Cycling and Event Promotion
Sun, Mar 19
|Ephrata
Gran Fondo Ephrata
The infamous Gran Fondo Ephrata has become a Pacific Northwest “spring classic” offering up 88 or 45 miles of primitive central WA back roads, plenty of climbing for March, and of course unpredictable spring weather. Come prepared to be unprepared.
Time & Location
Mar 19, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Ephrata, 333 4th Ave NW, Ephrata, WA 98823, USA
About the event
March 19, 2023
Meet: Ephrata High School.
Start time:
88 miles – 9:00 am 45 miles – 10:00 am
Length: 88 miles (32 gravel) 4900′ climbing 45 miles (21 gravel) 3000′ climbing
Price:
88 miles – $80 50 miles – $70
Registration: FULL
Note: Registration is limited and fills up FAST, be ready!
Disclaimer: This is a HARD ride and is intended for experienced cyclists only.
What you get: You will receive a super cool limited Gran Fondo Ephrata souvenir, a well thought out, and well marked course to ride that will leave you stoked on gravel, and an aid station to refuel at mid ride. We will also post the times of all finishers for bragging rights.
GFE 45: GFE Medio, half the calories, all of the flavor! We’ll spare you the “joy” of Norton Canyon, but you will get the Baird Springs climb just like the Grande. This is a classic Vicious Cycle Saturday ride. But don’t be fooled, this is not a lame watered down version of the big ride, 21 miles of gravel, and a fair amount of climbing (3000′) will hit the mark. There will be an aid station mid way.
GFE 88: The course is designed to give riders a glimpse of some very remote, out of the way parts of central Washington. It’s only March and 4900′ of climbing will hurt, plus approximately 32 of the 80 mile route is on gravel roads. There will be one aid station at approx the half way point.
Gear: With so many variable course conditions it is hard to say what’s right or wrong. Gravel, road, cross, or mtb, any one will work, but all will have a disadvantage at some point. Overall GFE is pretty fast gravel, there can be some chunk here and there with a bit of early spring wild card (ruts, mud, snow). There will be lots of climbing so gear accordingly. There will be a few sag wagons and an aid station, but it’s a good idea to be self sufficient. Weather is always something to consider this time of year. We’d love to promise sunshine and 55 degrees, but it could just as easily rain or snow. Bring on the adventure baby!
Refunds – Up to 30 days out? No problemo. Less than 30 days? Ok, we’ll do a 50% refund. Two weeks out? Come on man, you’re killing the vibe, we’ve committed our efforts and resources already at this point, no refunds.