What's a "Gran Fondo"??
Think of it as a marathon for cyclists
Gran Fondos (or “big endurance” in Italian) are a European tradition. These events attract huge crowds of cyclists every weekend throughout the western European cycling strongholds of Italy, France, Spain and Belgium. Half race, and half Sunday stroll, gran fondos are timed events over challenging courses that attract all levels of cyclists – from seasoned professionals to weekend warriors. Some of the larger gran fondos, such as the Gran Fondo Pinarello and the Etape du Tour, attract over 10,000 participants.
As American cyclists have ridden and conquered the great "monuments” of European cycling, such as the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, the gran fondo tradition has recently crossed the Atlantic in a big way.
We want you to make the Alleghany Gran Fondo a highlight of your cycling season. We want you to train hard to conquer the challenge of our hilly routes. We want you to feel the burn as you climb 3500 Ft. Warm Springs Mountain and feel the accomplishment of tackling this Category 1 climb. We want you to take full advantage of the quiet roads, bountiful feeding stations and free mechanical support to produce your personal best.
We also want you to have fun! We want you to bring your friends and family along and enjoy the post-ride feast and activities. We want you to return again to the Alleghany Highlands for all of your outdoor recreation activities.
We don't want you to feel bad if you're having an off day and need to linger at one of the course's ample feeding stations or ride at your own pace and not that of your faster buddies. It's a gran fondo, not a race. There's always 2011, or beyond, to set your course PR.
Get the picture?
