LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Distance: 162km/101 miles Grade: Hard. The biggest climb, Bear Mountain, is actually one of the more comfortable. It’s the constant stingers either side that will hurt you. Download: http://www.mapmyride.com/ routes/view/1605232726

GETTING THERE

Three international airports service New York City, though each vary in their accessibility to Manhattan via public transport. JFK, in Queens, is the biggest, across a sprawling eight terminals, and you can take the Airtrain and subway to Manhattan for just $5 each way. Newark in New Jersey is the furthest away but also has a train to Manhattan, with La Guardia, also in Queens, you’ll have to take a bus/subway combo. If you’re travelling heavy, which is likely if you’re heading to this race, there’s a flat rate taxi from JFK to Manhattan of $52 plus tolls (and mandatory tip). Bike boxes aren’t advised on the subway, particularly at rush hour.

WHERE TO STAY

We stayed at the Sheraton New York Times Square ( starwoodhotels.com), one of five official GFNY hotels (see the others here: gfny.com/ travel/hotels). They offer discounted rates and, unusually for NYC, will allow bikes in rooms. Breakfast wasn’t included as standard and is a costly extra. Rates start from $279 per night (not including taxes).

FOOD AND DRINK

There’s a post-race pasta party at the race village. Aside from that, you don’t have to walk too far to eat great food. We dined at Italian restaurant Mozzarella & Vino on West 54th Street, the hipster’s choice of pizza takeaway of Roberta’s in Brooklyn and tourist’s hotspot of Katz’s Deli in the Lower East Side.

BIKE SHOP

Sid’s Bikes on West 19th Street helped fix my disc brakes the day before the race, while Strictly Bicycles is near the race village in New Jersey.

GFNY SERIES

New York hosted the first GFNY gran fondo in 2011 but it’s since expanded with a further 15 races globally, including Colombia, Malaysia and Brazil. In Europe, there are races on Mont Ventoux, Provence and Germany. Entry to the NYC ride costs $239. To find out more visit gfny.com