GFNY Pittsburgh-Monroeville will challenge you and take your breath away. The race starts and finishes at CCAC Boyce Campus in Monroeville, just 15 minutes east of Pittsburgh. The course travels through scenic Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties and offers a recreational 47-mile medium distance and a competitive 80-mile long distance. The distances may feel short, but tacking the rolling hills will make your legs feel the burn.

 

The pre-race expo, group rides, the race start and finish and the post-race festival will all take place CCAC Boyce Campus in Eastern Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. 

The race starts with a short descent, take note of it because that will be your climb to the finish line. The course will take you right into the first of seven climbs on the course. The climbs are 0.8 miles - 1.5 miles in length and 200-300ft of climbing each, making for a rolling course that will push you but also give you short breaks on the descents. Expect to be changing your gears often and stay attentive because this course will not give you many chances for coasting or a rhythm.

 

The first ten miles will take you through rolling hills of Allegheny County and into Westmoreland County. The hills lead to a beautiful descent towards a bridge over the Beaver Run Reservoir. This may be one of the most scenic spots on the whole course, we’ll make sure to take your picture! From the center of the bridge, you’ll start the longest climb of the day, 1.5-miles long with 350ft of climbing, maximum incline of 10%, to the highest point of the course, the Cima Coppi of GFNY Pittsburgh-Monroeville. 

 

Over the next 15 miles, you will travel ons smaller roads that are more twisty and the significant climbing of the 29-mile loop begins. There are five more significant climbs, each approximately 1 mile long, some gradual and some with steeper sections, with several sections with inclines over 10%. You’ll get some brief moments of rest on the descents. Then you’ll make the left onto Myers Road and descend into a valley and the lowest point of the course, and then start the most challenging climb of the day on Old Leechburg Rd. It's 1.2-mile long with 375ft of climbing, it has a 7% average incline and multiple sections that go above 10%. Once at the top, you can head straight to make the right to head to the finish line or go straight to start the loop a second time for more climbing fun. This course will demand you to be strong: strong quads and also a strong mind. 

 

Once you arrive back to the finish festivities, enjoy a post-race meal with friends, photos, music and the awards ceremony.