Gran Fondo Asheville 2015

ASHEVILLE, NC – Mark your calendars for the 3rd annual Gran Fondo Asheville, a fun and festive ride on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Road cyclists will take in the natural beauty of Western North Carolina as they cruise along a well-marked course with the option to push themselves for brief timed periods, competing to win. With the event being held two months earlier than in previous years, cyclists can anticipate more comfortable early summer temperatures.

Beginner and avid cyclists alike will find challenging rides to meet their individual goals with courses covering 30, 60 and 100 mile journeys. Gran Fondo Asheville is a part of the Gran Fondo National Championship Series (GFNCS) and benefits Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“Gran Fondo Asheville keeps growing in popularity. We had nearly 400 riders in 2015 and we are excited to make the 3rd annual event better than ever,” said GFNCS President Reuben Kline.

Gran Fondo Asheville features four timed sections, mechanic support, fully-stocked aid stations along the route, food and beverage at the finish, a cash purse, and prizes for overall and age-group winners.

Be one of the first 100 people to register for any Gran Fondo National Championship ride and save 20%. Enter the coupon code “earlybird” when registering at www.gfncs.com.

Friends of the Smokies has raised over $48 million since 1993 through donations to help maintain the Smokies as a crown jewel of the national park system. For information and to make a gift to benefit park projects, visit www.friendsofthesmokies.org.

Gran Fondo National Championship Series is comprised of eight rides across the United States. The series has been sponsored nationally by Specialized Bicycle Components, Bertucci Performance Watches, Bicycling Magazine, Hammer Nutrition, Pactimo, ProGold, SeaSucker Vacuum Mount Bike Racks, Feedback Sports, Rudy Project and Polar Bottle. President Reuben Kline has over 23 years of experience in the bicycle industry, including five years as a professional mountain bike rider. For more information visit www.gfncs.com