SPONSORS
welcome to Gran Fondo Myoko
We are excited to welcome you all to the GranFondoMyoko 2022. This event is designed to capture the spirit of adventure and of pure cycling experiences. We have selected a stunning location, based lakeside on Nojiri-ko at The Roastery by the Nojiri Coffee Company. The less travelled roads of the Myoko-Kogen, Arrakura, Madarao will your playground for a weekend of discovery and mateship both on and off the bike.
With safety as our #1 priority, and landslides and closed roads on the traditional GFM course, we were forced to make some changes, however believe that riders will find the adjusted course no less challenging or stunning.
Of course, we love the gravel cycling component and the technical nature of the course makes for. a dynamic event where we welcome all types of bikes to challenge the course equally.
We look forward to seeing all our friends of past events and welcoming new riders to our RideJapan family. Our focus is to celebrate our love for adventure and cycling and support each other both on and off the bike.
Have a great ride.
Adam Cobain
RideJapan/GranFondoMyoko Director
2022 COURSE
The GranFondoMyoko is a course that takes riders on a 80km loop around the Myoko and Nojiro Valley. The course has 25km of gravel/dirt sections that total almost 50km for the 160km course.
Each lap also has approximately 2000m of elevation gain.
On course there are checkpoint/service locations at
13.5KM - Myoko House
43KM - Numanohara Wetlands
80KM - The Rostery (Start/Finish)
93.5KM - Myoko House
123KM Numanohara Wetlands
riders can replenish hydration and receive mechanical or medical support.
These point are also mandatory timing points, so all riders must stop and sign in with the GFM crew.
The off road terrain sections require are forest roads and are rideable on road bikes (albeit at a disadvantage)
GranFondoMyoko (2LAPS)
Distance 160KM
Elevation 3900M
Gravel 48KM
SemiFondoMyoko (1LAP)
Distance 80KM
Elevation 1950M
Gravel 24KM
A cut off time will be enforced at the completion of the LAP1.
All riders have the opportunity to not continue at 80KM and results will be added to SemiFondo category.
PREPARATION
In order to have the best weekend enjoying the GranFondoMyoko it is important to be well prepared. Spend some time reviewing the points below and make sure that you understand the basic requirements.
GPS
ALL riders are expected to have a functional GPS device with the RideWithGPS course pre-loaded. Following the route using the GPS is your primary way to navigate the course. DO NOT rely on course markings or other riders to navigate the course.
The final course will made available in the week prior to the event so please make sure to download the latest and most current version of the route from the website.
Bike
This is a mixed terrainevent with multiple sections dirt/gravel roads, forest roads. The course suits gravel bikes, CX and MTB bikes, so all styles of these bikes will be adapted to the terrain. We have tested 700X42C gravel tyres, 650X47C gravel tyres, 29X2.20 MTB tyres, however, CX 700X32C is also suited as long as there is sufficient raised/knobbed tread. Road 700X25C is also possible, but note the challenge with descending on mixed terrain. Only skilled riders should consider this option!!
Gearing should be suitable for low-speed climbing and bikes should be well maintained and recently serviced so as to be able to safely handle long sections of rough terrain.
Bikes should be carrying at least 2 bidons (water bottles) and adequate spares, tools, tubes, patches, pumps etc to get riders out of trouble.
Body
The weather in Nojiri during September is mostly mild and we expect temperatures in the low 20’s. However, as conditions are susceptible to change, especially at some altitude during the ride, please make sure to pack wet weather gear, and warmers. Overnight temperatures are approximately 10degrees below daily temperatures, so pack appropriate off-bike clothing.
Food and Drink
GranFondoMyoko offers some basic supplies at checkpoints, including water and some food and will also provide riders with the opportunity to have their own supplies transported to the checkpoints. Please bring your own on-bike supplies with you as options available in Nojiri/Myoko area will be limited to those items that can purchased at Supermarkets/Convenience stores etc.
2022 COURSE LINK (.GPX .TCX)
Registration Pack/Bib
Registration is open Saturday 17SEP from 12:00PM until 17:00PM at The Roastery, Nojiri, Nagano Pref.
Riders can collect their registration bag which includes bib number and bike number as well as other items from sponsors.
Please attach your bib number to the rear of you cycling jersey or top and the bike number to the front of your bike.
Safety points and zip ties will be provided and please make sure the bike number is always clearly visible.
BIKE/BIB NUMBER
BIKE WASH
Bike wash will be provided by the Muc-Off team at the event start location.
location & PARKING
Event Hub| THE ROASTERY | NOJIRI | NAGANO
Parking Area | Choei Nojirikodai 2 Parking Lot
START PROTOCOL
The start area opens at 5:15AM and ALL RIDERS need to sign on.
If you DO NOT sign on, you will not get a finish time and will be DNS (DID NOT START).
Please make sure to visit the timing staff table and sign both the manual paper and be checked in in the timing system.
Once you are officially checked in, please remain in the start area to be present for rider briefing and start protocols.
SHARE THE ROAD
The ride starts in downtown Nojiri and uses roads that are shared with other road users. While much of the course is on very minor roads, please follow all standard road rules and signage, sharing the road and following the road rules.
DO NOT under any circumstances break the road rules and riders MUST STOP at all crossings, traffic lights, stop signs and give ways and simply share the road in a respectful manner.
Any riders seen breaking these rules of the road or of the event will be DSQ (DISQUALIFIED).
Our goal is making sure we meet the highest standard of respect to all we encounter, so we expect ALL riders to represent the cycling community and the GranFondoMyoko community to the highest level and leave nothing on the course but your tyre tracks.
DO NOT LITTER and leave nothing behind.
CHECKPOINTS
Riders are encouraged to utilise the rider bag check-in service to have food, drinks, and clothing available at the two checkpoints.
These checkpoints are mandatory to stop at and riders must sign-in both manually and via the timing system. Before each ride begins we will indicate the area for CP1 and CP2 to drop bags to be transported to the checkpoints. Bag, while disposable are best, will be returned after the ride to the The Happo for riders to collect.
CHECKPOINT 1
Location: Myoko House
Riders turn left 13.2KM / 92.5KM and enter side road off R39. Return to R39 turn right and continue.
Operation Hours:
Sunday 18SEP – 6:30AM - 11:30PM*
*approx.
CHECKPOINT 2
Location: Numanohara Wetlands Parking Area
43KM / 123KM
Operation Hours:
Sunday 5JUN – 8:00AM - 2:00PM*
*approx.
COURSE MARKING
The course will be marked in various ways, both with arrows and tape. While we do our utmost to make sure these are clearly visible and well positioned, your primary means of navigation is the GPS on your bike. Organisers take no responsibility for riders going off-course and offer the course markings as secondary support to GPS device.
Finish Protocol
We will finish on the straight stretch of road. Please follow all road rules and do not ride dangerously around the finish area. Anyone seen riding dangerously will be DSQ.
Rider Cut-off
Riders must adhere to safety protocol on course. CP2 will close at 2PM and riders outside this time will need to return to the start/finish by the shortest route and inform the GRM crew.
If you are outside this timing cut-off, DO NOT proceed to the gravel section of Madarao.
Please use direct route from CP2
TIMING
Riders will be timed using our Webscorer Timing System.
This will provide results for the prize podiums and track riders.
It is a system that needs riders to be checked in on the touchpad system.
This needs to be done at The Roastery:
Start Line
Lap 1/2
Finish Line
RIDER LIVE TRACKING
Riders are encouraged to use our event live tracking app.
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Prizes
Podium prizes/Awards for the GranFondoMyoko are as follows:
Sunday 18SEP | Presentation 15:30PM | The Roastery
GRANFONDOMYOKO
OPEN MALE (1st,2nd,3rd | Prizes)
OPEN FEMALE (1st,2nd,3rd | Prizes)
OPEN TEAM (1st | Prizes)
SEMIFONDOMYOKO
OPEN MALE (1st,2nd, 3rd | Prizes)
OPEN FEMALE (1st,2nd,3rd | Prizes)
GRV Trophy Leaders Jersey Presentation (1st | Jersey + Prizes)
SPECIAL RIDER AWARD (1st | Jersey + Prizes)