FAQ

Gran Fondo Hincapie is for riders of all riding abilities and perfect for anyone looking to take part in The Ultimate Cycling Experience.

Included in the registration fee is an event jersey, chip timing, on-course SAG, fully stocked rest stops, free participant photography, free food/beverage for you AND your family/friends at the Post Ride Festival, and so much more!!!

There is no minimum age requirement. However, participants under the age of 18 will need to have a parent sign a waiver on site. This can be done on Friday, August 5th or Saturday, August 6th at Packet Pickup & Registration. Participants in the GFH Junior Challenge must be at least 9 years of age on event day.  

Yes, the entire event will be chip timed. We will also have timed climbs. You are only eligible for competition prizes if you complete the full course.

Gran Men: 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd overall

Gran Women: 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd overall

Medio Men: 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd overall

Medio Women: 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd overall

Piccolo Men: 1^st overall

Piccolo Women: 1^st overall

KOM (Gran & Medio): 1^st overall

QOM (Gran & Medio): 1^st overall

GFH Junior Challenge: Visit the Junior Challenge page

You may ride as fast as you would like. However, riders participating in the 83 Mile “Gran” event must reach the 23 mile marker by 11:15am (2:15 elapsed time). Gran riders not reaching mile 23 by 11:15am will be directed onto the Medio course and scored as a Medio Rider.

Riders will line up on a first come, first served basis starting at 7:30AM. Junior Challenge Riders will have their own start corral. We suggest that riders participating in the Piccolo distance line up towards the back of the corral to help facilitate a safe left turn onto Snows Corner Road at mile 4.

Yes, riders will line up on a first come, first served basis starting at 7:30 AM.

Yes, all riders participating in Gran Fondo Hincapie Bangor will start together promptly at 9am. We suggest that riders participating in the Piccolo distance line up towards the back of the corral to help facilitate a safe left turn onto Snows Corner Road at mile 4.

Yes, we provide a bag drop at the first rest stop for the Gran and Medio routes. Please note that all dropped items must fit into a one-gallon zip lock bag. Items will be picked up by the Medio broom wagon and will be dropped off at the luggage corral after the last Medio rider finishes. You must present your bib number to the volunteer at the luggage corral to claim your items.

We highly encourage all participants to know basic safety and repair skills, including fixing a flat tire. Be prepared and bring your own pump or CO2 and extra tubes for your bike. However, if you are still unable to make the repair, SAG drivers will be following all ride routes and can assist you with any minor mechanical issue you may have.

There will be four aid stations along the course stocked with food, hydration, and medical supplies.

All roads after mile 4 will be open to traffic. It is our goal to have assistance for all Intersections as well as challenging sections of the course.  With that in mind, riders must obey all traffic laws and rules of the road unless instructed to do otherwise by police or course officials.  We strongly encourage all riders to ride as close to the right side of the road as is reasonable at all times. Riders must also follow the instructions of police officers, course marshals, and volunteers to avoid disqualification.

Included in your Gran Fondo Hincapie registration in an event jersey, finisher medal, wristband, racing bib, and several other miscellaneous costs that cannot be reimbursed to the company. All of these items are ordered months ahead of the event. For that reason, the Gran Fondo Hincapie series has a strict no refund or event transfer policy on registration fees. More information about this policy can be found here.

At the time of registration, you will have the option to purchase third party Registration Insurance through Allianz. This may allow you to be reimbursed for the cost of registration if a situation arises and you are unable to attend the event. Insurance MUST be purchased at the time of registration; it cannot be purchased once your registration is complete.

Hincapie has nothing to do with this insurance, and all questions or claims need to be submitted directly to Allianz. More information about this insurance can be found here.

Effective July 13, 2022, we are no longer able to offer packet mailing before or after the event. If you are unable to attend, you may have a friend pick up your packet on site at the event.

Because we incur substantial costs in connection with producing the Gran Fondo Hincapie event that cannot be recovered, including the cost of providing you with the items in your rider packets, the Gran Fondo Hincapie Series has a strict no cash refund policy on registration fees. Thus, if we cancel a Gran Fondo Hincapie event because of an event beyond our reasonable control, including without limitation acts of God; severe inclement weather; flood, fire, earthquake, explosion, or other potential disasters or catastrophes, such as epidemics; war, invasion, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), terrorist threats or acts, riot or other civil unrest; government order or law; actions, embargoes or blockades in effect on or after the date of this agreement; action by any governmental authority; national, regional, state or local emergency; strikes, labor stoppages or slowdowns or other industrial disturbances; shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities; or other events beyond our reasonable control, we cannot offer you a cash refund of your registration fees, nor can we reimburse you for any of your travel or lodging costs. Instead, we will allow you to transfer your registration to a Gran Fondo Hincapie event scheduled within the next year at no cost. Registrants will receive an email to the email address they used when registering for the canceled ride with a unique code to use to transfer the registration.

Gran Fondo Hincapie will start rain or shine; however, in the event of a severe storm or inclement weather, authorities may decide to cancel the event and will make the call at the last minute. See above for further information regarding the cancellation of an event.

If you would like to change your route before the online registration deadline has ended, you can log into your Race Roster account and initiate the transfer there. You will be responsible for all additional costs and fees. If you decide to make a last-minute change, you can pick up your packet during packet pickup and then go to the Registration Transfer line. It is very important that every rider is registered for the correct route so that our finish results are accurate.

Yes, you can log into your Bikereg account and transfer your original Gran Fondo Hincapie-Bangor registration until June 26th, 2022. There is a $25 transfer fee to transfer your registration to another rider. There will be NO registration transfers after June 26th. You may not transfer your registration to a different Gran Fondo Hincapie event

We suggest using a road bike as it is the best option to ride in groups. You can also ride a mountain bike, touring bike, or single speed (with two brakes). A triathlon bike is fine as long as you keep your hands on the brake lever while riding in a group. Recumbent bikes are allowed on the Piccolo and Medio courses only. Tandem bikes, trailers, and bike seats are not allowed for safety reasons.

We encourage every rider to check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for the conditions of the day.

Helmets with buckled chin straps are a requirement for all riders and must be worn at all times. Headphones of any kind are not allowed.

Finally, make sure your bib number is pinned to the back of your jersey and visible at all times on course.