Ohio Gran Fondo

All refund checks have now been mailed to the addresses provided with registration.

Refunds are being worked on now. It will take a little time to write checks to all participants and get them in the mail.

Based on the impending weather which has a forecast for thunderstorms all day Sunday and the large number of individuals who have indicated they will not participate, the ride will be canceled and all fees paid will be refunded.

Dear Rider,

Due to matters beyond our control I am writing to inform you of a change to the Ohio Gran Fondo event. Out of a concern for the safety of riders, we will no longer be treating the Ohio Gran Fondo event as a competitive mass start, timed event. What this means is that the ride will now officially be treated a tour where riders start at their leisure and official start and finish times will not be kept.

Everything else about the ride will remain the same. Routes, start/finish line, shirts and swag, maps, painted and marked routes, aid stations, post ride catered meal etc. will all still be part of the event. We will provide a clock so riders can see when they start and finish, but officials will not be scoring the event and posting official finish times. Again, the only change will be that there will not be a mass start with law enforcement present to close intersections and there will not be official timing and scoring.

We hope that you understand but our primary concern was that we run this event in a safe manner and hope that you still enjoy the challenging route and high level event we have put together for you. We understand that for some this may be a disappointment and for any rider that is aggrieved by this situation, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] and I would be happy to discuss the situation with you further.

Sincerely,

Alan Martin

It is hard to believe that September 2, 2012 is only days away. That being said, below are a few housekeeping items for those coming out to ride.

Registration
Registration will close on Friday August 31, 2012 at 7:00 PM. No further registrations will be accepted after that time. Only registered riders will be permitted to ride.

Packet Pick Up
Registered riders must pick their own packet up in person and sign the appropriate forms before riding. To assist riders we have adjusted the Saturday September 1 pick up times to run from 10:00 AM until 5:30 PM. Riders will be able to stop in anytime during those hours at the Sawmill Rd. BikeSource (4840 Sawmill Rd.Columbus, OH 43235) to pick up their packet.

For those who can not make it to BikeSource on Saturday, a second limited opportunity to pick them up on Sunday morning will be available at the start/finish line beginning at 5:00 AM. If you need to pick a packet up on Sunday morning please be sure you get there early as we will not be holding up the ride for those who are unable to pick their packets up prior to the start. Packet pick up at the ride will close once we are 15 minutes out from the start of the ride (between 6:15 AM and 6:30 AM) and remain closed until riders have departed. After the ride starts, we will re-open registration and resume the processing of all remaining riders.

Riders will not be able to participate in the ride until they have picked up their packets and signed the appropriate paperwork. Those processed after the start will be able to begin the ride any time after they receive their rider number.

Arrival at the Event
Please come early the morning of the ride and allow yourself plenty of time to get your bike and body ready to go. The ride start will be at 5880 Opus Dr. Groveport, Ohio.

Ride Delay / Cancellation
The ride will take place rain or shine unless USA Cycling officials or the promoter determine conditions will pose a safety risk to riders. In such situations the event will first be delayed and if necessary cancelled. In the event of a cancellation, an alternate date will be selected. Those unable to participate on the alternate date will be given the option to receive a partial refund (registration fee less cost of items already delivered to riders e.g. registration packets).

Parking
Parking for the event will be at the same location as the ride start/finish (5880 Opus Dr. Groveport, Ohio). Please enter and exit using Opus Dr. off Rhor Rd. After turning on to Opus Dr. follow it all the way until it dead ends into a cul-de-sac. The entrance to the warehouse and parking areas will be on the right hand side.

Rider Numbers
All riders will receive a rider number. Be sure that it is clearly visible and that it is securely pinned to your jersey. The only way officials will be able to give you an official time when you finish is if they can see your rider number.

Ride Start
Riders will be staged at the start line based on their USA Cycling license classification and the type of equipment they are riding. The staging will be CAT 1,2,3,4,5, one day, tandem, recumbent, and hand cycle. The ride is scheduled to start at 6:30 AM. However, the actual start time may be pushed back based on daylight, weather, or technical issues. Once officials and the ride promoter have established a start time, a countdown clock will begin a 15 minute countdown to the start of the ride. It is at this point that race officials will make announcements and give final ride instructions. When the clock reaches 0, the ride will begin and it will then automatically start counting up. During the start it is essential all riders ride in a cautious, respectful manner. Although this will be a mass start and the event is timed, this is not a race and nobody wants to crash just feet into the race.

Equipment
All riders will be required to ride a road bicycle without any type of handlebar extensions (e.g. aerobars). Time trial bikes and bicycles with aerobars may not be ridden. Riders must also wear a USA Cycling legal helmet and should have a seat bag with sufficient supplies to effect basic repairs such as changing a flat and at least one water bottle with them.

On Route Support
Along the route there will be one mobile mechanic and at two stops there will be stationary mechanics. There will also be a lead and one follow vehicle on that assist riders in need. Private SAG vehicles and/or private SAG stops will not be permitted along the route.

In the case of a crash requiring medical attention, call 911 and notify event staff by calling 614-312-0099. An EMT will be at the start/finish and all medical facilities along the route have been notified of the route and approximate times riders will be coming through the area. j

Aid Stations
The first aid station will be approximately 25 miles into the ride. After that aid stations have been placed approximately 10 to 25 miles apart. All aid stations will have Hammer Nutrition Heed sports drink, water, ice, bananas, and snacks. Full service aid stations at Johnston Park and Sprouts School will also have mechanical support, port-o-potties, bread, peanut butter and jelly, nutella, and other lite food.

Finish Line and Medals
The finish line will be in the same location as the ride start. As riders turn right into the warehouse facility they will ride under the start finish banner crossing the line. After crossing the finish line riders will be funneled into a medal presentation area where each person will be given their medal. As you cross the finish line officials may approach riders to obtain their rider number if it is obscured or hard to read. Please be sure they can see your number. In addition, when receiving your medal, be sure to tell the person presenting medals which route you completed. Rider numbers have been assigned based upon the event that they signed up for. However, we understand that some people may choose to cut off the long route and complete just the shorter distance. That is OK, but please let the officials and medal presenters know so you are scored properly and get the correct medal.

Tents and Shelters
Riders and Groups participating in the event are welcome to set up tents along the start finish line to relax in before/after the event. We ask that they be no bigger than 10X10 and that those wishing to do so coordinate with event staff. Please come early if you are going to set something up before the start of the ride and ensure it is properly secured and able to withstand the weather for the day. We will not be responsible for loss or damage to equipment. In the event of poor weather, or as deemed appropriate by the event organizer, any items deemed unsafe will be removed.

Post Ride Meal
Directly behind the finish line area caterers will be serving the post ride meal. Only riders with an official number will be served. Riders are welcome to change and get cleaned up before eating, but will need to bring their numbers with them to receive any food.

Packet Pick Up

Registered riders must pick their own packet up in person and sign the appropriate forms before riding. To assist riders we have adjusted the Saturday September 1 pick up times to run from 10:00 AM until 5:30 PM. Riders will be able to stop in anytime during those hours at the Sawmill Rd. BikeSource (4840 Sawmill Rd.Columbus, OH 43235) to pick up their packet.

For those who can not make it to BikeSource on Saturday, a second limited opportunity to pick packets up on Sunday morning will be available at the start/finish line beginning at 5:00 AM. If you need to pick a packet up on Sunday morning please be sure you get there as early as possible because we will not delay the start of the ride for those who are unable to pick their packets up prior to the start. Packet pick up Sunday morning will close once we are 15 minutes out from the start of the ride (between 6:15 AM and 6:30 AM) and remain closed until riders have departed. After the ride starts, we will re-open registration and process all remaining riders.

Riders will not be able to participate in the ride until they have picked up their packets and signed the appropriate paperwork. Those who do not get their packets prior to the start will be able to begin the ride once they have been processed and receive their rider number.

Those with questions can email us directly at [email protected]

We are closing in on the date (September 2, 2012) for the Ohio Gran Fondo (www.ohiogranfondo.com) and it is shaping up to be an amazing event. We have people registered from 14 different states including Ohio, a great route featuring some of the best roads in the Hocking Hills and South East Ohio, a nice registration packet with sponsor samples, custom printed tech-ts, race numbers, and nylon cinch bags, as well as an awesome start finish line complete with barricades, banners, timing clock, an announcer and USA Cycling officials. In addition, riders will receive fantastic finish line medals if they complete the course in the required time, be treated to a catered post ride meal and be able to purchase finish line photos.

Now, all we need is some more help staffing food stops and manning street corners as marshals. In return for the help we are happy to provide volunteers with a custom Tech T and enter you into a drawing for a $100 gift card to BikeSource (if the winner is not a cyclist and would like to exchange the gift card for a generic debit card we will be happy to do so). Finally, if there are any groups out there that are willing to provide 10 or more volunteers we would also be willing to make a small cash donation back to your group in appreciation of the time and effort (please contact us for more information).

Those who are able to help out should email us at [email protected] and include their t-shirt size as well as any time restrictions they may have. Morning shifts will run from approximately 6:15 AM to Noon and afternoon shifts will run from approximately noon to 6:15 PM but shorter or longer time frames are also available. Finally, those under the age of 18 are welcome to help out as long as there is an adult to supervise them.

Thanks for your consideration!

Home Gran Fondos or “big rides” originated in Italy and are rapidly sweeping North America because they offer a great atmosphere, challenging course and unparalleled support. Like a Marathon, Gran Fondos are mass start events that draw cyclists from all walks of life ranging in skill from professional ra...

We now have riders from 14 states including Ohio participating in the inaugural Ohio Gran Fondo.

Packet Pick Up Information

All registered riders must pick their packets up from the Sawmill Rd. BikeSource located at 4840 Sawmill Rd. Dublin, OH 43235 on Saturday, September 1, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

All riders must be present to pick up their packet and at that
time sign the liability release.

Those who do not have a USA Cycling license will also need to sign a 1 day license form.

Any riders under the age of 18 will be required to have a parent or guardian present to sign these forms as well.

Riders that are unable to come to the store the day before should contact us at [email protected] to make other arrangements.

Check it out. Final design for the rider numbers is done. Last chance to get a personalized number will be tomorrow. After that, riders will get a generic number with no name.

Here is a link to the combined 200k/100k route. The cut off for the 100k is at McDonald Rd. Included here is a JPEG of the route with the elevation profile.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1561289

As the Official Photographer of the Ohio Gran Fondo, THS photography will photographing riders crossing the finish line. All images will be posted to an on-line private gallery. From the gallery, you, your family and friends will be able to view and order professionally printed standard prints, large prints, posters, keychains and much, much more, all delivered to your door!

To access the gallery, follow the link below! Don’t forget to sign the guestbook and leave a comment about the images or the event so you will be signed up to receive updates and notices about THS Photography. (We respect your privacy and will not sell or give access to your information to any company, for any reason!)

Website
http://www.thsphotography.com/index2.php #/home/

Access Images
http://clients.thsphotography.com/ohio-gran-fondo

page
http://www.facebook.com/THSPhoto

Twitter
http://twitter.com/THS_Photography

http://www.thsphotography.com/index2.php#/home/