Gimme 3 Gran Fondo

The Gimme 3 Gran Fondo is a cycling event hosted by the Laurens Police Department’s Bicycle Unit comprised of circuits on the flat, smooth test tracks of the Michelin Laurens Proving Grounds.

Participants may choose from four distances, 104-miles, 62-miles, 33-miles, and a fun ride allowing riders to complete as many, or few, miles as they desire. All distances will be entirely on the test tracks of the Proving Grounds and are closed to vehicles. The only vehicles riders may see are support vehicles which will periodically make circuits to check on participants.

All riders will begin with a 3.7-mile loop around the oval-shaped track one with all subsequent laps to complete the distance of a rider's respective division on a combined circuit of tracks one and two.

The 2019 Gimme 3 Gran Fondo's 104-mile distance has been honored by its selection as the World UltraCycling Association's North American Century National Championship! 

2019 will mark the second year the event will play host to a first responder division and unofficial first responder state championship for South Carolina. The key difference this year is the first responder division is 7-miles shorter and has been opened to EMS technicians.

Combining no traffic and only 1,500 feet of total elevation gain over 104 miles, this is the best opportunity in upstate South Carolina to set a century PR, participants may ever have. All while supporting the mission of the Laurens Police Department’s Bike Unit to “encourage and improve cycling.”

To ensure a memorable experience for all participants, we are again limiting the event to 300 participants across all divisions.

Participants will receive:

• Goodie bag
• Event socks made by DeFeet (Must pre-register before Monday, September 2nd to guarantee socks...first come first served after this date for quantities and sizes)
• Post-ride meal
• Fully stocked aid station
• Entry for raffle prizes
• Courtesy neutral support for minor, event day repairs
• Finisher's medal (104-, 62-, 33-mile participants)
• Electronically timed results
• Invitation to purchase the official 2020 Gimme3SC cycling kit made by Hincapie Sportswear (store expected to open for orders September 16th)

Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers:

• 104 miles (upright, non-recumbent bicycles)
• 104 miles (recumbent bicycles)
• 62 miles (open - all bike types)
• 33 miles (open - all bike types)
• 33 miles first responder (standard road frame setup - no clamp-on aero bars)

The highest placing male and female in the first responder division employed in South Carolina will be named First Responder State Champions and receive a custom Hincapie Sportswear winner’s jersey. (Must submit proof of active certification and employment as law enforcement, fire, or EMS personnel at an agency/department in South Carolina.)

Rates:

• $25 (+ fees) thru September 30th
• $35 (+ fees) October 1st thru November 11
• (Online Registration closes November 11 at midnight)
• $40 On-site registration (Available at packet pick up November 15th and 16th)
• Free for 14 and under (must have an adult 18 or older register and ride with juveniles under 15)

Schedule:

Friday, 15 November 2019

4-7 pm: Packet pickup/onsite registration

Saturday, 16 November 2019

• 7:30-8:40 am: Packet pickup / onsite registration
• 8:50 am: Final pre-race announcements at the start line
• 9:00 am: Ride starts
• 10:00 am: raffle prize drawing (check at timing tent before you leave to find out if you've won)
• 2:30 pm: Awards ceremony (subject to change based on finishing time of top riders in each division)
• 5:00 pm: Course closes

Fine Print:

• All riders must sign a 'wet ink' waiver at packet pickup
• Helmets are mandatory at all times while on a bike on the Michelin property
• The event will be held rain or shine and only be canceled for severe weather or other circumstances falling out of the control of the event organizer.
• Entries are non-refundable and non-transferable (if canceled for uncontrollable/unsafe weather reasons, a partial credit will be provided to all participants for the 2020 event if a make-up date cannot be coordinated with the host site.)
• Follow us on social media for updates and announcements (Facebook - www.facebook.com/lpdbike ; Instagram & Twitter - @lpdbike)
• Anyone caught littering on the premises will not be allowed to participate in future events at Michelin. Please be courteous and show your gratitude for being allowed on such an awesome facility by either putting your trash in a trash can at the aid station, or if you're not stopping during your ride use the "throw zone", which will be indicated by signs and flagging tape, to toss your gel packs, energy chew wrappers, bottles, etc.