River Valley before ascending Beech Mountain for the third timed section. A delightful downhill leads to Bethel Valley, and riders climb to the Tennessee State Line for the fourth timed section. The route then descends through Sugar Grove and Valle Crucis before a climb up Laurel Fork and White Oak roads, ultimately returning to downtown Boone.

The Gran Route, a 94-mile adventure, boasts an elevation gain of 8,437 feet and features four timed segments. Riders will be enchanted by the breathtaking views as they pass through the course’s various aid stations at Mile 25, Mile 39, Mile 62, and Mile 87. The Medio Route spans 58 miles and includes three timed segments, with a total elevation gain of 5,363 feet. This route’s aid stations at Mile 25 and 39 provide much-needed refreshment as riders navigate the undulating terrain. For those seeking a shorter but no less thrilling experience, the Piccolo Route covers 24 miles with an elevation gain of 2,366 feet.

You can ride confidently on a well-marked and marshalled course supported by law enforcement, safety motos, mechanics, and SAG vehicles. The Boone Gran Fondo features timed-segment racing, where only specific segments of the race are timed, and your placement depends on your performance in these segments. The top 3 finishers in various categories will be celebrated and awarded, with Gran Route age group winners receiving custom kits from Suarez. New for 2024, you’ll receive an event-specific custom jersey from SUAREZ Cycling Apparel when registering at least 26 days before a Gran Fondo National Series-owned event! After the ride, participants can enjoy food and local libations and hang out for the GFNS prize raffle, offering over $5000 in prizes from series sponsors.

One of the smaller fields for a Gran Fondo National Series event, the Boone Gran Fondo has a supportive, family feeling, particularly when all gather for great local food, cold beer from Rammstein Brewing, and fantastic raffle prizes after a challenging and competitive ride.