Every rider's bucket list of rides is a personal thing. For many riding a big European gran fondo will be at least one of the entries and some of the top European Gran Fondos that make many lists have registration open for 2017.
From the Alps and the Dolomites to the Giro outpost in Northern Ireland and the holiday island of Mallorca these events offer incredible experiences and nearly always sell out in short order
John Woodson, the Bucket Rider, summed up the difference between Bucket Rides and Groundhog Rides:
"Bucket Rides are the ones you pine for. A once in a lifetime experience. Special. Unique. Memorable. Fulfilling. Must do. A reason to ride. Something great to anticipate." (Read about John's Bucket Ride adventures.)
Whether you arrange the adventure yourself or book with one of the many firms that organize packages for these events (see below), which is often the only way to get in, you are in for a true cycling challenge.
L'Etape, The TdF's official gran fondo, is on Sunday 16 July over the 110-mile Stage 18 of the 2017 Tour. It starts in Briancon and finishes atop the Col d'Izoard after 18 miles of climbing. A video fly-by of the course has been posted on the official Etape website and check out Sportive.com's 2017 Etape route analysis.
Entries for the 2017 Etape du Tour are open at www.asochallenges.com from Euro 100 (around $110).
(Read reports of the 2015 and 2014 experience here and here.)
Also covering the route of the Tour — a week before the pros —is the Tour de Force charity ride. Forty "Lifer" riders will be doing all 3,500km/2,200 miles of the Tour supported by medics, physios, massage therapists and mechanics (with spare parts and a fleet of brand new spare bikes provided by sponsors Trek).
Lifer spots are sold out, but so-called Tour Taster packages for between three and 10 stages enjoying the same support are available at www.tourdeforce.org.uk. The event supports the William Wates Memorial Trust and riders have a fundraising target of GBP 1,200 (around $1,450).
(If you're tempted, read a report of riding the final four stages of the 2016 Tour through the Alps here.)
Stage 17 of the 2017 Tour takes in the iconic Col du Galibier that is part and parcel of the Marmotte's brutal route, which, of course finishes with the hairpins of Alpe d'Huez, This year it is on July 2.
You can register now if you are willing to buy a bundle of entries including one of the organizer's other events such as the Marmotte Pyrénées. Single event entries are available from November 14.
(Read a report here.)
Staying in the high mountains, on July 2 the Maratona is one of the toughest events to secure a place for and for very good reason. It is a spectacular day of Italian brio, stunning scenery and non-stop up and down.
386 charity places will be released for purchase through the Maratona website — half at noon Eastern on November 23 and half on March 23. Most are priced at Euro 250 (around $275).
(Read a report here.)
It may not be in the big mountains, but the Mallorca 312 is still rated among the toughest one-day gran fondos in the world at 197 miles in length (312kms) and with just under 15,000 feet of climbing. There are 140- and 103-mile routes as well.
The 2017 edition, sponsored by Giant, takes place on 29 April and will closely follow the new route first revealed this year, rather than the coastal circuit of previous years.
Having experienced this year's Mallorca 312, we would describe it as a must for any sportive cyclist - with spectacular scenery and a genuinely epic challenge. Already over 5,500 of the 6,500 places available have been sold.
Registration can be made on the event website at www.mallorca312.com. The cost for the last block of 1,000 entries is 75 Euros (around $82).
(Read a report here.)
Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia Northern Ireland
This is a legacy event from the Giro d'Italia's 'Big Start' in Ireland in 2014 and will take place on 4 June 2017.
The Gran Fondo NI offers a choice of two courses on fully closed roads: the 58km Strangford route, and the significantly greater challenge of the 175km Mourne route. The latter takes riders south to the Mourne Mountains, the landscape that inspired CS Lewis's descriptions of Narnia, and skirts the edge of Tollymore Forest Park, one of Northern Ireland's numerous film locations for HBO series Game of Thrones.
Entry is priced at £55 for the Strangford route and £65 for the longer Mourne route.
For more information and to register, visit www.granfondogiroditaliani.com.
(Read a report here.)
A Selection of Tour Organizers
Sports Tours International - www.sportingtours.co.uk
Cyclomundo - www.cyclomundo.com
CycleClassicTours - www.cycleclassictours.com
Trek Travel - www.trektravel.com
Velo Veneto - www.veloveneto.com
If you can recommend other outfits please let us know.
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