Join us at GFNY Rockford
GFNY, the global endurance sport series, is coming to
Rockford, Illinois on August 7, 2022!
The Course
The pre-race expo and post-race festivities are all hosted from the Venetian Club. The race start and finish line is conveniently located just aside the Venetian Club, on Elmwood Rd. After you depart from the Venetian Club, ride north to the loop through Winnebago County. Medium distance athletes will complete the loop once, long distance athletes will be racing the loop twice.
Enjoy fast racing over rolling hills in summer conditions through scenic northern Illinois. You’ll ride past the incredible nature: Nygren Wetland Preserve, Williams Tree Farm, The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms, Colors Sands Bluff Nature Preserve, Ferguson Forest Preserve and across and along the Pecatonica, Sugar and Rock Rivers.
Take advantage of long straights in the first half of the loop to cover the distance quickly with your group. The early miles on the long straight roads will lead to attacks, stay near the front of the pack to cover attacks and keep company for the recovery.
The return portion of the loop has small, winding roads and turns, making your peloton positioning an important part of your race strategy. Because of the twists and turns, the attacks will become decisive race moments that will fragment groups.
Luckily, being in peak summer form, your legs are able to cover the speed and effort variations. Enjoy the pelotons coming together and splitting apart and ideal long distance racing conditions to make the most of your summer fitness at GFNY Rockford.
Long Route – 93.6 miles / 3583 ft +
Medium Route – 59.4 miles / 2326 ft+
About Rockford
Rockford is the second largest city in Illinois outside the Chicago metro area. It’s located just 1hr from Chicago and its main international airport, Chicago O’Hare (ORD), making the trip to GFNY Rockford easily accessible from anywhere in the world.
Rockford has many activities like the Discovery Center Museum and Burpee Museum of Natural History, as well as a downtown area lined with shopping and great bars and restaurants. Outside the downtown area, there are many shopping and dining options, especially the large shopping and hotel center off the I-90 in the eastern part of Rockford.
There are many bike paths throughout the city adding a fun way to explore the city, its parks and activities while you’re in town during GFNY race week. The Rock River is the main natural attraction that runs through the heart of Rockford, and several bridges connect the city. Searls Park and the Anna Page Forest Preserve are beautiful parks you should visit.
GFNY Perks
THE JERSEY
All riders receive the official GFNY race jersey, which is mandatory attire at the race. The jersey is designed in NYC and Made in Italy.
FINISHER MEDAL
Every GFNY Rockford finisher receives a medal, no matter which distance they complete. All finishers also earn a “Finish” towards their 3×2022 GFNY medal or the 10x lifetime medal. Go to gfny.com/medals for more information on GFNY’s multi-finisher medals.
GFNY WORLD
The top 10% of finishers in all age groups riding the long course qualify for the front corral start at the GFNY World Championship NYC.
Getting There
Rockford (RFD) – 5.2 milesChicago O’Hare (ORD) – 64.6 milesMadison (MSN) – 61.5 miles
Milwaukee (MKE) – 77 miles
Chicago Midway (MDW) – 77.4 miles
Rockford’s own airport, RFD, is home to Allegiant Air, an airline with a wide national network and affordable prices.
Chicago O’Hare is just one hour drive to Rockford and US’s 3rd largest airport by passenger volume and easy access from destinations around the world. All major airlines fly to Chicago ORD.
Other nearby airports are Madison, WI (MSN) and Milwaukee, WI (MKE) and Chicago Midway (MDW).
Tags: North America
