Gran Fondo cycling events – for an ever-increasing number of riders, they are the key milestones, major training targets, and cycling highlights of each year.
After a fantastic year of Gran Fondos – with Bicycling Australia’s Snowy Classic in Jindabyne plus the Mudgee, Noosa and Bowral Classics going off without a hitch, many thousands of riders participated in one, two, three or all four of the events.
For 2023 Bicycling Australia and the Classics organisers are offering riders the opportunity to earn a Black Sheep Classics Jersey, plus a complimentary annual print subscription, by participating in each of the Classics Events of the year. That’s a total of $250 of value for doing what we all love – cycling.
These are –
Jindabyne’s Snowy Classic – 1 April, 2023 www.snowyclassic.com.au
The Mudgee Classic – 30 April, 2023 www.mudgeeclassic.com.au
The Noosa Classic – 20 August, 2023 www.noosaclassic.com.au
The Bowral Classic – 21-22 October, 2023 www.bowralclassic.com.au
Many Reasons To Ride A Gran Fondo
The advantages of participating in a Gran Fondo (which translates to ‘big ride’), are well documented. They are held in Australia’s best cycling destinations on carefully planned courses. Many of the events feature fully or partially closed roads with safety marshals, directions and and signposts right around the course, and there’s an active police presence (with many on motorcycles). Entry includes rest stops with nutrition & hydration that specifically caters for endurance cyclists, and there are trained first aid officers and also professional bike mechanics roaming the course.
The perfect training target, Gran Fondos cater for all levels of riders by offering various course lengths. Whether you are new to the sport, a seasoned cyclist coming back from injury, focussing on your first ‘century’ or keen to set a challenge your mates to nail your best 170km time – a Fondo offers something for absolutely every cyclist.
The events are held on carefully prepared roads – with local councils going to great lengths to showcase their region and keep every rider as safe as possible. Behind the scenes, organisers and volunteers check the entire course numerous times before the events, and send out teams to check for hazards, station marshals where necessary, and sweep gravel and dirt off the roadway before the riders come through.
Bikes, Big Rides, Mates & Beer
Other reasons people love Gran Fondos is the camaraderie and fun of getting together with thousands of like-minded enthusiasts and actually getting out there and riding. Then of course there are the post-ride festivities – Event Villages offer the best vibe, great food, cold beer and live entertainment … some riders literally never want to leave!
Fondos are the time the rubber hits the road – all that planning, prepping and thinking about cycling becomes a reality and you can finally get out and ride. They’re a great escape from work, screens, nonsense, noise and the worries of the world. It’s so good to get out and ride a Gran Fondo.
Ride all four of Bicycling Australia’s 2023 Gran Fondos to earn your Black Sheep Classics Jersey valued at $175 + a 12-month subscription to BA valued at $75.
Jindabyne’s Snowy Classic – 1 April, 2023 www.snowyclassic.com.au
The Mudgee Classic – 30 April, 2023 www.mudgeeclassic.com.au
The Noosa Classic – 20 August, 2023 www.noosaclassic.com.au
The Bowral Classic – 21-22 October, 2023 www.bowralclassic.com.au
