The worldwide GFNY cycling series is planning to add two 2022 franchise events in the United States after signing agreements with organizers in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Waco, Texas. GFNY Santa Fe, New Mexico, on the other hand, is not likely to return in 2022 after two editions.
GFNY Waco, Texas is scheduled for 26 June 2022 on an 35-mile loop that gran fondo riders will ride twice, rolling past beautiful (and very hot) Texas Hill country farms, cattle ranches, USA President George W. Bush’s home and the Space-X rocket factory.
GFNY Ann Arbor, Michigan, scheduled 12 June 2022, offers gran fondo riders a flat, fast and furious 100-mile route through beautiful southern Michigan. Also using a double-loop model, gran fondo cyclists will ride through Sharonville State Wildlife Management Area twice on a 40 mile circuit, before finishing back in downtown Ann Arbor.
GFNY Santa Fe, New Mexico held its 2nd edition this past September, but with dismal turnout – only 100 gran fondo participants. The inaugural edition in 2019 was GFNY’s first franchising attempt in America, but it too barely had 100 riders cross the finish line. The event sponsored by the City of Santa Fe expected to have 750 riders in 2019, with 650 paying $150 entry fee and 100 VIP’s paying a whopping $450 to participate. Although GFNY.com shows 18 September 2022 for a 3rd edition, word on the street is the event will not return in 2022 due to lackluster participation and high franchise fees.
Other GFNY franchise events that have opted out of the series in recent years after only a few editions include Barcelona, Mont Ventoux, Puerto Rico, Germany, Mexico City and Poland.
PHOTOS: GFNY
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