Gran Fondo di Thumb
Gran Fondo di Thumb presented by Louis Garneau
What Is Gran Fondo?
"Gran Fondo" means "Big Ride" in Italian. They are long distance, mass-participation cycling events - not races - that have become immensely popular in Europe. In France they're known as "cyclosportives". participation is open to recreational and competitive amateur cyclists and tens of thousands of riders of all abilities participate.
Gran Fondos are often named after famous cyclists of the past or after companies with a long heritage in cycling. Some of the most famous Gran Fondos include the Prosecco Classic, The Nove Colli and the Felice Gimondi.
Wind Turbines of Ubly and Native American Petroglpyh's are the highlights of the Double Metric Century course.
Start time: 8 a.m.
MASS START!
No USA Cycling license required.
A helmet is required
The Gran Fondo rides all start at Zehnders park which is 730 S. Main Street Frankenmuth, MI 48734
However, if you want to start your ride at one of the first two rest stops- you may. However, you must first pick up your bib number at the registration table in Frankenmuth. If desired, you can pick up your bib number friday night or saturday. You can choose your preferred starting point, but that means ya gotta drive to get there and back. There is no parking available at the third rest stop.
What you get: A great ride with friends, Subway sandwiches, water, Hammer/ heed drinks, certificate of completion, Prizes provided by Louis Garneau.
Ride support: we will have sag vehicles that can pick up any distresssed rider.
Gran Fondo di Thumb routes- Mileage shown assumes you start at Frankenmuth
40 miles - to 1st Rest stop - GILFORD RD TOWNSHIP HALL - ( water, Heed mix and porta john available) then back to Frankenmuth. This rest stop is open from 8:30 a.m. till 3 p.m. all riders must be already be on the way back to Frankenmuth by 3 p.m.
65 miles - to 2nd Rest stop - VILLAGE OF AKRON- ( Main Lunch is here water, sandwiches, porta johns available ) then back to Frankenmuth this course is relatively flat. This rest stop is open from 8:30 a.m. till 2 p.m. all riders must be already be on the way back to Frankenmuth by 3 p.m. see map: http://www.mapmyride.com/view_route?r=926126960809080524
90 miles - to 3rd rest stop - FARMER LITTLE ESTATE - ( water, porta john available )- located on Kelly rd just before Cass City. This rest stop is open from 10:30 a.m. till 2 p.m. All riders must be already be on the way back to Frankenmuth by 2 p.m. There will be no rider support after 2 p.m.
130 miles - to 4th rest stop - UBLY WIND FARM REST STOP- ( water, available )- - then back the way you came! Double metric Century Ride: this "extreme" course tours through the quiet farmland of the Thumb leading to Ubly. Ubly is the home of Michigan's most significant wind turbine farm.
map for Akron to Ubly: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/mi/akron/579127240593756938
This Ubly rest stop is open from 11:00 to 1 p.m. All riders must have turned round by 1 p.m. There will be no rider support after 1 p.m. ( You may start earlier than the official mass start if needed)
All these routes are "out and back". In other words, a rider planning on busting the double metric century to the wind turbine field, will have the opportunity to stop at all the other rest stops along the way. All routes are flat, but probably windy. Afterall, the wind farm needs wind to move those turbines!
The course will not be closed to traffic and does not have a rolling escort. Rules of the road apply, i.e. stop at all stop signs, yield to cars, no more than 2 riders abreast and do not cross the yellow centerline.
THERE WILL BE SUBWAY SANDWICHES AT THE FINISH LINE!!