The excitement has been building daily since the November announcement of the biggest and newest biking event of the year, the Gran Fondo -- a non-competitive (read: easy ride) cycling event designed to create a fun time for riders as well as raise funds to benefit skin cancer research at our new downtown MSU campus. Gran Fondo simply means "Big Ride" in Italian.
It is open to riders of all abilities and includes options of an 80-, 40-, and a shorter, family-friendly 12-mile looped course promising to deliver on beautiful vistas, just as the Italian Gran Fondo does in Italy. The 80- and 40-mile riders begin at 8 a.m. and the 12-mile ride begins at 9:30 a.m.
Those who participate in one of the three rides offered on Saturday will be eligible to dine post-ride at the Gran Buffet courtesy of The BOB, featuring fresh Michigan products and, of course, beer and wine samplings (21+ or older).
Regardless of whether you ride in this first-time event or just want to watch the cyclists, folks are encouraged to come out and celebrate at an After-Sparty (gratuitous MSU Sparty reference) beer drinking event called Gears for Beers at The BOB.
In addition to a host of international food stands set up in the lot just outside The BOB, the Gears event will feature craft brews from The BOB's Brewery, Brewery Vivant, Founders Brewing Company, New Holland Brewing, White Flame, Michigan Beer Cellar, Jaden James, Rockford Brewing, Perrin Brewing, Bell’s Brewery, Schmohz Brewing, Saugatuck Brewing, Vander Mill, Harmony Brewery, Mitten Brewing, and The Hideout.
At 2 p.m., remarks from the MSU College of Human Medicine along with Gran Fondo organizers and event sponsors will commence on the main stage.
Admission: Registration Details Online, Gears/Beers Fest free
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