What Is Gran Fondo?
"Gran Fondo" means "Big Ride" in Italian. They are long distance, mass-participation cycling events - not races - that have become immensely popular in Europe. In France they're known as "cyclosportives". participation is open to recreational and competitive amateur cyclists and tens of thousands of riders of all abilities participate.
Gran Fondos are often named after famous cyclists of the past or after companies with a long heritage in cycling. Some of the most famous Gran Fondos include the Prosecco Classic, The Nove Colli and the Felice Gimondi.
For our 2010 Gran fondo, we are expecting several guys from Kenda to join us. Ride with the pro's !
Wind Turbines of Ubly and Native American Petroglpyh's are the highlights of the Double Metric Century course.
Gran Fondo di Thumb routes -
15 miles - TDF Race course: This course is the same loop as the racers did on the day prior. This route has a few small rollers.
62.5 miles - Frankenmuth to Akron back to Frankenmuth This course is relatively flat. see map: http://www.mapmyride.com/view_route?r=926126960809080524
90 miles- turn around at 2nd rest stop- located on Kelly rd just before Cass City
130 miles - Frankenmuth to Akron to Ubly- then back the way you came! Double metric Century Ride: this "extreme" course tours through the quiet farmland of the Thumb leading to Ubly. Ubly is the home of Michigan's most significant wind turbine farm. map for Akron to Ubly: use the first map, then add this one. http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/mi/akron/579127240593756938
The longer courses are "out and back". In other words, a rider planning on busting the double metric century to the wind turbine field, will be riding with the 65 mile riders until Akron. All routes are flat, but probably windy. Afterall, the wind farm needs wind to move those turbines!
The course will not be closed to traffic and does not have a rolling escort. Rules of the road apply, i.e. stop at all stop signs, yield to cars, no more than 2 riders abreast and do not cross the yellow centerline.
Rest Stops: Well-stocked rest areas will be available on the two longer routes and at the finish. But don't rest too long, because you will want to get back to enjoy all that Frankenmuth can offer!
there is a main lunch stop at Akron. Akron is 32 miles from frankenmuth. So if you turn around at akron, you wont have missed the lunch stop. There are additional rest stops: one is 47 miles out and another 65 miles out at the wind turbines in Ubly.
Registration and fees: Cost for Gran Fondo di thumb-
$20 by may 15.
$25 after may 15.
Online pre-registration is available at Truesport.com. (Click here) Participants in any of Saturday's races will receive a $10.00 discount if they pre-register for both events.
In-person registration is available:
Saturday 1-3 p.m. at Zehnders park(expo)
Sunday, 6:30 a.m. -8 a.m. at Zehnders park
Packet Pick-up: packet pick-up is at Zehnders Park on main street next to Zehnders Restaurant in Frankenmuth.
T-Shirts are available.- contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Start Times: Mass start for all routes - 8:00a.m.
NOTE: For tandems, both riders must submit registration forms and
information. Tandem entry fee includes both riders.
Make Checks Payable to “Tri City Cyclists”