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EVENT OVERVIEW
Established in 2012 in Greenville, South Carolina, Gran Fondo Hincapie is known as THE Ultimate Cycling Experience. The series is distinctive for the high-end customer experience it provides, defined by careful attention to detail and community involvement.
Essential to this experience are celebrity and professional cyclists, a high focus on safety, live streaming, segment timing, live tracking, live entertainment at rest stops, and a free family festival.
The series is currently comprised of events in four locations:
Chattanooga, Tennessee; Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania; Bangor, Maine; and Greenville, South Carolina. Gran Fondo Hincapie’s event structure includes standard ride distances of 15-, 50-, and 80-mile routes, coupled with a focus on the experience of not only the rider, but the family members of the rider and the local community that make our events possible.
3 WHEN & WHERE
Gran Fondo Hincapie aims to add the City of Merced, California along with four established annual one-day events. We want to work with your community to bring our fifth Gran Fondo Hincapie event to Merced at a date to be determined in March of 2023. Gran Fondo Hincapie-Merced would showcase the culture, scenery, and community in and surrounding Merced.
4 Known and respected as a top
tier mass participation cycling
event, Gran Fondo Hincapie
continues to draw thousands
of cyclists and their families
from all 50 states and many
counties around the world. An
important focus on community
involvement facilitates the
participation of over 200 local
volunteers per event.
A first-year event produces a
participation number of
approximately 1,000 riders and
200 volunteers. In addition to
riders and volunteers, friends
and family members are
invited to attend the Family
Festival and Expo.
5 Central and unique to the Gran Fondo Hincapie experience is the Family Festival & Expo. Riders, volunteers, along with friends and family are invited to attend for free. The festival features free food and beverage, screens with live footage from the ride courses, children’s entertainment, and informational booths from local businesses and industry professionals.
FAMILY FESTIVAL & EXPO
6 SUPPORT REQUESTED FROM
THE CITY OF MERCED
The City of Merced will play a critical role in helping to create the next The Ultimate Cycling Experience. In order to provide the level of experience that past, current, and future Gran Fondo Hincapie participants expect, Hincapie Events, LLC. requests the following support from The City of Merced and it’s local partners. ● Cash support of $50,000
● In-kind support as outlined in pages 7-11
7 EVENT OPERATIONS GENERAL OVERVIEW
8 The site chosen for a Gran Fondo Hincapie start/finish along with the Family Festival & Expo is the central area where all riders, volunteers, and festival attendees will congregate. The area should be an open space (public park, private venue, etc.) adjacent to the start/finish corral with the following specifications:
CHOOSING A SITE FOR START/FINISH
AND FAMILY FESTIVAL
● At least 30,000 square feet of gathering space for
participants, volunteers, and community members.
● Venue should have ample electrical access as well as
multiple water sources suitable for drinking.
● 100 Parking Spaces located within 2 blocks of the
Host Site for event specific vehicles, event staff RVs, and VIP parking.
● Space for adequate port-o-lets or restroom facilities located within close proximity of the Festival/Expo
Area. 2 of the port-o-lets should be handicap
accessible. (Number of port-o-lets and/or capacity of
restroom facilities to be mutually agreed upon by
Hincapie Events, LLC and the Host City.)
● Access to high-speed internet. (Minimum 10mb/s
Upload and 10mb/s Download Speed)
● All costs related to venue fees, parking, and
port-o-lets will be the responsibility of the Host City.
● Final site selection to be mutually agreed upon
between the Host City and Hincapie Events, LLC
during the first site visit.
9 The site chosen for a Gran Fondo Hincapie start/finish along with the Family Festival & Expo is the central area where all riders, volunteers, and festival attendees will congregate. The following outlines the proposed site for the Festival & Expo along with the route that the ride will depart the Start/Finish area from.
PROPOSED SITE FOR START/FINISH
AND FAMILY FESTIVAL
● The Festival and Expo would take place on both North
and Southbound lanes of N Street between West
Main Street and West 18th Street.
● The proposed area for the Start/Finish is N Street
between West 18th Street and the first half block of
West 19th - 20th Street.
● Both of these areas see proposed closures for setup
beginning on Thursday, March 16th at 9am. Proposed
closures would end at 8pm on Saturday, March 18th.
10 RIDE OPERATIONS
● Police Services – Local (city and/or county) police
services, plus related costs are the responsibility of
the Host City. Local Police, in collaboration with
California Highway Patrol and Gran Fondo Hincapie
Course Marshal Volunteers, provide safe road
closures which may include fixed-post positions,
traffic control, Festival & Expo security, and
maintain public safety.
● Public Works and Road Services – Local public
works and road services are the responsibility of
the Host City. The Host City will absorb the cost for
all services inside of city limits. These services are
necessary to provide a safe riding and festival
experience and support police efforts. The services
include:
○ Detours and Detour Equipment
○ Barricades and Cones
○ Contracted Traffic Control Services
○ Distribution of notices to local business and
residents advising of road closures and
awareness of the event to include all permit
required information.
● EMT/EMS Services
EMT/EMS service costs for the event day will be the
responsibility of the Host City. Placement of
EMT/EMS services will be determined by the
Hincapie Events, LLC. Technical Director.
At minimum:
○ (1) On-Site Festival Team
○ (1) Rapid Response Vehicle
○ (1) Full-Service Ambulance
● Course Selection
Courses of 80-, 50-, and 15-miles will be identified
and approved by the Hincapie Events, LLC. Technical
Director in collaboration with the Host City.
Initial full course approval is required from Hincapie
Events, LLC; the Host City; Local Officials; and State
Officials no later than Friday, April 1st, 2022.
11 RIDE OPERATIONS
Proposed Egress From Start/Finish Area
● Ride Start - Route
○ The proposed ride start would see riders leave
the Start/Finish area promptly at 8:00am on
Saturday, March 18th proceeding north on N
Street.
○ The proposed route would then execute a right
turn on West 21st Street and a left onto M
Street.
○ The proposed route would then travel 3.9 miles
on M Street before executing a right turn on
Bellevue Road and a left turn onto G Street.
○ The proposed route would then travel 2.2 miles
on G Street and Snelling Road before executing
a right turn onto La Paloma Road.
12 RIDE OPERATIONS
Proposed Route Ingress & Further Details
● Ride Finish - Route
○ Proposed route finish would involve would
utilize the same route as the start, but in
reverse.
○ Here, riders would travel southbound on M
Street before executing a right turn on West
21st Street and a left on N Street.
■ Under this proposal, M Street would have
the furthest right hand lane closed for
cycling traffic. All other lanes of traffic
would remain open.
● Additional Route Details
○ Proposed routes outside the City of Merced are
still in development under the direction of
Hincapie Events, LLC. Technical Director Joseph
Coddington and local stakeholders.
○ Under the conditions of an approved event
inside the City of Merced, a full course will be
finalized no later than November 30th, 2022.
13 VOLUNTEER
PROGRAM
The Host City will work directly with the
Gran Fondo Hincapie Volunteer Director for
securing and organizing local volunteers.
Total number of volunteers vary based on
course and festival needs but typically range
from 200-300 volunteers.
Each volunteer will receive a Gran Fondo
Hincapie T-Shirt, volunteer packet with
giveaways sponsors, and an invitation to the
Family Festival & Expo. The invitation to the
Family Festival & Expo includes immediate
family members.
14 SITE VISITS
The Host City will work with Hincapie Events, LLC
to schedule a minimum of 2 site visits between the
dates of February 21st, 2022, and March 1st, 2023.
The first site visit should occur no later than the
week of March 14-18, 2022. The following costs
will be the responsibility of the Host City:
● 20 total room nights to be used during period
of 2.21.2022 and 3.1.2023.
● Rooms to be single occupancy at properties
mutually agreed upon between the Host City
and Hincapie Events, LLC.
● Hotel Properties should be located within 5
blocks of proposed event sites.
The Host City will be responsible for the cost of 30 total room nights during the event week with the following
allocations:
● Single Occupancy Rooms at properties mutually
agreed upon between the host city and Hincapie
Events, LLC.
● Properties should be no more than 5 blocks from
the event site.
● Check-in dates starting 5 days prior to the agreed
upon event date.
● Check-in dates and guest names to be provided to
the Host City no later than February 28th, 2023.
● Check-out dates on the Sunday immediately
following the agreed upon event date.
EVENT WEEK HOTEL
REQUIREMENTS
15 HOST CITY BENEFITS
16 The following is a list of benefits that Hincapie Events, LLC. will provide:
1 - EXCLUSIVE NAMING RIGHTS
The proposed event will be titled the “Gran Fondo
Hincapie – Merced”.
Gran Fondo Hincapie provides a valuable opportunity to gain exposure in the rapidly growing worldwide cycling community, create economic impact, and provide new experiences for local residents.
Beyond the positive economic impact of bringing riders from around the world to the Host City, each Gran Fondo Hincapie Host City will receive a package of benefits to assist with fundraising efforts, provide VIP experiences for key guests, and to promote/market the Host City/region to drive tourism.
17 HOST CITY BENEFITS (CON’T)
2 - FAMILY FESTIVAL AND EXPO
Booth Spaces
The Host City will receive 5 10x10 spaces for booths to help promote/build awareness of the city (CVB,
Chamber, Local Businesses, etc.).
● 10’x10’ spaces are valued at $500 each.
● Spaces can be set up for the day before the event
(Friday) and the day of the event (Saturday).
● All booth space must be approved by the Hincapie
Events, LLC. Event Director to ensure there are no
sponsor conflicts.
Live Stream
The Host City will have the opportunity to have up to a 30 second ad play multiple times on the event’s live
stream. This live stream will be shown from 7am-5pm
during the event day (Saturday) on the Festival Screen, Hincapie Events You Tube Channel, and Gran Fondo
Hincapie App.
Emcee Call Outs
The Host City will have the opportunity to have ads
announced by the event emcee over the public address
throughout the event day.
18 HOST CITY BENEFITS (CON’T)
3 - VIP EXPERIENCES
The Host City will receive 5 VIP Gold Packages (valued at $1,000 each) to be used as necessary. VIP Gold Packages Include:
(1) Gran Fondo Hincapie Ride Entry
(1) Gran Fondo Hincapie Event Kit (Jersey, Bib Short,
Vest, Socks, Arm Warmers, Knee Warmers, Gloves,
and Cycling Cap)
(1) Event Day VIP Parking Pass
(1) Event Day Ticket for VIP Breakfast with the Pros
Priority Start Corral with the Pros
Post Ride Massage
(2) Private VIP Lunch Passes
(2) Tickets to the Gran Fondo Hincapie After Party
Personal information for each VIP must be received by
the Event Director by the close of online registration.
Date TBD.
19 HOST CITY BENEFITS (CON’T)
4 - FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER WITH THE PROS
The Host City will receive 10 tickets valid for entry to the Friday Night Dinner with the Pros ($150/pp value).
Attendee names must be submitted to the Hincapie
Events, LLC. Event Director no later than one month prior to the event date.
5 - EVENT MERCHANDISE
The Host City will have the option to have its logo
featured on:
● The official Gran Fondo Hincapie Event Jersey.
● Jersey is included with all paid Gran Fondo Hincapie
Registrations.
● Gran Fondo Hincapie Event T-Shirt
● Gran Fondo Hincapie Volunteer T-Shirt
20 HOST CITY BENEFITS (CON’T)
6 - EVENT SIGNAGE AND RIDER GUIDE
The Host City will have the option to have the following:
(2) 8’x4’ Branded Fence Panels to be displayed in the
Start/Finish Corral
● Hincapie Events, LLC. is responsible for the costs
associated with printing and installation.
● The Host City is responsible for providing the design no later than 3-months prior to the event date.
(1) Full page ad in the Gran Fondo Hincapie Rider Guide ● Hincapie Events, LLC. is responsible for the costs
associated with printing.
● The Host City is responsible for providing the design no later than 3-months prior to the event date.
Templates and specifications to be provided by the
Hincapie Events, LLC. Event Director.
21 HOST CITY BENEFITS (CON’T)
7 - PUBLICITY AND MARKETING
Website
Dedicated link on the Gran Fondo Hincapie “Plan Your
Trip” page with opportunity to incorporate local partner logos, tourism information, etc.
● All partner logos and information are subject to
review by Hincapie Events, LLC to ensure there are no
sponsor conflicts.
Host City Logo on Partners Page
Option for links to local hotel partners on the “Plan Your Trip” page of the event website.
Social Media
Host City promotion through all Hincapie Event, LLC. and Hincapie Sportswear Inc. social media platforms
(Facebook, Instagram).
● Content and schedule to be mutually agreed upon by
the Host City and Hincapie Events, LLC.
E-Blasts
Host City promotion through Hincapie Events, LLC.
E-Blasts to potential registrants and current registrants. ● Content and schedule to be mutually agreed upon by
the Host City and Hincapie Events, LLC.
Press Releases
Host City named as an event partner in all event related press releases produced by Hincapie Events, LLC.
22 Gran Fondo Hincapie
11K Followers
George Hincapie
88K Followers
George Hincapie
95.5K Followers
Hincapie Sportswear
16.5K Followers
SOCIAL MEDIA
Hincapie Sportswear
12K Followers
An added advantage of partnering with Gran Fondo
Hincapie is access to social media channels with actively engaged followers: Gran Fondo Hincapie, Hincapie
Sportswear, and George Hincapie.
23 At Gran Fondo Hincapie, how we engage and support our host communities is just as important as the product we provide our participants. A healthy and engaged host community is vital to the long-term success of Gran Fondo Hincapie and the sport of cycling.
Community Participation
Gran Fondo Hincapie is an inclusive event. Whether on the bike or off, there are many ways that members of the Merced community and surrounding areas can be involved. Beyond opportunities to participate as a volunteer and attending the Family Festival and Expo, Gran Fondo Hincapie-Merced will also offer:
COMMUNITY ACTIVATION
Free Registrations for Junior Cyclists
Getting the younger members of our
community on bicycles is perhaps our biggest
passion! In an effort to grow the sport that has
given so much to us, we offer free registration
for all cyclists 18 years of age and younger. All a
junior participant needs to participate is a
bicycle and helmet!
Free Family Ride
In addition to ride distances of 80, 50, and 15-miles, Gran Fondo Hincapie-Merced will feature a Family Ride. This non-competitive event will offer families and friends the opportunity to ride any type of bicycle on a beginner friendly half mile loop around the Family Festival and Expo area.
The focus of this event will be on fun! Participants will be able to complete as many laps as they wish while they are showered with confetti at the start/finish and cheered by volunteers and the Gran Fondo Hincapie Team. Each participant will receive a finishers medal and an invitation to the Family Festival and Expo.
24 GIVING BACK
Giving Back
We believe that healthy communities are
built on coming together to help each other.
Central to our philosophy on engaging our
host communities are partnerships with local
non-profit organizations. With the help of key
decision makers in Merced, Gran Fondo
Hincapie will partner with local non-profits to
donate a portion of proceeds to.
GIVING
BACK
25 HINCAPIE EVENTS, LLC. - KEY CONTACTS
Rich Hincapie
President
864.423.8118
[email protected]
George Hincapie
Co-Founder
[email protected]
Joseph Coddington
Technical Director
828.712.6582
[email protected]
Jamie Godfrey
Event Director
828.289.4478
[email protected]
Kimberly Morgan
Volunteer Director
864.414.5056
[email protected]
Taylor Vandiver
Creative Director
864.400.3054
[email protected]
Drew Hincapie
Marketing Director
864.400.3042
[email protected]
Andrea Johnson
VIP Services Manager
864.400.3041
[email protected]
26 Reviews From Participants
“This is by far the best, well
organized cycling event
around! 5 star all the way!
Thanks for putting it on!!!”
“The entire Gran Fondo Hincapie event is so
awesome--from the courses, the volunteers, the
sponsors, the food and drink, the celebrity
guests, and especially meeting and riding with
so many cyclists from other places all in
celebration of cycling! Always a class act!”
“Participated for a few years
and have no plans to stop!
One of the best cycling and
family events, hands down.”
“Great experience, great
routes, awesome atmosphere.
Anyone wanting to
experience what it’s like to be
a pro cyclist, this event is for
you.”
“An incredible ride that should not be missed.
Excellent course marking, wonderful rest stops
with live music and great food and an incredible
afterparty. Literally a who's who of cycling in this
region.”
“Top notch...best overall
experience of any organized
ride!! Thank you for your
fantastic hospitality and
looking forward to next
year!!”