Hello from San Diego- Granfondo Cycling Tours
 

Hello my name is Carrie Panek and I am new to the forum. I joined because I saw lots of questions about riding in Granfondo's in Italy, and bike travel, and I thought I could help with answers.
This year I am planing on riding in the Gran Fondo Felice Gimondi (part of the Golden bike series),
The Granfondo Campagnolo, the Granfondo Pinarello, and will finish off the season with the Granfondo Cinque Terre.
I own and run Granfondo Cycling Tours with my husband Tobias, and we love Cycling in Italy!!
If you have questions about cycling it Italia please ask. :)

Yes please. Could you define GranFondo? Is it one of the mass start races for everyone from racers to the general public?

The term Granfondo is Italian for Long ride. These organized cycling events are similar to century rides and yet are unlike any experience that can be found here in America. The combination of small roads and mountaintop villages adds character and depth to every turn, revealing renaissance architecture, switchbacks carved into the hillside, and steep winding descents through an almost tropical forest.

An Italian Granfondo is part of an amateur cycling circuit that extends throughout Italy. Granfondos are typically large and well supported. They are open to all riders, male and female, of varying ages and abilities, and are held in various towns across Italy. They are the centerpiece of the Italian cycling culture and the pride of each city.

You can see pictures of the mass start on my web site www.GFtours.com

http://www.gftours.com/highlights_ga...nfondo_004.jpg

Carrie: Hi. I may have the chance to go to Italy in two years. My oldest son is going there for an internship in glass blowing. BUT, what I really wanted to ask about is the San Diego area. I've talked with my sister-in-law (she's in Los Angles) about places to retire that offer good riding year round. She swears that your area is one of the best.

I hope she will answer. In the meantime I can testify that there is good cycling there. In the 90s I did 300K and 400K Brevets down in San Diego County. You can even use the freeway shoulders in places. FallBrook and Mt. palomar are good goals. There is a town famous for apple pies. In the Hopt summer you can go inland and in cold weather you can go over the coast range into the desert. Warner Hot Springs would be a good destination. North and east of the built-up areas was best.

Hi,
yes San Diego is a great area for cycling all year long!
I live in an inland town called Poway. From Here I can ride ~20 miles to the beach and then up the coast.
If I ride to the east I ride into the mountains, even throught the "pie" town of Julian. If I head North I can ride mount Palomar which is great training for the Dolomites!
The only thing we are missing here is flat rides! Unless you want to drive down to the beach and ride around our local time trail couse on fiesta Isalnd.
I would say San Diego would be a great place to retire.
I hope you have the chance to go to Italy. Where is your son learning glass blowing?
When are you planning on retireing?
Ciao,
Carrie