Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie is offering 3 exhilarating rides for 2023! Experienced riders will be challenged by the classic 128 km Gran route. Intermediate and novice cyclists may prefer the shorter 67 km Medio or 35 km Piccolo rides. Cyclists will ride on low traffic rolling inland roads along lakes and rivers, and pass by towering wooden churches along the panoramic coastal route that hugs beautiful Baie Sainte Marie.
Debating which distance to ride? We highly recommend that you sign up early, by July 16, 2023, to take advantage of the best value jersey package. You can change your route distance right up to the morning of the event!
Downloadable maps of each route are below, along with images and elevation profiles.
Gran
Experienced riders will be challenged by our 128 km Gran route.
| Distance | 128 km. |
|---|---|
| Experience Level | Experienced |
| Start Time | 8:30 am Wave 1: Advanced and Intermediate Wave 2: Intermediate and Beginner |
| Duration | 4.5 hours (± 2 hours) |
| Participants (2019) | 185 |
| Files |
Key Landmarks
- Université Sainte-Anne: The only French-language university in Nova Scotia
- Église Sainte-Marie Church: Largest wooden church in North America
- Belliveau Cove Park: Home of outdoor lobster suppers and other events
- Église Saint-Bernard Church: Majestic stone church home to art expo
- Highway 340: Low traffic inland highway with long rolling hills
- Bangor Sawmill: Inland along a scenic meandering river
- Mavillette Beach: Sweeping views of ocean and Cape St. Mary
- Église Sainte-Alphonse Church: Situated atop one of a series of small hills
- Smugglers Cove Provincial Park: Coastal provincial park
- Église Sacré-Coeur Church: Towering yellow church close to the finish line
Rest stops
In addition to the start/finish line, there are four rest stops. All have washrooms, hydration, nutrition and first aid supplies.
- Chez Marcel (Bas-de-la Rivière)
- Havelock Community Centre (Highway 340)
- Bangor Sawmill
- Broker Link Insurance, Highway 1, Meteghan River
- Mavillette Beach
Medio
Our most popular route, the 67 km Medio is perfect for intermediate riders.
| Distance | 67 km. |
|---|---|
| Experience Level | Intermediate |
| Start Time | 8:45 am Wave 1: Advanced and Intermediate Wave 2: Intermediate and Beginner |
| Duration | 3.5 hours (± 1.5 hours) |
| Participants (2019) | 300 |
| Files |
Key Landmarks
- Université Sainte-Anne: The only French-language university in Nova Scotia
- Église Sainte-Marie Church: Largest wooden church in North America
- Belliveau Cove Park: Home of outdoor lobster suppers and other events
- Église Saint-Bernard Church: Majestic stone church home to art expo
- Bas-de-la Rivière: Scenic coastal loop along St. Mary’s Bay and Sissiboo River
- Bangor Sawmill: Inland along a scenic meandering river
- Église Sacré-Coeur Church: Towering yellow church close to the finish line
Rest stops
In addition to the start/finish line, there are two rest stops. All have washrooms, hydration, nutrition and first aid supplies.
- Chez Marcel (Bas-de-la Rivière)
- Bangor Sawmill
Piccolo
At 35 km, the Piccolo offers anyone an excellent introduction to Fondo riding.
| Distance | 35 km. |
|---|---|
| Experience Level | Beginner |
| Start Time | 9:00 am |
| Duration | 2 hours (± 1 hour) |
| Participants (2019) | 250 |
| Files |
Key Landmarks
- Université Sainte-Anne: The only French-language university in Nova Scotia
- Église Sainte-Marie Church: Largest wooden church in North America
- Bangor Sawmill: Inland along a scenic meandering river
- Église Sacré-Coeur Church: Towering yellow church close to the finish line
Rest stops
In addition to the start/finish line, there is one rest stop. Both have washrooms, hydration, nutrition and first aid supplies.
- Bangor Sawmill