2024 Gran Fondo National Series
Cycling is not just about the physical challenge but also about the community and the experience. The 2024 Gran Fondo National Series was created to combine the competitive nature of bike racing and the social aspects of group rides to create challenging, fun, and inclusive events. Since its establishment in 2012, the 2024 Gran Fondo National Series has managed and produced over 60 gran fondos, including the official USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships.
The series is the largest and most competitive series of gran fondo cycling events in the United States. The series was the first to implement timed-segment racing into US Gran Fondo events, and since 2012, it has crowned Gran Fondo National Champions across a variety of categories based on age/gender. In 2020, the series partnered with USA Cycling to bring a one-day Gran Fondo National Championship into the portfolio of official USA Cycling National Championship events.
The series events have a lot to offer, including excellent venue support, well-marked routes, enjoyable routes with varying difficulty levels, and finish-line celebrations with music, food, and drinks. Additionally, the series uses a unique timed-segment format that allows cyclists of different levels to ride together, race each other, regroup to share stories, and enjoy the scenery in some of the finest cycling destinations in the United States. Participants choose from three distinctive routes: the ambitious 100-mile Gran Route, the challenging 60-mile Medio Route, or the approachable 30-mile Piccolo Route.
The USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship is an official USA Cycling National Championship event that utilizes the timed-segment format. The event is held annually, and a national championship jersey and medal are awarded to the overall winner in each Gran Route age group category. The 2024 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship event will be held at Gran Fondo, Maryland, in Frederick, Maryland, on September 17.
To compete in the National Championship category, riders must qualify by meeting specific criteria, including results and rankings in Qualification Events. However, all riders are welcome to participate in Gran Fondo Maryland and ride any of the normal Maryland Gran Fondo routes (Gran, Medio, and Piccolo), regardless of qualification status.
It is worth noting that a USA Cycling membership is required to participate in the USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships. However, a membership is unnecessary to participate in the Gran Fondo National Series-produced events or qualify for the 2023 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships.
GFNS-owned events include Gran Fondo Florida; Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo; Highlands Gran Fondo; Gran Fondo Asheville; Boone Gran Fondo; Golden Gran Fondo; Gran Fondo Maryland. Partner events include Cheaha Challenge; Vermont Gran Fondo; Utah-Cache Gran Fondo; Virginia’s Blue Ridge Gran Fondo; 719 Ride; Mt Evans Hill Climb Gran Fondo.
Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo 2024
Helen, Georgia Helen, GA, United StatesUpdated March 28, 2024 - Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo is a Gran Fondo National Series event, producing some of the best US cycling events. Picked as one of the best road cycling events in the Southeast, the Georgia course offers one of the most challenging courses in the series, crisscrossing the Appalachian Trail over big…
Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo 2024
Jacksonville, Alabama Jacksonville, ALThe Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo, now in its 30th year, takes off annually from Jacksonville, Alabama, and is one of America's top cycling events, if not Alabama’s. Picked by Strambecco as one of the Best Road Cycling Events in the Southeast, this ride is exceptional for every level of rider, and no rider ability from…
Highlands Gran Fondo 2024
Butler, New Jersey Butler, NJ, United StatesHighlands Gran Fondo is a Gran Fondo National Series event, a producer of some of the best US cycling events. Just 35 Miles from New York City, this ride from Butler, New Jersey, is a great way to experience the landscape outside the New York City metro area. With remarkably quiet country roads, shady tree…
Vermont Gran Fondo 2024
Bristol, Vermont Bristol, VT, United StatesIf you are looking for a cycling challenge that will test your endurance, strength, and skills, consider the Vermont Gran Fondo, a premier cycling event that takes place annually in/around Bristol, Vermont, in late June. The Vermont Gran Fondo showcases the Green Mountain’s quiet, challenging climbs and breath-taking views, hailed as one of the Best…
Bogus Basin Hill Climb 2024
Boise, Idaho Boise, ID, United StatesThe Bogus Basin Hill Climb, powered by George's Cycles, stands out as a premier cycling event in Boise, Idaho, offering a unique challenge for cyclists of all levels. Established in 1972, it's celebrated as the third oldest continuously running hill climb in the United States. This event invites participants to climb 4,314 feet over 18…
Utah-Cache Gran Fondo 2024
Logan, Utah Logan, UT, United StatesThe Utah-Cache Gran Fondo is an annual Italian-style ride in Cache Valley in Northern Utah that has consistently been ranked as one of the best Gran Fondos in North America and is one of the fastest-growing and largest rides in Utah. Strambecco rates the event as one of the Best Road Cycling Events in the…
Gran Fondo Asheville 2024
Asheville, North Carolina Asheville, NC, United StatesGran Fondo Asheville is a special Gran Fondo National Series event on many levels, starting with the chance to see the alluring Asheville downtown and surrounding countryside from the perspective of your handlebars. Picked as one of our best road cycling events in the Southeast, Gran Fondo Asheville is unique with a course that starts…
719 Ride 2024
Colorado Springs, Colorado Colorado Springs, CO, United StatesThe 719 Ride is a homegrown and grass-roots fed Colorado Springs cycling event riding in the draft of many long-established Colorado events. The 719 Ride aims to set the pace for cycling fun in the Rocky Mountains while simultaneously celebrating the tradition, lore, and culture of cycling. The 719 Ride is a Gran Fondo National…
Mt. Evans Hill Climb 2024
Idaho Springs, Colorado Idaho Springs, CO, United StatesNow called the Blue Sky Hill Climb, this event was previously known as the Bob Cook Memorial Mt. Evans Hill Climb, an iconic bike race on North America's highest paved road. It began in 1962 as the Mt. Evans Hill Climb and was renamed in 1981 to honor 5-time race winner Bob Cook, who died…
Boone Gran Fondo 2024
Boone, North Carolina Boone, NC, United StatesBoone Gran Fondo is a Gran Fondo National Series event, a producer of some of the best US cycling events. In mid-summer, the High Country of North Carolina enjoys 80-degree temperatures while the surrounding East Coast temperatures hover in the high 90s. Early August is a prime time to be in Boone! Picked as one…
Gran Fondo Maryland 2024
Frederick, Maryland Frederick, MD, United StatesLast Updated April 2, 2024 This is it! Gran Fondo Maryland is not just any gran fondo event; it doubles as the USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship. Gran Fondo Maryland is the culminating annual event in the highly acclaimed Gran Fondo National Series. The event is open to all participants. However, participation in the…
Virginia’s Blue Ridge Gran Fondo 2024
Fincastle, Virginia Fincastle, VA, United StatesLast Updated April 4, 2024 Virginia's Blue Ridge Gran Fondo is a signature cycling event in the Mid-Atlantic region and is a partner event of the Gran Fondo National Series. Chosen as one of our Best Road Cycling Events in the Mid-Atlantic, the event is produced by Muddy Squirrel, an organization dedicated to helping individuals…
Gran Fondo Florida 2024
Dade City, Florida Dade City, FL, United StatesLast Updated March 25, 2024 - Note: 2025 event date and details are not yet confirmed The Gran Fondo Florida stands as a beacon of warmth and rolling terrain for road cycling enthusiasts looking to escape the biting chill of winter and kick off the cycling season right. Nestled in the heart of Dade City,…