10 NEW U.S. Gran Fondos for 2016

Whilst the debate of exactly what a "Gran Fondo" is in the U.S. rages on, the number of Gran Fondo events in the U.S. increases year by year. Here's our rundown of newer rides you might not have heard about and what they offer.

St Joseph Gran Fondo, 24th April, College Station, Texas

The Gran Fondo celebrates cancer survivorship in the Brazos Valley and beyond with proceeds benefiting St. Joseph Health System’s cancer services. Established in 1936, CHI St. Joseph Health is a faith-based, not-for-profit health system committed to excellence and compassion in caring for the mind, body and spirit while creating healthier communities.

Cyclists from across the state and beyond are invited to this inaugural Gran Fondo on Sunday, April 24, 2016, set in the scenic countryside in the heart of the Brazos Valley. The ride will feature routes in distances of 100 miles, 70 miles, 40 miles and also a family bike parade. The races will start and finish at the Atlas Development, where everyone is invited to the Post Ride Party.The charity ride celebrates cancer survivorship in the Brazos Valley and beyond with proceeds benefiting CHI St. Joseph Health cancer services.

As a prologue to the CHI St. Joseph Gran Fondo, the CHI St. Joseph Gran Gravel Race will start on Friday. Ultra Endurance Riders will be unsupported on a route of approximately 500 miles. The final 100 miles of the route follows the 100 mile route of the CHI St. Joseph Health Foundation Gran Fondo.

The CHI St. Joseph Health Gran Fondo is sponsored by Atlas Development and Traditions Club as the Official Host Sponsor, Bike Barn as the Official Cycling Sponsor, Aggieland Cycling as the Official SAG Sponsor and other local businesses.

An expo will take place Saturday, April 23, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and include packet pick-up for participants, vendor booths, bike tune ups, tribute banner signing, and fun activities. On Sunday, April 24, the CHI St. Joseph Gran Fondo begins. Participants start at 7:00 am with 100, 70, 40 mile riders beginning in that order, with the Family Bike Parade being last.

Families are encouraged to ride on our neighborhood route. The route will be approximately 6 miles in length with one water stop along the way. Throughout the day, spectators can enjoy food, drink, and entertainment including live music and activities for children. 

The event isn't electronically timed for the inaugural year but plans are being made to fully develop the event. All Gran Fondo riders will receive finisher’s medals and event photography will be on hand. Rest Stops will be available along the routes. 

Registration is open at - granfondobcs.com

Capital Grand Fondo, 1st May, Rochester, Washington

Back for it's second year, the mass start event is open to everyone and riders will be well looked after with great support keeping you rolling with well stocked aid stations to keep you fueled up for the ride. 3 distances are available, the Grand Course of 90 miles is the exact same course that the Pro/Elite men's field will tackle, so you can ride fast and compare your finishing time with the pros or take your time and enjoy the scenery and amazing roads. The Medio course is a 67 miles and the Mini 24 miles, the mini is great for those who want to try their first Gran Fondo and the Medio suited to those who haven't yet got a century distance ride in their legs. At 67 miles this is a great distance for early season endurance training.

The event is fully timed.

Registration is open at - 53eleven.com

Little Rock Gran Fondo, 21st May, Little Rock, Arkansas

The Little Rock Gran Fondo covers a diverse array of challenging and inspiring terrain that set it apart from an ordinary cycling experience. 2016 participants can expect similar territory with a few twists. The Gran Fondo course is 70 miles and a Medio Fondo is available for those not up to the full distance of 35 miles, this is an ideal ride for beginners or those not yet got the endurance for the full course.

Included with the entry fee is; Full ride support; Premium, full service rest stops with great food, coffee and hospitality offerings; High quality event schwag bag with items that a true cycling enthusiast will use and appreciate, a ticket to the Finish Line Food Festival including access to the Arvest VIP Finisher's Lounge. Complimentary access to digital photos and video taken throughout the day

The ride currently has no electronic timing - finishing order is strictly between you, your ego and your buddies!

Registration is open - littlerockgranfondo.com

Palisade Gran Fondo, 4th June, Palisade, Colorado

Offering two classic Western Colorado road rides, the 68 mile Palisade Gran Fondo and the 40 mile Palisade Piccolo Fondo. Both rides are neutralized for the first 4 miles so riders can warm up along the Colorado River before you're cut loose - to attack the 38 road hill and traverse Palisade’s orchards and vineyards all of the way to Whitewater at their own best pace.

Piccolo riders will turn around here and retrace their route, attacking each of the punchy rollers in the opposite direction. Palisade Gran Fondo riders will continue on to be faced with skirting the shoulder of the Grand Mesa as they climb Reeder and Purdy Mesas to 6,100 feet!

Riders can expect well stocked aid stations featuring Honey Honeystinger logoStinger products and Hammer Heed hydration, on course roving mechanical support will assure you are able to complete your ride.

Following the ride all participants will receive their finish times and celebrate their efforts with local food, beer and wine in beautiful Palisade Colorado!

Registration is open at - palisadegranfondo.com

Mount Vernon Gran Fondo, 11th June, Mount Vernon, Ohio

The ride is roughly 63 miles, but there is 3600 ft. of climbing. This is a USAC santioned race .

The entry fee includes; Finisher's Medal, Tee techshirt; Snacks and drinks after the event, Neutral Feed Zone, Broom Wagon, Lead Escort, and Age Group and Category Prizes,

More details will be available at - teamcolumbusevents.org

The Black Bear Gran Fondo, 9th July, Grayling, Michigan

After 15 years the Grayling Rotary Club, who organize the Black Bear event - felt it was time for a change.

The event attracts a huge following developed over the years and they have "re-engineered the event" to become The Black Bear Gran Fondo to attract an even bigger following of enthusiasts who will also return year after year. In "True Gran Fondo" style the event is timed from the minute you cross the line until you arrive safely back after either 101 miles for the Gran Fondo or the Medio Fondo after 53 miles. Both distances are guarenteed to give participants a challenging day in the saddle.

Included in the entry fee is nutrition/hydration stations with porta potties in four locations approximately every 20 miles for the 100+ mile loop and there will be two rest stops for the 53+ mile loop, with the final rest station at the finish line for both loops.  Nutrition/hydration stations will be well stocked with food items that appeal to cyclists as well as water and other types of hydration. 

The mass start allows you to choose from 1 of 3 corrals based on your ability. Our advice is to be honest as the last thing you want to do is get dropped and have to wait up for another group to work with.

Registration is open at - blackbeargranfondo.com

Farm to Fork Fondo - 26th June, Warwick New York

Escape to rows of rich black fields standing guard like soldiers against the pressure of the world's most iconic urban landscape. Breathe deeply as you pedal through the beautiful rural region that has been supplying food to the masses for centuries. In New York's lower Hudson Valley, dairy farms, orchards, vegetable growers and vineyards characterize the region's agricultural horn of plenty. The area is filled with families that have dedicated their lives to farming, from eighth generation stalwarts to newcomers drawn to the regions's climate, soil and access to metropolitan markets. 

Get ready for a weekend filled with culinary delights made from ingredients sourced from the beautiful farms along your route. Pennings Farm head chef Oscar Elias and executive chef Heather Kurosz are an experienced farm-to-table specialist team who will be whipping up feasts worthy of kings and hoards of hungry foodie cyclists. 

Join 500 lucky cyclists for a mass-start, fully-supported Gran Fondo led by the Colavita | Bianchi Professional Cycling Team. Work up your appetite over a challenging course through the 'Black Dirt' farmland with Ride With GPS timed segments, magnificent views, and farm stop aid stations featuring locally-sourced treats. 

The Gran Fondo at 87 miles, contains early 6,000 feet of climbing. Dozens of Orange County farms. Passage through the heart of the black dirt muck soil. Breathtaking views and punishing ascents. The Medio Fondo at 54 miles, gets you up close and personal with Hudson Valley agriculture and the black dirt. Challenge yourself on some climbs and take in the views. All of the Gran Fondo experience in a tighter package. The Piccolo Fondo at 36 miles contains Rolling hills, working farms and bucolic vistas of the Hudson Valley's distinctive farmland. Your favorite Sunday drive, now on two wheels. The 12 mile Ramble Ride for families will let you see some farms and lovely views by bike. Wave to your friends. Cross the finish line. Relax and dine. Happy tummies ride local. 

The Gran Fondo is a ride, not a race but it does include GPS timed segments for those with a competitive edge.

Entry fee includes:

  Celebratory mass start led by the Colavita | Bianchi Professional Cycling Team
  Deluxe aid stations at working farms with treats from the farm
  Ride With GPS timed segments*
  A beautiful, well-marked, and well-supported ride with police support, marshals and signage
  Sag (rescue) vehicles to help you back to the start if the day doesn't go according to plan
  Ticket to the post-ride Farm to Fork Barbecue
  1 free post-ride hard cider from the Pennings Farm Cidery (21 & over)
  Access to the pre-ride Colavita Italian Coffee Station
  Stylish 100% cotton Farm to Fork Fondo t-shirt*
  Customized Farm to Fork Fondo souvenir number plate by Bianchi
  Commemorative finisher's prize
  Farm to Fork Fondo welcome bag featuring cycling swag, and local Hudson Valley goodies
  Raffle tickets for tons of awesome prizes including two Bianchi bikes
  Free participant photo downloads
  Free parking at Pennings Farm
  Special lodging rates at area hotels
  Some pretty fantastic memories and more

Registration is open at - farmforkfondo.com

Sturgis Gran Fondo, 27th August, Surgis, South Dakota

New for 2016, YOU are invited for the inaugural event! Your day in the saddle will start on the streets of historic downtown Sturgis. You’ll be escorted out of town by motorcycle officers, just like they’ve done for the motorcycle rally these past 75 years.

The route is a cyclist’s dream on the roads that the local riders love; Vanocker Canyon Road, Nemo Road and Mt. Rushmore Road. You’ll enjoy marshaled intersections, incredible twisties, switch-backs, challenging hills that drop into scenic river-valleys all complimented by excellent pavement that is well maintained through the non-winter months.

There are 3 distances on offer; the Gran Fondo is a tough 120 miles beware. Followed by the metric century of 62 miles and the Mini Fondo of 20 miles.

There will be aid stations along the way with water, sports drinks, snacks and mechanical support.

For Gran Fondo riders, at the halfway point you’ll have lunch with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln—that’s right, the lunch stop (a great spread of sandwiches, fruit & more!) is at Mt. Rushmore.

Then it’s around that historic mountain for more incredible views and back to the finish line in Sturgis.

Rider of all distances will collect their time, finisher’s patch, have some great barbecue, enjoy some music and maybe enjoy a frothy beverage…or two!

Registration is open at - sturgisgranfondo.com

Chautauqua Gran Fondo, 27th August, Mayville, New York

This event will suit riders who want to get a taste of what a Gran Fondo riding is like.

The event has no competitive element, offers no timing, but great rider support including; SAG wagon, refreshment stops, and safety services as well as a picnic and entertainment after the tour. At only $30 this a great event to have a go and get a feel for what road riding is all about. With a carefully selected distance of 42 miles around Chautauqua Lake that will take cyclists past 59 Lucy Lane – the childhood home of ?Lucille Ball?, located in Celoron, NY.

This really is a good event for novices and beginner's. There's also a 20 mile family ride too.

After crossing the finish line at Lakeside Park, cycling participants are invited to enjoy a boxed lunch, refreshments and musical entertainment at Webb's Captain's Table Restaurant.

Registration is open at - chautauquagranfondo.com

Farm to Fork Fondo, 28th August, Portland, Maine

The weekend includes: local fresh treats at every farm stop aid station; an authentic post-ride Maine lobster bake and barbecue with ingredients sourced from the farms along the routes; and a beautiful dinner feast at the Wolfe's Neck Farm Mallet Barn the night before the ride prepared by the farm-to-table specialists at 111 Maine Catering.

Join 500 lucky cyclists including the women of the Colavita | Bianchi Professional Cycling Team for a mass-start, fully-supported gran fondo through Maine farmland and along the state's iconic coastline. Work up your appetite over a challenging course with Ride With GPS timed segments, magnificent views, and aid stations at working farms. 

The 90 mile Gran Fondo has Over 5,000 feet of climbing. Dozens of beautiful Maine farms. Picturesque coastline. Ride with GPS timed climbs. The 57 mile Medio Fondo allow you to Get up close and personal with a variety of local Maine farms and the Vacationland coast. All of the Gran Fondo experience in a tighter package. The 35 mile Piccolo Fondo portrays Bucolic landscapes, working farms and stunning views in and around the Maine coast. Your favorite Sunday drive, now on two wheels. The 10 mile Ramble Ride allows familes and friedns to see some farms and lovely views by bike. Wave to your friends. Cross the finish line. Relax and dine. Happy tummies ride local. 

Entry fee includes:

  Celebratory mass start led by the Colavita | Bianchi Professional Cycling Team
  Deluxe aid stations at working farms with treats from the farm
  Ride With GPS timed segments*
  A beautiful, well-marked, and well-supported ride with police support, marshals and signage
  Sag (rescue) vehicles to help you back to the start if the day doesn't go according to plan
  Ticket to the post-ride Farm to Fork Barbecue and Lobster Bake
  Access to the pre-ride Colavita Italian Coffee Station
  Stylish 100% cotton Farm to Fork Fondo t-shirt*
  Customized Farm to Fork Fondo souvenir number plate by Bianchi
  Commemorative finisher's prize
  Farm to Fork Fondo welcome bag featuring cycling swag, and local Maine goodies
  Raffle tickets for tons of awesome prizes including two Bianchi bikes
  Free parking at Wolfe's Neck Farm
  Special lodging rates at area hotels

Registration is open at - farmforkfondo.com

Safety & Conduct

With all road cycling events the conduct of participants is paramount to ensure safety. All participants must wear a helmet, follow all traffic laws at all times.  This includes riding to the right side of the road and stopping for all stop signs and traffic lights. Participants must demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times and behave in a way that respect the environment and follow all marshals and police instructions. If you are unsure of the rules or requirements, contact the event organizer in advance.