Gran Fondo Leavenworth
Hard Cascades gran fondo starting in Leavenworth, WA. 87 miles and 8,800 ft of climbing on pavement and Forest Service roads through mountain passes.
The vibe
Cascades passes, zero shortcuts
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to finally ride Derby Canyon and a Cascade mountain pass in the same day, Gran Fondo Leavenworth is your event. Starting from the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth, the Grande route covers 87 miles with 8,800 feet of climbing on a mix of smooth pavement and rougher Forest Service roads — which means a gravel bike is genuinely the right tool, not just a suggestion.
The ride is part of the Vicious Cycle Gran Fondo series, and it’s listed explicitly as intended for experienced cyclists. That’s not marketing caution — the climbing is real and sustained, and the Forest Service sections can get chunky. The Medio option at 40 miles and 6,400 feet of gain is no cakewalk either, but it gives riders a taste of the terrain without committing to the full suffer-fest.
Registration opens January 1 and closes May 14, with spots genuinely limited. If you’re building toward a bucket-list Cascade ride and want a supported, well-organized day in the mountains with other people who take their climbing seriously, this one earns its reputation.