Vino Fondo, Missouri's Gran Fondo

The European cycling tradition of the Grand Fondo cycling experience is coming to Missouri's hilliest wine country on Saturday, May 1, 2010. The "Vino Fondo" event name reflects a traditional pairing of challenging riding and a tour of some of Missouri's best and oldest vineyards. The Vino Fondo will start in Augusta, Missouri, and will use the same roads and towns visited by the Tour of Missouri Professional Cycling Race.

The Vino Fondo is a fully supported, timed ride. All participants will receive two measures of their achievement: overall ride time and their climbing time over the penultimate beast, the Schleusberg. There are three distance options, each tuned to maximize scenery and include as many of the regions "topographic features".

Three routes will allow riders to challenge themselves in this inaugural Vino Fondo.
The Mondo Fondo-132 miles, snaking from Augusta, Missouri to Hermann, Missouri and back. With 12,000 feet of climbing, "the grapes won't be the only thing whining." The Midi Fondo-75 miles, 5700 feet of climbing. From Augusta, past Daniel Boone's home, and up and over the historic route of the Missouri State Championship Road Race. The Mini Fondo-25 miles, 2,600 feet of climbing for those looking for a less intense day with a few challenging climbs.

Registration for the Vino Fondo is open and all event information can be found here.

The North American granfondo calendar for 2010 can be seen here.

Photos: event logo, profile of the 132 mile Mondo Fondo (click to enlarge), Alberto Contador and teammates on the Schleusberg

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