[Event] The Swartberg100 Gran Fondo (Cancelled)

[@BigJohnSwan]

Event Name: The Swartberg100 Gran Fondo (Cancelled)
When: 29 April 2017
Where: Prince Albert, Western Cape
Category: Road

Why a Gran Fondo?

 

An Italian Tradition....

 

The term "Gran Fondo" loosely translated in Italian means "Big Ride"another name that is commonly used for an event of this type is"Cyclosportive", these events always involve long distances with tough climbs on difficult terrain that includes cobblestones or gravel sectors.

 

The first Gran Fondo was the Nove Colli, held on July 12, 1970 in Cesenatico, Italy, home of Marco Pantani. Nove Colli means "Nine Hills".

 

The Nove Colli now hosts 13500 riders every year, it is truly a race for everyone, professionals, amateurs and leisure cyclists alike.

http://www.mtbafrica.com/uploads/5/8/4/6/58469259/7707539.png?318

 

 

http://www.mtbafrica.com/uploads/5/8/4/6/58469259/8414958.png?266

Gran Fondos are run on challenging courses that are usually between 120 km and 200 km and have between 2000m and 4000m of vertical climbing. Most events also offer a shorter and easier version.

They are run like normal bike races. They have lead and follow cars or motorbikes, traffic marshalls, safety escort, police escort as well as technical and medical assistance. Aid stations along the course replace team cars.

 

​The Eroica Strade Bianche ("Heroic race of the white gravel roads") was created in 1997 as a Gran Fondo, a recreational bike race for vintage bikes only, on the white gravel roads around Siena in Tuscany, Italy, an event that is still held annually the day after the professional race that has been named the "Strade Bianche". Fabian Cancellara has won this event twice, the field always contains top professionals from the road racing scene.

 

The Strade Bianche starts in San Gimignano and ends in Siena, it covers 176 km of which there are nine gravel sectors totalling 52.8 km.

 

​The Swartberg100 Gran Fondo starts and ends in Prince Albert, arguably one of the most attractive Karoo towns in South Africa, it covers 164 km of which there are 3 gravel sectorscovering 71 km. The final climb is over the gravel Swartberg Pass, a relentless climb of 28 km, the last 8 km being on gravel with gradients of 10% in places.

 

The Swartberg100, in true South African tradition, will be one of the toughest Gran Fondo's in the world. We have created a course that goes back to the days of old when mountain passes were all gravel and brave cyclists climbed them on single speed bikes weighing in at 16 kg. A course that allows us to pit our modern training knowledge and technology against an old foe, a road surface that isn't always friendly.

 

 

http://www.mtbafrica.com/uploads/5/8/4/6/58469259/3942752_orig.png

Go to Event Page

[eddy]

I was so miffed that I missed this one this year so it is great to see this is on again next year and on a nice long weekend to boot.

[arendoog]

This has ,Great event ,written all over it .The problem will always be to get the numbers up and accomodate joe average

[Skubarra]

With the Trans Karoo gone they might get more numbers.. Hope this one sticks around, looks like a nice event

[Marius]

awesome ride, enjoyed it last year, just need to get a cyclo bike for round two.

[eddy]

awesome ride, enjoyed it last year, just need to get a cyclo bike for round two.

 

 

You recon rather than a MTB ?

[nathrix]

Cyclocross guys had a definative advantage. Ritchey swisscross will be my weapon of choice at the next one.

[milky4130]

This thread has been awfully quite, especially since i heard the numbers have double for the 2017 edition. So who all will be there again? I will just facing dilemma of which weapon to choose.

[Skubarra]

This thread has been awfully quite, especially since i heard the numbers have double for the 2017 edition. So who all will be there again? I will just facing dilemma of which weapon to choose.

 

That would make it about 100 people that entered   Not yet enough to get the hub going I think..

 

Would like to enter this next year, looks like an awesome day out!

[Mamil]

Looks like a huge challenge. Tickles my "lets bite off more than i can chew" circuits. Wonder if my trek would be ok on this

[milky4130]

That would make it about 100 people that entered   Not yet enough to get the hub going I think..

 

Would like to enter this next year, looks like an awesome day out!

Word is we are looking at the 250 region for the Grand Fondo alone.

[milky4130]

Looks like a huge challenge. Tickles my "lets bite off more than i can chew" circuits. Wonder if my trek would be ok on this

which Trek?

[Mamil]

Domane S5 - one of their "endurance" bikes - 

 

which Trek?

[milky4130]

Domane S5 - one of their "endurance" bikes -

only if it has Disk brakes & can fit minimum 28mm tires then I guess you would be ok.

[Skubarra]

Word is we are looking at the 250 region for the Grand Fondo alone.

 

Awesome to see a new event growing and more people supporting it!. Not something that can be taken for granted nowadays

[milky4130]

Awesome to see a new event growing and more people supporting it!. Not something that can be taken for granted nowadays

i guess with all the gravel grinders, cx & mx bikes around these days naturally people will eventually want to race those machines where they can, especially since events are virtually Non existent.