CHOOSE YOUR FONDO
Taking place on the 21st of July 2019, Gran Fondo Isle of Man comprises of four separate cycling challenges, featuring extensive closed roads riding experiences for all ages and abilities starting and finishing at the idyllic Mooragh Park in Ramsey. It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned professional or an out and out beginner, we have a Fondo for you.
Gran Fondo
Gran Fondo Isle of Man is one of only three true competitive Gran Fondo events staged in the British Isles, held on a largely closed roads 85-mile course and operated under the rules and regulations of TLI Cycling.
- 85 miles
- 80 miles of fully closed roads
- 6,500 feet of elevation
- KOM and QOM Competitions
- Operated under TLI Cycling rules
- Fully way-marked route
- 2 Feed Zones
- Mechanical support
- Marshalling and Police support
- Medical support with paramedics
- Public liability insurance
- Electronic timing and live results
- Finishers medal
- Post-event massage
- Minimum Age - 16
- Earlybird Price £45
Medio Fondo
For recreational riders who want to test themselves that little bit further, the 40-mile Medio Fondo boasts one of the Island’s most challenging ascents – as well as one of its very best descents – the Medio will offer many riders the perfect balance of effort and reward.
- 40 miles
- 38 miles of closed roads
- 2,800 feet of elevation
- Fully way-marked route
- Feed Zone
- Mechanical support
- Marshalling and Police support
- Medical support with paramedics
- Public liability insurance
- Electronic timing and live timing
- Finishers medal
- Post-event massage
- Minimum Age - 14
- Earlybird Price £24
Piccolo Fondo
Aimed at families and beginners, the 20-mile Piccolo Fondo will wind its way around the peaceful coastline and flatter farmland of the Island’s northern plains, through a patchwork of tiny villages and church steeples, set amongst the fields and blooming hedgerows.
- 20 miles
- 18 miles of closed roads
- 500 feet of elevation
- Family friendly
- Fully way-marked route
- Mechanical support
- Marshalling and Police support
- Medical support with paramedics
- Public liability insurance
- Electronic timing and live timing
- Finishers medal
- Post-event massage
- Minimum Age - 8
*(U11’s accompanied by an adult)
- Earlybird Price £16 (U16’s £8)
Minisculo Fondo
The family-friendly Minisculo Fondo, held over a half-mile circuit in and around Ramsey’s Mooragh Park is open to children, families and beginners. Participants will be able to complete as many laps as they can in an hour’s worth of riding in a safe, fully closed roads environment.
- 1/2 mile course
- Fully closed roads course
- Family friendly
- Fully way-marked route
- Open to all ages
- Complete as many laps as you like
- Marshalling and Police support
- Medical support with paramedics
- Public liability insurance
- Minimum Age - N/A
- FREE TO ENTER
THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE
Whether racing to win, or riding to finish, Gran Fondo Isle of Man is a true test of legs and lungs – one that rewards competitors with an overwhelming sense of satisfaction as they conquer the very leafy lanes and windswept moors that have helped forge the Island’s cycling champion Mark Cavendish. We may delight in designing such a challenge, but we also share the pride our competitors feel when they pull on that finishers medal. Chapeau!
ENJOY MILES OF CLOSED ROAD RIDING
Gran Fondo Isle of Man boasts 6,500ft of spectacular climbing around a largely closed road course. Clocking in at the slightly modest distance of 85miles, it would be foolish to underestimate the challenging nature of our Grandest Fondo. After all, the Isle of Man’s roads have tested to their limits, some of the world’s greatest cyclists; think Coppi, Simpson, Fignon and Millar.
The Gran Fondo gets underway in style with a mass roll out from Mooragh Park, before the peloton is escorted out of the neutralised zone. 80miles of spectacular and unique racing await our competitors when the flag drops – almost entirely held on closed roads , as well as an un-surfaced ‘Strade Bianche’ style blast through a forest plantation.
Packed with the Island’s toughest climbs, competitors will be faced with 25% gradients as they conquer each classic ascent – another stunning vista the only reward before plunging towards the sea that flanks those leg breaking hills.
Whether racing to win, or riding to finish, the Isle of Man Cyclefest Gran Fondo is a true test of legs and lungs – one that rewards competitors with an overwhelming sense of satisfaction and achievement.
RELAX IN THE RIDERS VILLAGE
The Gran Fondo Isle of Man events will all start and finish in Ramsey’s fabulous Mooragh Park, which will also host the Riders Village.
The Riders Village will feature a range of high quality food and beverage options for riders and their supporters to enjoy, with a giant LED screen showing coverage of stage 15 of The Tour de France; a key mountain stage from Limoux to Foix Prat d’Albis.
The Riders Village will also feature a ‘Service Course’ offering pre ride technical support, massage facilities to ease those post ride aches and pains as well as Race HQ and Medical Facilities.
Meanwhile the Park itself boasts excellent leisure facilities which visitors of all ages will appreciate including a 12 acre boating lake, tennis courts, a bowling green, BMX track and a crazy golf course as well as a children’s playground and special water play area.
TRAVEL WITH YOUR BIKE FOR FREE!
So, you fancy pitting yourself against the Manx hills but find yourself the wrong side of the water? Well don’t let that wee stretch of sea put you off visiting our beautiful cycling mad Island and enjoying everything that Gran Fondo Isle of Man has to offer. After all, what’s a cycling holiday if you don’t leave the country you’re already pedalling in! Simply hop on to an Isle of Man Steam Packet Company sailing from Heysham or Liverpool (bikes go free!) or bring your car for ultimate freedom. The best place to book ferry only deals is on the website www.steam-packet.com.
And do take a look at our superb travel packages for this year’s Gran Fondo Isle of Man. With many years experience working alongside the Island’s leading events, Steam Packet Holidays is ideally placed to cater for your travel and accommodation needs, ensuring your stay is not only enjoyable, but hassle free.
With package prices starting from just £129 per person for a 3 night-break, a visit to this haven for cyclists has never been easier or more affordable. Call one of the team on (0)1624 645777 or visit the website.
FROM THE COUCH TO 20 MILES IN 2019
FREE Piccolo Fondo Coaching Sessions For Beginners
At Gran Fondo Isle of Man we are passionate about encouraging greater participation in the sport and in 2019 we are hosting a number of coaching sessions aimed specifically at new and inexperienced cyclists aiming to take part in our Piccolo Fondo.
The Piccolo Fondo offers cyclists of all ages a unique riding experience in a safe and secure environment, and is ideal for beginners and recreational cyclists looking to enjoy the health benefits of an active lifestyle as well as build confidence when riding a bicycle on the road.
These sessions are absolutely FREE and participants can take advantage of expert coaching by former professional cyclists Rob Holden and Andrew Roche. Rob and Andrew will help you build fitness and confidence if you are new to cycling and who want to grasp the basic skills and knowledge.
Dates: March 24 | April 28 | May 11 | June 22
Cost: FREE to anyone who has entered the Piccolo Fondo
Enter: Fill out the CONTACT US form below with the subject COACHING and the date you would like to reserve a place for
INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS
Gran Fondo Isle of Man is one of the Island’s biggest sporting events hosting a large number of local and overseas competitors. The event requires some road closures to enable it to take place safely. These road closures are designed to limit the impact on normal Island life and will be delivered responsibly in the shortest amount of time possible. The event also relies heavily on the goodwill of local volunteers who give up their time to marshal and the ever increasing number of spectators lining the routes to cheer our intrepid riders on their way!
VOLUNTEER
We are on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers to join us at Gran Fondo Isle of Man!
If you are a community minded person who loves to help, we have plenty of opportunities for you to help steward some of our rides and routes. In return for giving up time and energy, all our volunteers will receive the following:
– Food and drink on the day of your volunteer role.
– Entered into a free draw for Gran Fondo Isle of Man goodies!
We are also on the look out for local sports clubs and organisations that may want to lend some manpower to help us on the day in return for a donation to club funds.
If you would like to get involved with Gran Fondo Isle of Man, please fill in the form via the link below:
ROAD CLOSURES
Please be aware that the road closures could impact local travel arrangements on Sunday 21st July 2019.
Due to the scale and numbers participating in Gran Fondo Isle of Man, it will be necessary to implement road closures across much of the route to facilitate the safe passage of cyclists.
The route has been carefully considered and selected working with local authorities, emergency services and transport operators to minimise the inconvenience of the necessary road closures. Emergency Services will be operating as usual and the public should use normal protocol in the case of an emergency.
We will do all we can to provide you with more information on how you can best navigate your way around the road closures and this page will be updated with detailed road closure and access maps to support local community access as the event approaches.
SPECTATE
At Gran Fondo Isle of Man we encourage racing to win and riding to finish in equal measures. All our events represent a significant challenge to the riders taking part no matter if they are going up against the 85 mile brute that is the Gran Fondo, or those making their first steps into an organised cycling event in our Piccolo ride.
So we’d love to see as many of you as possible out on the road cheering on our riders as they make their way on their own personal challenge, giving them a psychological boost to get through the miles still to come.
Gran Fondo Isle of Man has a true community atmosphere. Make your way to the top of one of the climbs and cheer the Gran Fondo riders along, or head down to Mooragh Park to soak up the summer sun to see the riders start and finish. Whilst many of the roads we use are closed, you can still walk along the footpaths. So get out on the road with your cow bells and make some noise!
PARTNERS
