Freeholders Proclaim Sept. 9-10 as 2017 Gran Fondo NJ Weekend in Morris County

Published on August 23, 2017

MORE THAN 2,500 CYCLISTS TO GATHER IN MORRISTOWN FOR STATE'S LARGEST CYCLING EVENT

The Morris County Board of Freeholders have proclaimed the weekend of Sept. 9-10 as 2017 Gran Fondo NJ Weekend'' in Morris County, to call attention to the seventh annual statewide and regional cycling event on Sept. 10 in Morristown, and which is expected to draw more than 2,500 cyclists and many hundreds more families and friends to Morris County.

photo of (l/r) Freeholders John Cesaro and Deborah Smith, Grand Fondo's Marty Epstein and Bill Ruddick, and Freeholders Doug Cabana, Christine Myers and Kathy DeFillippo(JPG, 429KB) (l/r) Freeholders John Cesaro and Deborah Smith, Grand Fondo's Marty Epstein and Bill Ruddick, and Freeholders Doug Cabana, Christine Myers and Kathy DeFillippo

The freeholders this morning issued a proclamation to Marty Epstein, the owner of Marty's Reliable Cycle and host and founder of the event, and Gran Fondo NJ Executive Director Bill Ruddick for their leadership in bringing this major cycling event to Morris County for a seventh consecutive year.

The Gran Fondo NJ is now the biggest and most prestigious cycling event in New Jersey, and one of the best in the nation. It has become a fixture on the Morris County sports and fitness scene thanks to Marty Epstein, Bill Ruddick and their team,'' said Morris County Freeholder Director Doug Cabana.(JPG, 9KB)

The Gran Fondo draws thousands of people to Morris County, providing a boost to the county's economy, showing off the county as a tourism destination, and serving as a real-life advertisement for the quality of life in our county, added Freeholder Cabana.

In addition to the biking, Gran Fondo NJ includes a weekend of festivals, expos and other activities offering entertainment culminating in the ride and post-ride celebration. There also is an optional fundraising component to the New Jersey event, which has been used by riders supporting local and national charities, and which has raised more than $1 million for local and regional charities over the past six years.

The following charities have used the event as a fundraising platform:

  • The Seeing Eye
  • Homeless Solutions
  • Grow it Green Morristown
  • The New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition
  • New Jersey Interscholastic Cycling League
  • Sustainable Morristown
  • The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
  • The Land Conservancy of New Jersey
  • The American Diabetes Association
  • Good Grief
  • The NJ Sharing Network
  • The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide
  • The Montgomery Academy
  • Two Kids Foundation
  • Interfaith Food Pantry
  • Newbridge Services
  • In Tandem

The Gran Fondo, which originated in Italy, is to cyclists what a marathon is to runners. In recent years, Gran Fondos have become a popular mass-participation cycling events for cycling enthusiasts across North America.

Gran Fondo NJ offers a choice of route lengths €“ 18, 42, 62, 75, and 100 miles-- and timed hill segments that wind their way through some of New Jersey's best cycling roads.

photo of large pack of bike riders in a previous Gran Fondo NJ (JPG, 19KB) Previous Gran Fondo as riders exit Morristown

Starting and ending in Morristown, this combination of bike touring and timed climbs attracts a wide range of cyclists from the casual weekend rider to the well-trained endurance athlete. Cyclists from 26 states outside of New Jersey and nine foreign countries (Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Great Britain, Guatemala, Nigeria, Russia, Switzerland, and Turkey) have signed up for the 2017 race.

Epstein and Ruddick told the freeholders that they have to prepare 123 miles of roads in Morris and North Jersey for this year's race, setting up police security, race volunteers on the course, painting race symbols on roads across the region, and many other details to be ready for on Sunday, Sept. 10 for the 7 a.m. start on the Morristown Green.

To view videos of the 2016 Gran FondoNJ and other past Gran Fondos, visit: http://granfondonj.com/videos/

For more information on Gran Fondo NJ, visit: http://granfondonj

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