Weekend Highlights
The flagship ride for Gran Fondo Hincapie brought more than 2,000 cyclists to the mountains of Greenville, South Carolina for an epic weekend of riding, partying, and celebrating all things cycling.
The Pre-Ride
The Gran Fondo Hincapie experience is so much more than the ride. Prior to Saturday’s event, guests spent the week enjoying gourmet meals, meeting professional cyclists, and volunteering. Thursday Hincapie ambassadors packed meals at Meals on Wheels (Gran Fondo Hincapie-Greenville’s beneficiary charity), while that evening guests enjoyed a meal prepared by chef and cyclist Matthew Accarrino at the Hublot Evening with the Stars. And then Friday, everyone scored some deals at the Hincapie Sportswear Warehouse Sale before sampling culinary creations at the annual Cliffs Celebrity Chef Dinner presented by Hublot.
The Start
There were more than a few familiar faces this weekend in the starting corral. Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins, World Road Race Champion Mark Cavendish, NASCAR great Matt Kenseth, former NFL great Jason Sehorn, and, of course, Big George himself got the ride started. They were joined by pro cyclist Brent Bookwalter, retired pro cyclist Christian Vande Velde, retired pro cyclist Dylan Casey, actor Sean Ringgold, retired pro cyclist Bobby Julich, pro cyclist Larry Warbasse, Olympic medalist Nelson Vails, three-time World Time Trial Champion Michael Rogers, Betty Designs owner Kristin Mayer and Hincapie Racing members TJ Eisenhart, Andrew Dahlheim, John Murphy, and Brendan Rhim.
The Course
One of George’s favorite training grounds for the Tour de France, Gran Fondo Hincapie-Greenville features three rides for every skill level.
The Finish
Every rider received a medal for finishing, and the top finishers earned prizes ranging from a Scott Addict 10 and Michelin tires to Oakley sunglasses and Hincapie gift cards.
The Party
Once the ride was finished, cyclists enjoyed free food, free beer, and live music at the Family Festival. But the party wasn’t over yet! Many returned to Hotel Domestique that evening for the official Gran Fondo Hincapie After Party, where they watched painter Jared Emerson create a masterpiece before their eyes in a matter of minutes. Afterward, the painting was auctioned off, with all proceeds benefiting Meals on Wheels.
Weekend Perks
There’s still more for our 2018 riders. Get your free images from Gran Fondo Hincapie, watch the video recap or sign up for another ride.
