GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Gran Fondo is Italian for "Big Ride" and Michigan isn't the only place that does them. Gran fondos are becoming immensely popular.
Now in its seventh year, the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Gran Fondo is making an even bigger impact in the fight against skin cancer with more than 2,000 participants. The event attracts cyclists from around the country to ride through scenic West Michigan. All of the routes start and end at the B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, June 22.
This year there are several special guests joining in on the longest route that goes from downtown Grand Rapids to the Lake Michigan shoreline and back. Those special guests are:
- Christian Vande Velde, five-time Tour De France veteran
- Kikkan Randall, World Champion and gold medalist as well as a cancer survivor
- Brent Bookwalter, West Michigan native and pro cyclist
More than $1 million has been raised in the last 7 years to fund research and bring hope to the 70,000 Americans who are expected to be diagnosed with skin cancer every year. One of the promising studies this event has helped fund was on a new drug that stops the spread of melanoma by 90 percent.
New this year:
- Non-competitive ride for all skill levels, including a 12, 25, 50 and 80-mile course.
- Routes from Grand Rapids to Lake Michigan's shoreline with gourmet food stops.
- Finish Line Festival with music, beer and food.
- Friends and family get to watch cyclists cross the finish line and then can head to the festival.
- The festival is open to the public from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Exclusive rewards for fundraising.
Saturday's Schedule:
- 7:30 a.m. - 2,000 cyclists gather for the "mass start" just outside of the B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids.
- 8 - 8:30 a.m. - Cyclists take off
- 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cyclists make it back to downtown Grand Rapids for the Finish Line Festival
For more information about the event or to donate to help fight skin cancer, click here.
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