Event info

The start and finish of the event are located at the Helsinki Velodrome. Please arrive in good time, at least 60 minutes before your start, to collect your participant materials and get ready for the ride.

Parking

Paid parking is available at the Velodrome and Käpylä Sports Park, but we recommend arriving by public transport or by bike. The distance from Pasila railway station to the Velodrome is approximately 1 km.

Bag Storage

A supervised bag storage service is available at the event area.

Event Office Opening Hours

• Saturday 29.8. at 3pm-7pm
• Sunday 30.8. at 8am->

At the event office, you can collect your participant number. Please bring a valid photo ID with you. You may also collect numbers for other members of your riding group – in that case, we will record who picked up the participant numbers.

Transferring or Cancelling Your Participation

• By purchasing a 20 € transfer protection during registration, you can transfer your participation to the following year or to another person. The transfer must be made before the event day, and transfer protection cannot be purchased afterward.
  
  
• Participation fees are non-refundable, except in the case of force majeure (e.g. official restrictions), in which case a partial refund will be issued.

If you would like an invoice for your company, please contact hgf@pyoraily.fi.

Start times schedule

You can experience the unforgettable Helsinki Gran Fondo in your own way: in a pace group, with a friend or a small group, or even on your own! Those interested can join the pace groups led by experienced cyclists from cycling club IK-32.

Participants will be guided into pace groups before the start, with the fastest groups starting first. From the Velodrome to Leppävaara, everyone will ride behind a lead vehicle.

Please arrive at the start area at least 15 minutes before your start time. We recommend arriving at the event site at least 60 minutes before your start.

• 160 kilometer route starts at 10:00
• 100 kilometer route starts at 11:00

The finish area will close at 19:00.

The event includes timing, but Helsinki Gran Fondo is not a race – you can ride at your own pace or join one of the pace groups. Every participant will receive a Helsinki Gran Fondo medal!

Pace groups

The pace groups will stop at the support stations as scheduled, with breaks of approximately 10 minutes. The pace groups will stop at all support stations, except for the two fastest groups on the 160 kilometer route.

• 100 kilometer pace groups: 20 km/h, 23 km/h, 26 km/h, 29 km/h and 32 km/h
• 160 kilometer pace groups: 24 km/h, 26 km/h, 28 km/h, 30 km/h, 32 km/h (stops only at support stations 2 and 3) and 34 km/h (stops only at support stations 2 and 3)

Things to note when riding in a pace group:

• Ride with your group throughout the escorted ride, as the group will continue riding together without stopping after the escort ends 
• The group will maintain the target average speed only after the lead vehicle steps aside
• Average speed is not calculated during breaks
• The final average speed may vary from the target by ±2 km/h, depending on factors such as weather conditions
• In a pace group, everyone is responsible for looking out for their fellow riders and relaying messages from the back of the group to the leaders if necessary
• The group rides in a double-file formation (two person side by side)
• There are no sprints in these pace groups; the ride is completed together from start to finish

• The pace is slower on uphills than on flat sections. However, the start of a climb is ridden briskly so that riders still on the flat section behind do not have to brake unnecessarily or widen the formation. The start of a downhill is ridden at a steady pace to allow everyone to join the downhill.
• Any falls or collisions will be discussed and reviewed together
• The group will not wait for mechanical issues to be fixed
• If the pace feels too fast, you can drop back and join the next group coming up behind
• Breaks at the support stations last approximately 10 minutes. The two fastest long-distance groups stop at rest stops 2 and 3. All other groups stop at all rest stops.

The following services are available for participants at the Velodrome:

• Showers: Shower facilities at the Velodrome are available.
• Changing rooms and toilets: The Velodrome’s changing rooms and toilets are open to participants.
• Light Maintenance: Free light maintenance (tire inflation and chain lubrication) is available in the expo area. However, please make sure your bike is in proper working condition well before the event.
• Meal: A meal included in the participation fee will be served in the finish area starting at 14:00. A vegan option will also be available.

1. Entrance and WC
2. Event office (registration)
3. Expo area
   • Partners’ tents
   • Bike maintenance point
   • Water bottle refill station
4. WC & changing rooms indoors
5. Bag storage in the stands
6. Start area
7. Finish area, dining and expo area after the ride
8. Bicycle wash station
9. Paid parking area (Velodrome parking lot)
10. Paid parking area (Käpylä sports park lot)

Helsinki Velodrome Address: Mäkelänkatu 70, 00520 Helsinki.

There are support stations (=huolto) along the route offering water, sports drinks, and light energy snacks. Each station is equipped with basic maintenance tools (pump, patch kits/inner tubes, and tools). First aid kit are also available at each support station. Each support station has a toilet. 

If you need to discontinue your ride, transportation back to the event area is available from the support stations. A sweep vehicle picks up riders who have dropped out along the route and transports them to the next support station. A separate shuttle collects riders from the service points and takes them back to the Velodrome. Please note that you may have to wait for the transport.

Detailed information will be published in summer 2026.

100 km route support stations:

• Lepsämä (39km)
• Palojoki (64km)
• Hakkila (90km)

160 km route support stations:

• Lepsämä (39km)
• Karhunkorpi (59km)
• Pornainen (110km)
• Hakkila (141km)

All participants of Helsinki Gran Fondo are insured through Suomen Pyöräily ry’s event insurance. The insurance covers accidents that occur during the event. You can find the full insurance terms and coverage details via this link.

Please note that the event insurance does not cover damage to your bike or equipment.

All participants of Helsinki Gran Fondo are insured through Suomen Pyöräily ry’s event insurance. The insurance covers accidents that occur during the event.

Please note that the event insurance does not cover damage to your bike or equipment.

With transfer protection, you can transfer your participation from the 2026 Helsinki Gran Fondo to the 2027 event without providing a specific reason. Transfer protection is only valid if purchased during registration and the transfer is made before the 2026 event day. The transfer protection costs 20€ and must be bought as signing up for the event. 

Transfer protection entitles you to the following changes before the event:

• Transfer your participation to the following year’s event
• Transfer your participation to another person free of charge
• Change your chosen distance (100 kilometers ↔ 160 kilometers)

Without transfer protection, the following transfer options are available:

• Changes for the current year’s event (e.g., changing participant or distance): free of charge until 23 August 2026. After this date, changes are no longer possible.
• With a medical certificate: transfer to the following year’s event with a 20 € administrative fee – applies only to the original participant and cannot be transferred to another person.
• Transfer requests must be made by email to hgf@pyoraily.fi.

Participants play a key role in creating a safe riding experience. Helsinki Gran Fondo takes place on open roads, so complying with the Finnish Road Traffic Act is mandatory. Roads are not closed to traffic, so please be mindful of other road users and ride responsibly. We recommend reviewing the Cyclist’s Code of Conduct before the event.

Please also note that the event includes both experienced and less experienced riders. Maintain a steady pace, anticipate situations, and use clear hand signals.

Using a phone while riding is strictly prohibited.

• Helmets are mandatory – you cannot participate without a cycling helmet.
• Keep a safe distance from other riders and follow basic group riding etiquette. For beginners, we recommend learning the basics of group riding safety and cycling hand signals.
• Use hand signals and communicate – indicate turns, obstacles, and route changes to others
• Be cautious at support stations – slow down and watch out for other riders when arriving and departing. Do not stop in the middle of the road; move clearly to the side when stopping.
• If you encounter a horse, slow down and wait for instructions from the rider.
• Self-service – make sure your bike is in good condition and carry at least a spare inner tube and a pump or CO2 cartridge.
• First aid – there are first aid points along the route and at the finish area. In case of an emergency such as a serious accident, call 112.
• Download the "112 Suomi" app to your phone

There are two start waves scheduled one hour apart. Riders on the 160-kilometer route start in the first wave, followed by those riding the 100-kilometer route. In the beginning, avoid accelerating or overtaking, as the group will ride together behind a lead vehicle from the Velodrome to Leppävaara (about 10km). Ride calmly and hold your position until the lead vehicle pulls aside. 

The finish area of the event is located on the grass field inside the Velodrome. Entry to the Velodrome is via Isoniitynkatu, crossing Mäkelänkatu toward the Velodrome gate. Approach the gate with caution, as it is narrow and accessed at an angle. Riding on the Velodrome track is prohibited, except for crossing it. The route to the Velodrome is clearly marked.