Real West Gravel Grinder - March 16, 2025 - Pendleton OR

Gran Fondo with a Canadian Cycling Legend

Canadian cycling legend Steve Bauer and the “voice of cycling,” Phil Liggett, will be on hand to welcome participants in the inaugural Steve Bauer CanFondo on Sept. 7th 2013.

“Fondo” means endurance in Italian, and participants can choose a route that matches their goals and abilities: the 160-km Fondo, the 80-km Medio Fondo or the 48-km protégé ride.

Participants will rub shoulders with cycling VIPs as they discover some of the most beautiful cycling routes in Ontario through the rolling terrain around Halton, Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge. This region will soon become the epicentre of Canadian cycling when the Milton Velodrome opens in 2014 and becomes the incubator for future stars of the sport.

Though these routes are just a short distance away from the biggest population in Canada, riders will enjoy a safe, relaxed environment thanks to the support of police and experienced volunteers. They’ll also be able to look forward to the post-ride party featuring live music and regional food and beverages. It will be a fun and fitting way to celebrate an amazing day on the bike.

A word from Steve Bauer

Cycling has been my life since I first launched from the front porch and rode my bike around the neighbourhood. I could barely touch the pedals, but I was hooked.

Some people call me a legend and I accept that with the humble understanding of what it means. But I’m also just a man who wants to inspire people of all ages to ride bikes for health, fitness, transportation, meditation, social engagement, thrill-seeking, personal challenge and, for some, elite competition.

Cycling is for all ages and connects all sports.

The Steve Bauer CanFondo will be a unique initiative in Canadian cycling. Our goal is to continually grow support for cycling in our communities, Share the Road initiatives, and raise funds for the new Milton Velodrome.

I began my amateur international cycling career at the age of 16, racing on the Montreal Olympic Velodrome with the Canadian National team. Sadly that track is gone, but we have been given a golden opportunity with the Milton Velodrome, which will be an integral part of my efforts to mentor young cyclists and develop professionals who can excel at the highest level of the sport.

The Steve Bauer CanFondo is one way for people who find inspiration in cycling to help instill that passion in future generations of Canadian cycling stars.

Through the initiatives of the Steve Bauer CanFondo, I wish to grow the number of youth involved in cycling. I’d like to invite riders [ages 13-18] to participate in the Steve Bauer CanFondo Protégé ride for free – no charge – to help them engage in this wonderful sport. I will personally provide a seminar exclusively for these young riders and give them my vision of the opportunities cycling provides and the choices they may consider for their future in the sport. We ask only one thing: A protégé’s mentor signs up for the ride and his protégé can register for free.

Let’s join together to contribute to our new incredible venue, the Milton Velodrome, support safe cycling in our community, and perhaps most importantly mentor young cyclists who will become our future advocates.

May the Steve Bauer CanFondo become a legacy that leads to future cycling legends,