Calling all cyclists to attend this Merced event
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
MERCED, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A tradition rooted in Italy is making its way to Merced for the first time.
Cyclists of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate in the Gran Fondo Hincapie cycling series on March 16.
Gran Fondo in Italian means “big ride” which includes a timed race, scenic routes, and days of festivities for all cyclists. The first Gran Fondo began in the 1970s in Cesenatico, Italy, according to officials at Hincapie.
For this year’s ride, bike riders will accompany George Hincapie for a gravel run through the rolling hills and open grasslands of the Central Valley. The riders will leave from the heart of Merced, make their way into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and return to the city.
The Gran Fondo Hincapie originated in Greenville, S.C. about 13 years ago and is said to be renowned for the cycling celebrities in attendance, careful attention to safety, on-site viewing screens, live tracking and streaming, live bands at the rest stops, and free family festival.
Officials say the event offers three courses that are about 15, 50, and 80 miles long to allow newbies and expert cyclists to participate. And while participants will be timed, the timer is used as more of a personal reference as the event itself is not a competition.
Anyone seeking more information about the Gran Fondo Hincapie can visit their website.
