From Shimano Road: Experience the Gran Fondo National Series
Celebrating the intersection of sports and community, the Gran Fondo National Series delivers a unique riding experience that draws riders from around the world. Featuring some of the most challenging and scenic routes across the United States, the series blends competition with fun for a new take on road racing in North America. But how did this unique series come to be?
Like a lot of great ideas, the Gran Fondo National Series came to life as the solution to a problem. Event founder Rueben Kline spent most of his adult life immersed in the cycling world before settling into event management. He initially focused on hosting triathlons and duathlons, which were experiencing tremendous growth in the late 2000s. But Kline was—and remains—a cyclist at heart. He couldn’t help but wonder why his cycling events seemed stagnant while events such as multi-sport races and running marathons were taking off. The reason, he concluded, was inclusivity.
"I was racing on the road at the time and just didn't love the scene," recalls Kline. “It wasn’t very welcoming, especially to newcomers. I just figured there had to be a better way.”