Gran Fondo

A Gran Fondo is generally referred to as a recreational but organized cycling event that is not sanctioned by an official governing body (i.e.: USA Cycling) and takes place on open roads. It is typical for Gran Fondos not to be advertised as a race, but rather as a fun ride. Be that as it may, strong amateur athletes, and even professionals, do show up for these events, often turning the “fun” aspect of the ride into what looks and feels like an official race. Gran Fondos come in all shapes and sizes. Some will have the course marked with arrows, others will have lead-out vehicles and go so far as to have traffic intersections closed. Some will simply give out finisher medals, yet others will have full-on post-ride ceremonies with awards, prizes and leaderboards. As is the case with non-sanctioned events like Gran Fondos, a rider’s performance generally does not count towards any official points with his or her governing body. For the most part, cyclists show up for Gran Fondos to tackle challenging courses while emphasizing personal achievement over strict competition.