Are You Itching to Give Bike Racing a Try? Then Sign Up For Italy’s Most Famous Gran Fondo, The Nove Colli

As cyclists, we all have different aspirations. For some, it is the joy of being out on a good but challenging ride with friends or on your own. For others, it is riding and completing an event. Still, another segment needs to satisfy an urge to pit themselves against other cyclists and to be rewarded for that effort in the public eye.

If you are the type of cyclist who longs for competition against other cyclists in a European bike race, then you can’t go wrong by participating in one of Italy’s most popular, historic, and prestigious gran fondos, the Nove Colli in Cesenatico, Italy.

History of The Nove Colli

Nove Colli translates to the “nine hills” and is also known as the “Marco Pantani Nove Colli” because of his fame as a pro cyclist and also because he comes from the region around Cesenatico. Begun in 1971, the event has been running every year in late May for over 50 years.

This gran fondo is considered a race and not a mixed event, although it offers two road courses, a gravel course, and a children’s event. Over the years, the Nove Colli has gained an international reputation. In 2016, with the advent of the internet and online registration, Nove Colli sold out in four minutes! Today, it attracts over 12,000 cyclists from all over the world.

Nove Colli’s Routes: Road, Gravel, and Even One for Children

One can imagine that, to serve over 12,000 participants, the organizers of the Nove Colli probably have their hands full creating an event that will satisfy all those cyclists. And most likely, the reason for the strong draw to this event is that it offers options for different types of riders.

There is, of course, the main event, unimaginatively called the “Long Route.” This is for serious amateurs who come to this event to race. The route is 200 kilometers (124 miles) and features 791 meters of climbing (2591 feet) with gradients reaching 18%. Then there is the “Medium Route.” It is a shorter course at 137 kilometers (85 miles) with 507 meters of climbing (1663 feet). These riders also face gradients of up to 18%.

Not interested in the road race or even riding out on the road? Then the Nove Colli has you covered with a 107-kilometer (66-mile) gravel route. It features 450 meters of climbing where riders face gradients of up to 16%. Gravel riders will also get to take on those famed nine hills. Just as an aside, this ride is not a race.

Last but not least, the Nove Colli offers a fun ride for kids ages 6 to 14 called the Mini Nove Colli – Gobik. It is a free 5 kilometer (3 miles) ride. Kids must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or have prior parental approval to participate.

Registration and Inclusions for the Nove Colli

With the popularity of the Nove Colli, the cost to run four rides simultaneously within one event must be enormous. And it is for that reason alone that the registration for this event is pretty expensive, probably one of the more expensive gran fondos in Italy and all of Europe.

For cyclists wanting to participate in the “Long Route” gran fondo, the fee is 130 euros ($152). The cost is the same for the “Short Route.” If you register as a team (5 riders or more), the fee is 300 euros ($351.00). This fee includes an event jersey. For the gravel ride, the registration fee is much cheaper at 50 euros ($58.00). This is a non-competitive event and does not include a jersey.

Last Thoughts

The Nove Colli is a popular and well-known gran fondo in Italy. While this gran fondo is primarily a race, you do have the choice to do a gravel ride at a more affordable price. The question is whether you are comfortable riding in an overcrowded peloton for a chance to race in Italy’s beautiful terrain.

But if you’re a fan of Marco Pantani, you like to race your bike in scenic surroundings, and you can justify the high entry fee, then you should register for what will be a memorable event. But I would say register soon because this ride does tend to sell out and go take in some gorgeous spring weather in Italy.