GF - Gran Fondo Nove Colli (Full 209 Km)

Videorace enthusiasts MUST have this RLV for the historic cycling and beautiful landscapes across its 209 Km course.
The Nove Colli (“Nine Hills”) is the oldest and most legendary of the Italian Gran Fondos. Every year thousands of professional and amateur cyclists from around the world meet in Romagnolo Apennines for this 210 km event. The route traverses nine hills with a maximum gradient of 18% which occurs on the legendary Barbotto. It is marked with signposts posted for bicycle training and tours throughout the year.
The Nove Colli:

1 Polenta: After departing from Cesenatico, we pass along the outskirts of Cesena then travel through the villages of Martorano, Via Emilia, Diegaro, Forlimpopoli and Bertinoro before conquering this shorter climb, which has a maximum slope of 10%.

2 Pieve di Rivoschio: After descending sharply towards Fratta Terme, we proceed through Meldola and Borello. From here the route is undulating for about 10 km then at Pian di Spino we start the main climb (average slope of 5%) and after a short descent from the first summit we then suffer the toughest kilometer to its second one. We then briefly descend to the village of Pieve di Rivoschio.

3 Ciola: After a further descent to San Romano, we turn onto the road that comes from Borello and after about 2 km we reach Lenaro, from where begins the tough 6km climb to Ciola.

4 Borbotto: We descend to Mercato Saraceno and cross the bridge over the Savio river from where we start to climb towards the legendary Barbotto, with slopes up to 18%.

5 Montetiffi: After a brief descent from Borbotto we still have a slight tough uphill stretch of one kilometer to Montegelli. From here, we descend past Montetiffi from where we begin the climb to fifth Colle of Montetiffi, which saves its toughest slopes for the final stretch.

6 Perticara: After a steep 2 km descent a series of short climbs lead to Perticara.

7 Pugliano: We then continue towards Novafeltria, and after a 5km steep descent pass through the center of Ponte Baffoni. Here we begin the ascent of Maiolo - Colle di Pugliano with slopes of up to 15% early in the climb.

8 Passo Siepi: Descending from the village of Madonna di Pugliano we arrive at Novafeltria. Continuing through the valley to Sogliano, from where we ascend the Passo Siepi, not particularly steep, but challenging because of its 158 Km distance from the start.

9 Gorolo: After an 8km descent to Ponte Uso, we begin the last climb up the Colle Gorolo. Reaching 13% early in the climb and then a short stretch of 17% near the top of the hill, we then turn towards Savignano and finally Cesenatico.

The video race was filmed on a spectacular green spring day with puffy clouds on the horizon. Towards the end of the race we even ride a stretch through a beautiful spring shower.