More than 5,000 cyclists take a spin to Whistler
More than 5,000 cyclists shot past Lions Bay along the Sea to Sky this weekend, as the 15th annual Gran Fondo rolled through town. And as has become a local tradition, cyclists were greeted to a cheery Village greeting as they rode by.
While technically the first Gran Fondo was said to be the Nove Colli (Nine Hills) event held on July 12, 1970, in Cesenatico, Italy, improvements in technology meant that these hilly events really began to take off in the 1990s.
The words Gran Fondo translate roughly to 'Big Ride', and the 15th edition of the Whistler Gran Fondo was no exception. The first bikes passed through the village less than half an hour after the starting gun went off in downtown Vancouver.
This year's contingent included racers from all over the world, at least one unicycle rider and a paracyclist.
Long-time resident and supporter Trudi Luethy was on hand to cheer on the competitors, along with groups of supporters at the Kelvin Grove overpass, the Lions Bay Avenue entrance and exit ramps, and at Brunswick Beach. "The first elite riders passed through at 7:27 a.m. and the last two gentlemen rode by at 10:01," she said afterward.
"Our cheers, clapping, bells, balloons and encouragement went a long way towards their epic journey towards Whistler."
The race had distances of 55, 122 and 152 kilometres, with the last incorporating a trip up Cypress Mountain before heading up the highway to Whistler. Disruption along the Sea to Sky was mostly contained to the morning hours, with both sides of the highway resuming normal service by around noon on Saturday.
Not all communities along the route are as quick to cheer the yearly event. The Squamish Chief has published at least one editorial outlining the disruption to local communities.
However, the Lions Bay contingent remains adamant in their support, Luethy says they are looking forward to ringing their cowbells next year at the 16th annual event.
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