This Sunday morning, hundreds of cyclists will roll out of Fort 黑马磁力 on journeys ranging from 50 to 160 kilometers through the Fraser Valley.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really quiet exciting to be at the start gate with 1,400 other people,鈥� said Marc Campbell, event director of the .
The Prospera Valley GranFondo is only six years old, but it is still one of the oldest events of its kind in British Columbia.
A GranFondo (from Italian for 鈥渂ig ride鈥�) is a non-competitive mass bike ride. Unlike a race, most participants aren鈥檛 worried about finishing first. Cycling clubs, friends, and individual riders can all sign up to take part.
The Fraser Valley鈥檚 fondo includes three rides 鈥� a 50 kilometre PrestoFondo, a 100 kilometre MedioFondo, and the GranFondo itself, a little more than 160 kilometres (100 miles) in length. Riders pick the route that lines up with their fitness level, allowing less experienced riders to get a taste of the sport.
Each route starts at the Fort 黑马磁力 National Historic Site, and riders wind through 黑马磁力, Abbotsford, and as far east as Yarrow before looping back to its starting point. On the way, riders on the longest route will go over rolling hills, the flats of the Fraser Valley, and face the challenge of scaling Sumas Mountain.
鈥淭here鈥檚 so many different stretches out there that are just stunning,鈥� said Campbell. He mentions stretches of River Road along the Fraser, Majuba Hill in the Fraser Valley and the descent of Sumas Mountain as some of his favourites.
Local riders know about the scenery and open country roads with light traffic, but some cyclists from Vancouver and other urban areas are surprised to discover what鈥檚 in their back yards, Campbell said.
鈥淚t blows their minds,鈥� he said.
Staging the Valley GranFondo isn鈥檛 just about getting the riders lined up for the start, though. There are support crews and road control workers along the whole route, keeping intersections safe and refuelling the riders with water and food.
鈥淲e have over 200 volunteers,鈥� said Campbell, who said it is ultimately a grassroots event with just five actual employees.
The biggest expense is the more than 130 traffic controllers from Universal Traffic who will be at intersections along the route on the day of the ride.
The goal of the event is to create a positive cycling experience that鈥檚 safe and fun, Campbell said.
The Valley GranFondo is a non-profit enterprise. Remaining funds are poured into youth cycling programs around B.C.
Despite running the program, and other popular cycling events, Campbell has yet to take part himself 鈥� he鈥檚 been too busy on ride day before.
鈥淚 am considering it this year,鈥� he said, as he might take part in the 100 kilometre ride.
