By Bill Burk
I’m not saying a Gran Fondo has anything to do with cheese. I’m saying that’s what I thought, first time I heard of it. I thought it was French, even though it’s not, it’s Italian. Translated word-for-word it means Great Distance. Translated poetically it means Big Ride.
And that’s exactly what it is; a big, long, competitive bicycle race. Or sometimes not. Sometimes it’s a short, fun bicycle ride. It depends on the preference of the cyclist. For both types, there’s a big party afterwards, and isn’t that what really counts?
Gran Fondos started in Italy in the 1970’s, a wheeled iteration of the foot races that swept the world (see last week’s article on the Lakewood Firecracker 10K). Technically, a Gran Fondo is a street course at of least seventy-five miles; the logistics of safety are a little more challenging than a 2-mile fun walk. Italian Gran Fondo’s are officially governed and certified by the Italian Cycling Federation. Racers are chip-timed with prizes for the fastest riders in categories established by the race committee. Riders of every level can participate, competing against the clock instead of other racers.
One-hundred miles. If you mounted a bike at the Chautauqua Gran Fondo in Mayville on August 16th, 2025, and rode the maximum distance straight, you’d be in Batavia to the east, Painesville, Ohio to the west, Mercer, Pa to the south, and somewhere in southern Canada to the north (you’d need a tall snorkel and passport in that direction). One-hundred miles is the longest leg of the Chautauqua Gran Fondo, with registration options at sixty, forty, twenty-five, and a leisurely twenty miles available. Starting times are staggered, with Riders departing in groups based upon route.
Todd Wagner is the director of the Chautauqua Region Music Alliance (CRMA) that produces the CHQ Gran Fondo. He’s been involved in bringing the event to the county for its eleven years of existence. He says, “The Chautauqua Gran Fondo will be held Saturday, August 16th at the Mayville Lakeside Park (50West Lake Road, Mayville). It is considered a ‘fully supported ride’ with six rest stops.”
The schedule for the day looks like this:
Riders will depart ou in staggered groups based upon route:
- 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM riders parking within the Mayville Lakeside Park. There is a Large lot across from Mayville Lakeside Park and Chautauqua Suites parking lot, 215 West Lake Road
- 7:00 AM – 100-mile riders
- 8:00 AM – 60-mile riders
- 9:00 AM – 40-mile riders
- 9:00 AM – 25-mile trail riders
- 10:00 AM – 20-mile riders
Riders return intermittently between 12:00PM and 4:00PM depending on the length of their ride and individual pace.
After Ride Picnic/Party Time: 12:00 AM – 5:00 PM
“Riders given a wrist band that is worn on-course and post event for the After Party. This is to ensure that all riders are counted for safety purposesand to denote what milage course they are registered for.”
Sharing the roads with everyday motorists can be a challenge. “The routes are NOT closed to traffic,” Wagner explains. “We ask our riders to stay to the right of the road and follow all rules of the highway. Be patient and understanding with drivers as there will be 400-500+ cyclists taking space on the highways in a short amount of time. There will be a Support vehicle behind the last riders for each route. If you are in need of assistance, please wait for the Support vehicle.
Helmets are required. We ask riders to keep them on and buckled while riding. All routes will have signage for each route.”
Wagner downplays the “race” part of the Gran Fondo. “This event is planned for you to enjoy the beautiful sights along one of New York’s most lovely lakes and the surrounding areas of Chautauqua County, as well as a lake crossing on the Bemus-Stow Ferry for the 20-mile social riders. There are rest stops in Westfield, Brocton, Hartfield, Bemus Point, Celeron and Stow, where water, snacks, and nutrition products will be available along each route. There will also be a porta-potty and small first aid kits at each location.
REGISTER BY 8/7/24 at 12 pm to guarantee an event tee-shirt. Additional event information can be found at https://www.chqgf.com.