Bike Impresarios Bringing a 'Gran' Event to Morristown

Outside the state, New Jersey has a certain reputation. And it isn’t as one of the premiere cycling and triathlon spots in the country.  

Yet, over 40 cycling and triathlon enthusiasts from across the state convened in a small, fluorescent-lit room at the Thursday night, Dec. 2, for a press conference announcing New Jersey’s upcoming triathlon and cycling events.

Hoping to spread the good word about New Jersey cycling and triathlons, Marty Epstein, of in Morristown, Randolph and Hackesttown, and Mike Nusbaum, of PACE racing, have planned several cycling and triathlon events for the 2011 racing season. This includes the “Gran Fondo,” a 100-mile cycling event that’s set to start and end in Morristown.    

Nusbaum quit his Fortune 500 job the day of the press conference to run his racing production company full-time. He seemed more excited than nervous about the future of his company, which also announced at the conference that it will produce four triathlons in 2011 in addition to the Gran Fondo.  

Those who attended the press conference appeared excited about Nusbaum’s efforts. “Based on the momentum Mike [Nusbaum’s] building, [it’s] going to be a wildly successful 2011,” Mark Hughes, who owns the race timing company fastfinishes.net, and is a triathlete, said at the event.

Epstein said he is confident that the Gran Fondo, meaning roughly "big ride," in Italian, will be only one major success of the 2011 season. “Something’s right about [the Gran Fondo],” Epstein said after the event ended. “[It’s] going to be successful.”  

The Gran Fondo is different than “regular old rides," Epstein said. “It’s so much more than just a ride.”  

Epstein and Nusbaum said the Fondo will consist of three separate races, the gran (100 miles), the medio (100k) and the piccolo (50k). Participants are welcome to take each mile at their own speed, which makes this race special, Nusbaum said.   Depending on the athlete, the Fondo can be a ride, a trial, or a race.

One of Nusbaum’s motivations to host the event is to foster an atmosphere of accessibility and friendly competition. “[The event] will be very inclusive and open for everyone to join in the fun,” Nusbaum said. “You can take your time. The athlete makes the experience they want.”  

Epstein and Nusbaum plan to host the Gran Fondo over an entire weekend, with festivities, food and group “fun” rides. Ideally, Epstein and Nusbaum said the event will attract thousands of cyclists to Morristown.

“I think it’ll become an event that will become a classic for New Jersey and Morristown,” Epstein said. “It will help the community become a cycling destination [and] to keep [Morristown] a part of cycling.”  

“With any festival style event, it’s not just that people will come to town for the event, it’s designed to be a showcase for the community,” Nusbaum added. Epstein, too, is eager to showcase Morristown’s—and New Jersey’s—unique attributes, especially it’s rolling, low-traffic roads and the state's often overlooked bucolic side.  

“New Jersey is the perfect place to hold cycling events,” Epstein said. “It has some of the best roads in the country. You can’t find roads like this in any other state. Ten minutes out of Morristown you’re in great roads." Big hill climbs along those roads will be a highlight of the course, which will cover areas as far west as Hunterdon County and as far south as the Delaware River.

Epstein said the hills will be “doable, but challenging." It’s safe to say that the cycling and triathlon communities are on board for the Gran Fondo. But what about the rest of Morristown?  

“Some people will complain,” Epstein said. “But it will showcase Morristown, bring people out to Morristown who’ve never been to this part of the state.”  

Epstein said he hopes to make the event as sustainable and community-oriented as possible. He wants to involve Grow it Green Morristown and The Seeing Eye in the process. Nusbaum’s approach isn’t much different. “I try to make community centered events that benefit the community,” he said.    

Ultimately, Nusbaum and Epstein hope the event will drive non-locals to Morristown, increase local business and foster a sense of community. “[The Gran Fondo] gives people a chance to see Morristown and get people to come back again,” Nusbaum said. Epstein added, “We want to make this a vibrant, dynamic destination community. An event like this… will draw a lot of people.”