Black Bear Gran Fondo

Loyal Black Bear loyalists and those new to the Black Bear can sign up for one of three routes: the Century (100 miles), the Metric Century (62 miles) or the 45 mile ride. All routes can be found on MapMyRide or Strava.

Gran Fondo starting format and three chip-timed looped routes that start and finish at Hanson Hills Recreation Area (HHRA).

Gran fondo starting format is a mass start for each route with self organized starting corrals based on your MPH/KPH, fastest cyclers in the first corral.  

 Dedicated volunteers at corners and rest stops with roving SAG Support. 

Spectacular finish line celebration meal and first craft beer on us!

Helmets required

Event held rain or shine

The Grayling Rotary Club'produces and manages the Black Bear cycling event. No refunds and it goes to a good cause. The Grayling Rotary is funding a new pavilion at Hanson Hills Recreation Area with proceeds from this event.

G-r-r-r-r-r!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a race or a tour?

Neither, it’s a Gran Fondo. A gran fondo is a mass participation cycling event that got its start in Italy in the early 1900’s.  Loosely translated, it means everything from “great foundation”, “great distance” or “great endurance.”  Some cyclists ride for the satisfaction and pride of just making it to the finish line.  Others want to improve upon their previous times and to challenge themselves, their friends, their teammates.  Some ride to win. 

So, the Black Bear Gran Fondo is a race, a ride, a celebration at the finish line and it’s an event for cyclists of all abilities!

Is there a rider limit?

Nope.  Our goal is to grow the Black Bear Gran Fondo as our event is a well kept secret in many cycling circles and we are going to try a few things this year to incent people to sign up in pre-registration.  In the meantime, we ask our cyclist participants and friends to spread the word about the Black Bear Gran Fondo, share our Facebook posts with your friends and bring a friend on July 14 to another G-R-R-R-R-E-A-T ride!

How good are the riding surfaces?

All roads are paved and, overall, most are very good; there will be very few areas that require you to mind your wheels and there will be variation in the shoulder width, some nice and wide and others that are skinnier.  We’ve done our very best to provide you with the best roads possible in combination with features that make the routes interesting and fun.  We have some awe-inspiring elevations to challenge all riders too!

Are there directional signs along the route?

Yes, there are directional signs, and, we attempt to have corner marshals with flags at each corner where a turn is made.  Some corners may have arrow signs only, and those turns are the obvious ones.

Will there will be some type of breakfast food available on Saturday morning?

Yes, we’ll have a self serve continental breakfast set up in the Main Lodge of Hanson Hills for registered cyclists between 6:30 and 8:00 AM

What is offered at the rest stations?

There are food and water stations with both hydration and nutrition:   PBJs, sweet and salty nut mix, watermelon, orange smiles, bananas, water and sports drinks.The last rest station for all loops is a delicious celebration meal at the finish line at Hanson Hills Recreation Area (HHRA), so save room!

What goes on at the finish line?

A party!  Music, a tasty celebration meal, (yes, this is really delicious food), craft beer and friends to celebrate your accomplishments! 

Hanson Hills Recreation Area is a beautiful park-like setting right and a hidden gem in Grayling, Michigan with lots to offer including a playground for the little ones, mountain bike/hiking trails, disc golf and we will get some corn hole games going!

What if the weather is bad?

The show must go on, it’s a “rain or shine” event.