April 20/16 19:18 pm - Spots Still Available for Gran Fondo Mont-Tremblant

Posted by Editoress on 04/20/16
 

Cycling season has begun at last and spring fever is already in the air! Though still nearly six weeks away, the Gran Fondo Mont-Tremblant already has 1,400 registered participants. Some have begun to train for the event and a growing number of cyclists are on the roads in the Laurentians. Mark your calendar on May 28th.

Photos credit: René-Pierre Normandeau

"For recreational cyclists, this is a great way to start the season on the right foot," says David Veilleux, R&D engineer with Devinci, a Gran Fondo ambassador, and the first Quebecer to complete the Tour de France.

"Experienced cyclists see it as an opportunity to do a long-distance ride early in the season. In cycling terms, this is known as basic endurance; it lays the foundation for endurance all summer long and faster recovery from exertion, as well. It is also a great way to prepare for the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie, which is one of my regular events," adds Veilleux.

Sébastien Delorme, actor and cycling coach, is riding in the Gran Fondo Mont-Tremblant for the third time. When asked what he loves most about the event, he says, "The scenic beauty! The landscapes we see along the way are incredible. The roads are smooth and great for riding. As a venue, Tremblant is perfect for this type of event, with its many restaurants, activities and hotels. It's like a ski-in, ski-out setup, but for bicycles. Perfect for an active weekend with family or friends."

The Gran Fondo organization teamed up with its new partner to create the Devinci Sunset Ride on Friday evening. The event has two parts: for participants who are about to embark on their first cyclosporting event, an introductory clinic with Sébastien Delorme will cover the basics of riding in a peloton and tips on making the most of the Gran Fondo experience. Cyclists with more experience will enjoy the recon ride with David Veilleux to familiarize themselves with the region. The Devinci Sunset Ride is free of charge and reserved for Gran Fondo participants.

The organizers' mission is to promote cycling and the enjoyment of riding with a group. The Gran Fond Mont-Tremblant will also take on a festive aspect with a range of organized activities throughout the weekend. Several industry kiosks will be on the site, and an official dinner, music, cocktail reception and other activities are planned. There is also a Coffee Ride on Sunday morning for anyone who wants to finish the weekend with an impressive mileage total.

New Routes for 2016

Participant feedback and a desire to continue giving everyone the best possible experience have led to a review of some routes. Accordingly, the ascent at Lac Quenouille and the Val-des-Lacs portion have been eliminated. "We added a stretch of the famous Nordet to the 125 kilometre route and lengthened that segment for the 160 kilometre ride, thus creating a new challenge for riders. In that leg of the ride, expect significant uphill effort, followed by exciting descents, all of it on impeccable roads," explains Simon St-Arnaud, event producer.

The Gran Fondo Mont-Tremblant was declared the best interprovincial open-to-all cycling event at the Mérite cycliste québécois gala in 2015 by the Fédération québécoise des sports cyclistes (FQSC). Rave reviews are not confined to Quebec, either! The GFMT has also been described as:

• One of the 50 most scenic cyclosporting events in the world - Le Cycle Magazine, France
• One of the biggest and best Gran Fondos in Canada - Granfondoguide.com (2016)
• Among the top 10 Gran Fondos in Canada - Canadian Cycling Magazine

VIP Lodging Offers for Participants

Tourisme Mont-Tremblant and hotel establishments in the area are proud to accommodate participants and offer attractive discounts on rooms. You can book yours now at the Destination Mont-Tremblant website.

About the Gran Fondo Mont-Tremblant

The Gran Fondo Mont-Tremblant is a cyclosporting event for amateur and seasoned enthusiasts alike. Positioning itself more as a personal, rather than a competitive, challenge, it is known for its stringent safety structure and quality organization. The beauty of the region makes it ideal for all those who love a scenic ride and enjoy testing their personal abilities.

• The 160 km Super Fondo, for experienced riders
• The 125 km Gran Fondo, for experienced and above-average cyclists
• The 80 km Medio Fondo, for intermediate to advanced cyclists
• The 45 km Molo Fondo for recreational riders and beginners

A maximum of 2,000 participants are expected at this edition.

To register, visit www.granfondotremblant.ca.

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