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 cohorts, 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; part fitness craze, part social-gathering movement. Technically and originally, a Gran Fondo is defined and certified by the Italian Cycling Federation as a bicycle event of least 120 kilometers -seventy-five miles. That’s a lot of ground to cover, and the logistics of safety are a little more challenging than a 2-mile fun walk. 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 mount a bike at the Chautauqua Gran Fondo in Mayville on August 16th, 2025 -and ride a hundred miles in a straight line- you’ll be in Batavia to the east, Painesville, Ohio to the west, Mercer, Pennsylvania to the south, and somewhere in southern Canada to the north (you’ll 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. Starting times are staggered, with Riders departing in groups based upon route.
Todd Wagner is the director of the Chautauqua Gran Fondo. He’s been bringing the event to county for eleven years. “The Chautauqua Gran Fondo has been officially endorsed by the Mayville Town Counsel and will be held Saturday, August 16th at the Mayville Lakeside Park, 50 west Road, Mayville. It is considered a ‘fully supported ride’ with six rest stops.”
The schedule for the day looks like this:
- Check-in 6:30-10am at the Mayville Lakeside Park Carlson Community Center.
- Parking at the Mayville Lakeside Park, the large lot across from Mayville Lakeside Park, behind Webb’s Captain’s Table Restaurant, 115 West Lake Road, or The Chautauqua Suites parking lot, 215 West Lake Road.
- Riders are 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 purposes as well as a way to avoid course bandits. Riders who join the Gran Fondo without registering.
- Starting times: 7am-100 milers, 8am-60 milers, 9am-40 and 25 milers, and 10am-20 milers. There is NO DAY OF RACE REGISTRATION.
- Sharing the roads with everyday motorists can be a challenge. Wagner says, “The routes are NOT closed to traffic. 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 on a beautiful Saturday morning. 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. Riders are required to keep them on and buckled while riding. All routes will have signage for each route as well as markings on the pavement in spray paint.
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. Enjoy the views. The After-party events do not begin until 12pm, so enjoy the ride and rest stops.”
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.