Great news! We are getting a burst of folks signing up for this year's fondo! So, if you are sitting on the fence, it is time to get off it and sign up for the 2013 Victoria Gran Fondo! :-)

Welcome to the 2013 Victoria Gran Fondo! The Victoria Gran Fondo was created in 2010 to show case the exceptional early season riding found on Southern Vancouver Island.  It is a day ride around one of the most scenic destinations in Canada. A classic circle route up the wild West coast, across the spine of the island and back through wine country; about 270km with 3500 meters of climbing and paved all the way around.  This ride really has it all ocean-side views, remote landscapes, epic forested corridors, abundant wildlife, and idyllic wine country vistas. 

This year Friday June 21 is registration and Empress meal and Saturday June 22 6:30 am is the fondo. The fondo starts Saturday June 22 6:30 am in front of the Fairmont Empress Hotel downtown Victoria BC.

As an added bonus we have partnered with the Fairmont Empress Hotel. They have offered a special rate for Victoria Gran Fondo riders for $149/night, Click here to book at the Fairmont Empress Hotel.

Click here to register for the 2013 Victoria Gran Fondo

Follow @vicgranfondo

Note: You don't actually need to sign up just to take a look. You do need to sign up to participate in this site. However, if you do not supply an actual e-mail address I (as in me the moderator) cannot and will not approve your membership. For example 13123wdrfwf@hotmail.com isn't a real address and it won't be approved. 
Here is why: This site really is what it is. We don't spam you, we don't sell your addresses and we don't tolerate spam posts. But we do send out the odd e-mail about our event that should have meaning to you.

If you want to be removed tell me. I will actually remove you and your posts. I believe in integrity and you can't run an event like this without this kind of trust.

The Moderator

Entry is very limited, 85 cyclists. Here is why. I spend a bunch of peloton time with a regular crew; it can be magic but its heads up riding. Travel somewhere to a ride with 5000 of your closest friends? I don't think so.  But, add just enough competent cyclists so there are lots of opportunities to bridge up or crack and catch the next group to sit-in and recover? Yah! This is the recipe for a marvelous day in the saddle - small organised fun riding.

Remember remote landscapes? How about abundant wildlife? I will add to that no cell phones, none to few water stops. This is why at the Victoria Gran Fondo you have to check-in at all support stations. We need to keep track of you! Besides each station is stocked with a different mix of island food and Planet Foods' nutritional supplements to match where you are in the ride. For example you will need a full hot meal at lunch, about 100k in. Then a buffet around tea time at 160km - something filling to take you home. So no this isn't designed as a suffer fest. We maintain three rolling support teams to keep your riding kit near you, to pass up water and food, spare wheels, tools, tubes seat tubes or what-have-you. What I call fully supported.

The 2013 Victoria Gran Fondo - Do the loop ride the Fondo.

Photos of Fondos Past

Find more photos like this on Victoria Gran Fondo

View Larger Map

The route goes from the Empress in downtown Victoria (H), to Sooke (B), Jordan River (Not shown), Port Renfrew (C), Lake Cowichan (D), Duncan (E), Shawnigan Lake (G) and back to the Empress  (H).

Please look for and purchase our sponsors' products!