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22 March 2013

Best Sportives and Gran Fondos

Favorite Citizen Event Rides

By way of CyclingTips today comes this recommended viewing video from GCN listing the top 10 Cyclosportifs and Gran Fondos in the world. I have to say I fully agree with this list. These are the events that come closest to allowing amateur cyclists to feel what the pros endure on any given stage. They are true challenges, and I am sure there is some fool out there trying to conquer all ten.

Video link : Top 10 Best Sportives And Gran Fondos To Cycle In The World. By GCN

 


What are the top cyclotourist rides - although they are more like races!
  1. Etape du Tour, Annecy, France - 130km: July 7, 2013
  2. Haute Route, Geneva-Nice, 7 days (with time trial) - 866km (also in Pyrenees)
  3. La Marmotte, Central Alps - 174km: July 6, 2013
  4. Gran Fondo Stelvio Santini, Italy - 151km: June 2, 2013
  5. Paris-Roubaix, France - 212km: April 6, 2013
  6. Mallorca 312, Spain - 312km:  April 27, 2013
  7. Ronde van Vlaanderen Cyclo, Flanders, Belgium - 140km: March 3, 2013
  8. Wiggle Dragon Ride, South Wales, UK - 216km: June 9, 2013
  9. Levi's Gran Fondo, Ca1ifornia, USA - 165km: October 5, 2013
  10. Scody 3 Peaks Challenge, Victoria, Australia, 235km: March 10, 2013
Whether you call them a gran fondo, cyclosportif, cyclosportive, cyclorace, citizen's ride, event ride, or just plain crazy, I think these events are amazing, so I have written before about getting out there and doing it yourself. Related reading, previous posts by Pedal Dancer:
Recommended reading: Gran Fondo Bucket List By Cycling Tips