The third annual Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo, sponsored by Taylor Adams Chartered Professional Accountants, is set to return to the East Kootenay in September 2015 and early-bird registration for the event is fast approaching.
Early-bird registration closes Wednesday, July 15. Final registration for the cycling event is Sept. 4.
Early-bird registration costs vary from $119 (plus GST) to $179 (plus GST), depending on which condo a participant choose to cycle in.
“The support from the business community, both in Cranbrook and Kimberley, has been just outstanding,” said Glenn Dobie, chairperson for the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo.
“We at the Sunrise [Rotary] Club want to extend our real appreciation to all the businesses that have, financially, provided support to help make this event a reality.
“It’s a non-profit [event]. All the money that is raised goes back into the community.”
Registration costs rise to $129 to $199 (plus GST) following the early-bird deadline.
Proceeds from the event go towards the North Star Rails to Trails Society, for the purpose of trail maintenance and upgrades, as well as other Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club community projects.
The current project receiving funding is restoration of the CP Rail train at the Cranbrook History Centre. That project is in the process of being completed.
“The train is coming to a conclusion,” Dobie said. “Once that is done, we’ll identify another project. That’s on our agenda for the fall — where else can we turn the money over to in future years?”
The Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo is a fully traffic-controlled cycle scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, cruising through the scenic roads of the East Kootenay.
There are three distances for cyclists to participate in.
The piccolo fondo is the shortest of the rides, spanning 58 kilometres and rolling through 356 metres worth of elevation gain.
The media fondo is a 102-km ride with a 933-metre gain in elevation.
The gran fondo is the longest of the three rides, covering 152 km of East Kootenay terrain and climbing 2,698 metres.
Though not a race, cyclists are timed.
While riders in the third annual Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo must be at least 18 or older, the first annual Kootenay Kids Fondo opens a brand new avenue for young riders.
On Sunday, Sept. 13, the first annual Kootenay Kids Fondo, for children ages six to 12, gets underway at St. Eugene Resort.
Participants are able to choose routes of eight km or 16.6 km.
The cost for entry into the Kids Fondo is $19.
For complete registration information and forms, visit the official website of the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo at www.krgf.ca.
All early-bird registrants will be entered into a draw to win two nights’ accommodation at St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino as well as two roundtrip tickets with Pacific Coastal Airlines.
