Gran Fondo Hincapie returns to Chattanooga on May 3 for the eighth year, with three scenic distances of more than 145 miles and 10,000 feet of elevation.
Registration is open for the event. Those who do so by March 23 will receive their free event jersey at packet pickup (rather than having it shipped after the event). Gran Fondo Hincapie is in its 13th year, with events throughout the country.
“Gran Fondo Hincapie is an incredible event that brings riders of all ages and skill levels from across the country and internationally, right here to Chattanooga,” said Barry White, Chattanooga Tourism Co. President and CEO. “Our community is thrilled to host this cycling celebration. The challenge of the course meets the excitement of a post-ride festival, making it a must-experience weekend.”
Riders will start on May 3 at 8 a.m. from the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and head downtown. The routes then climb scenic mountain roads along the Tennessee River and Suck Creek. Course specifics for each of the three distances:
- Gran – 79 miles, 5612 ft of elevation, 3 rest stops, 3 timed Speed Zones/KOMs
- Medio – 57 miles, 3952 ft of elevation, 3 rest stops, 2 timed Speed Zones, 1 KOM
- Piccolo – 10 miles, 463 ft of elevation, 1 climb/Speed Zone
Olympian and former American professional road cyclist George Hincapie will ride alongside the event participants. Riders will enjoy careful attention to safety, on-course SAG support, course and segment timing, fully stocked rest stops, complimentary participant photography, and a free Family Fun Festival post-ride. The post-ride festival and expo is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will feature gourmet food by chef Biju Thomas, live entertainment, podium awards, giveaways, sponsor activations and more.
Other weekend festivities include a Night with the Stars dinner on Friday night. Riders are invited to join Hincapie in the Waterhouse Pavilion at Miller Plaza (tickets available). A Hincapie Sportswear Warehouse Sale will also take place on Friday from 12-5 p.m. A SRAM happy hour will round out Friday’s activities from 3-5 p.m., with complimentary beverages from Tennessee Brew Works.
The third Hincapie event of the year will be in Lehigh Valley, Pa., on May 31. The final event will take place Oct. 18 in Greenville, S.C., where the Hincapie Gran Fondo events started in 2012. Registration is now open for all of the 2025 events.
MAIN PHOTO: Riders on the Chattanooga course in 2024. Photo courtesy of Hincapie
