Traffic alert: Gearing up for Gran Fondo, and road closures, through Rockland, Bergen
You may have seen the lime green "GFNY" bunting popping along Route 9W. Yes, Gran Fondo New York is back, coming to Rockland and north Jersey on Sunday, May 21.
The race draws thousands of riders from around the world. And it causes considerable traffic disruptions.
Potential traffic tieups loom for what looks to be a busy Sunday: Nyack hosts a street fair and in Spring Valley, the annual Haitian Flag Day Parade of Unity is scheduled, followed by a festival in Memorial Park.
The Gran Fondo loops the county, causing all-day detours, temporary traffic halts or diversions when large pelotons of riders pass through.
If you're not riding but want to participate, course flaggers are still needed. Contact volunteer@gfny.com to volunteer; for questions, contact support@gfny.com.
Road closures for Grand Fondo New York race
Riders can take a 100-mile or 50-mile course. They start in groups and are chipped so their times are tracked.
The race starts at the George Washington Bridge. The lower level will be closed Saturday overnight and through 9 a.m. Sunday.
In New Jersey, Hudson Terrace in Fort Lee and Henry Hudson Drive will be closed Sunday.
The course uses Route 9W, which will close to vehicles from Alpine, New Jersey, to Nyack from 7-9 a.m.
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In Stony Point, riders tackle Mott Farm Road, Gate Hill and Cheesecote Mountain, with an 18% grade, the steepest part of the course.
The course doesn’t go through Bear Mountain this year, though it skirts part of Harriman State Park.
Heading south, riders go through Ramapo, Clarkstown and Orangetown, including the Joseph B. Clarke rail trail in Blauvelt. The course doesn’t go onto the Palisades Interstate Parkway but will shut down entrance and exit ramps at exits 2, 3 and 4.
The terminus is in Fort Lee, New Jersey, where a big street party-style celebration is planned.
What's a Gran Fondo?
“Gran Fondo” is the Italian term for “big challenge.”
Races take place all over the world, including France, Argentina and of course, Italy. Rides this fall are scheduled for Mandalika, Indonesia and York, Pennsylvania.
GFNY held the first NYC race in May 2011.
The New York City race is popular and quite an investment: Tickets this year are $425; $1,200 VIP packages offer an exclusive registration suite, a private shopping service, a VIP corral for the start, a 25-minute post-race massage and entry into a post-race hospitality suite.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Cycling premier event Gran Fondo cyclists cross GWB to Rockland County
