Boone Gran Fondo is a Gran Fondo National Series event, a producer of some of the best US cycling events. In 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, either. This is a great course for all-around riders.
Gran Fondo National Series
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. Every GFNS event offers courses covering 30, 60, and 100-mile journeys through some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain in endurance sports. 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. GFNS awards special prizes to the top riders in every age and gender category. Each rider is assigned an electronic timing chip to keep track of their progress throughout the course and to allow riders to compete for the best time through highlighted sections.
For the most competitive cyclists, the series partnered with USA Cycling to bring the one-day Gran Fondo National Championship into the portfolio of official USA Cycling National Championship events. The event is held annually, and a national championship jersey and medal are awarded to the overall winner in each Gran Route age group category. The USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship event will be held at Gran Fondo Maryland, in Frederick, Maryland, on September 15, 2024.
To compete in the National Championship category, riders must qualify by meeting specific criteria, including results and rankings in Qualification Events. However, all riders are welcome to participate in Gran Fondo Maryland and ride any of the normal Maryland Gran Fondo routes (Gran, Medio, and Piccolo), regardless of qualification status.
GFNS-owned events include Gran Fondo Florida (Dade City FL – March 17), Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo (Helen GA, April 21), Highlands Gran Fondo (Butler NJ – June 2), Gran Fondo Asheville (Asheville NC – July 14), Boone Gran Fondo (Boone NC – Aug 4), and Gran Fondo Maryland (Frederick MD, Sept 15). Gran Fondo Maryland doubles as the USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship. Partner events include Cheaha Challenge (Jacksonville AL – May 18-19), Vermont Gran Fondo (Bristol VT – June 29), Cache Gran Fondo (Logan UT – July 13), Bob Cook Memorial Mt. Evans Hill Climb – Gran Fondo (Idaho Springs, CO – July 20), 719 Ride (Colorado Springs – July 20), and Virginia’s Blue Ridge Gran Fondo (Fincastle, VA – Oct 13). All GFNS races consistently rate among the Best Road Cycling Events in the Southeast, New England, Rockies / Colorado, and Southwest / California.
Race GFNS E-Fondo’s On Zwift
If you are looking for virtual races/events to kick off your 2024 season indoors, GFNS has produced the first eSports cycling competition to feature timed segments; the series leverages Zwift’s proven e-sports platform to recreate SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series’ timed-segment competition format in a virtual environment. There are eight events running on consecutive weekends in January and February. The events are free to participate and offer the chance to qualify for the Gran Fondo National Championship. You can see the full line-up and get all the relevant details here.
Event & Course Info
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 find themselves 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 Mile 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. This route has a one-time segment and aid station. Check out the official 2023 Rider Roadbook for all of the nitty-gritty details.
You can ride confidently on a well-marked and marshaled course supported by law enforcement, safety motos, mechanics, and SAG vehicles. Well-stocked feed stations are ample and supported by a local youth police program, and the organizers have worked tirelessly to ensure that the courses are in impeccable shape, guaranteeing a fantastic weekend for all participants.
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 you register at least 26 days before a Gran Fondo National Series-owned event! There will be event-specific jerseys for Gran Fondo Florida, Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo, Highlands Gran Fondo, Gran Fondo Asheville, Boone Gran Fondo, and Gran Fondo Maryland. 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. Any rider who completes a GFNS event and is present at the event will be eligible for a raffle with great prizes from the sponsors:
- Stay at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy
- Wahoo ELEMNT GPS Computer
- Wahoo KICKR smart trainer (model TBD)
- Lazer helmet
- Industry Nine hubset
- Cane Creek components
- Swiftwick socks
- Bike Flights travel voucher
- Shimano products
- CTS Trainright Membership
- Jittery Joe’s Coffee
- UNDRBUDR anti-chafe cream
- Ride with GPS Premium Membership
Boone NC – Area Accommodations & Things to Do
The laid-back atmosphere of this western North Carolina college town is contagious. 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. The official lodging partner of the event is Quality Inn & Suites University; however, there are some highly reviewed local hotels, such as the Horton Hotel downtown or the Lovill House Inn bed & breakfast. Alternatively, there are plenty of vacation rental options such as this amazing A-frame close to town, or this country apartment.
The town of Boone is super charming and has a lot to offer participants and guests while in town for the event. Some favorite restaurants to check out are Wild Craft Eatery, The Local, and Proper for some traditional Southern fare.
Outdoor athletes visiting Boone, NC, in the summer will find a plethora of exciting activities to enjoy. Boone and the surrounding areas offer excellent mountain biking trails suitable for riders of all skill levels. For adrenaline junkies, the Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park is a must-visit with its challenging trails, jumps, and berms. For a more scenic experience, the Blue Ridge Parkway provides picturesque rides with breathtaking mountain views. The High Country region around Boone also boasts numerous hiking trails through lush forests, along mountain ridges, and stunning waterfalls. Hikers and trail runners can challenge themselves on trails like the strenuous hike up Grandfather Mountain or opt for more moderate paths like the Boone Fork Trail in Julian Price Memorial Park. Lastly, with several rivers and rapids nearby, Boone is ideal for whitewater rafting enthusiasts. The nearby Watauga River and Nolichucky River offer thrilling rafting adventures with varying difficulty levels, ensuring both beginners and experienced rafters have a fantastic time.
