BOISE, Idaho — The Gran Fondo Hincapie, Italian for "big bicycle ride," is pedaling its way to Boise as the city's newest bicycle event and kicks off July 14.
It’s one of three cycling events that will be packed into one weekend, starting off with second annual Chrono Kristin Armstrong Time Trial.
"It's going to be a real challenging course and some of the best time trialists from around the world will come and compete and that's a race against the clock," Nicola Cranmer, a co-founder of the event, said.
Saturday, July 13 is the 33d Annual Twilight Criterium, where the top pro women's and men's cycling teams in the nation race around the Idaho State Capitol in a loop.
On Sunday, the Gran Fondo starts at 8 a.m., offering cyclists a 15, 50 or 80-mile ride through the Treasure Valley.
"The course will actually go through Harrison Boulevard, to Hill Road and up and over Seamens Gulch Road, we cross Highway 55, then we turn right on Eagle Road and up in that area the roads turn to gravel," Bill Short, a Gran Fondo organizer, said.
Last year, the Gran Fondo was held in 200 different cities across the U.S. so Short says it's only natural for the ride to pedal its way to Boise this year.
"It's a really cool event, first class event and we just couldn't have thought of a better weekend to pair it with, Kristin's time trial and the Twilight Criterium," Short said.
Registration for the Gran Fondo ends June 16.