GFNS Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo

4 Loops to Choose From: 103 mile, 86 mile, 64 mile, 25 mile

Event Open to All

4 Timed Sections on the HC and Gran routes – Best Combined Time Wins

Age Group Categories

Cash Purse, Awards and Winners jerseys for Gran Route

Awards Prizes for 64 mile and 25 mile winners

This is a Gran Fondo National Series® event

Ride with your friends, Race with your friends
Fully Stocked Aid Stations to keep you going
10,000 feet of climbing in the 100 mile route

NEW TT option on Saturday includes a TT ramp start with a 12.5 mile time section on a 27 mile route.

Come Challenge Yourself

HC Route added for 2018: includes Neutral support, Mobile feed zones, Priority Start wave, and Pro-Cyclist lead-out.  HC riders will do a 17mile "hot-lap" and be paced into time section #1, Must be registered in HC catgory to compete for over-all placement. HC and Gran Route riders will be group together for age-group placement. HC start time is 7:15AM, all other categories start ~8AM.

Nestled in the Bavarian Alpine village of Helen, GA the ride starts in the heart of the North Georgia Mountains.  

The first time section immediately enters the mountainous area made famous by the 2003-2008 Tour de Georgia. In 2008, Unicoi Gap was the second to last climb on the approach to the race-deciding ascent up Brasstown Bald where Kanstantin Suitsou got the jump on Trent Lowe and Levi Leipheimer to win the event.  As riders  tackle this timed section they cover over 7 miles and climb 1500ft to the top of Unicoi Gap. The climb is very gradual for several miles, before turning into a real alpine ascent. Enjoy the vistas of the Chattahoochee National Forest on the descent before turning left and climbing up and over Jack’s Gap.

A left turn on Richard Russell Scenic Hwy will put riders face to face with the 2nd timed section, Hogpen gap. Within 6.5 miles and another 1500ft, riders will reach the highest point on the course at 3469ft with ramps of 12%.  The views at the top of the surrounding peaks are breathtaking. Check your speed and be careful on the descent as there are many sharp turns. Enjoy the ride through the forest knowing that the hardest riding is behind you.

After tackling the two biggest climbs of the day riders will head east from Helen through Unicoi State Park. The route then hits the 3rd timed section at mile 46, comprised of rolling terrain for a 4 mile section. Riders then get to enjoy a non-timed section of the route for the next 30 miles as the route explore the area round Lake Burton and Seed Lake.  Be sure to save a bit of energy for the final time section, it only last just over 2 miles but at over 80 miles in to the day you’ll need to find some go go power.

The route finishes back into the landmark town of Helen where, in 1969, local business owners collaborated to create what is now called “Bavaria in the Appalachians.” Just outside of Helen on the route is the Nacoochee Indian Mound, the center of the ancient Cherokee town of Gauxule, visited by Desoto in his search for gold.  Be sure to plan to stick around for beers, food and music served up at the finish line.