RACE THROUGH HISTORY
Expo and mandatory packet/goodie bag pickup: Thursday, May 7th, 2020 from 12:00pm till 20:00pm.
All participants must come to the expo to pick up there race packet and goodie bag. This is mandatory for the event and will be the only time and locations where you will receive your race number, goodie bag and jersey. This will also be where you can exchange your jersey if it doesn’t fit, make last minute distance changes or update registration information.
Friday May 7th, 2020 Race Day:
GRAN FONDO ROUTE is approx. 80 miles/130 km long with 2,904m/9,524ft elevation gain. MEDIO FONDO ROUTE is approx. 43 miles/72km long with 1,494m/4,901ft elevation gain. The Gran Fondo route finishes at the Jerusalem Aquarium with a nice fun finish area for the whole family to enjoy. The Medio Fondo route finishes at the same place as the Gran Fondo route so all participants can celebrate together.
A Gran Fondo is all about achieving your best possible time which means you can compete against yourself or other participants. The level of experience is all dependent on what type of results you want to achieve. There are people who just want to ride a Gran Fondo for fun with family and friends and there are people who want to compete for a podium position, the decision is up to you. If your not sure if your ready then the best decision would be to participate in the Medio Fondo which is less competitive. It's important to understand that GFNY events are competitive events where people train at least a few months in advance to have a great race and achieve a great timing result.
At this moment we are not offering any training plans, but in the near future we will be offering plans as well as group rides for everyone who has registered GFNY Jerusalem to enjoy.
WHAT IS THE ENTRY FEE FOR 2020?
Or until the event is sold out, whichever happens first. There is no event day registration.
Various GFNY goodies, Italian made jersey designed in New York by Alex Astroy, Elite water bottle 800ml, Course marking, 4 aid stations (fruits, drinks, Various snacks), chip timing, post ride food and drinks, pasta party, ambulance both stationary and rolling, participant race insurance (email info@gfnyjerusalem.com for detailed insurance coverage info) competition, finisher medals, winners medals, course marshals, and fully closed to police moderated roads.
The GFNY jerseys are standard/European race cut and therefore are more fitted by the torso than the typical American size. We suggest ordering one size larger if someone usually wears an American cut jersey. Here is the size chart http://gfny.com/content/uploads/2017/02/sizechart.jpg
You can transfer your Gran Fondo registration to a Medio Fondo registration at no extra cost until April 7, 2020 directly on your GFNY online account or if you have any trouble with that simply email us at info@gfnyjerusalem.com to request a distance change.
You can transfer your MEDIO FONDO registration to a GRAN FONDO registration at no extra cost until April 7, 2020 directly at your online GFNY account.
No, a racing license is not needed or required.
No, not at all. GFNY is open to all fitness levels. Some will compete for prizes, others will do their best to beat the cut-off. A Gran Fondo is about doing your best whether it is competing for prizes or beating the cut-off.
No but you need to register soon as this will be a sold out race.
If you finish in the top 10% of your age group in a previous GFNY event for the last 3 years you get to start in the front corrals of the current years GFNY events. Please check the Qualifiers List at this link.
Riders must be 18 or older to participate.
Our registration in on GFNY's system where you create your own account that will enable you to keep track of your results, registration, shopping, route changes and more. Click on this link: https://gfny.cc/iframe?id=3&lang=en
There are no refunds, transfers or deferrals after April 7, 2020.
We suggest to use a road bike as it is the best option to ride in groups. You can also ride a touring bike or single speed (with two brakes). A triathlon bike is fine as long as you keep your hands on the brake lever while riding in a group. Triathlon bikes will start in the rear corral for safety reasons.
If you chose to ride as a tandem, both riders have to register for the event. Tandems are not eligible for prizes. Recumbent bikes, trailers and bike seats are not allowed for safety reasons.
Yes, every rider will receive his/her start to finish time. Timing results will be available at the main finish area at the results tent. Final results will be posted online as soon as possible at the www.gfnyjerusalem.com website.
Each overall winner will receive a special winners jersey and winners medal as an award. Overall winners are not eligible for the age group category. Age category winners will receive a unique winner's jersey and unique winner's medal.
Top three in each category are eligible for prizes from our sponsors.
* Both members of a Him+Her Team must finish together (time difference not more than 30 seconds) to be eligible. Pushing is allowed.
There will also be various product prizes from our sponsors. Prizes include winner's jerseys, winners medal, bicycle accessories and as we include more sponsors the list will keep growing.
We are working hard to put together a list of the best recommended hotels to stay at in Jerusalem. We will make sure to secure special discounts for all participants. The best part about staying in a GFNY Jerusalem host hotel is to be around all your fellow participants and to share in your race stories and strategies. Also our host hotel offers special participant services including being able to keep your bicycle in your room, early morning snacks and coffee, plus much more.
Our host hotels will also be conveniently located next to either the expo are race starting locations. For more information on host hotels visit the Travel or Hotel link once available on our website.
We highly recommend to bring your own bike since by bringing your own bike to the race, you are sure to ride a bike in the right size, with the components that you prefer and in the condition that you as the owner maintain your beloved bike. We will also put together a list of bike rental providers in Jerusalem who will have a small selection of bike rentals for those of you who prefer to rent. Please visit our website shortly for the bike rental companies who we recommend.
Packet pickup will be held at the GFNY Jerusalem expo Thursday May 7th, 2020 from 12:00pm - 20:00pm. The Expo location will at the Jerusalem First Station Entertainment Center.
No. Pick up is only possible on Wednesday or Thursday. No exceptions.
Yes you can have someone come to pick up your race packet for you but they will need to bring a signed letter with written approval from you with a photo copy of your official government identification. The letter must include the name of the person permitted to pick up the packet and this same person must bring an official identification as well.
There will be a large expo where you pick up your race packet. Event sponsors will also be present to showcase their latest products. Check out the GFNY Jerusalem expo page for more details.
The official GFNY Jerusalem jersey is mandatory (included in the entry fee) as is the wristband provided at registration. The number plate with timing chip, rear bib number provided at registration is mandatory as well. Helmets with buckled chin straps must be worn at all times. Also, keep your wristband on for post event festivities, raffles, and bike parking. Headphones of any kind are not allowed.
Most hosting hotels have available parking space, and are conveniently located within a short riding distance to the Start line. Those of you who are arriving with a vehicle can conveniently park at the following parking lots:
At the Jerusalem Arena \ Teddy stadium - next to the start area.
At the Technological gardens, next to Malha Mall - 1.9km from the finish area. Click here to view on map.
At the lower parkeing area of the Biblical Zoo. Put "Park Jerusalem" on your waze App and enter right to the parking lot next to the Playground. From there you can ride the bike trail all the way to the Start area, a 2.7Km ride. Click here to view on map.
There are no shuttle buses provided by GFNY.
No.
Yes, rain or shine unless the event is cancelled by the authorities due to e.g. a severe storm.
First it’s VIP riders then top 10% of each age group from the previous two years (Gran Fondo only). After it's licensed racers (Elite Cat3 or Master Cat2 or Women Cat2 or equivalent and higher ranked). GFNY Jerusalem reserve the right to restrict front start to higher categories if the demand is greater than the availability.
After that, riders will be grouped by age group Gran Fondo, and then Medio Fondo, Triathlon/aero bar bikes and physically challenged riders.
To allow as little interference as possible, we encourage beginner and slower riders to line up at the back of the start. With this you will be able to ride your own pace unobstructed.
For 2020 Jerusalem race any technically serviceable roadworthy bicycle is permitted. The following are not permitted: triathlon bikes, time trial bikes, triathlon/aero-bars, tandems, e-bikes, prone bicycles, recumbent bikes and bicycles with chair seating (except for para-athletes), penny farthings or mono cycles. Unsafe bikes can be banned at any time during the event.
The Medio Fondo will start at 6:15am the same time as the Gran Fondo. Registered participants for the Medio Fondo will line up in a corral behind the Gran Fondo 130 kilometers participants.
The main corrals are divided by Gran Fondo Age Group, and then Medio Fondo. If your friend chose the Medio Fondo and you chose the Gran Fondo then you may move to the Medio Fondo section but your friend may not move to the Gran Fondo section.
There will be 4 nutrition stations spread out along the course with solid food and fluids as well as at the finish.
Location in Km. of the aid-stations for the 130 riders: 25, 46, 55, 74, 93, 103, 121.
Location in Km. of the aid-stations for the 72 riders: 25, 45, 63
Please note that there will be no food or water at the start available. Make sure your bottles are filled and carry a snack that keeps you going for the first part of the ride.
All roads will be closed to traffic. Riders however have to follow the instructions of police officers and volunteers to avoid disqualification.
Gran Fondo is about riding a tough course as quickly as possible according to the rider’s fitness. The overall cut-off time is at the finish line at 13:30 which means you have approx 6.5 hours for the ride. This equals to approximately 10mph/16kph including all nutrition stops. A broom car will trail the ride at approx. 15-20mph/20-30kph. The rear of race vehicles will ask rear of race riders if they want to board the car if not then they will be riding outside the event. You will have to conclude the ride of the 130km route by 13:30pm.
GFNY is working with local municipals to repair roads where necessary and feasible. Where repairs are not possible, potholes and rough road sections are marked clearly. Always be vigilant for road signs and marking.
WILL THERE BE RESTROOMS AT THE START/FINISH AND ON THE COURSE?
Yes, start/finish area as well as aid stations are equipped with porta-potties and a cleaning crew.
We highly encourage all participants to know basic safety and repair skills, including in particular fixing a flat tire. Be prepared and bring your own pump and extra tubes for your bike. Make sure you bring your bike to your local bike shop in the weeks leading up to the event.
However, if you are still unable to make the repair, course marshalls will accompany riders along all routes. Should you need assistance, just let one of the marshals know and, if a marshall is unable to assist you with the repair, a bus will take you to a rest stop where mechanical support may be available, or to the finish line. Please note that the wait for assistance and/or a ride to the nearest rest stop can be long and by waiting, you run the risk of not being allowed to finish the event. Visit your local bike shop to learn how to handle basic repair needs or ask an experienced riding buddy.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be on the course and on call. Police officers and bike mechanics will be traveling on the course on motorcycles and in cars.
Police officers will be controlling traffic at intersections and volunteers will be guiding athletes for turns at intersections. Each of these people will be armed with the EMS contact numbers. If you need help, inform someone on the course and they will get help to you (or someone else) as quickly as possible and stay with you until help arrives. No matter at what point, help will always be close.
GFNY Jerusalem will have SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles along the course for any cyclists who are unable to complete the event.
Try to make it to the next or previous aid station, there you will have food, water, emergency medical services as well as volunteers to keep you company. If you are unable to ride to an aid station, there will be police officers controlling traffic at intersections as well as volunteers guiding athletes for turns at intersections, so ride forward or backwards until you see a police officer or volunteer and they will inform the SAG vehicle to pick you up. If you are unable to ride, move off the road and wait along the shoulder of the road until a marshall or police officer or mechanic rides by, they will be on the lookout for stopped cyclists. If you are riding and you see a cyclist on the side of the road who asks for help, when you get to the next police officer or volunteer, report that you saw a stopped cyclist and their approximate location.
Group riding is faster as you save about 30% energy in a draft. It takes a bit of skill to get used to riding closely behind someone else’s wheel. Ideally, you find a riding partner to practice.
LONG DISTANCE ROUTE 130km. The finish line will be at the Jerusalem Aquarium parking area where we have chosen a nice open land to host the finish area parties.
SHORT DISTANCE ROUTE 70km finishes in the same location of the LONG DISTANCE area at the Jerusalem Aquarium parking area. Everyone will be able to celebrate together and enjoy all the finish area benefits including the podium ceremony.
HOW DO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS GET TO THE FINISH?
The finish area will be located at the Jerusalem Aquarium parking area where all your family and friends are invited to celebrate your victories and achievements. The is plenty of parking space between the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo and the Aquarium area and it is easy for all family and friends to locate. We will be providing directions and parking information for everyone closer to the race.
There will be a results tent at the main finish area where you will be able to view your preliminary results. We will announce the official overall and category winners at the awards ceremony next to the finish line and the full results will be online on this site asap.
GFNY Jerusalem does not offer return transportation since the finish area is located in a central part of the city where it will be easy to either take a taxi, bus, or have family or friends give you a ride back home. The finish area is also a short 3km ride away from the start line where you can ride back to where you parked your car. There is also a bike trail that you can take from the finish area to the start area. Further details and information will be provided closer to the race.
The finish area is located at the Jerusalem Arena which is located only a couple of kilometers away from the GFNY Jerusalem host hotel. There is also a bike path from the arena where everyone can also take a short bike ride back to their hotels and the central part of Jerusalem. We will be providing more information and maps when the race gets closer.
