Gran Fondo (“Big Ride” in Italy) are long distance, mass-participation cycling events, not races, that have become a cycling tradition in Italy. This was San Diego’s first and was represented by one of Italy’s premiere bike maker, Ernesto Colnago. The route took us through the mountainous, desert terrain of southeastern San Diego County-very challenging, but scenic.
Riders (over 1,000) gather at the break of dawn where else but in Little Italy to jockey for the best starting position, meet up with friends, or listen to the wake up music of Frank Sinatra?
