The Gran Fondo: Ronde Van Vlaanderen Cyclo
Location: Brugge – Oudenaarde, Belgium
Date: Usually takes place in late March
Accomplishment: 237 kilometers, 170 kilometers, 130 kilometers, or 74 kilometers. The elevation is not the major factor, just the cobbles.
Ronde van Vlaanderen is, without a doubt, one of the most famous spring classics. It was first raced in 1913 on many of the same cobbled climbs that the pros pedal on today. The whole country comes to a standstill on race day as this Gran Fondo gives riders the opportunity to go pro for a day. Roads are closed from Brugge to Oudenaarde, and the countryside between is absolutely stunning. Watch out for those cobblestones; a bit of advice from us: stay upright and get ready for a bumpy ride! LEARN MORE
The Gran Fondo: Gran Fondo New York
Location: New York, USA
Date: Usually takes place in late May
Accomplishment: 161 kilometers with 2800 meters of climbing or 80 kilometers with 900 meters of climbing.
This Gran Fondo is one to remember. Who wouldn’t want to conquer the concrete jungle alongside more than 5000 cyclists on closed roads that are normally clogged with city traffic? Starting on the George Washington Bridge in New York City, the ride winds its way through the New York suburbs. This is one of the easier Gran Fondos out there, so put down the hammer and beat your best time. LEARN MORE
Explore Corsica
Location: Corsica, France
Date: Usually takes place in June
Accomplishment: three stages, 350 kilometers with 6500 meters of elevation
The hottest new Gran Fondo and talk of the cycling world, Explore Corsica is running for the first time in 2017. ASO, which organizes the Tour de France, wants to give cyclists an opportunity to step into the clips of pro riders with this multi-stage Gran Fondo. The concept is unique: riders will stay on a cruiseliner and sail from harbor to harbor between stages. We’re glad Corsica is getting some love; it’s one of our favorite islands for riding, with scenery that might inspire you to pedal a second slower and take it all in.
The Gran Fondo: La Marmotte
Location: Bourg d’Oisans, Alps, France
Date: Usually takes place in early July
Accomplishment: 174 kilometers with 5000 meters of climbing
La Marmotte crosses the Col du Glandon and Col du Galibier before finishing on the Alp d’Huez. These mythical cols are among the most-feared TDF mountain passes. If the pros are intimidated, mere mortals like ourselves can expect this Gran Fondo to be a beast of a challenge. The payoff comes in the form of spectacular alpine views, and you might even be lucky enough to see a marmot (large squirrels native to the area—hence the name of this Gran Fondo) catching some early morning sun on the rocks as you pedal past to conquer the mountain. LEARN MORE
The Gran Fondo: Maratona Dles Dolomites
Location: Corvara, Dolomites, Italy
Date: Usually takes place in early July
Accomplishment: 138 kilometers with 4230 meters of climbing or the 106-kilometer or 55-kilometer rides
National Geographic describes this race as “one of the biggest, most passionate, and most chaotic bike races on Earth,” and we wouldn’t expect anything less from the Italians. The Dolomites mountain range in itself is spectacular—with a lot of German influence, it has a much different feel than the Alps or Pyrenees. The course’s seven passes are brutal, so don’t expect much flat riding. LEARN MORE
The Gran Fondo: L’Eroica
Location: Gaiole in Chianti, Italy
Date: Usually takes place in October
Accomplishment: 209 kilometers with 3005 meters of climbing, or the 135-kilometer, 75-kilometer, or 46-kilometer rides
This is a Gran Fondo with a twist. As a nod to the history and culture of cycling, you have to race on a bicycle made before 1987 to enter the Eroica. All the towns you pass through along the way are in full festive mode, with spectators (and some riders!) dressed in vintage clothing. The route is gorgeous, offering all the beauty of typical Tuscan landscapes with cypress trees and wheat fields on unpaved roads. After all, pavement is for the weak! LEARN MORE
Spartakiada
Location: Athens – Sparta, Greece
Date: Usually takes place in October
Accomplishment: 250 kilometers with 2511 meters of elevation
At DuVine, we love going the distance and doing something epic—like our Challenge tours. The Spartakiada fits the bill, sending you cycling in the footsteps of history on Greece’s greatest cyclosportive. The event links the two most important cities of ancient Greece, Athens and Sparta. Back then, professional messengers ran the distance in two days, but you’ve got 8-12 hours to cover the 250 kilometers on two wheels. It’ll test your legs, but the views and cold beer under the King Leonadis in Sparta are worth it.
Forrest GrapeRide
Location: Renwick, New Zealand
Date: Usually takes place in March
Accomplishment: 42 kilometers, 101 kilometers, or two laps of the 101- kilometer loop in case you missed some scenery
The standard 101-kilometer course is a ride on a postcard-worthy route showcasing some of New Zealand’s most beautiful scenery. For those just cutting their teeth, the Kiwis are offering a flat, 42-kilometer “taster course.” After the race there is no shortage of wine and food—you can even jump into a wine barrel to crush the grapes for next year’s vintage. The image of cyclists stomping grapes in lycra may leave you in stitches, and we love the inclusive nature of this Gran Fondo! LEARN MORE
The Gran Fondo: Strade Bianche
Location: Siena, Italy
Date: Usually takes place in March
Accomplishment: 83-kilometer ride or 122 kilometers with 1350 meters of climbing
This Gran Fondo take place on familiar DuVine turf, and it happens to be pretty phenomenal. The white roads in Tuscany cannot be paved, since the Tuscans are proud of their heritage and want things to remain authentic. And authentic it is: you’re cycling through the heart of Tuscany’s most beautiful region—which is saying a lot, because Tuscany (if we have to remind you) is one of the most gorgeous regions in the world. The Gran Fondo happens the day before the pro race and follows the women’s pro route, beginning and ending in Siena. LEARN MORE
Cape Town Cycle Tour
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Date: Usually takes place in March
Accomplishment: 102 kilometers
The Cape Argus Cycle tour is one of the major sporting events in South Africa, and will run for the 40th time in 2018. As the largest timed ride in the world, 35,000 cyclists line up each year to ride the 109-kilometer route through scenery that includes the iconic Table Moutain as a backdrop. What’s more, the whole route is closed to traffic for the duration of the day, turning roadsides into a high-energy gathering of spectators who encourage you every mile of the way. LEARN MORE
