Spring 2022
Green Fondo Chautauqua – Western New York – Interest List
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About the Ride
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Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, N.Y.
This weekend event takes place at the Chautauqua Institution, a non-profit, 750-acre community on Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York. Chautauqua is a community of artists and thinkers dedicated to exploring the best in humanity, and part of that is their effort to address climate change. Cyclists can overnight, enjoy food and drink, and meet new friends and thought leaders. Take a weekend to pedal for the planet in this beautiful part of New York and be part of creating a positive impact for the future. With three route options each day, there’s a sweet ride for seasoned to novice cyclists. Want to join your cyclist friends, but you’re not a cyclist? You can register for the non-cycling option and enjoy the weekend exploring Chautauqua.
Event Details
Positive Planet Impact
Full Event Story
Green Fondo is here! Green Fondo is our sustainably focused take on the Gran Fondo-style rides. We’re gathering to celebrate the planet while bringing people together to enjoy great cycling. We’ll have a cycling campus at the Chautauqua Institution on Lake Chautauqua where cyclists can overnight, enjoy food and drink, entertainment, and meet with new friends and thought leaders.
Located in the far western corner of New York State, Chautauqua is bordered by Lake Erie to the north and Pennsylvania to the west and south. Its diverse topography has much to offer riders of all abilities. From the flat roads that follow the Lake Erie shoreline to the rolling hills, you’ll find lush grape vineyards, Amish farms, plentiful lake views, and beautiful roads for cycling.
Proceeds benefit organizations dedicated to climate, clean energy, and bike advocacy. Upon registration, you can choose from our full list of beneficiaries and proceeds will be distributed to the Climate Ride grants program based on your beneficiary selection. You will have access to our superb personal fundraising software and the full support of our team. Participants may select their beneficiaries from our list of more than 100 extraordinary non-profit organizations.
For this 2-day event, there will be cycling mileages for all types of riders – you can choose from Grande, Medio, & Piccolo options each day. We will have several mileage options on both days of the event. (More details on the routes will be available in your ride guide.) This event style has something for everyone and provides an atmosphere where family, friends, and colleagues can all enjoy a cycling event together. Green Fondo is not timed because we want you to enjoy the bike ride the way you want to ride! There are lovely stops along the way where you can enjoy beautiful surroundings and new friends. From e-bikes to race bikes, all are welcome.
NEW: Not a cyclist, but want to enjoy the weekend and support the cause? We now have a companion/non-cycling option for non-cycling fundraisers. The Chautauqua Institution is a place worth exploring and non-cyclists will enjoy a weekend energizing in a place dedicated to the best in humanity. In the afternoon and evenings, we’ll all gather in the spirit of the Climate Ride community. When you register, select the non-cycling option.
Photo Gallery
Itinerary Overview
Itinerary subject to change, your Ride Guide will include full details.
Friday
4 pm – Event Registration and Accommodations check-in.
7:30 pm – Evening gathering with appetizers and drinks at the Athenaeum Hotel.
(For dinner, we suggest you eat along the way, or there are restaurants on the Chautauqua campus.)
Saturday
6:30 am – 8:30 am: Registration open for riders arriving today.
GRANDE – 80 mi Option
Breakfast is available for Grande riders at 6 am.
MEDIO – 50 mi Option
Breakfast is available at 7 am.
PICCOLO – 33 mi Option or MOLTO PICCOLO – 20 mi Option
Breakfast is open from 7-9 am.
12-1:30 pm: Picnic lunch along the route
7 pm: Dinner at the dining hall. Join us for inspiring talks afterward!
Sunday
GRANDE – 67 mi Option
Breakfast is available for Grande riders at 6 am.
MEDIO – 36 mi Option
Breakfast is open from 7-9 am.
PICCOLO – 19 mi Option
Breakfast is open from 7-9 am.
1-2 pm: Lunch for all riders
2 pm: Say farewell until the next ride!
Ready to get started?
Green Fondo FAQs
What’s included: Accommodations & Meals
What’s included:
- Bellinger Hall accommodations. Double rooms with shared bathroom. (Double rooms have twin beds and two double rooms share a bathroom.) Towel and bedding provided. (Upgrades are available–see below.)
- Full route support including bike mechanics, water & snack stops, and cheerful leaders!
- Good food: Saturday: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner, and snacks at aid stations along the routes. Sunday: breakfast and lunch and snacks at aid stations along the route.
- Really awesome people to spend the weekend with!
Not included:
Private bathroom at Bellinger: If there is additional space available you can upgrade to a double room with a private bath.
Hotels: If you prefer a hotel, you can upgrade to the Athenaeum Hotel (we have special upgrade pricing). There are also other hotels and B&Bs you can book on the Chautauqua campus.
Alcoholic beverages: If you prefer special libations, bring them along!
Tell me more about the non-cycling option?
Not a cyclist, but want to enjoy the weekend and support the cause? We now have a companion/non-cycling option for non-cycling fundraisers. The Chautauqua Institution is a place worth exploring and non-cyclists will enjoy a weekend energizing in a place dedicated to the best in humanity. In the afternoon and evenings, we’ll all gather in the spirit of the Climate Ride community. When you register, select the non-cycling option.
Activities for non-riders include: (1) self-guided walking tours of Chautauqua Institution grounds, a national historic landmark, (2) paddling on Chautauqua Lake, (3) day trips to the Chautauqua Lake towns and shops of Mayville and Beamus Point, (3) a day trip to the National Comedy Center in Jamestown NY (https://comedycenter.org/), (4) visit local wineries and micro-breweries, and (5) day trip to Lake Erie and this charming town of Dunkirk with its historic lighthouse and museum.
Fundraising Beneficiaries
Cyclists on Green Fondo can choose from the more than 100 incredible beneficiary organizations in the Climate Ride network! One of the things that make Climate Ride such an effective charitable event is that you can select the organization(s) you wish to benefit through the Climate Ride grants program.
Our beneficiaries were selected for their work on the environment, justice, conservation, sustainability, climate education, and active transportation advocacy. At the end of the year, Climate Ride grants the proceeds from our events to these hard-working organizations. Learn more about beneficiaries here.
The Ride Start and End
The ride starts and ends at the Chautauqua Institution, One Ames Ave., Chautauqua, N.Y. 14722
What are the routes? Are the roads open to the public?
They are beautiful! Southwestern NY is a cyclist’s paradise. You will find maps of the various route options in your Ride Guide which you receive after registering. All of the routes are held through roads that are open to the public (there are no roads closures for Green Fondo). In order to minimize additional drivers on the roads, please do not invite your friends or family to drive the routes.
Getting your bike to/from the event & bike rental
If you wish to ship your bike to the event, we will recommend a local bike shop where you can ship your bike and have it re-built. And, the end of the ride, your bike can be packaged and shipped home. We recommend using Bike Flights for shipping.
We will soon recommend a local bike shop for bike rentals. Stay tuned.
Can I bring my friends/family/pets?
Yes. We encourage non-riders to sign up.
Pets are not allowed at Bellinger Hall. If you wish to bring a pet, be sure to check with the accommodations on campus to make sure pets are allowed.
Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines
All registrations fees and donations are non-refundable.
Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines are TBD.
More Questions?
More Questions?
Email us at [email protected]!