News

The Inaugural RBC Gran Fondo Whistler

September 7, 2010

Vancouver, BC – 2010 RBC GranFondo Whistler cycling event offers unique challenge, spectacular setting for 4,000 cyclists; temporary traffic and parking modifications in effect on course route.

The inaugural RBC GranFondo Whistler will bring together 4,000 cyclists of all ages (19 +) and abilities in an epic journey that will bring them from beautiful downtown Vancouver, along the world’s most scenic coastal mountain highway (Highway 99), through picturesque Squamish and on to a breathtaking finish in the bustling, natural playground of Whistler.

Gran Fondos, loosely translated from Italian as "big ride," are a European cycling tradition. Much like a marathon, in which a group of elite, licensed riders lead the pack and compete for first place, these events help to make the lore, pageantry and mythology of cycling accessible to the “everyday” rider, and attract a large contingent of recreational participants who want to tackle a challenging distance.

Responding to strong interest by participants (the ride filled its participant quota just three months after registration opened, six months in advance of the event date) The RBC GranFondo Whistler is poised to double in size in future years, thanks in no small part to the support of founding partner RBC.

“When Canada’s most trusted brand added their name to the event, it gave us a tremendous level of credibility as a first time endeavour. RBC is a corporate community leader who recognizes the value and opportunity that GranFondo offers cyclists and cycling enthusiasts”, said Neil McKinnon, Co‐ Founder of GranFondo Canada.

"For RBC, the GranFondo is a unique opportunity to showcase the spectacular Sea to Sky highway while highlighting the importance of protecting our precious clean water supplies," said Graham MacLachlan, RBC Regional President, B.C. "From the overwhelming positive response we've received, it's evident that the RBC GranFondo Whistler is destined to become a world‐class event."

Over three years in the making, the RBC GranFondo Whistler will activate an operational strategy that was developed through collaborative planning partnerships with local government, community stakeholders, and transit and security authorities. Traffic management, route operations and emergency services and response plans will provide an effective and flexible foundation that will ensure the safety of participants, event officials and the general public (with an emphasis on motorists.)

"We've been working diligently with stakeholders and communities along the route for three years," added McKinnon. "Participants can expect a dedicated cycling lane the entire route from Vancouver to Whistler and a fully supported cycling experience from start to finish."

The 120 kilometre RBC GranFondo Whistler will begin in a mass start at 7 a.m. in downtown Vancouver, travel over the Lions Gate Bridge and up Taylor Way to Highway 99. The route climbs 2,400 metres and 1,750 metres downhill for a total elevation gain of 650 metres to Whistler. Riders will be supported with multiple aid stations and roving mechanical assistance, with a full rest stop at the halfway point in the town of Squamish.

The ride will finish on Blackcomb Way in Whistler, where post‐event celebrations will take place. The finish area will include a stage and live music, a family fun zone, a stretching lounge, massage area, a large bike corral, and a food and beverage lounge.

To keep cyclists, motorists and spectators safe, traffic modifications will be in effect all along the course route. Temporary street closures in key locations (the start, mid‐point, and finish areas) will also be necessary to ensure the safety of all concerned.

Motorists that need to travel on September 11 are advised to plan ahead for potential delays and short duration stoppages. Highway 99 is open in both directions all day.

Expected hours of peak traffic impact are as follows: - Downtown Vancouver (Burrard Street and West Georgia Street): 3:00 a.m. to 9 p.m.

- Lions Gate Bridge: 6:00 a.m. to 8 a.m.

- Horseshoe Bay to Squamish: 6 a.m. to 12 p.m

- Squamish to Whistler: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m

- Whistler Village: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For current road information, please visit www.drivebc.ca. For questions or comments regarding

temporary event related traffic modifications, email us at feedback@rbcgranfondo.com or call us at 604-830 1847. For more information on the RBC GranFondo Whistler, please visit www.rbcgranfondowhistler.com.

When participants in September 11th’s RBC Whistler GranFondo arrive at water stations along the 120-kilometre route, they’ll refresh themselves with the world’s best water – right out of the tap.

RBC is the main sponsor of the first mass cycling event of its kind in Canada. Long a champion of water conservation, RBC is donating $25,000 to organizations committed to water conservation through its Blue Water programs as part of its sponsorship of the event. Visitors to the Whistler GranFondo web site (www.rbcgranfondowhistler.com) can vote for their favourite organization – and the one with the most votes gets the lion’s share of the grant.

And to demonstrate how seriously they take sustainable water practices, RBC and the GranFondo organizers are opting to make the event 100 per cent bottled-water free: providing tap water for thirsty participants at the five water stations along the route.

“Through the Blue Water Program, RBC has a track record of leadership in promoting responsible water stewardship,” says Graham MacLachlan, RBC Regional President for B.C., who is also signed up to ride the event. “The RBC GranFondo is set along the spectacular Sea to Sky corridor, and water is a vital component of the event. So it just makes sense to take the next step and offer tap water for participants.”

Metro Vancouver’s tap water is one of the best on the planet and costs a fraction of bottled water. Cyclists can also choose supplies of liquid eLoad that will provide fuel and electrolyte replacement for tired hamstring and quad muscles. Most cyclists carry their own water bottles and will refill them along the way. MacLachlan says RBC will provide each participant with a free reusable water bottle prior to race day.

Each will be stamped with its own water fact for riders to contemplate as they tackle the hilly course, such as:

“Less than 1 per cent of the water supply on earth can be used as drinking water”, or “Canada has 9 per cent of the world’s water supply but is home to only 0.5 per cent of the world’s population.”

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