These days, there are hundreds if not thousands of Sportives, organised mass participation rides and cycling challenges all over the world.
If you don’t fancy a full-blown road race or criterium but still want to enjoy the atmosphere and challenge of an event, a Sportive or Fondo (an organised road ride) is a great way of tackling a challenge, riding on closed roads or simply just enjoying a great day out on the bike with friends.
Getting an event down in the diary is also a great way of bringing some focus and motivation to your riding, especially in the early part of the year.
I’ve pulled together a hit list of key road events all over the world for you to explore. All the events are linked and we have even added some first-person insight to give you a flavour of the events from riders who have completed them.
USA Events
The Grand Fondo National series kicks off in the US with the Florida round in March. The six-event series also culminates with the National Fondo championships. Qualification for the Fondo Championships can be done in one of three ways: A Top 25% finish in an age group in a Gran Route (100 miles) at any Series Event. A Top 3 finish in an age group category in Gran Route at any Series Event, regardless of the number of starters. Or, by completing two or more Gran Route events at Series Events
The Fondo Florida course takes in the rolling orange groves of Pasco & Hernando County and offers three length options of 35,68 and 97 miles. The course is marshalled, there is specific timed segment racing if you want to attack a section of the course and you could even qualify for the Fondo National Championships.
The second round of the Gran Fondo National series is the Tour of Georgia. Based in the City of Helen in the North Georgia mountains.
The Fondo route crosses national forests and mountainous terrain and presents a great way to explore the remote roads safely and with support. As is the norm with a Gran Fondo participants can enjoy aid stations on route, personalised weather forecasts with the Ride Weather app, as well as fully signed and marshalled routes. Once finished you can kick back and enjoy some southern hospitality.
There are three ride length options the 25 mile Piccolo, 66 mile Medio and 90 mile Gran route. All offer lovely views, country roads and tough climbs!
The Cheah Challenge is Alabama’s largest century ride. The 100-mile route takes in 102…
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