Why is this the best Gran Fondo in North America?
It’s already won Gran Fondo Guide’s award for best Gran Fondo in North America, and now the the 10th anniversary of RBC GranFondo Whistler is shaping up to be the biggest Gran Fondo cycling party ever on the weekend of September 6th-8th 2019!
Ride and Meet GCN!
If you know, you know. But on the off-chance you don’t, Global Cycling Network is the world’s biggest and best road cycling community, the largest cycling channel and the ultimate one-stop destination for everything a roadie could ever want.
Presented by ex-pro riders, GCN brings you essential insight and unparalleled access to riders, teams, races, bikes, manufacturers, training, tips, tricks, features and cutting-edge bicycle-tech every day, every week, every month, and every year. And this year, they’re coming to RBC GranFondo Whistler.
What’s the plan? You can meet presenters Simon Richardson and Jeremy Powers who will be attending and speaking at the Friday Expo and *new* pasta party (see more about that below).
10 years a pro, including five in the Great Britain Cycling Team on a mountain bike racing at World Championships and Commonwealth Games, Simon Richardson moved to road racing for British-based professional teams against some of the best riders in the world.
Jeremy Powers is an American professional racing cyclist, not just across cyclo-cross – for which he is best known. He has an extensive palmares that includes four US national titles, and top-level CX racing in Europe – spanning a career that includes 10 years as a professional road rider.
The twist
On the day of the ride (Sat Sept 7), they’ll be attempting to qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships – but of course it’s not that straight-forward. Oh no…
Their challenge is to qualify in the top 20% of their age group but on classic (pre 1987) road bikes. None of this fancy carbon lightweight tomfoolery for these gentlemen, only the old-school machinery of days gone by. Can they do it? We’ll just have to find out!
You can meet and ride alongside Jeremy and Simon too – all you have to do is be registered for the event (and if you’re similarly inclined, there’s the 122km classic bike category to enter too).
Join the ride now to get up close and personal with true cycling royalty.
Brand new – Friday night pasta alongside expanded day-long expo festival
The day before the big ride has always been an event in itself at RBC GranFondo Whistler. Friday’s VeloSpoke Bike Expo –open to the public - is one of Canada’s biggest road bike and lifestyle expos. This year the organisers have invested heavily into the show, designing the expo in an even bigger, better experience. Vendor places are already almost sold out despite more being on offer compared to 2018.
What’s new? With a DJ spinning tunes all day in its home base of the Vancouver Convention Centre, expect lounge areas, a new speaking stage hosting discussions from well-known faces, plenty of merch and swag available to celebrate the upcoming 2020 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Vancouver / Whistler and the option to join the all-new downtown Vancouver Pasta party hosted at the Sheraton Wall Centre hotel.
The pasta party is a beloved staple of athletic events – and RBC GranFondo Whistler is happy to be hosting their own delicious carbohydrate party, presented by GCN.
Located just a few minutes’ walk from the Expo, pasta will be served from 18:30 – 20:30 and include special guests, music, and much more. With World Championship qualification on the line the next day, there’s never been a more fun way to fuel for the target. Tickets are on sale now for only C$50.
Register now for RBC GranFondo Whistler (pasta party tickets can be bought during registration process)
Pasta party tickets
An event for all + dedicated lane & professional world-class support
RBC GranFondo Whistler welcomes all riders along the beautiful coastal Sea-to-Sky highway in the only day of the year in which cyclists have a dedicated lane, traffic free. Divided into 3 categories: Medio (55km), Gran Fondo (122km) and Forte (152km); the ride is suitable for all preferences and attracts thousands of cyclists from around the world, all looking for that bucket-list Gran Fondo experience.
The benchmark Gran Fondo category is 122km between Vancouver and Whistler, and serves as the official qualifying category for the 2020 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. Not interested in the champs? Simply enjoy the beautiful riding!
The popular Medio, being the shortest route, is perfect for those looking for an achievable challenge as well as families and groups of differing abilities. E-bikes are welcome and not timed to encourage new people to take up cycling.
Adding a Cypress Mountain climb challenge, the Forte is the rockstar category. Riders will tackle an epic 876m Category 1 climb before joining the Gran Fondo route and travelling north to Whistler. The event gives Forte riders extra swag, bigger medals and has a special Forte hall-of-fame to celebrate completing the achievement.
10th anniversary celebrations
Keen to celebrate 10 years of the magic cycling + party formula, the event organisers are celebrating by giving back to the community more than ever.
Throughout the year, they’ve been sharing rider’s stories (both those who’ve ridden every year or not), are giving out 3000 free cowbells at the finish to the crowds, are set to announce a ’10 years of cheers’ volunteer appreciation program soon, and are currently running a ’10 weeks of Fondo’ competition, where their gold level sponsors have contributed sweet prizes for a giveaway draw each week this summer. You’ve still got time to win as the competition runs until the middle of August – see the celebrations and what you can win here.
There’s also premium swag, a bumper finish line music concert and tonnes of other festivities coming your way.
Make sure you’re registered for the biggest party on the Gran Fondo calendar September 7th
VIP exclusive package
The all-inclusive royalty package (Alta Classe) allows you to enjoy RBC GranFondo Whistler with distinct benefits. No line ups, no hassles, no fuss; just all the fun.
Some of the included perks are:
Priority package pickup and start corral
Pre-ride with celebrities and intimate pre-event reception
First to ride across the iconic Lions Gate Bridge
Alta Classe lounge with all-you-can-eat buffet and beverages
Post ride massage
Alta Classe-only swag
New Medical CME
This week, the event became a medical CME. Not sure what a CME is? You’re probably not a registered physician!
Medical professionals are obligated to continue their development throughout their career by way of earning mandatory educational credits through conferences, lectures, and certified CME (continuing medical education) programs.
RBC GranFondo Whistler is introducing a series of lectures, practical demonstrations and other elements around the theme of Assessment and Management of Sports Injuries in Cycling. CME entry into the event grants credits and either regular or Alta Classe entry, allowing medical professionals to expense their entry while enjoying a world-class event.
More details about the cycling CME can be found here
Tonnes of travel and accommodation deals
Both Vancouver and Whistler are world class destination for tourists. They offer an unrivaled Canadian and West Coast experience that make this cycling event also vacation worthy. Whether you're a local or coming from afar, the RBC GranFondo Whistler has some great deals for you.
Choose from hotel deals, package options, air travel and more.
Visit the RBC GranFondo Whistler website to book and join the Gran Fondo party of the year.
Photo creds: Tammy Brimmer, Heath Moffatt, Mike Crane and Tourism Vancouver
Stage 3 to Oron ITT
