March 7, 2010

“Gran Fondo” means “Big Ride” in Italian

Gran Fondos are long distance, mass-participation cycling events – not races – that have become immensely popular in Italy.  In France they’re known as “cyclosportives”.  Participation is open to recreational and competitive amateur cyclists, and tens of thousands of riders of all abilities participate.
In 2010, Gran Fondo Colnago San Diego will offer three route options:

• Gran Fondo — Long Route (101 miles)
  with timed King of the Mountain climb
• Medio Corsa — Medium Route (85 km/53 miles)
• Family Fondo — Short Route (51 km/32 mile)

Event Start

All routes start on the 1700 block of India Street in downtown San Diego – under the Little Italy arch — between W. Date and W. Fir Streets.

Start Times

Event Finish

All routes finish within the expo, located in south parking lot of the County Administration Building, accessed from W. Ash St. between N. Harbor Dr. and Pacific Highway.

FREE Event Day Parking

Gran Fondo Colnago San Diego will provide free event day parking for 750 cars in the north parking lot of the County Administration Building. This lot can be accessed from W. Grape St. between N. Harbor Dr. and Pacific Highway. These parking spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. Additional fee-based parking is available in the nearby commercial lots.

(This does mean our Old Town Loops will have alternate routes and maybe delayed due to traffic)

The Irish Congress of Southern California is proud to announce that its 30^th Annual San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade (the largest Parade west of the Mississippi) will step off on Saturday, March 13th, 2010 promptly at 11:00 a.m. on Fifth Avenue at Laurel Street as thousands of marchers and spectators gather to celebrate the Patron Saint of Ireland.

The Parade travels up Fifth Avenue from Laurel to Upas Street and then returns down Sixth Avenue to Laurel. An event filled Irish Festival will follow in Balboa Park.

There will be over 150 Parade entries including two open top double decker buses! Come and see Bagpipers and High School Marching Bands, Police and Fire Department Units, Floats, Dancing Groups, Marching and Equestrian Units, Clowns, Dignitaries and Honorees, Representatives from Ireland, Antique Cars and more. The Theme of this year’s Parade is “Unity with the Community, with special thanks to our Military and Veterans.”

The Irish Festival in Balboa Park (Sixth Avenue and Maple Street) runs from 10 am to 5 pm and features Entertainment on 2 Stages with Irish Folk singers,  Irish Step Dancers, Irish Crafts, Food Booths, Celtic Village, Beer Garden, and a Kid Zone with rides. Over 20,000 people are expected to attend.

It will be a busy day in Balboa Park with the St. Patrick’s Day and Cherry Blossom Festival!!! Attend one or both cultural events!