Riders in the Blue Ridge Gran Fondo will enjoy cycling through beautiful Botetourt County.
Virginia’s Blue Ridge Gran Fondo, presented by Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, is coming up on October 13, 2019. Once again the Fondo will give cyclists the opportunity to ride distances of approximately 30, 50 or 80 miles through the beautiful countryside of Botetourt County.
The rides take you along the James River and, for those doing the 80-mile Mountain Ride – through the rugged Appalachian Mountains.
To sign up for the ride, click the link below.
http://www.muddysquirrel.com/gran-fondo.html
The three ride options in the Blue Ridge Gran Fondo
The Valley Ride is 33 miles and takes riders along the rolling hills in the southern portion of Botetourt County, to the historic town of Fincastle. It features two aid stations, with the first coming 16 miles into the course. It features a modest 1,700 feet of elevation gain with no seriously steep or long climbs. (For the record, this is the one I am planning to attempt this year.)
Click here for the map of the Valley Ride.
The Bank of Botetourt River Ride slots in at 48 miles. I did this one in 2018 and thought it was great! The ride features long stretches along the James River and The Bike 76 route toward Troutville. Total elevation gain on this ride is 2,361 feet — which again, is modest for a ride of that distance. I typically don’t call a ride a “climbing ride” until it shows 1,000 feet for every ten miles.
Click here for a map of the Bank of Botetourt River Ride
The Mountain Ride is a bit more challenging, as it includes the climb of the locally famous Caldwell Mountain. The 81 miles shows “only” about 5,200 feet of climbing — but it will test riders’ abilities. The good news is that it happens at about 20 miles into the ride — so you should be warmed up but not worn out! You’ll descend into Craig County before returning to Botetourt County and a nice ride along the James River and Bike 76 Route.
Click here for a map of The Mountain Ride
Socks this year!
Everyone who completes their ride this year will receive a cool pair of cycling socks. We all have drawers full of t-shirts — so this year, it’s something you can wear whenever you go for a ride! Finishers will also receive a unique finishers medal.
Raise Money to Fight Sarcoidosis
For the first time, the Blue Ridge Fondo will also serve as a fundraiser for the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research. Riders, including me, are raising money to help fund research for the disease that I suffer from and have been telling you about here on the blog.
If you would like to donate to my efforts, you can click here for a secure donation.
Or just click on this link. (they both go to the same place!)
https://www.pledgereg.com/3221/johncarlin
Better yet, come ride in the event and bug a few of your friends to donate to your efforts.
The more people who do this — the more money will go to the cause.
You may know that sarcoidosis has greatly curtailed my ability to ride. Last year I did the 50 — this year I’ll be happy to complete the 30. My treatments in 2019 have included chemo (Cytoxan) and massive doses of prednisone. Those don’t mix well with endurance or strength.
On one of my rides this summer — my regular loop from home, I had to bail and call Mary for a ride home in the car. I’ve heard from cyclists and other active people all over the country in the same situation.
Sarcoidosis is no fun.
So please, if you can, make a donation and help fight sarcoidosis.
The Ballast Point Thing
Last year the ride started and ended at Ballast Point Brewing. It was a great place to begin and end a ride and of course the beer was excellent — but you may have heard that BP is closing (has closed) it’s restaurant so it can focus solely on it’s brewing and distribution operation.
This was a huge curve ball for the Fondo committee just a month out from the event.
But thankfully there is a great solution.
Botetourt County owns a wonderful facility almost next door to Ballast Point at the Greenfield Center, and that is where the ride will begin and end.
There will be almost no changes needed for the courses and there will still be lots of good food and drink when you get back!
All of the information is on the Fondo website.
