Gran Fondo "big ride" is this weekend

The Gran Fondo Expo will be at Miami City Hall on Saturday, November 9, from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm with a VIP reception to follow. The actual ride is on Sunday, November 10, the ride starts at 7 am and the Expo will run from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. 

The beautiful Gran Fondo d'Italia Miami-Coral Gables ride will start in Coral Gables on Miracle Mile with three distances: 25, 54 or 101 miles. All riders be police escorted as they roll out on Miracle Mile.  Over 1500 riders are expected to participate.  Italian pro cyclist Filippo "Pippo" Pozzato will lead the way.

"The City of Miami is proud to welcome the Gran Fondo Giro D'Italia for its second year. It is a great race that showcases our beautiful City," said Mayor Tomas Regalado. 

Gran Fondo’s are fun and exciting mass cycling events popular in Italy, a country that captures the essence and the romance of this sport. "Gran Fondo" means "Big Ride" in Italian.

The Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia is a worldwide series of cycling events that showcases the passion of Italian cycling and the strength of spirit embodied in the Giro d’Italia, arguably the world’s toughest professional bicycle race.  The series is organized by RCS Sport, owner of high-quality sporting events including the Giro d’Italia, Milano – Sanremo, Il Lombardia (ex Giro di Lombardia), Tirreno – Adriatico, Strade Bianche by Limar (White Roads), the Milano Marathon and the Italian Open.  The Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia 2013 series features 6 destinations in the world (Monterey, New York, Pasadena, Jerusalem, Beverly Hills and Miami) and more amazing destinations planned in 2014.  The event is endorsed by the Italian Consulates of Los Angeles and Miami and part of a special celebration of the Italian Culture in the U.S. Please visit www.granfondogiroditalia.com for more information.

Participation is open to both recreational and competitive cyclists enthusiasts, who love rides off the beaten path, excellent road service, well-furnished rest stops, and … a great atmosphere all along the ride.

Expect a fantastic road service, wonderful celebrations (including the famous Pasta Party), ride with famous professional cyclists from the Giro, take a picture with the original Giro's trophy and the beautiful signorine, and meet hundreds of new friends from around the world. 

All routes end in Miami by going through scenic Coconut Grove. At the northern-most point the course turns east and riders will catch a glimpse of Biscayne Bay as they round Brickell before heading south again and reaching the finish line at Dinner Key in front of Miami's Iconic City Hall at 3500 Pan American Drive.

To register and for more information: www.gfgiro.com