Gran Fondo New York cycling event announces Official Event Hotels and new Tour Operator partnerships

Nov. 15, 2012 - PRLog -- Gran Fondo New York secured five room blocks for Gran Fondo New York participants and their guests. With three hotels in Midtown Manhattan, in the budget, comfort and upscale budget ranges, one hotel in Weehawken, NJ and one hotel in Fort Lee, NJ, there is a hotel option for everyone. In addition, three new tour operator partners are working to bring cyclists from Sweden, Argentina and USA to New York City for Gran Fondo New York.

Gran Fondo New York is the world's largest and most international competitive cycling event with 7000 cyclists coming from over 70 countries to take on a 110-mile (177km) challenging route from New York City to Bear Mountain and back. The Official GFNY Hotels offer special rates for visitors from Thursday, May 16, 2013 until Monday, May 20, 2013. This timing allows participants to visit the 2-day pre-race expo, NYC Bike Expo, May 17-18, 2013 and take part in Gran Fondo New York on May 19, 2013. The hotels also offer the same group rates 2 days before and after the official room block for cyclists who want to add extra days to their stay and explore the New York City area.

Three centrally located Manhattan hotels will cater to Gran Fondo New York cyclists in May at specially negotiated rates. Hotel Pennsylvania, with base rates ranging from $189 to $209, is the budget hotel and is located aside the NYC Bike Expo where participants pick up their race packets and check out products and services by cycling industry exhibitors. Sheraton New York, with base rates ranging from $279 to $319 including free in-room wifi, is the comfort hotel and is located six blocks from Central Park and just a mile from NYC Bike Expo. The Quin, with base rates ranging from $369 to $589, is the Gran Fondo New York upscale hotel located two blocks from Central Park.

Two New Jersey hotels will cater to Gran Fondo New York cyclists in May at specially negotiated rates. Sheraton Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken offers a base rate of $189 including free parking. The hotel is located one mile from the GFNY finish area and it is next to the NY Waterway ferry terminal for easy access to Manhattan's W 39th Street, just 5 blocks from NYC Bike Expo. Double Tree by Hilton in Fort Lee offers a base rate of $189. The hotel is just two miles from the GFNY start area allowing Double Tree guests 30-60 minutes of extra sleep on the morning of May 19, 2013.

For Official GFNY Room Block booking information, Gran Fondo New York participants and guests can go to: www.granfondony.com/hotels

Three new Tour Operator partners for Gran Fondo New York include: DuVine Adventures from the US, serving American and Canadian participants, Kadens from Sweden, and Excellent Viajes y Turismo from Argentina. These three tour operators join the existing 12 Official GFNY Tour Operators: Terramia, Booking Point, Effetto, Carlson Wagon Lit, Born 2 Run and XEvents from Italy, Rendezvous Travel from Brazil, Grosse-Coosmann and VeloTravel serving Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Gran Fondo Mexico from Mexico, Destination Cycling serving the US and Canada, Sports Tours International serving UK, Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand. Close to 1,700 international cyclists participated in Gran Fondo New York 2012. This number is expected to exceed 2,000 at Gran Fondo New York 2013.

For more information about the Official GFNY Tour Operators, please visit www.granfondony.com/travel

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Gran Fondo New York brings Italian cycling culture to the world's greatest city. On May 19, 2013, 7000 cyclists from over 70 countries take on a challenging 110-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain and back in an experience fit for a pro and open to anyone who loves to ride. www.granfondony.com

New York City Bike Expo is a 2-day pre-race expo for Gran Fondo New York. Over 60 vendors and 20,000 visitors gather in NYC for all things road cycling. www.nycbikeexpo.com "NYC Bike Expo was the best consumer show we've ever attended." -Campagnolo