Triple Peak Gran Fondo

Element Adventures is proud to announce the third annual Triple Peak Gran Fondo!  The Triple Peak route has it all: plenty of miles, beautiful pastoral vistas, and stiff mountain climbs (with accompanying sweet descents!) The Double Peak and Single Peak routes provide shorter challenges, but adventure nonetheless!  Over mostly rural roads, you'll get to see the beauty of northwest Virginia, as well as a fair bit of West Virginia.  And we don't want to leave out the Fun route, a shorter ride without a major mountain peak, but still great riding and views, perfect for a family outing.

A portion of each participant's entry fee will be donated to Congregational Community Action Project (CCAP), a local charity.  We ask that all participants bring a canned food item to donate to the food pantry.   CCAP maintains a food pantry, operates a clothing center with all sizes, and offers assistance in other areas such as rents, utilities and prescription drugs.  http://ccapwinc.org/  Help us raise funds for this organization that does so much in Winchester/Frederick County!

Aid stations: This ride will be supported with aid stations along the route.  We are planning for 6 stations, so plenty of places to refuel!  The aid stations will be stocked with PB&J, Chips, pretzels, HEED, gels, bars, candy, and more.  If you have dietary constraints, please let us know ahead of time so we can try to accommodate you as best as we can.  (We plan to have some Gluten-free bread at the stations, you will need to request it).  Although we will have supplies at the aid stations and mechanics at a few of them, be sure to carry at least the minimum supplies with you: spare tube(s), pump, patches, multi-tool. There will be a very nice buffet at the end of the ride, provided by a local caterer.

Timed Hill Climbs (KOM):  We will award prizes to the fastest times on the major climbs, and the fastest over the three combined for the Triple Peak route.   We will offer prizes for both men and women.  We will not have timing chips, so we will be using Strava to record the times.  In order to be entered into the timed climbs, therefore, you will need a Garmin, phone, or other GPS device and upload your ride to Strava when you complete your ride.

Strava segments:

KOM 1: Boyd's Gap via Salem Church to summit: https://www.strava.com/segments/28602313. Features in Triple Peak, Double Peak, and Single Peak routes

KOM 2: Shanghai Express: https://www.strava.com/segments/1394104.  Features in Triple Peak and Double Peak routes

KOM 3: County Route 18 Climb: https://www.strava.com/segments/750059  Features in Triple Peak route.

Please upload your ride to Strava immediately after the ride (WiFi is available), and make sure the ride is public, so that we will be see your times on the segments.

Prizes: Each prize will be given to the top man and top woman.  Overall winners: A Triple Peak Gran Fondo KOM/QOM jersey and a free entry to another Element Adventures event. Top time each climb: Free entry to another Element Adventures event.  Winners can only win one prize, so you'll be awarded the highest prize you qualify for.  We'll have 8 winners total (4 men, 4 women)!

Location: Element Sports, 2009 S Loudoun St, Winchester, VA 22601

Cost: $60 Triple Peak and Triple Peak Alt / $50 Double Peak and Single Peak / $35 Fun+ until May 13, then $75/$65/$45 until June 2.  Day of registrations will be $85/75/50, provided there are registrations available.

Time: Check-in opens at 7:00 am and will be open through 10:00 am.  You may begin your ride as soon as you check in!  The longer the route you are doing, the earlier you will want to start, as there will be cut-offs.  See FAQ for details on cutoff times.  Please be sure to officially check out after the ride so we know you are off the course.

Post-ride Meal: Located at the finish at Element Sports. Riders will enjoy a buffet provided by a local caterer.  You may also purchase meal tickets in advance for friends and family that come out with you. (Meal is included with riders' entry fee)

Parking: There is limited parking behind the store.  The best option is to park at Ward Plaza down at the corner of Valley Avenue and Weems Lane, about 1/2 mile from the shop.

Volunteers!  We can definitely use volunteers, so please register as a volunteer if you are willing to help out.  Volunteers will receive a complimentary buffet ticket!  Send us an email letting us know in what capacity you would like to volunteer: aid station, SAG driver, mechanic; as well as what hours you are available.  (We will also contact you to ask when we see you have registered as a volunteer).

Jerseys: Pre-order a jersey to commemorate this great ride!  These jerseys are full-zip and made of advanced moisture-wicking fabric to keep you cool and dry.  Rear pockets. Comfortable club fit available in mens and womens. You can order your jersey during registration.  $75. Size Charts below.  Picture will be uploaded as soon as the 2023 design is finalized

We’re looking forward to another fantastic ride!

Points of Note:

• Mountain descents are steep and have sharp turns, and may have potholes.  Please be careful!
• Follow all rules of the road: stop at signs, stoplights, etc.  Please ride single file when cars come up behind you. Roads will not be closed to traffic.
• There is no gravel climb this year.  All routes are only on pavement.
• There is a short stretch on US 522.  This highway is high speed and may have trucks, please be careful.
• There is a lot of elevation gain, and the major climbs are steep (especially Shanghai!), so make sure you are appropriately geared!

Route Details:

Triple Peak

• 98 miles
• 3 mountain peaks
• 9,500 feet elevation gain
• No gravel
• https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31266714
• Orange arrows
• 7 aid stations at approx. miles 21, 29, 45, 53, 60, 74, 86

Double Peak

• 71 miles
• 2 mountain peaks
• 5,500 feet elevation gain
• https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28633155
• Red arrows
• 4 Aid Stations at approx. miles 18, 33, 47, 60

Single Peak

• 57 miles
• 1 mountain peak
• 3,900 feet elevation gain
• https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28633050
• Pink Arrows
• 3 Aid Stations at approx. miles 18, 33, 46

No Peak Fun

• 25 miles
• No mountain peaks
• 1,300 feet elevation gain
• https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28633197
• Yellow arrows
• 1 Aid Station at approx. mile 14

Partners and Sponsors

We’d like to thank our partners and sponsors: Briede Family Vineyards, Hammer Nutrition, Violet Moon Farm, Jamis Bicycles, Bear Chase Brewing Company

FAQ

What is included with registration?  A beautiful ride with stocked aid stations and great support, as well as an excellent post-ride meal.  Sure, some other fondos hand out more swag like t-shirts or glasses.  But they’re also a lot more expensive!  Triple Peak Gran Fondo jerseys are available for purchase for $70. 

What is the refund or transfer policy?  There are no refunds, but registrations can be transferred for a $5 fee.

What is the cancellation policy? The Triple Peak Gran Fondo will run rain or shine.  If for some reason the event needs to be cancelled, Element Adventures will do their very best to be fair to the registrants, which may include at least a partial refund if possible.  Most likely, registrants will receive credit toward another Element Adventures event.

Can I buy post-ride meals for my family?  Sure!  $15/person.  Please purchase ahead of time if possible. (Riders' meals are included in their entry fee)

What can my family do while I am riding?  There is tons for your family to do while you are out riding!  Jim Barnett Park is just down the street; they have playgrounds, a bmx track, a disc golf course, and more!  There is the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley nearby, the Third Battle of Winchester for a stroll through history, Apple Blossom mall for shopping and movies, and plenty more in the area!

Must I do the ride for which I registered?  If you need to switch to a shorter, you just need to mention it at the start or at the aid station should you choose to switch mid-ride.  Please, if you decide you want to tackle the Triple Peak or Triple Peak Alt after having registered for a shorter course, stop in and pay the difference at the end of the ride.

If I have a mechanical or minor injury and need a ride back to the start, what do I do?  Either let a volunteer at an aid station know and a ride will be arranged, or call Element Sports at 540-662-5744 and we will arrange to have someone pick you up.  If you have an emergency or major injury, please first call 911!  NOTE: If you call for the SAG wagon, you will be taken back to the shop; we will not be giving rides to the top of the mountain.

Are there shower and changing facilities?  There is a single shower at Element Sports, which you will be welcome to use (no guarantees on how long the hot water will last!).  There is also a separate changing room.

Are there cut off times?  Yes. We'd like to make sure everyone is finished and off the roads by 8pm at the very latest.  Riders on the Triple Peak and Triple Peak Alt routes need to make it to the Aid Station 3 at Shanghai by 2:00pm the first time through or they may be redirected to a shorter route.  Double Peak riders need to make it to aid station 3 by 3pm, otherwise they may be redirected onto the Single Peak route.  There will be Sweep Riders/Drivers for each route, as well.

Are roads closed to traffic?  No.  All roads are open to traffic at all times.  There will be no mass start or police escort.  Riders are responsible to ride safely and to obey all traffic laws.

Will there be an awards ceremony for the Timed Hill Climbs competition?  Unfortunately, there will be no awards ceremony, as determining the winners will not be possible until riders have returned and uploaded their rides to Strava.  All riders who would like to have their times considered must upload their rides to Strava by 9:00 pm.  Winners will be announced by email and Facebook and prizes mailed.

If you have questions, please call us at 540-662-5744 or email us at element-adventures@elementsport.com

Jersey Size Charts:

Men's Club-Cut Jersey

Women's Club-Cut Jersey