MAR

16

2024

Gran Fondo / Merced, California

Merced

Ride with George Hincapie for a true gravel cycling experience through the rolling hills and open grasslands of California’s Central valley. Our first West Coast Gran Fondo Hincapie starts in the heart of Merced, CA and takes you on an epic adventure into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Celebrate your adventure afterwards at our family festival, with free food and beverage. 

 

IMPORTANT COURSE INFO:

Our course travels through beautiful California ranchlands but please keep in mind that while you are on public roads, the land on either side is private ranchland.

Please help us respect the ranchers that have been so helpful in making this event happen by staying on public roadways and off private ranch property. While on ranch roads, please keep moving unless you have an emergency.

It is also important to note that you may encounter ranch cattle while on course. Under no circumstances should cattle be touched, harassed, approached, or used as a selfie backdrop. Please enjoy viewing these beautiful creatures from your bike as you ride along.

 

TIRE RECOMENDATION:

We recommend 38c or larger tires with at least a semi-slick tread for our Gran Fondo Hincapie-Merced courses.

Event Details

Location: Merced, CA

Date: March 15 - 16 2024

Register Now
Jersey

Free Event Jersey

Chip

Free Timing Chip

Water Bottle

Fully Stocked Rest Stops

Car

SAG Support

Camera

Participation Medal and Photo

Rides /

Choose From 3 Different courses

FIND YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE. CHOOSE YOUR RIDE. START TRAINING.

Gran

Stunning views, challenging climbs, fast descents, and a whole lot of gravel await our Gran cyclists!

All the dirt and all the drama a good gravel ride should have. You will tackle 5 climbs but its gonna feel like 10. We know you are coming back because misery loves company. 84 miles with 45 miles of gravel.

SAFETY NOTES: This course has been designed to be ridden on a gravel or cyclocross bike. Riders can participate on a mountain bike and will enjoy the rider range of gearing for climbs and increased comfort on descents. We do not recommend the use of a road bike on this course.

Additionally, we want to emphasize that these courses are going through private ranch land. Much of this land is active, free range cattle-grazing property. It is important that we all respect the land owners and do not ride through any gated part of the course except on event day.

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Ride Details

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Elevation:

4,861 ft

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Climbs:

3 Timed

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Rest Stops:

4

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Medio

Stunning views, a monster climb, and a ton of gravel await our Medio cyclists!

a. Half the climbs, half the elevation, all the fun the Gran has to offer. Dip your toe into gravel riding with this inaugural event. 61 miles with 50% of it on gravel.

*We really want to emphasize that these courses are going through private ranch land. Much of this land is active free range cattle grazing property. It is important that we all respect the land owners and do not ride any gated part of the course except on ride day.

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Ride Details

Elevation Image

Elevation:

2,305 ft

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Climbs:

2 Timed

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Rest Stops:

2

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Piccolo

A fun course that features manageable challenges is what we have on tap for our Piccolo Family Fun Ride participants!

The Piccolo Family Run Ride will be a 2 hour closed course circling the capital. Kid friendly or perfect for your first group or ride experience.

There are no awards given out for top finishers on this course, but we will raffle off a few prizes for all Piccolo finishers (must be present at the Awards Ceremony to win).

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Ride Details

Elevation Image

Elevation:

463 ft

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Climbs:

1

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Rest Stops:

0

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Event Schedule /

The Upcoming Itinerary

MAR

15

2024

2:00PM – 6:00PM

2024 Packet Pickup & Onsite Registration

725 W 18th St #1 Merced, CA 92340

If you pre-registered for Gran Fondo Hincapie-Merced, you’ll need to pick up your packet to get everything you need for the big day—plus a few extras from our great sponsors. On-site registration is available for last-minute decision-makers as well. We’ll have event merchandise available for purchase, as well as giveaways, displays, and samples from our awesome partners. Come check out the expo!

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MAR

16

2024

6:00AM - 7:30AM

Final Packet Pickup and Registration

725 W 18th St #1 Merced, CA 92340

Plan to arrive extra early in case there is a line. You will need time to park and ride your bike to the start. On site registration will shut down promptly at 7:30 to allow the timing company a chance to get the final database synced over in time for the start.

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MAR

16

2024

8:00AM

Ride Starts

725 W 18th St #1 Merced, CA 92340

Start corrals will open promptly at 7:00AM. All riders must be in their corrals no later than 7:45AM.

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MAR

16

2024

11:00AM - 5:00PM

Family Festival & Expo

725 W 18th St #1 Merced, CA 92340

We are a family friendly event, so bring your family and friends to celebrate with you when you cross that finish line at our Family Fun Festival! Our Vendor Expo, free food, beverages and a whole lot of fun await!

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MAR

16

2024

3:30PM

Awards Ceremony

725 W 18th St #1 Merced, CA 92340

Gran Award Details: Men’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd Overall Women’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd Overall KOM & QOM Men & Women’s 1st, 2nd, & 3rd in the following age groups: 10-18 19-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+ Medio Award Details: Men’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd Overall Women’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd Overall KOM & QOM Men & Women’s 1st, 2nd, & 3rd in the following age groups: 10-18 19-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+ Other Awards: Junior KOM for Suck Creek Climb *All awards are based on gun time and not chip time

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Plan Your Trip /

Everything you need.
All in one place.

Welcome to Merced, CA

The Ultimate gravel cycling event comes to Merced, CA. Located in the heart of California’s agricultural Central Valley, Merced is the region’s hub for education, culture, and business. The community offers abundant shopping, pleasant neighborhoods and tree-lined streets.

Visit Merced

Getting Here

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is the closest airport to Merced at around an hour drive. However, you'll probably find more flight options flying into San Francisco (SFO) or San Jose (SJC) which are each about a 2 hour drive. Be sure to factor in traffic when driving in from these heavily populated areas.

Learn More

Where to Stay

Stay for the weekend and discover the many virtues of this charming small town environment that make Merced known as a "City on the Rise." We've partnered with the local El Capitan Hotel, conveniently located around the corner from the start/finish of the ride.

Book a Room

Become a Volunteer /

Riding the bike isn't your thing?

We love hosting volunteers as much as we love hosting riders. Spend time hanging out with awesome people while passing out rider packets, handing out finishing medals or helping set up – among other things. We’ve got plenty of ways to help and plenty of time slots to fit your schedule. All our volunteers receive a FREE t-shirt along with a rider pack that includes swag from our sponsors! Visit our signup page and find something that works for you!

Become a Volunteer
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Event FAQs

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY REGISTRATION FEE? add

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

WHEN IS THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE? add

WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES FOR THE AWARDS? add

ARE THERE TIME LIMITS OR CUTOFF TIMES ON THE COURSES? add

HOW DO RIDERS LINE UP AT THE START? add

WHERE CAN I PARK FOR THE EVENT? add

DO YOU PROVIDE A BAG DROP ON THE COURSE? add

WHAT IF I FORGOT TO PICK UP MY CLOTHING AT THE BAG DROP? add

WHAT IS THE REFUND OR TRANSFER POLICY IF I AM UNABLE TO ATTEND THE EVENT? add

CAN I TRANSFER MY REGISTRATION TO SOMEONE ELSE IF I AM NOT ABLE TO ATTEND? add

WHAT HAPPENS IF SEVERE INCLEMENT WEATHER OR OTHER EVENTS BEYOND ANYONE'S REASONABLE CONTROL RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION OF THE EVENT? add

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS? add

WHAT IF I WANT TO CHANGE MY ROUTE/DISTANCE? add

ARE THERE MECHANICS ON THE COURSE? add

HOW MANY AID STATIONS (REST STOPS) WILL BE ON THE COURSE? add

WILL THE ROADS BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC? add

WHAT TYPE OF BIKE CAN I RIDE FOR THE EVENT? add

ARE EBIKES ALLOWED? add

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? add

Gran Fondo / Merced, California

Merced

Don't miss your chance to ride with the pros!

Event Details

Location: Merced, CA

Date: March 15 - 16 2024

All Made Possible By Our Partners

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