Win a Trip to the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo
byExtend your summer with FestivalSeekers.com by entering to win a trip to Cranbrook, BC and the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo this September. Hosting three signature cycling events, and one unique warm up event at YXC airport, the world class Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo is a biker’s dream.
Photo credit: Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo
About the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo
Now in its third year, the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo is becoming a much loved and anticipated event not only by cyclists but also by the host city of Cranbrook. FestivalSeekers.com writer Leigh McAdam says, “I put it right up there as one of the friendliest gran fondos, too.”
On September 12th, there are three events in which riders can participate:
Piccolo Fondo: 57 kilometres starting at the beautiful St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino. Riding West 4.8 km on Mission Road, the route crosses Hwy. 95A and heads north to join the paved Rails to Trails connector to Kimberley (Aid Station at 26 km, and turn-around). Riding south on Rotary Drive to Knighton Road, riders rejoin the Rails to Trails and ride back to the St. Eugene’s Mission Golf Casino Resort.
Medio Fondo: 102 kilometres. Riding northwest 4.8 km on Mission Road, it crosses Hwy. 95A and heads north to join the paved Rails to Trails connector to Kimberley (1st Aid Station at 26 km) before continuing north along the quiet Meadowbrook Road (Hwy. 95A). At the Hwy. 95A/Hwy. 93 Junction, riders turn south crossing the Kootenay River (2nd Aid Station at 57 km) riding past Historic Fort Steele (3rd Aid Station at 80 km), before turning west at Hwy. 3 and reconnecting with Hwy. 95A to Mission Road and finishing at the St. Eugene’s Mission Golf Resort Casino.
Gran Fondo: The Gran Fondo ride is 152 kilometres. Riding west 4.8 km on Mission Road, the route crosses Hwy. 95A and heads north to join the paved North Star Rails to Trails connector to Kimberley (1st Aid Station at 26 km) before continuing north along the quiet Meadowbrook Road (Hwy. 95A). At the Hwy. 95A/Hwy. 93 Junction, riders turn south crossing the Kootenay River (2nd Aid Station 57 km) riding past Historic Ft. Steele (3rd Aid Station at 80 km), before turning east on Bull River Road. Crossing the Bull River, riders travel 25 km to the Fish Hatchery (4th Aid Station and turn around at 104 km) beneath the majestic Rocky Mountains before returning to Ft. Steele. Turning south on 93A and then left at Hwy. 3 to reconnect with Hwy. 95A to Mission Road for the final push to the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino.
Ride the Runway at Cranbrook Airport YXC
A dream of bikers in the Cranbrook area, including Tristen Chernove, Managing Director of YXC Canadian Rockies International Airport, has been to create a weeklong festival surrounding the Gran Fondo, and each year the community moves closer to that goal. For 2015, YXC is launching a one-of-a-kind opportunity called “Ride the Runway”.
“We wanted to enhance the way that the airport interacted with the community as far as amazing public access beyond just arriving and departing.” Tristen says that it seemed like a natural fit to figure out a way to engage the community in an active way, especially since he is also always out on his mountain bike.
On September 11th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm, riders can take to the YXC runways to prepare for the Gran Fondo the following day. This will be a circuit race for 50 (first come, first served) Gran Fondo riders who can average a 35 km/h speed for 45 minutes over a 2km lap course on the main runway and taxi ways. All proceeds from this race will go to support the “Cranbrook to Wardner” bike/hike trail.
Photo credit: Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo
“We’ve really been working hard over the last several years to have Cranbrook realize a bit more of its tourism potential,” Tristen adds that what makes the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo stand out is its stunning Rocky Mountain scenery and its variety of trails. Located in the widest part of the Columbia Valley, the area offers secondary roadways for riding (not just the highway) along with community forest land and spots for gravel grinding adventures.
Glenn Dobie, chairperson for the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo, says the tarmac ride that will help draw attention to the second annual gran fondo, which helps raise funds to promote cycling in the Cranbrook to Kimberley area and other charities.
Win a Trip to the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo
The FestivalSeekers.com contest includes:
- Airfare for two to Cranbrook from anywhere Pacific Coastal Airlines flies (excluding seaplane routes)
- Two night’s accommodation at Cranbrook’s Days Inn
- Registration for two in the 2015 Kootenay Gran Fondo
- Two-days bike rentals for two
- ** Valid only during the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo Weekend (Sept. 12, 2015)
Enter online today! Contest closes August 19, 2015. To learn more, and to keep up with FestivalSeekers, sign up for the newsletter and follow along on on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for more information.
