Retro Rides are the new Gran Fondos

If you are into riding road bikes for recreation or perhaps competition you have no doubt heard the term "gran fondo" mentioned by your friends or maybe read about such events.  While the term may be new to us in North America, these events - previously called cyclosportif rides, or randonees, or audax rides - are not and have been going on for as long as people have been racing bikes.

Most of these events are not for the faint of heart, or lungs, or legs - and take place over sometimes very long distances (200+kms) so participation in them is usually limited to the "lycra-clad" folks.  

However, the times are changing.  Events are starting to pop up all over the world that appeal to a more casual bike enthusiast - think Tweed Run - but also events of a slightly longer, more adventurous nature are also becoming popular.

I came across these three events and wanted to share them because I think they reflect back to us a new found love of the bicycle and all that it offers us including style, romance, adventure, freedom, and lest we never ever forget the most important thing - fun!

In Italy - 

In France -

In Belgium -

Calgary's annual Tweed Run is happening again this May Long, hope to see you there!