Sonora Gran Fondo This Sunday
The Sonora Gran Fondo will take place this Sunday, April 28th.
Gail Witzlsteiner, Sonora Regional Medical Center’s Director of Developmanet and Public Relations, was Thursday’s KVML “Newsmaker of the Day”.
Sonora Regional Medical Center is sponsoring the Sonora Gran Fondo.
But what is it?
The Gran Fondo is a cycling event benefiting SRMC’s Live Well, Be Well Center, which offers free and low-cost exercise/health classes and support groups to the community.
The Medical Center launched the Gran Fondo last year, when the city of Sonora was chosen to host Stage 4 of the Amgen Tour of California cycling race.
“The Amgen Tour was such a success, we knew we wanted to continue a cycling event in future years, whether or not we are chosen again to host a leg of the tour,” says Witzlsteiner.
The Gran Fondo traces a portion of the Stage 4 Amgen Tour, beginning in historic downtown Sonora by the Red Church, and (on the longest course) pedals to Groveland and back.
The event includes three races for riders to choose from:
Gran Fondo – an 87-mile ride from Sonora through Jamestown, past Lake Don Pedro along the Golden Chain Highway – Highway 49. Riders will pass through historic Coulterville and climb to the Lake McClure Bagby Recreation Area before turning back to Coulterville and heading up Priest Coulterville Road. They will descend via the switchbacks on new Priest Grade and then backtrack to Sonora.
Medio Fondo – a 60-mile ride following the Gran Fondo route, but turning left onto Priest Couterville Road in Coulterville, thereby eliminating the climb to Bagby and back.
Piccolo Fondo – a 28-mile ride following the Gran Fondo route, but stopping at the junction of Jacksonville Road and Highway 120 and then returning to Sonora on the original route.
Sign-in will begin at 8:00 am at Sonora High School on School Street in downtown Sonora. The ride begins promptly at 9:00 am a few hundred yards away at the historic Red Church on Snell Street. There will be a police escort through town.
Rest stops will be located approximately every 20 miles/2 hours average ride time apart. Food and beverages will be provided, including a barbeque at the end of the race.
Riders finish times will be recorded and published on topsportcycling.com following the event. The top three men and top three top women finishers of the Gran Fondo will receive prizes and free entry into the 2014 Sonora Gran Fondo.
The entry fees for each of the rides are as follows: The Gran Fondo – $65, Medio Fondo – $50 and the Piccolo Fondo – $25.
To enter, register online at http://www.topsportcycling.com.
Registrations will be taken on the day of the ride, but entrants are encouraged to sign up early. The event will be held rain or shine. No refunds. The race will be held under USA Cycling event permit and rules.
For more information contact Gail at the Foundation office at 209-536-5029 or Lee Shuemake at 209-743-1649.
The “Newsmaker of the Day” is heard every weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45am.
