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United States | Midwest | Arkansas >> Over 3,000 visitors enjoy the 13th Annual Tour de Big Bear

Over 2,200 cyclists and their families enjoy the 13th Annual Tour de Big Bear Festival Weekend

Big Bear Lake in Southern California drew in a huge crowd of Fondo Fans and their families for both on and off-road fun!

Over 3,000 cyclists and their families enjoy the 13th Annual Tour de Big Bear Festival Weekend

The Tour de Big Bear, one of California’s premier cycling events, returned to Big Bear last weekend in beautiful 80F weather for the 13th edition. Big Bear Lake is well known as the “Cycling Capital of Southern California”.

The Big Bear Cycling Association hosted a long weekend of fun including a two-day cycling Expo that included over 40 cycling vendors, complimentary bike valet, food and beverages, family-friendly activities plus live entertainment during Saturday’s festivities. On Sunday everyone had the chance to meet up again for the Recovery Rides.

The Tour de Big Bear was proud once again to partner with Official Lodging Sponsor, Visit Big Bear to offer and endless options in accommodation for everyone!

Big Bear Lake sits at over 6,750 feet above sea level San Bernardino National Forest, a few hours from downtown Los Angeles.

As well as four Fondo distances, the festival’s Gravel and Family rides have continued to increase in popularity with a growing group of around 80 e-bike riders joining in all the fun!

Most went for the long weekend, arriving on the Friday to relax, unwind, and get acclimatised, plus enjoy packet pick-up at the Expo, and the Free Friday Poker Ride and Glow Ride in the cooler night air.

Saturday was the big day, where 2,200+ cyclists took part in either the 25, 50, 70 or 100 mile road routes with the QOM/KOM challenge, or the 50 mile Dirty Bear and 25 mile Dirty Cub gravel rides with hundreds of friends and families cheering them on.

The family ride saw cyclists from the ages of 5 to 75 years old ride around Bear Lake, plus family-friendly activities like face painting, the petting zoo and the bounce house!

What better way for a fun loving fondo family to enjoy the weekend?

The road routes included the QOM/KOM challenge of the Onyx Assault, a climb of roughly 8.6 miles at 5% to the top of Onyx Summit at 8,443 feet above sea level!

Jesse Hogin from Las Vegas, Nevada was fastest in the 100 mile “the Climb” fondo in a time of 4:32:29, Alexander Stevens (4:32:57) was second and Michael Loweree (4:34:05) third overall.

In the women’s category, Paige Handy from Woodland Hills was fastest in a time of 5:06:46, with Beril Polat from La Jolla second in a time of 5:15:27 and Bailey Hinz from Las Vegas third in a time of 5:20:35.

Sylvain Georges was fastest in 70 mile “Grand Tour” fondo in a time of 3:12:42, followed by Juan Rocha (3:22:44) in second and Jefferey Lalloway (3:26:39) in third place.

Daniel Caballero was fastest in the 50-mile “Big Bear Valley Tour” fondo in a time of 2:07:09, with Brian Ganz (2:17:38) in second and Hugo Daza (2:19:46) in third place.

Matt Large was fastest at the 25-mile race in a time of 1:25:16.

Iron Girl Nadia celebrates finishing in the top 15 ladies in the 70 mile route in a time of 4:29:00

Photo: Iron Girl Nadia celebrates finishing in the top 15 ladies in the 70 mile route in a time of 4:29:00 after 4,700 feet of climbing in beautiful 82F weather

The Dirty Bear 50-mile gravel race to cyclists through a stunning serene lake loop and rugged trails of Holcomb Valley to soar along the breath-taking Skyline after some challenging climbs, this ride had it all!

Eric Beirman was fastest in the 50-mile Dirty Bear in a time of 3:19:34, just ahead of younger riders Jacob Schoolfield and Dyson Smith. In the women’s category Alexandra Leaf was the fastest women in a time of 3:24:43, ahead of younger riders Perle Knauss and Bridget Smith.

Grant Keene was fastest in the 25-mile Dirty Cub in a time of 1:31:28. Kate Lunski was the fastest women in a time of 2:03:48. The gravel ride is a hidden gem, check out this video from Cal Domestique.

VIDEO: 2024 Tour de Big Bear - Gravel Edition

Link to 2024 Tour de Big Bear results:  https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/4q5cahn2j342ynbu/results

Registration for the 14th edition on August 2nd, 2025 has just opened!