Excuse my lack of education.

[Sillyoldtwit]

Anyone know the exact meaning of Gran or Grand Fondo?

Have seen references to it in these forums, and the century I did on the 4 th of June was called the Gran Fondo Fukui. (Fukui being the prefecture)

The definition doesn't come on an internet search. TYSON.

 

[wilmar13]

The definition doesn't come on an internet search. TYSON.

I had no idea, but the third thing that Google brings up (which defines it well) is:
http://www.biciveneto.it/granfondo.html

 

[BikingBrian]

Sounds like the "cyclosportives" they do in France; just like what was described in the above post. Usually (but not always) century-distance events with all manner of participants, however, the top finishers are sometimes neo-pros, top amateurs, or ex-pros.
In the event that you did in Fukui, however....who's to tell exactly why they named it as such?? The Japanese have a penchant for creatively stealing foreign terms and applying them without any rhyme or reason. For example, "International" events where not even one non-Japanese person is seen in attendance

 

[frenchyge]

The Japanese have a penchant for creatively stealing foreign terms and applying them without any rhyme or reason. For example, "International" events where not even one non-Japanese person is seen in attendance

It's not just the Japanese. In the Miss Universe pageant, there's not a single contestant from outside this one planet.

 

[Sillyoldtwit]

I had no idea, but the third thing that Google brings up (which defines it well) is:
http://www.biciveneto.it/granfondo.html

Thanks Wilmar, that's exactly what the Gran Fondo Fukui was. 600 riders of all ages and ability, some doing the 160Km course and about half doing the 75km course.

 

[Sillyoldtwit]

It's not just the Japanese. In the Miss Universe pageant, there's not a single contestant from outside this one planet.

And what about The World Baseball Series, with the odd few countries participating? Absolutely no comparison with the FIFA World Soccer Cup with almost every country (including the US) taking part.

I suppose though it's in line with the inflated self-importance the US has of itself.

 

[frenchyge]

I suppose though it's in line with the inflated self-importance the US has of itself.

Hey, how'd you make that little leap in logic? We've already illustrated that the same phenomenon occurs with the Japanese, and with the earth in general with regard to its geo-centric views on beauty.

 

[RapDaddyo]

I suppose though it's in line with the inflated self-importance the US has of itself.

Hey, how'd you make that little leap in logic? We've already illustrated that the same phenomenon occurs with the Japanese, and with the earth in general with regard to its geo-centric views on beauty.

What do they call the Sumo championships in Japan? Hopefully not the World Sumo Championships, since I rarely see any of our fine American competitors entered (e.g., "Refrigerator" Perry -- oh, yeah, I forgot, he was a football player).

 

[WarrenG]

In the Miss Universe pageant, there's not a single contestant from outside this one planet.

Apparently you have not tried to hold an intelligent conversation with some of them...



And I heard that the Tour of France goes to other countries...

 

[Sillyoldtwit]

And did you know, greenflies are early this year!