GranFondo Cycling Tours Inc. has announced the inaugural Giro di San Diego Gran Fondo, a two day Bike Festival in Solana Beach California on September 15 & 16, 2012. The Giro has events for all levels of riders, recreational to professional, with 108, 65, 35 mile and Mountain bike routes. They promise great roads, well stocked rest stops, timed KOM / QOM climbs and more. The Festival starts on Saturday at Fletcher cove in Solana Beach with the Giro di San Diego Bike Fest Expo and Gourmet Fondo – a Taste of Solana Beach fun walk. The Giro di San Diego will donate a portion of all proceeds to their main charity – The Rivers of Hope Foundation and to the USO.
GranFondo tours owners Tobias and Carrie Panek have a great vision for this event. Tobias said their goal “is to bring the heart and passion of Italian cycling to one illustrious event of international stature in the bike community. Our goal is create an event that will draw riders from all 50 US states and 7 continents across the globe.”
To set the Giro apart from other rides they have added a new element called the PRO-I (invitational). All present and past cycling professionals are invited to ride free of charge to add to the excitement of the day and to the rider experience. Pro’s will want to be part of the fun and to help raise money and awareness for USA kids in foster care.
The Rivers of Hope Foundation (founded by Philip River of the San Diego Chargers) supports a great cause – To help unwanted, abandoned and orphaned children in the USA find permanent loving homes and their own sense of self-worth.
More info is available at girodisandiego.com.
