RIDER RULESREFUND & TRANSFERSPRIVACY

Levi's GranFondo: Event Details

What is Levi's GranFondo?

Levi’s GranFondo is both a challenging and competitive mass start cycling event hosting riders of all ability levels from around the world. It began in 2009 with the inaugural ride hosting 3,500 participants and is the brainchild of former professional cyclist Levi Leipheimer. Levi donates 100% of his time to the event that bears his name so that our community and the charities that benefit from your registration fees and fundraising can thrive.

Levi’s GranFondo is heralded as one of the best organized cycling events in the world by sources such as Red Kite Prayer, Road Bike Action, and Outside Online.

When is Levi's GranFondo?

  • 2023: April 22
  • 2024: April 13
  • 2025: April Date TBA

Registration

Rates are posted above the registration form.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY ENTRY?

Each entrant will receive the following:

  • An unforgettable experience from a grand day on the bike with Levi Leipheimer, other pro riders, and thousands of your new friends
  • A fully timed road course with an adventurous dirt option
  • Partial road closures on the first several miles and traffic control afterward
  • A series of fully stocked rest stops with amazing food and friendly service
  • A GranFondo swag bag at registration
  • An optional Levi’s GranFondo commemorative t-shirt
  • Optional discounted commemorative cycling apparel
  • A lovingly crafted, post-ride meal from any one of our multiple local food vendors, and either a cold beer or non-alcoholic beverage (meal and beverage not included with Family route and U24 rider registration's)
  • The exceptional post-ride Levi's GranFondo Festival with music and great entertainment

ARE THERE AGE LIMITS?

Yes. Any minor under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian. The legal guardian must be present to sign for their minor and must agree to accompany them during the ride.

IS THE RIDE TAX DEDUCTIBLE?

The ride itself is not tax-deductible, because it is a tangible, exchangeable item. If you’re looking for a tax deduction, consider making your way into the ride through donating or fundraising for at-risk youth! Raise $1,000 and receive free registration.

WHAT IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR LEVI’S GRANFONDO?

Although we recommend registering as early as possible, you can register right up until 7:15 am on the day of the ride.

IS THERE A WAITING LIST?

We do not manage a wait list. We recommend checking our Facebook page for people needing to sell their ride. However, we do provide one more way to get a ticket for any of the three routes-- You may join as a fundraiser, and raise a minimum of $1,000 for King Ridge Foundation's efforts to serve at-risk youth and we will grant you one free entry. Click here to learn more.

ARE THERE REFUNDS, DEFERRALS, OR TRANSFERS?

No. There are no refunds or deferrals to subsequent rides.

There are transfers to another participant, however.  There will a be transfer fee, depending on how close to the GranFondo the transfer happens.  The online transfer period begins around mid-summer and closes about a week before the GranFondo event date. For any transfers before the online transfer from opens, please email us at info@bikemonkey.net with the names and email addresses of the rider transferring their spot and of the new rider.

Refer to our Refunds and Transfer Policy for more details.

PACKET PICKUP

Packet pickup refers to showing up in person to get your rider packet, t-shirt and swag bag. You must do this in person. No one else can do it for you. You must be the one who signs the waiver and shows your photo ID.  We’ll have bike industry exhibitors onsite, and our GranFondo merchandise booth will be in full swing. And yes, we make Levi do this too. No exceptions!

PACKET PICKUP TIMES

I CAN'T MAKE THE RIDE. CAN I HAVE MY PACKET?

Sorry, if you are not able to attend the ride, we do not retain your packet. If you are local, and in the area you can swing by our offices to check and see if we still have it.

The ride

IS THERE A COMPREHENSIVE RIDER GUIDE FOR THE EVENT? HOW DO I ACCESS THE RIDER GUIDE?

Yes! Here is the Guide.

We work hard each year to provide the most up-to-date, pertinent information for our riders. It comes complete with information regarding a schedule of events, routes, parking, staging, road closures, course signage, rest stops, bib number placement, and the like. If you have registered for Levi’s GranFondo, expect a Rider Guide to land in your email in-box approximately two weeks prior to the day of the event.

WHEN DOES THE RIDE START?

The ride starts at 8:00 am for all routes. Note that if you’re staged at the back, it can sometimes take upwards of 20 minutes before you actually start rolling. Location: Windsor Town Green.

WHAT IF I SHOW UP LATE?

The start is at 8:00 a.m. SHARP. Don’t be late, because if you want an official time, you must start with the pack. Road closures flow with the pack.  There are cutoffs on some routes. 

WHEN DOES THE RIDE END?

The course is officially CLOSED at 6:00 PM. Finishing times will not be recorded after 6:00 PM. The Festival also closes at this time. We recommend choosing a route that allows you to both enjoy a ride within the limits of your ability and the post-ride meal, beverage and camaraderie at the Festival. It is not uncommon for even the most experienced riders to choose a shorter route in order to leave more time for post-ride festivities.

WILL I GET A CUE SHEET OR TURN-BY-TURN MAP FOR MY CHOSEN ROUTE?

No. Simply put, we don’t think you’ll need one. Our idea of an amazing time on the bike does not consist of fishing around your jersey pocket as you constantly wonder how far off the course you may have gotten. We’ve signed every turn, every hazard, and every route split with every sign you may need to find your way around any of our routes. It should be noted that our hazard signs are erected by experienced cyclists with decades of local knowledge.

IS THE EVENT TIMED?

Yes. It is important to note that, strictly speaking, Levi’s GranFondo is not a race. However, participants will be given a timing chip that attaches to their bikes that records how long it takes them to complete the course.  We will not be posting a rider’s place, just times, again this is not a race.

ARE THERE CUTOFF TIMES? / IS THERE A TIME LIMIT?

YES. There are cutoff times to ensure your safety. Due to the lack of available daylight hours in the early spring, we have found it mandatory to enforce cutoff times in order to assure available SAG support throughout the ride. You will have until 6:00 PM to complete the entire route. It takes approximately 30 minutes for the riders in the back of the staging area to cross the start line. Because of this, all riders will have between 9.5 and 10 hours to complete any given course and still have their time recorded.

  • 10:00 AM at Fort Ross Road: 14.5 MPH Average speed required. Slower than this and you have to take The Geysers Route.
  • 6:00 PM COURSE CLOSED: The course is officially CLOSED at 6:00 PM. All rider support ends after this time. You must be done with your ride by 6:00 PM. Finishing times will not be recorded after 6:00 PM. Levi's GranFondo Festival also closed at 6:00 PM.

WHY IS THERE A CUTOFF?

The mandatory cutoff for the Gran route is above all, a safety issue. Having riders out on the course, far from the finish, at sunset is not only a visibility issue, but also one of fatigue and discomfort for the rider. Beyond the safety issue, we hope to provide an enjoyable GranFondo experience which includes not only a fun, challenging day on their bike, but also taking in our post-ride Festival, having a meal and/or a beer with new friends, and not struggling through a prohibitively difficult ride for the entirety of daylight hours.

CAN I RIDE A SHORTER ROUTE THAN THE ONE FOR WHICH I REGISTERED?

Yes. If you’ve registered for a longer route and decide, for whatever reason, to ride a shorter route on the day of the event, please do so. For example, if you’ve registered to ride the Geysers route, you may decide to ride the Medio. It is a spectacular route. Likewise, a Medio registered rider can ride down to the Piccolo. However, we cannot allow riders to ride a longer route than the one for which they have registered.

If you know in advance that you want to swap or transfer your spot, see our refunds section.

CAN I RIDE A LONGER ROUTE THAN THE ONE FOR WHICH I REGISTERED?

No, not if you make this decision on the day of event.*

The cost associated with riding the GranFondo is much more than just the cost of food along the route, and for this reason “poaching” is not allowed and is well monitored.

*If you are already registered for a route of Levi’s GranFondo and would like to upgrade to a longer route, you may do so prior to event day. The upgrade will be treated as a transfer, and you will incur transfer fees. Please see our refunds section for details.

WHAT TYPE OF BIKE MAY I RIDE IN THE GRANFONDO?

At Levi’s GranFondo, safety must reign supreme. We need to know that everyone is operating at the same level of visibility and maneuverability as a pack of thousands move forward at speed, shoulder-to-shoulder with each other.

While mountain bikes and two-wheeled recumbents are generally not a problem, velomobiles, trikes, and non-two-wheeled recumbents represent a departure from this standard and for this reason, we do not allow them. Anything outside of what we’ve mentioned here is strictly not allowed. We need everyone at their best, both in the way they operate their own bikes and in the way they interact with other cyclists.

Non-standard wheel sizes also present a big risk as these roads are, at times, chock-full of cracks or potholes and anything smaller than what we’ve normally planned for can present a risk to you and those around you. Potholes and irregularities introduced by Sonoma County’s dynamic, earthquake-prone (i.e. mobile) landscape have a much easier time taking down somebody with smaller wheels. Be aware of this.

CAN I RIDE WITH AERO BARS?

No, we do not allow aero bars for several reasons, the main one being they aren't safe in large groups because of the diminished handling capability. Aero bars wouldn’t be helpful to you on a course like this anyway. Using them on the flatter stretches in the pack is touchy at best and dangerous at worst (not to mention redundant), when riding with thousands of other cyclists providing a wind break.

CAN I RIDE AN E-BIKE?

Yes, you can ride an electric bicycle (e-bike) at Levi's GranFondo, but some restrictions apply. Only pedal assist e-bikes are allowed; throttle assist e-bikes are not allowed. You are responsible for making sure your battery will last long enough for the route of your choice and you will be staged in the back.

ARE TRAILERS, TRAIL-A-BIKES, AND BIKE SEATS ALLOWED?

Yes, on the 8 mile family route only. Trailers, trail-a-bikes, and bike seats are not allowed on any other route, due to the safety concerns of riding in a large group of people.

SHOULD I USE CARBON WHEELS?

Thousands of people have ridden our route successfully on both carbon and aluminum rims. Due to the variance’s in construction methods and technologies used between different carbon rim manufacturers, it is impossible for us to make the call for you.  Our route certainly is hilly, and depending on your riding style, could create demanding conditions for any rim. We recommend riding that with which you are most familiar.

WHAT SIZE/TYPE OF TIRES DO YOU RECOMMEND?

Like the discussion on wheel types, tire types and sizes vary in construction, performance, and, therefore, preference. Generally speaking, this is a road ride that takes place on all–or mostly, if you choose to add a gravel section to a route–paved roads of varying conditions. There are potholes and cracks and smooth pavement alike. These are public roads, after all. Most riders have generally chosen to ride standard wheel sizes and tires with widths from 23mm–32mm. Ultimately, however, the choice is up to you, as you best know your abilities and typical riding style. We can say, though, that the gravel sections of our routes are typically mellow and rideable–that is, they are definitely not single track and do not generally require large, mountain bike tires.

WHAT TYPE OF CLIMATE SHOULD I EXPECT FOR THE GRANFONDO? WHAT IF IT RAINS?

Levi’s GranFondo will take place rain or shine. Spring in Sonoma County is generally mild, but routes can span over 100 miles over several hours. Our past rides have been known to start with early morning fog, with some heat on the hills, followed by cool, coastal winds, with the likelihood of hotter weather in the afternoon. We recommend being prepared with layered clothing.

CAN I RIDE WITH HEADPHONES DURING THE EVENT?

We advise against them, but do not strictly ban them.

WHO IS THIS RIDE FOR ANYWAY?

It is for EVERYBODY. For professional cyclists, this is an opportunity to stretch your legs in an event that fosters competition in a relaxed environment. While this is a timed course over epic terrain with peloton dynamics, it is devoid of the pressure created by television cameras, roaring crowds, and a director sportif yelling in your ear. Let this represent a return to your love of cycling: epic landscapes, grueling terrain, and rich camaraderie with your peers. Take some time out from your race schedule to experience the best professional cycling has to offer to the best professional cyclists.

For recreational cyclists, this is your chance to ride with some giants along a route long celebrated for its intensity and beauty. While the way is long and steep, there is fixed and roving support, including repairs, food, and water. If you’ve long wanted to roll along the elegant coastal hills of Sonoma County, you won’t get a better chance than this.

Getting to the start line

WHERE SHOULD I PARK?

Please visit our Parking page.

WILL THERE BE BREAKFAST PROVIDED BEFORE THE START?

No. Our friends at Avid will offer hot complimentary coffee at the start but we recommend having breakfast before coming to the start line. We will have food prepared for all rest stops and of course, fabulous food vendors will await you at the post-ride Festival.

IS THERE A SECURE PLACE TO STORE MY THINGS WHILE I RIDE?

Yes. We offer a bag check at the start line for all riders the morning of the ride. Bags are available for pick up just after the finish line, so that you may have what you need post-ride easily at your disposal.

IS THERE RV OVERNIGHT PARKING OR CAMPING AVAILABLE?

No, unfortunately, we are not set up for overnight RV parking or camping. We recommend you check the following links to find a spot near Windsor:

Sonoma County RV Park at the Fairgrounds (Windsor)

Woodall’s RV Camping Guide

Sonoma County Parks Camping

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ABOUT BIKE RENTALS?

Yes. There is a variety of bike shops in Sonoma County.  A quick Google search will help you locate every bike shop in the area, most of all of them have a fleet of bike rentals that you can try out during the Fondo.

We recommend our long-time partners at NorCal Bike Sport

CAN I SHIP MY BIKE TO LEVI'S GRANFONDO?

Yes, you can ship your bike to Levi's GranFondo. We recommend checking BikeFlights options as they make it easy for you to ship your bike to pretty much anywhere.

Official Merchandise

WHERE CAN I BUY OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE?

You can buy Levi's GranFondo official merchandise or directly at the event. Look for the "Merchandise" area at both the Expo (Friday) and the Festival (Saturday).

I HAVE ORDERED MERCHANDISE THROUGH REGISTRATION, WHERE AND WHEN CAN I PICK IT UP?

Pre-ordered merchandise will be shipped directly to you, up until 2 weeks before the event. Pre-ordered t-shirts will be picked up at the event, at the Merchandise Tent during opening hours. Please bring your ID and our team will take care of you.

If you are local and wish to pick up your order ahead of time at our office in Railroad Square (the kits won't get there until a couple of weeks before the event), shoot us an email at orders@bikemonkey.net to coordinate and day and a time for you to stop by.

ARE THERE EXCHANGES FOR MERCHANDISE?

Yes. We want you to be totally satisfied.

Pre-ordered jerseys and other clothing items are exchangeable as long as they have not been worn. You can either return them by mail and pay a small amount to cover return postage, or exchange them at the event. Exchanges are limited to stock on hand. There are no refunds.

Please contact us at info@bikemonkey.net so we can calculate the return postage amount. We will need to know what it is that you will be exchanging and where it is going.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Send us an e-mail: info@bikemonkey.net.

RULES

BE CAREFUL

Many of the roads are challenging and technical, especially after passing through the town of Occidental. Be extremely careful riding your bicycle. There are places along all of the available routes where people have injured themselves very badly because they have gone into a turn too fast or had a lapse in their attention. If you do not slow yourself soon enough before turns, you could find yourself descending some sections of road well beyond the speed limit. This is not safe. The turns on these roads are very sharp, very sudden, and occasionally have a decreasing radius (that means they get steeper and harder as you enter them). They are also rugged, with potholes and cattle guards that you will have to navigate. Do not underestimate how difficult this ride will be, both in terms of the fitness it will require and the bike handling ability it demands of you.

The Gran route is not recommended for inexperienced riders. We don’t suggest this as your first century. Hoo boy.

A HELMET AND A BIKE

Yes, you need both of these in order to participate in Levi’s GranFondo. Neither are optional. Sorry. Both should be in reliable working order so that you don’t pose a danger to yourself or others when you drop a chain, blow a rim, or even eject a water bottle from a too-loose cage.

STAY RIGHT

Many of the roads you will ride are very narrow, with no center line. They will be shared with vehicular traffic. Please ride to the right when in narrow sections of road. While CHP, medical, and official support vehicles will be along for the ride and working at intersections, many of the GranFondo roads are not closed and there will be occasional non-event vehicles traveling with and against you. While traffic on these roads is minimal, it is still there. It only takes one.

Additionally, riding in the middle of the road absent motor vehicle traffic can still cause unsafe conditions for other, faster riders. Regardless of how fast you think you’re going, someone is pretty much always coming up behind you. Get over to the right as far as safety allows and let the faster flow pass you by. It’s better for them and it’s better for you.

RIDE COURTEOUSLY

We are conducting this event on some of the most remote roads in our county. Nevertheless, these roads pass through working landscapes and those who use these roads require your respect and courtesy. Residents along these routes are made aware of the event, but this many cyclists using these roads at one time is an anomaly. Please be courteous to drivers and let them pass by moving to the right whenever it is reasonably safe to do so.

DO NOT LITTER

If you are seen throwing garbage or trash, gel packs, inner tubes, or any other disposable items onto the ground, you will be fined for littering. In California, this fine for littering is as much as $2,000 per occurrence. We will not be cleaning up after you.

ENFORCEMENT

We will enforce all of these rules in order to ensure rider safety. There’s always a few people in any large group of cyclists who, for one reason or another, disobey the rules of the road. In a ride this big and challenging, there can be serious consequences to this sort of recklessness; some could even be fatal. On-bicycle event marshals, motorcycles, and SAG staff will be riding with you to offer the best and safest experience possible. They will also ensure that all of these rules are being followed. If these rules are broken, you will be disqualified and not permitted to return next year.

CONDUCT

If, at any time, you treat others with disrespect, including staff, fellow riders, course marshals, motorcycle drivers, sag, tech support, or anyone else, you will be disqualified and not permitted to return next year.

ENJOY YOURSELF

Levi’s GranFondo is said to be one of the most enjoyable cycling events in the United States. We are very proud of this, and want you to leave as ecstatic about the event as we are to produce it. If you follow these rules, keep your head up, and treat others like you’d like to treated, you will leave with one very memorable experience.

REFUNDS AND DEFERRALS

Unfortunately, the GranFondo cannot offer refunds or deferrals to following years for those unable to attend the event. We do however, allow transfers between two parties for a fee, starting in mid-fall and ending approximately one week prior to the GranFondo.

TRANSFER DATES, DEADLINES, AND RULES

Online registration transfers are $25 and will close on Wednesday at 10:00 pm the week of the ride. You will need to pick up your packet at "Same Day Registration" if you use your transfer code to register after Wednesday at 12:00 pm.

How to transfer?

  1. The rider transferring their entry (=seller) fills out this form to initiate the transfer ($25 transfer fee);
  2. The seller receives a confirmation email for the transfer request with a code and instructions to send to the rider getting the entry (buyer);
  3. The buyer registers using the transfer code received from the seller.

Please note it is up to the seller and buyer to figure out who should cover the transfer fee.

On site transfers will be on Friday the eve of the ride only, between 12:00 pm and 8:00 pm. ABSOLUTELY NO onsite transfers on Saturday morning.  Read the below information regarding the information you will need to have with you. On site transfer fee $50.

No transfer can exceed the original cost of the ride purchased, i.e. no Medio route can be sold from one participant to another for a Gran route. Any transfer exceeding the amount for the route in question will not be honored. Transfers only apply to your ride. That means that merchandise you may have purchased does not transfer.  We do not handle any money transfer of the original entry fee. That is up to the two individuals to work out. Many choose to use services such as PayPal or Venmo to do this.

Anyone looking to secure a transfer can do so through a variety of means, the most promising being our Facebook page. Hundreds of people have secured transfers there happily and painlessly.

TRANSFERS: Transfers take place when a person who was not registered acquires the spot of someone who is registered. The person selling the spot must be the one filling out the transfer form.  To complete the transfer form you will need the following:

Original rider’s name, Original rider’s email address, Original rider’s 9-digit registration ID (see rider’s email confirmation), Original route and CC info (to pay the transfer fee). If you need this information sent to you again, please contact info@bikemonkey.net.

SWAPS: A swap is when two people are already registered for different routes and want to switch with each other. The $25 fee applies.

To initiate a swap, please email info@bikemonkey.net with the following:

Both riders’ names, both riders’ email addresses, both riders’ original rider’s 9-digit registration ID (see rider’s email confirmation).  If you need this information sent to you again, please contact info@bikemonkey.net.

DOWNGRADING:  You can always ride a shorter route than the one for which you are registered.  If you know that you are going to ride a shorter route ahead of time and would like us to officially move you to that route, then email info@bikemonkey.net.  Email us with your full name and the 9 digit Registration ID from your registration confirmation along with the route you would like to ride and we will be happy to change it for you.

SELF-UPGRADING:  There is no “self-upgrading” your existing registration to a longer route (Piccolo to Medio, Medio to Gran, etc.) If the route is sold out already, see TRANSFERS or SWAPS above.  If the route is not sold out, contact info@bikemonkey.net.

RE-TRANSFERRING: Got lucky and found a transfer, then your husband told you you had a wedding to attend that day? Follow the same transfer procedure as normal but use the Registration ID and information of the person who currently has the entry.  DO NOT enter the person’s information who had it originally.

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Note: the privacy practices set forth in this privacy policy are for this web site only. If you link to other, non-GranFondo web sites, please review the privacy policies posted at those sites.

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