What is a gran fondo anyway? Who is doing it right?
In our opinion, a gran fondo is a ride, a race (if you want--Echelon times all its hill climbs), and theater on roads like you see at the TDF. Some are saying there are going to be too many gran fondos. Not so. There are 10's of thousands of organized rides in the US each year. As to the north american fran fondo, we think only a few have it right and only a few have actually produced events. We are biased. Echelon differentiates itself by offering a fundraiser option plus a little more frivolity vs your father's century ride.
Here is our plug on some great operators who have actual experience:
In our opinion, a gran fondo is a ride, a race (if you want--Echelon times all its hill climbs), and theater on roads like you see at the TDF. Some are saying there are going to be too many gran fondos. Not so. There are 10's of thousands of organized rides in the US each year. As to the north american fran fondo, we think only a few have it right and only a few have actually produced events. We are biased. Echelon differentiates itself by offering a fundraiser option plus a little more frivolity vs your father's century ride.
Here is our plug on some great operators who have actual experience:
A. San Diego Gran Fondo (CA + other cities). The first to use the name "fondo" in the USA and a great event. Italian style, Ferrari's off the front and more. They close the Coronado bridge--way cool!
B. Levi's Kings Ridge Gran Fondo (CA). Hard to beat. Levi is the man and we like their charity component. 6,000 riders. The event is well run.
C. Gran Fondo Canada (BC and other cities planned). RBC GranFondo Whistler. A true Tour de France experience with over 7000 riders. Spectacular challenging point to point closed course connecting Vancouver to Whistler. Big event, great food, numerous parties, and memorable experiences.
Speaking of fundraising, The Pan Mass Challenge (MA). A pure two day charity event--raises over $25 million a year for the Dana Farber Institute. In 2009 Pelotonia (Ohio) launched and raised $4.5m in year one. They doubled it in 2010 for the benefit of the Ohio James Cancer Center. LIVESTRONG? Well, we are biased. They put on spectacular events and make every participant feel like a winner.
