2024 Vino Fondo Gran Fondo 5/18/24

PRESENTED BY

PRE EVENT ATHLETE LETTER

Want to VOLUNTEER or WORK the Event? Sign up HERE

About The Vino Fondo- Big Shark Bicycle Company and Sugar Creek Winery are bringing the European cycling tradition of the Gran Fondo cycling experience to Missouri's hilliest wine country. A traditional pairing of challenging riding and a tour of some of Missouri's best vineyards. Experience the same roads and towns visited by the internationally acclaimed Tour of Missouri Professional Cycling Race. RETURNING FOR 2024: Two gravel/road "Groad" Options- The Mondo and Midi Grindo Fondos. 

The Vino Fondo is a fully supported, timed ride. Although not a race, all participants will receive two measures of their achievement: overall ride time AND their climbing time over the penultimate beast, the Schluersburg. There are three distance options, each tuned to maximize scenery and include as many of the regions challenging "topographic features" as we can find. This is a challenging and rewarding ride to complete.

About Gran Fondo's- Also called Cyclosportif rides, Gran Fondo's are challenging rides that combine the best elements of epic recreational rides, some of the characteristics of a race, and the visual experiences of the touring cyclist. The Gran Fondo experience is a true melting pot for cyclists of all abilities- with one goal, the satisfaction of achievement.

Prepare Yourself:

Join our Saturday Morning Gravel Growl and start prepping for the Grindo Fondo

Vino Fondo Training Camp at Our Power Up Training Center

Registration is Open:

Early Bird Sign Up- Register efore January 1st and lock in the Early Bird Rate! While there is no maximum age limit, participants must be over 16 years of age. There are no refunds- however entry/race bib is transferable. 

Packet Pick Up:

Friday, May 17th: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Big Shark Bicycle Co, 1155 South Big Bend Blvd. St. Louis MO 63117

Race Day, Saturday, May 18th: 6:15 am - 8:00 am, Sugar Creek Winery, 125 Boone Country Lane Defiance, Missouri 63341, ph 636.987.2400

Fondo Categories for Each Distance Route:

• Men: 18 and Under, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
• Women: 18 and Under, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+

Winners of each category over 21 years of age will receive a bottle of wine from the Sugar Creek Winery

The Rides.

Three different routes. All rides start/finish at the same point and include the majestic Schluersburg climb.

• The Mondo Fondo- 104 miles, snaking from Defiance through the Missouri River Valley and back. With 5,042 feet of challenging climbing the grapes won't be the only thing whining.
• The Midi Fondo- 75 miles, 3651 feet of climbing. From Defiance, past Daniel Boone's home, up and over the historic route of the Missouri State Championship Road Race.
• The Mini Fondo-42.5 miles, 2,284 feet of climbing. For those looking for a less intense day with a few challenging climbs.
• NEW- The  Mondo Grindo Fondo- 55 miles of road and gravel, 2376 feet of climbing. For those looking for a challenging "Groad" experience. Including an KOG and QOG timed gravel climb. @39 miles of gravel.
• New- The Midi Grindo Fondo- 39 miles of road and gravel, 1893 feet of climbing. Incuding a KOG and QOG timed gravel climb. 34.2 miles of gravel.

Prepare for the Fondo @ Power Up Training Center 

Are you ready? Let Power Up Cycling help you make sure!

This 6-week camp is specifically designed to help you conquer the demands of this year's Vino Fondo courses.  Whether you are planning to ride the road or ride gravel, this camp will make certain you are ready.  

 The camp includes:

• 12 (2 per week) - 1 hour indoor cycling classes
• 6 week training plan (including workouts for when you are not in Power Up)
• 3 coached 2 - 4 hr outdoor rides on the Vino Fondo courses (April 21st, May 5th, May 12th).  We will have both a road ride and gravel ride on each of these 3 dates.  
• 10% discount on entry to Vino Fondo
• Discount on professional bike fit
• Enrollment in Power Up's Spring Climbing Clinic - April 28th, 2024
• Analysis of your progress and discussion of your ride goals and strategy
• Access to Power Up Training Group Facebook page

The 2 indoor cycling classes per week can be scheduled at any of our regularly scheduled class times.

The cost of this camp is $400.

SIGN UP TODAY! Questions?  Contact the coaches at Power Up, 636/875-4334 or stltraining@powerupcycling.net 

Returning and New Features For 2024!

Based on feedback from last year's Vino Fondo we have made some changes to improve this year's Gran Fondo.

• This year the post Fondo meal is going to be prepared and served by the culinary all-stars from Pastaria and James Beard Award winning chef Gerard Craft.
• Three Distance Options. 104 miles, 75 Miles, 42 Miles
• All participants will receive finisher pint glasses, good for one complimentary beverage.
• Age Group Winners recieve a bottle of Vino
• Vino Fondo Jerseys will be available for purchase.
• Police support crossing Hwy 94 and Hwy M at Hwy 47.
• Volunteers at key intersections with secondary marking/wayfinding along the route.
• All rest stops will be course-side, in shade when possible with bicycle parking rack.
• Exceptional aid-stations sponsored by Big Shark Bicycle Co., loaded with calories, nutrition + hydration. Century ride will have protein and electrolyte/salt supplements.
• The Start/Finish will be at Sugar Creek Winery in Defiance, MO.
• Great Post Ride Food from Pastaria
• Cold Drinks at each rest stop. Rest Stop Maps are Here 
• Additional food items per rest stop. Email us with special requests!

Vino Fondo Jersey Designs 

The New "Spring Classic" Vino Fondo Jersey will be available pre-event if ordered by March 1st (Post Event delivery after March 1st)! Styles available in Men or Women's sizes. NEW COLORS, same style. The 2024 jerseys are pictured. You can pre-order as part of your registration or here! You can order off of our website below OR on MUMU Apparel's website Here

2024 Vino Fondo Jersey Classic Blue	2024 Vino Fondo Jersey Classic Burgundy

The Beneficiary

A portion of the proceeds from the Vino Fondo will be donated to Pedal the Cause, a St. Louis-based nonprofit that donates 100% of participant-raised funds to cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Since 2010, they have donated over $40+ million dollars to fund cancer research from their signature Fall cycling event. This year’s event is September 14 & 15, 2024. Find out more at www.pedalthecause.org

The image below is of Alberto Contador on the Schleusberg doing an earlier version of the Vino Fondo.

Physical Therapy Sponsor

Washington University Physical Therapy stands at the forefront of promoting health through movement. In addition to offering specialized Running and Cycling Clinics for injury prevention and performance enhancement, WashU PT clinicians, recognized as experts in assessing the movement system, offer a wide variety of services. Whether you’re trying to get back to everyday life, your job, or your sport – we can help you reach your goals.  We provide one-on-one personalized care and empower you with the education you need to understand and correct your movement impairment.

A Challenge, Not a Race

What to expect: Gran Fondos are 'competitive recreational rides' and attract recreational cyclists looking to push themselves as well as racers looking for a great riding experience. The roads will NOT be closed. The ride/routes will be open to traffic. All turns will be marked with signs and paint. Each cyclist will be given a cue sheet and maps of each route which are outlined (below). We encourage all participants obey traffic laws as well as be courteous to traffic and residents. Please adhere to the rules of the road and do not take unnecessary risks on descents and turns. 

A Gran Fondo event is chip timed. Every rider will receive two times, total ride time and their time from the base of the Schluersburg to the summit (2.9 miles). Riders of all abilities are encouraged to participate and push themselves.

In Europe the Gran Fondo attracts a very broad group of cyclist- professional racers, amateur racers, weekend warriors, new cyclists, and cyclo-tourists. The compelling elements of a Gran Fondo are the scenery and challenge alongside terrific athlete support and a memorable route.

Rest Stops:

Rest stops will be spaced every 15 to 20 miles. Unlike a charity ride or other recreational rides the frequency of each rest stop is less than in a non-competitive event. Riders are encouraged to carry enough nutrition to manage themselves on route. We will make sure that there are several opportunities to take in enough nutrition to manage the day comfortably.

Rest stops are located at:

• Marthasville, Missouri- Riverfront. (out and back, Mondo and Midi)
• Treloar, Missouri (out and back, Mondo and Midi)
• Warrenton, Missouri (Mondo only)
• Femme Osage, Missouri (Mondo, Midi, Mini)

The cycling friendly City of Warrenton has graciously offered up their City Hall Parking Lot (with restroom facilities) for the Mondo Fondo Warrenton Rest Stop.

Each athlete will receive:

• Finisher Meal presented by Chef Gerard Craft and Niche Food Group/Pastaria
• Event Shirt designed by local artist Erin Celuch
• Draw String Back Pack
• Vino Fondo Pint Glass with Complimentary Beer Ticket
• Vino Fondo Seat Post Bib Number
• Cue Sheets with turn-by-turn directions and map.
• Pre-Race Energy Gels, Bars, Mix and Fruit.
• Vino Fondo Fashion, signature event shirt
• Pre-event fruit and bars.
• Rest Stop Support- Gels, Mix, Bars, Fruit, Water, PB and J, Pretzels. Additional food and supplements for Mondo Route.
• Mechanical Support and Sag Support, Cut Off at 4:00 pm. Four SAG Vehicles on course.
• Chip Timing from Big River Race Management
• Awesome Catered Post Event Meal Provided by Pastaria STL
• Stragglers: Riders finishing between 5:00pm - 6:00pm will receive a bagged lunch.
• Note: We will not guarantee support or food after 6:00pm.
• Registrants after April 24th are not guaranteed an Event Shirt. Sign up early.

Chip Timing and Start Order

The ride start will be Mass Start. Each rider will be chip timed. We will record rider times at the start, base of the Schluersburg and Summit of the Schluersburg. Timing chips are embedded in the seat post bib number- do not fold or crumple numbers- otherwise timing chips may be compromised. For the Grindo Fondo- the timing mats will be located at the start and top of the Callaway Fork climb.

Route Description:

The Mondo Fondo 104 miles of some of the most beautiful riding in America, punctuated by some of the biggest and baddest climbs we can find. With over 5,042 feet of climbing and taking in many of the King of the Mountains points featured in the Tour of Missouri Professional Cycling Race, the Mondo Fondo route will be similar in difficulty to a true Tour stage. We recommend showing up prepared, this route is as challenging as it is scenic.Visiting some of the great towns of Marthasville, Treloar, Warrenton, and Femme Osage. Multiple pitches as steep as 20%.

The Midi Fondo 75 miles, 3651 feet of climbing, taking in several of the same KOM points as the Mondo route, this route follows the Mondo route to Treloar, Missouri and then finishes back at Sugar Creek Winery after summitting the Schluersburg. The last 30 miles incorporates some of the best paved scenic roadways in Missouri.

The Mini Fondo 42 miles, 2,284 feet of climbing. Unlike many shorter ride options that can dilute the day's challenge, this route cuts to the chase and provides each participant with several of the biggest and best climbs in the state! This route takes in the same roads and climbs along the historic Missouri State Road Race course and Tour of Missouri. (With a few more climbs...)

The Mondo Grindo Fondo- 55 miles, 2269 feet of climbing. Featuring the Katy Trail, Klondike Park, the gravel Femme Osage Road, Callaway Fork Road, and the Hamburg Trail. One very challening road climb on Highway T with a gravel reward at the top.

The Midi Grindo Fondo- 39 miles, 1696 feet of climbing. Beginning and ending on the Katy Trail, this Groad event is a blend of pavement and gravel. One significant road climb and some of the best gravel roads in the Missouri River Valley, including a timed climb on the Callaway Fork Road.

Event Schedule:

Parking and Direction:

Sugar Creek Winery, 125 Boone Country Lane, Defiance, Missouri 63341, ph- 636/987-2400

The Ride Start will be at Sugar Creek Winery. All of the rides will start at the same time- with the riders being staged according to distance and sequence of registration. ALL Parking and Pre-Fondo activities will be held on their campus. Adequate, convenient parking and facilities will be on site. From Highway 70 (from the East or West) take Highway 94 west for 20 miles to Defiance and follow signs to the winery. The winery is just past Defiance, MO on Hwy 94. Just a friendly reminder and common courtesy to our host, Sugar Creek Winery, no outside food and drink, please.

Historic Event Photographer Images:

• 2016 Photographs by Kim Morris
• 2015 Photographs by Steve Stanfill
• 2014 Photographs
• 2013 Vino Fondo Photographs by Kim Morris

About Missouri Wines:

The Missouri wine industry in the new millennium is thriving. The number of wineries has jumped to over 65 and Missouri wineries are producing diverse, complex and sophisticated wines, wines that easily earn top awards in national and international competitions. The Vino Fondo will ride past and through many of the best wineries in Missouri.

Defiance Missouri Housing and  Events:

The town of Defiance, Missouri is a absolutely beautiful, overlooking the Missiouri River Valley. Be sure to set aside some time to explore the wineries, bed and breakfasts, and artisans that call Defiance their home. More information at www.defiancemo.org/

2024 Results are HERE

2023 Results are HERE

2022 Results are HERE

2021 Results are HERE

2019 Results are HERE

2018 Results are HERE

2017 Results are HERE