Homegrown Gravel Adventure, Franklin GA - February 22nd 2025

Top 10 North American Gran Fondos 2023

After a two year hiatus, this year we award and recognize rides in North America where organizers, sponsors, volunteers and communities have come together to go beyond the call of duty and CRUSH COVID

As a symbol of freedom and a heathly and sustainable lifestyle, there is no better icon than the bicycle, arguably one of the most efficient means of transportation ever invented. It's Eco credentials are a shining example in a world that is coming to terms with climate change, net zero-carbon, protecting the environment, sustainability and our health and wellbeing.

During the pandemic a huge number of people took up the sport of cycling to stay healthy and more importantly, protect their mental health and wellbeing. Post-pandemic, industry growth has returned and sky-rocketed.

The global Gran Fondo phenomenon continues. So, sit back, relax and grab your favorite drink as we recognize some of the best organized events out there.

Gran Fondo Guide has reached its 11th year of operation, the Worlds Leading Amateur Cycling Platform has reached a global audience of nearly 4 million unique usersover 185,000 visitors per month and over 1.61 million page impressions per month.

Make sure you add at least one of these outstanding events to your Bucket List this year.

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#1 Tour de Big Bear

After a years hiatus due to the global pandemic in 2020, the Tour de Big Bear Gran Fondo arose from hibernation to growl even louder

Repeatedly hailed “Southern California’s Favorite Ride”, Big Bear Cycling Association (BBCA) announced the return of the Tour de Big Bear in August 2021 and 2,500 cyclists from North America and beyond returned Southern California’s four-season mountain lake escape situated in the San Bernardino National Forest at 6,752’ elevation, with a new Gravel ride and Expo.

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#2 Okanagan Granfondo in British Columbia

The Okanagan Granfondo in British Colombia was “hit two years in a row” due to the pandemic, it returned in 2022 to a SELL OUT 3,000 cyclists 

The Okanagan Granfondo in British Colombia is one of North America’s premier cycling events that attracts recreational cyclists from across North America and beyond.

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#3 Gran Fondo Maryland

Gran Fondo Maryland announced as USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship for 2023

Gran Fondo National Series is proud to announce that the 2023 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships will be held in conjunction with Gran Fondo Maryland. The date for the Championships in Frederick, Maryland, will be September 17, 2023.

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#4 Bluewater International  Gran Fondo

820 cyclists celebrated the return of Ontario's premier bike ride after a two year hiatus

Voted #1 Granfondo in Ontario and #2 in Canada, the Bluewater International Granfondo in Sarnia-Lambton held off for two years, like many other cycling events amid complications due to Coronavirus.

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#5 Cheaha Challenge  Gran Fondo

Over 1,200 cyclists and their families took part in the 29th edition in Alabama last May

The 2020 event was unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic. The ride decided to offer all registered participants the options of a full refund, defer to 2021 or donate their entry to charity. Overwhelmingly 74% of participants deferred their entry from 2020 to 2021 when around 1,100 cyclists took part after a year’s hiatus.

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#6 The Vermont Gran Fondo

The Green Mountain’s infamous Gaps offers up one of the toughest Fondos in North America. Challenge yourself and check it off your bucket list!

Like so many events worldwide the Vermont Gran Fondo had to be postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic. With participants’ entries rolled over, the SELL OUT ride successfully returned in August 2021 - much to the delight of cyclists who love a real challenge!

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#7 Mammoth Gran Fondo

1,700 cyclists celebrated the return of the 27th edition in September 2022 after a two year hiatus

The event was postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic. Hoping to make a return in 2021, the ride was affected by the Inyo National Forest fires. Organizers at the Mammoth Foundation made the difficult decision to postpone the event for a second year for safety reasons.

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#8 Gran Fondo Hincapie-Greenville

A season highlight for thousands of amateur cyclists and celebrity guests in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains

More than 2,500 cyclists took part in the 11th edition of the Gran Fondo Hincapie that started from Hotel Domestique, Greenville, South Carolina. The event focuses on recreation and fun with a competitive spirit.

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#9 Oregon Gran Fondo

Western Oregon has some of quietest roads that cyclists will ever encounter – a well-kept secret, a cyclist’s paradise

Every year, over 400 cyclists take part in the Oregon Gran Fondo p/b Co-Motion Cycles. The ride features the legendary roads and climbs of the ancient Western Oregon Coast Range  and showcases some of the Willamette Valley's prettiest scenery and rural communities, with low-traffic rural and forest roads. Hills, rivers, vistas, more hills, good eats and more.

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#10 L'Étape Canada by Tour de France

Over 850 cyclists enjoyed riding a stage of the Tour de France Canadian style at the INAUGURAL L’Étape Canada by Tour de France in Edmonton, Alberta

Being part of the global L'Étape by Tour de France series, the team at MB Events did an incredible job organizing the event. So well in fact, 850 cyclists joined Tour de France champions Alberto Contador and Alex Stieda, who led out the huge peloton last August of 850 cyclists. For an inaugural event after the pandemic, that is really impressive.

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