One timed Japatul climb decides the awards, but a hundred open-road miles decide what power reaches it
The Gran Fondo San Diego features the classic 'Great Western Loop' through East County's scenic backcountry, combining rolling terrain with strategic climbing challenges. The route showcases San Diego's diverse athletic landscape and natural beauty, transitioning from urban downtown San Diego through suburban areas into the rugged backcountry before returning to the waterfront finish. The timed Japatul Road climb at mile 36, which determines KOM/QOM winners across eight age categories and represents the event's primary competitive climbing test.
For the experienced rider training seven to eleven hours a week, this twelve-week plan balances open-road endurance, climbing economy, timed-segment pacing, and late-ride durability with deliberate recovery so fitness rises without carrying avoidable fatigue into Gran Fondo San Diego.
INSIDE THE MASTERS 50+ PLAN — 7–11 HR/WK
Includes zone-tailored structured rides for your devices, built-in strength with video walkthroughs, heat protocols for when your race calls for them, peloton skills workouts, nutrition and hydration guidance, and recovery-first Masters 50+ structuring.
The Complete Gran Fondo San Diego Guide — the training, the tactics, the gear and race day, explained simply and clearly: what to do, when to do it, and why it works.
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Hey, I'm Matti. I spent 11 years at TrainingPeaks, where they trusted me to teach coaches how to coach at TrainingPeaks University. I raced Amateur Elite with Rio Grande Cycling Team and podiumed my age group at Unbound 200 in 2026. I have a degree in biology and exercise physiology from St. Olaf. I'm also a middle-aged dad of three, so I know training doesn't happen in a vacuum. I help gravel riders get stupidly fast without becoming the person who brings a food scale to a party