Region/State: Florida

Gran Fondo Florida is a Gran Fondo National Series event, a producer of some of the best US cycling events.   Based on total elevation gain, Gran Fondo Florida is the easiest GFNS event,  but with nonstop rolling hills it’s the hardest gran fondo in Florida! 

The event represents a great chance to get the cycling season off to an early Spring start in the warmth of Florida.  San Antonio is a small town in central Florida surrounded by horse farms, orange groves, and quiet roads great for cycling.  It is conveniently located one hour north of Tampa and 90 minutes west of Orlando, and makes for a great location to extend your stay to visit beaches in the Tampa St. Petersburg area, or Disney World in Orlando.

The race, in part, follows the proposed Olympic road race course that was part of Tampa’s bid to host the Summer Olympic games.  The area is also a winter training site for some of the top triathletes in the world.  The route starts/ends on Pennsylvania Ave. in San Antonio and navigates the rolling orange groves, horse farms and crystal clear springs of Pasco and Hernando Counties.  

As is customary for GFNS events, there are three events to choose:  Gran, 96 miles and 2700 ft elevation gain; Medio, 55 miles and 1900 ft elevation gain; Piccolo, 36 miles and 1300 feet of elevation gain.  You can ride with confidence on a well marked and marshaled course, supported by law enforcement, safety motos, mechanic and sag vehicles.  Well stocked feed stations are ample and supported by a local youth police program.

The GFNS event series was established in 2012 and comprises 12 European-style ride/races staged in the United States. Every GFNS event offers courses covering 30, 60 and 100-mile journeys through some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain in endurance sports. Timed sections allow riders to compete in specific segments of the course, while casual cyclists can ride at their own pace. Participants can ride as individuals or on teams. GFNS awards special prizes to the top riders in every age and gender category. Each rider is assigned an electronic timing-chip to keep track of their progress throughout the course and to allow riders to compete for best time through highlighted sections.

For the most dedicated athletes who participate in at least 3 events, GFNS offers the chance to win a National series championship based on your performance in the cumulative events.  The competition spans all rider categories.   GFNS events:

Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo

Highlands Gran Fondo 

Gran Fondo Asheville

Boone Gran Fondo

Golden Gran Fondo 

Gran Fondo Maryland 

Jensie Gran Fondo 

GFNY Florida (Sebring) is one of 25 GFNY (Gran Fondo New York) global series events culminating in the GFNY Championship next May in NYC. The highly scenic “old” Florida route starts in historic Downtown Sebring where this 100+ year old city was built uniquely around a circle park. The Sebring Civic Center, the host location, sits directly on beautiful Lake Jackson boasting some of the best sunsets in Florida. You will experience the “old Florida” charm as you ride through protected native Florida ‘scrub’ habitat, cattle ranches and a dairy farm. The upper loop towards Avon Park has scenic rolling hills through miles of Florida’s iconic orange groves on low-traffic and well paved roads. The Arbuckle Creek Road leg showcases thousands of acres of pristine cattle ranch land, most of which is preserved by the state of Florida under conservation easements, as well as taking riders over picturesque Arbuckle Creek itself. The Long Route riders will repeat the upper loop to Avon Park. Timing finish will be 2km from the Sebring Civic Center. The celebratory finish line will be at the Sebring Civic Center, where festivities, post-race meal and awards ceremony will be awaiting you.

GFNY Florida Sebring is a timed race. Each athlete has their own timing chip, which starts right after you cross the start line and stops when you cross the finish line. Timing results for all riders will be provided at the finish area on race day and online after the race. Only the finishers of the 132km long course are eligible for category rankings and Overall and Podium awards. If you want to race and be ranked in your category, you must complete the long course. Top 10% of finishers in each age groups qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.