Ride Like The Pros For Charity
Saturday, June 16
The Menomonie Gran Fondo and Spectator Rides
Less than an hour from the Twin Cities, but a world apart
START/FINISH Location
All Gran Fondo and Spectator Rides with start and finish from Lot #4 on the campus of UW Stout. Lot #4 is located at the intersection of 13th Ave and S. Broadway in Menomonie, approximately two miles south of I-94 (exit 41) on STH 25 (Broadway Ave.). Lot #4 is the main parking lot for the Johnson Fieldhouse/Sports and Fitness Center.
http://www.uwstout.edu/guide/upload/campus_map.pdf.
Enjoy a ride among the rolling hills and bicycle-friendly roads of western Wisconsin, Dunn County and Menomonie before watching the pros in the fifth stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix.
The Menomonie Gran Fondo and Spectator Rides offer race day options for any cyclist.
Gran Fondo
From the Italian for 'big ride," two rides will be offered as a challenge for fit cyclists of all ages. While these rides are not a race, they will take in the roads that the pros will tackle later in the day. Both Gran Fondo rides depart Menomonie at 7:30 am on Race Day before returning in time for the thrilling finishing circuits of the pro races.
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85 Mile Gran Fondo – Follows the same route the professional men will conquer later in the day. This difficult route includes over 3000’ of climbing.
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65 Mile Gran Fondo – Follows the same route the professional women race through later in the day. This route shares the opening 50 miles of the 85 mile route, then takes a “short-cut”, before returning to Menomonie.
Spectator Rides
Three rides will be available for families and recreational riders. These rides bring you out to viewing points along the pro road course and return you to Menomonie for the exhilarating finishing circuits. Spectator rides depart Menomonie at 11:00 am on Race Day.
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8-Mile Family Ride – Follow the Red Cedar Trail from Menomonie four miles to Irvington and back. Arrive ahead of the pros in Irvington and watch them fly by before enjoying your return spin. The Trail is a Rails-to-Trails project that follows an abandoned rail bed along the Red Cedar River Valley. The purchase of a $4 trail pass will be required on the day of the event.
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15-Mile Spectator Ride – Ride ahead of the pros to Calvary Hill. Enjoy the panorama of the Red Cedar River Valley and then cheer on the pros as they climb Calvary Hill. Enjoy the 7 ½ mile return ride to Menomonie.
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32–Mile Spectator Ride – Ride with the 15-mile riders and enjoy the stop at Calvary Hill. When the pros pass, take a short-cut to Star Hill, arguably the toughest climb in Dunn County. Watch the effort and the speed of the pros on this 17% grade that is sure to provide some fireworks. Catch the pros one more time on County Road P. Then enjoy the return ride to Menomonie, an enjoyable rolling 15 miles.
Registration
The Gran Fondos and Spectator Rides require require riders to register and pay a small fee to participate with proceeds going to Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota, the benefitting charity of the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival.
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Gran Fondo Entry Fees
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Spectator Rides Entry Fees
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Adults: $35
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Adults: $15
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Youth: $15
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Youth: $10
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Click HERE for registration information (Coming Soon).
What’s included?
• Snacks, fruits, beverages on the route
• SAG support on the route
• Hot showers after you return to Menomonie
• The thrill of attending the Nature Valley Grand Prix Pro Men’s and Women’s finishing circuits
Bike Rental
Lodging
The Menomonie Chamber of Comemrce website can help you find comfortable accomodations in the area for the night before or the night of the ride -
www.menomoniechamber.org