DIET-FITNESS

Gran Fondo: The big bike ride is back

Michael Izzo
@MIzzoDR

MORRISTOWN – Break out the bicycles, the 2014 Gran Fondo NJ arrives in Morristown this Sunday.

The fourth-annual event once again features four rides of varying lengths. The titular Gran Fondo, meaning "great endurance" or "big ride" in Italian, is the longest at 107 miles.

The other three options are the 62-mile Medio Fondo, the 42-mile Piccolo Fondo, and the 18-mile Breve Fondo.

"Even people living in New Jersey don't know these routes," said Marty Epstein, owner of Marty's Reliable Cycle, a sponsor of the Gran Fondo. "When they ride the Fondo they find this great terrain, picturesque scenery, it's the antithesis of what you hear about New Jersey. People think they're in Vermont when they ride. But they don't need Vermont, they have New Jersey."

In all, more than 2,000 cyclists from 30 different states, as well as European and Latin American countries, will fill the streets. Pre-registration has closed, but day-of registration for all rides is $215.

In the Gran Fondo's first three years, more than $400,000 was raised for local charities including The Seeing Eye, Homeless Solutions, Grow it Green Morristown, and Sustainable Morristown. The New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition is an additional beneficiary this year.

"So we will be giving even more money this year because we're splitting between five beneficiaries," Epstein said.

This year's grand marshal is the Bike and Walk Coalition's executive director, Cyndi Steiner.

"We chose her because she's a great rider who lives green and has done amazing work in the past year for cycling advocacy in New Jersey," Epstein said. "Because of her, the George Washington Bridge is now going to have cycling improvements. It's probably one of the biggest cycling victories in the country because it's one of the most heavily trafficked bridges in the world."

Epstein said the ride also will feature cycling celebrity Gary Fisher, one of the inventors of the modern mountain bike.

"He's a real rock star," Epstein said. "When you meet him, you'll know it. He's a larger-than-life guy."

Fisher's bikes are manufactured through Trek, the main sponsor of this year's Gran Fondo.

While there will be plenty of typical cycling food on the ride's rest stops, each also will feature specialty treats, including ice cream sandwiches and s'mores.

Following the rides, there once again will be a Bike Expo and a barbecue, and for the first time, beer is also available near the finish line on Speedwell Avenue, courtesy of Veronica's Restaurant and Bar.

"We asked what people wanted from the Fondo in last year's surveys and they said, 'Where is the beer?' " Epstein said. "Your first drink is on us."

Epstein said organizers have worked with Sustainable Morristown to make the Gran Fondo a green event, and they have applied to become the first Gran Fondo in the country to be certified in sustainable practices.

Epstein said the event is great for Morristown, as hotels and restaurants fill up with cyclists. He's also looking forward to great weather, as temperatures are currently forecasted as mostly sunny with a high of 80 degrees Sunday.

In preparation for the race, Epstein and Gran Fondo executive director Bill Ruddick have been painting arrows and other directional indicators throughout the four courses' paths.

"It's a lot of paint and long hours," Epstein said. "All for a pretty amazing event."

To find out more, visit www.granfondonj.com.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@dailyrecord.com