Rider Guide

GranFondo Ottawa
 
Registration

I have entered and cannot ride, can I get a refund or do a substitution?
  • Sorry- we have a NO refund policy; jerseys and other items have been ordered and paid for
  • Transfers are allowed but subject to a $25.00 fee + 3% admin fee and HST [ Jersey may be exchanged if we have extras after the event, if NOT worn & in original bag]
  • Please download the registration forms and waivers from the website PDF, have your transferee complete them and email them to 
  • Payment can be sent by mail or eTransfer or paid in cash if at the event, no checks please
  • Any other questions, please address them to 

Schedule of Events & Kit / Chip Pick Up:
  • Event Venue - Richcraft Recreation Complex- Kanata, 4101 Innovation Drive [everything takes place here]
  • Thursday Kit/Chip pick up [6PM-9PM] Minto Room
  • Friday Expo kit/chip pick up [Noon-9PM] Minto Room
  • Saturday 7AM GiornoJaveFesta @ The Green Pavilion [if it rains, go to the Minto Room]
  • Saturday 8AM/SF, 8:30AM/GF, 9AM/MF & 9:30AM/CF
  • Saturday Expo [DJ Wade, all day music]
  • Saturday 1PM BiagiosFondoFesta [Aliments Roma, ClockTower BewPub, Nestlè & ItalFoods]
  • Sunday 10AM recovery ride @ The Green Pavilion

Please note:
  • Riders please respect the kit/chip p/u schedule to ensure fast in/out
  • Each of the 4 events has its own check in table
  • Event changes will be managed at the Information Desk- please check in at the event you were registered to participate in 
  • Additional gear orders are also picked up / sold at a seperate table nearby 
  • We discourage Saturday AM registrations as they result in delays
  • if you MUST register/sign-in Saturday, please be at the site 1-hour before your ride
What is the process?
  • The sign-in, kit/chip p/u for ALL rides takes place Thursday/Friday at the Richcraft Recreation Complex-Kanata, 4101 Innovation Drive
  • I Love Lungs greeters will direct you to collect kit/chip with your bag & jersey + (if applicable) additional Biemme gear p/u at separate table
  • On Saturday at 7AM we will be set up in the parking lot adjacent [left] of the RRC in the green pavilion beside the GranFondoOttawa tents
Can someone else collect my entry?
  • Yes, please have a signed note and photo ID of the person to leave with us as proof
What do I need to bring as identification/proof of entry?
  • Please bring photo ID [DL or Passport] and ideally the registration confirmation form sent via email
  • If you registered manually by check, we will send you a confirmation, please print it off
Will there be NEW entries accepted on Thursday, Friday or Saturday AM of event day?
  • If spaces are available, riders may register, however on Saturday, please be there at least 1-hour before entry
  • A $25.00 late entry fee + 3% and HST will apply
  • Please note if we run out, your jersey will be ordered after the event + 8-week delivery + shipping/handling of $15.00 if required
What if my jersey is too big/small?
  • Exchanges are OK after ride is done, if jersey is returned in original package UNWORN and other sizes are available
  • Additional jerseys can be ordered subject to a delivery fee of $15.00 to cover postage and handling if need be for out-of-town riders 
Can we ride a tandem or are unconventional bikes allowed?
  • Time trial and tandems are OK, for tandems, both riders must register
  • Unconventional bikes need approval from insurance provider
 

Merchandise
Biemme
When will I collect my jersey & bag?
  • See Schedule of Events above
  • Please note, we have ordered extra jerseys however riders registering after June 15th may not get their jersey until our post-ride order is placed in late July and will be received [a few weeks after the event] and may be subject to shipping/handling, if delivery is needed
  • If registering after June 15th, please bring a jersey to wear on ride day to ensure you have one or check with us to ensure sizing in advance
What proof do I need to bring collect order?
  • Photo ID and copy of registration (ideally)
Will I be able to change sizes of bibs or other Gear ordered?
  • If we have extra inventory or after event to ensure we have extra sizes if NOT used or opened and in original bag
  • We will do a post ride order to allow for additional changes per above conditions
  • Subject to a delivery fee of $15.00 to cover postage and handling for out-of-town riders
Will there be GranFondoOttawa clothing on sale at expo?
  • Yes we have a Gear section of ALL options including past years, 2012 and 2013 as listed on our website (please note- sizing is limited)
  • Other vendors will participate in the event expo including Biemme, Diadora, Enervit, Veloflex, Stella Azzura, Smith Optics etc. Please check website for details


Will there be tubes and tires for sale at expo?
  • Our Official Retailer Partner MobiVelo will have a van and offer tubes and tires for sale
  • We plan to offer tech support via MobiVelo at the start/finish area [4101 Innovation Drive, Kanata]
  • Roving & stationary tech support on all 4 routes by MobiVelo with limited emergency tubes at n/c

Venue

Where is the actual start?
  • The Richcraft Recreation Complex- Kanata, 4101 Innovation Drive, Kanata, in the parking lot adjacent to the RCC, look for the tents
  • Our Official Hotel partner is Brookstreet and rooms are available at special rates from as low as $129.00/night
What are the directions to the venue?
  • Exit the 417 at March Road, take March Rd a few KM North, make a left on Terry Fox, at the next light make a left on Innovation Drive, # 4101
Where should I park?
  • On Thursday/Friday, there is limited parking at the RRC and lots of street parking along Innovation Drive
  • We have asked Cisco and RIM/Blackberry to use their lots and are awaiting final approval
  • On Saturday, there parking along Innovation Dr. and in select areas at Brookstreet Hotel [guests] 
  • Ideally you park per 2012/3013 at Alcatel-Lucent across the street from Brookstreet Hotel at 515 Legget Drive (it's a short ride to the start)
  • Follow instructions from volunteers and look for signs as to not interfere with motor-cycle school at North end of Alcatel-Lucent parking lot
  • Free parking is available for Brookstreet Hotel guests in the parking garage behind the hotel at 535 Legget Drive
Do we have to pay for parking?
  • No
Are the toilets facilities at the start venue?
  • Yes, there are washrooms at the RRC and we will have porta-potties and hand-wash stations
Will there be a safe bag/bike back lockup at venue:
  • No, given insurance coverage limits, please put your bike back into your vehicle or leave along fencing at your own risk or lock them up
Route
 
What are the routes like?
  • The routes are described on the website in detail and each Has a Map-My-Ride link and we will provide cue sheet links
  • The CortoFondo is fairly flat with 2-3 inclines along the route
  • The MedioFondo is very flat but is subject to wind from Ashton to Appleton, making it a challenge
  • The GranFondo has more incline, good rollers and encounters wind and will feel longer than 170K
  • The SuprFondo is a beast, sections over 12% albeit short, lots of rolllers- it's tough but rewarding & beautiful
Links to Cue Sheets and Strava maps 
  • Cue Sheets, Strava Maps, GPX files and TCX files can be found under the Event Registration page.
Will the routes be well marked?
  • For additional ease, please print off the cue sheet above
  • We will have at least 16 motorcycles along the routes + Sag and SMP motorcycle support, FirstAid4U and MobiVelo |
    Roving Tech Support on each route
  • We are working to have volunteer marshals on course
  • Routes are all marked with staked arrows/chevrons (color coded), signage and motorcycle marshals + safety marshals and vehicle support
Will the roads be closed?
  • Roads are NOT closed, we offer OPS at a limited number of intersections within the City limits, follow Rules of the Road to ensure safety
 

Feed-Stations

                                                                
 
Will there be refreshment stations and food and toilets on the route?
  • There are 12 Feed-Stations, along the 4 routes, some with First-Aid and tech support and ALL have toilets or washrooms
  • Each rider will get a GFO/CueCard for your Top Tube indicating important details for the route you are riding 
  • We will have 4 motorcycles from the Somersault Motorcycle Patrol along each route + extra floaters
  • Stops are in Ashton [2], Perth, Lanark, Appleton, Almonte, McDonald's Corners, Tatlock, Clayton, Almonte, Dunrobin and Carp [see route map on website]
  • We will have water & Enervit GSport at all stations + bananas, bagels, peanut-butter/jelly
Do I need to bring money to buy food/refreshments along the way?
  • That is a great option as there are many towns along the route with grocery stores, cafe's & restaurants for additional food requirements/choices
  • Always a good idea to being $10.00 just in case and a major credit card
  • Always good to have at least 1 gel per 2 hours of riding and a bar of some kind per 2 hours as well
Where could/should we stop in each town for coffee or lunch?
  • Ashton [Old Mill Pub + Ashton General Store]
  • Carleton Place [Old Town Bakery + Good Food Company + Starbucks]
  • Perth [Coutts, Codes Mill, Fiddleheads, Sunflower Bake Shop]
  • Lanark Village [General Store]
  • McDonalds Corners [The Hill General Store]
  • Clayton [Gemmils General Store]
  • Almonte [Equator, Palms Cafe, Baker Bobs, Cafe Postino]
  • Carp [General Store]
Where do I find a detailed route map?
  • Each route is detailed with a Strava link which is being updated
  • Cue sheets will also follow
How long do I have to finish the ride?
  • There is NO time limit however the TimeTrial sections are set in corrals based on average speed, to ensure your time, follow your groups through each sectionThe Feed Stations are manned by our I Love Lungs volunteers and will NOT stay open all day
  • CortoFondo/65K should be completed within 3 hours, 1PM at 18K/hour w/stops
  • MedioFondo/100K should be completed within 5 hours, 2PM at 21K/hour average w/stops
  • GranFondo/170K should be completed within 7.5 hours, 3:30PM at 23K/hour average w/stops
  • SuprFondo/220K should be completed within 9 hours,