by admin | Jul 23, 2021 | Fernie TransRockies
After a one year break the TransRockies Race Series is returning to Fernie this summer with two events!
The first event will be the TransRockies brand new premiere gravel bike race – the TransRockies Gravel Royale, which will take place from August 23 to 26. Traversing from Panorama Mountain Resort, to Nipika Mountain Resort, to Canal Flats and ending in Fernie, the four-day gravel stage race will cover 375 km (233 miles) and around 7,000 m (23,000 ft) of climbing.
The gravel riders will roll into Fernie on Hartley Lake Road and finish at Annex Park on Thursday, August 26th.
Gravel riding along the Bull River heading to Fernie
Fernie will also be the race start for the TransRockies flagship 6-day mountain bike race the Singletrack 6 (ST6) happening from September 7th to 12th.
Riders will have the opportunity to test themselves on brand new routes in the host communities of Fernie, Kimberley and Rossland—also known as Singletrack 6’s “South Kootenay” route.
“We couldn’t ask for a more fitting host community to be returning to after this break,” says Aaron McConnell, TransRockies President, “Fernie is home to spectacular riding and has been a staple of our mountain biking events since our first TransRockies Challenge in 2002. Dan Savage has been organizing our Fernie bike events for 20 years and we appreciate his and Fernie’s ongoing support.”
The ST6 riders will overnight in local accommodations and the routes are composed, almost completely, of singletrack. Most riders will arrive days before the event to begin to prepare for the race.
2016 ST6 Fernie Start
The Fernie ST6 schedule:
Registration: Park Place Lodge, Monday, September 6
ST6 Stage 1: Fernie Aquatic Centre, Tuesday, September 7
ST6 Stage 2: Fernie Alpine Resort, Wednesday September 8
Gearhub Sports is the local stage sponsor for both events. Mark Hall, Gearhub owner and manager, commented, “There are so many epic mountain bike trails in Fernie and the TransRockies has such a history of riding these trails, it’s great to have them return. Gravel is something new, something fresh, and is growing in popularity. We’re excited at Gearhub to be part of the TransRockies events!”
The TransRockies is also being supported by a number of Fernie accommodators including: Park Place Lodge, Lizard Creek Lodge, Fernie Lodging Company, Fernie Central Accommodations, Red Tree Lodge, Snow Valley Accommodations, the Raging Elk Adventure Lodge and the Fernie RV Resort.
Fernie trail use is sanctioned by the Fernie Trails Alliance, Fernie Alpine Resort, and the Coal Creek Heritage Society. The City of Fernie accommodates the use of the Fernie Aquatic Centre and Annex Park and Fernie Alpine Resort is the host of the ST6 Stage 2.
Volunteers and local management is coordinated by the Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club.
The community works together to make these great events happen, thank you to all the partners and community for being such awesome hosts!
by admin2 | Jun 29, 2014 | Fernie TransRockies
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
Blue skies and sunshine welcomed racers to the Stage 2 race this morning. With ideal riding weather, spirits seemed rejuvenated and the energy was high leaving the start line. The race began with a slow, controlled start behind the old Fernie fire truck then proceeded with a climb up Roots and Hyperventilation.
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
Jack Viney provides a recap of the ride:
“The beginning climb would be the last of the drier riding for the day as racers picked lines through the tricky steeps back down the other side. The wet weather riders stood out from the pack, putting time on others who we more cautious or bruised from a fall on stage one.
Although muddy, the first decent was still fast and fun, with plenty of sections to open up and really dig into the decent. An open road climb followed and the front pack settled into a fast rhythm which carried them to the top of another technical decent and through to the Ridgemont singletrack.
Another long climb faced the racers, however, this one allowed for some time to spin the legs with multiple switchbacks. Great trail design meant elevation was gained more easily than first climb. As the front end of the group pushed further away from the main field, racers enjoyed more of Ridgemont’s finest. Wet and rooted in sections meant everyone had to be on their game.
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
To close out the middle section of Stage Two, riders were tasked with the rolling and tight trail called Kush, one of many local’s favorites. Once out of the forest and onto some more open double track it was time to spin the legs out and hammer down to the start of Coal Discovery Trail. The trail head was the spin around point, flowy and fast at first, then more technical and wooded. Some riders used this long last section of the stage to gain time on rivals or at least blew up trying!”
Standings remained relatively consistent from the first day with Colin Kerr of Bowen Island once again taking the lead at 2:10:23 and Sandra Walter finishing first in the women’s category again at 2:20:56. Doug Krumpelman from Hayden, ID (4th yesterday) came in second overall at 2:12:27 while Shane Keyser from Calgary (2nd yesterday) came third at 2:12:47. Fernie local Carter Niewesteeg came second in his category at 2:25:26. Times took a wider spread today with a more challenging track, wrapping up around 2:30pm. For a complete list of standings, click Stage Two Results
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
The 8th Annual Kids Bike Rally, a town favourite, also commenced this morning shortly after the Stage 2 race. The sport’s littlest riders could be seen pedalling their hearts out downtown, in tow with fluorescent swag back packs and balloons attached to their bikes. Each participant received a race plate and report card to get stamped at several checkpoints. This year reached an incredible turn-out rate of over 100 kids. Bouncy castles and a clown were also present to cater to kid’s entertainment.
Riders will be resting up for tomorrow’s race at the ski hill which is said to be the “gnarly-ist” yet most thrilling ride of the set. Stage 3 commences at 9am from the plaza at Fernie Alpine Resort.
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
Stay tuned tomorrow for further recap and more pictures of Day 3.
The Intense Fernie 3 would like to thank our sponsors including Intense Cycles USA who is the title sponsor of the Fernie 3. Both Fernie and Intense are legendary mountain brands with deep roots in pedal powered mountain endurance sports. Other sponsors include Montane Fernie, Smith Optics, Hammer Nutrition, Camelbak, Fernie Brewing Company, TinHorn Creek Winery, Parastone Developments, The Bridge Bistro, The Griz Inn, Park Place Lodge, Fernie Central Reservations, The Cedars, Stanford Inn, Red Tree Lodge, The Free Press, the Fernie Heritage Library, Extra Foods, The Fernie Hotel, and Fernie.com. Our event partners include the Fernie Trails Alliance, Fernie Alpine Resort, Island Lake Lodge, Tourism Fernie Association, Fernie Flyers Cycling and the City of Fernie.
by admin | May 26, 2014 | Fernie TransRockies
Everyone knows that Fernie is best known for it’s epic skiing and this season was outstanding—we received 140% of our average snowpack. And that snowpack continues to linger at higher elevations and this delay will influence the planning of the Fernie 3 routing. Fortunately we have lots of options, a great crew and are working to ensure a low impact course with the best singletrack riding.
Part of the crew is local rider Martin Vale, Race Director, who started building mountain bike trails in Victoria during the mid 1980’s purely for the love of the sport. These early trails provided the foundation for host of world class mountain bike riders including the likes of Ryder Hesjedal, Andreas Hestler, Roland Green and Geoff Kabush putting Victoria on the map on the world scene as the place to be for mountain biking. When Martin moved to Fernie, fulltime in 2006, he recognized the potential for Fernie to become one of the quintessential mountain bike destination spots in the world. Some of Martin’s race results include:
Test of metal champion – Squamish BC 1993
Canadian x-country National Champion – Whistler BC 1996
TransRockies overall Open Men champion with teammate Carter Hovey – Fernie 2011
Furious 3 overall Open Men champion – Fernie 2011
Martin comments, “Route selection will make the most challenging stage on Day 2, flanked on Day 1 and 3 with easier stages with gradual warmup climbs. The routes will spread the racers to minimize congestion on the singeletrack.” Martin is working with Pat Gilmar, multi-time TransRockies Finisher, course planner, and Fernie trail-builder extraordinaire, as the course marking lead. Minimizing impact includes avoiding and mitigating wet areas, here Martin and Pat are building a new bridge over a mud-hole on Stove trail.
Below is a working map of Stage 1 to give you and idea of what to expect. Stage 2 and 3 will be finalized soon. Sad news is that Project 9 has been whipped out by a spring avalanche and will have to be rebuilt. The closest you’ll get to Project 9 in the Fernie 3 is drinking Fernie Beer’s new Project 9 Pil at the finish line!
If you haven’t registered already there are openings and if your a club rider, ask for a club discount. If your interested in volunteering and would like to raise money for Fernie’s trails, email us at: fts@fernie.com
We look forward to your participation and please be assured that this years event will feature the best 3 day singletrack stage race ever held in Fernie!
by admin | Nov 17, 2013 | Fernie TransRockies
Three day mountain bike stage racing continues in Fernie for 2014 with the launch of the Fernie 3. For 12 years the Fernie TransRockies Society managed Fernie’s involvement in the TransRockies Challenge. Fernie is the only community to have hosted all 12 TransRockies events and for good reason, Fernie has some of the best mountain biking in Western Canada.
A multiple year participant summarizes why Fernie has become so popular, “Fernie has the best single track riding in BC! I can’t wait to ride there again!”— Mical Dyck
This past summer TransRockies Inc. moved on from the 12 year old TransRockies Challenge and introduced the Singletrack 6, a six day stage race in Western Canada. Arron McConnell, TransRockies Inc. President, commented, ”Fernie has been a big part of the TransRockies Challenge and we will be returning with the Singletrack Six. For a couple of years we need to refresh our premier event with new trails and communities.”
The Fernie 3 is scheduled for June 28 to 30th and will cater to new and old riders, and gnarled veterans alike, with focus on the best singletrack stages ever, followed by classic Fernie hospitality! Dan Savage, TransRockies Society Event Director commented, “We want to offer a fun and challenging race with something for everyone who mountain bikes”. This years stage courses have not been finalized however you can expect slightly shorter stages, with Stage 1 and 2 starting and ending in the downtown, and Stage 3 starting and finishing at Fernie Alpine Resort. The stage details will be released in 2014 after further planning discussions with event partners.
The very popular Kids’ Bike Rally will continue for its eight year. Free for kids’ aged three to nine, the event is a fun and educational parade in the downtown and includes stage stops at Straightline Bikes, the Fernie Heritage Library, the Fernie Fire station, Overwaitea Foods and Freshies. The Fernie Chamber of Commerce helps integrate the event with the fun Downtown Summer Socials.
In keeping with the theme of “something for everyone” organizers are exploring the opportunity of including a youth XC single-day mountain bike race for 10 to 16 year old’s. We are in discussion with another group to help organize this category and will be making an announcement early in 2014.
With local organization the mountain bike community will benefit from an increase in funding directed towards the Fernie Trails Alliance(FTA). The FTA works with outdoor recreation groups, government, and private land owners to enhance and maintain the Fernie trail network.
Early Bird pricing of $299 is available until March 30th. Register now and save! For more information and registration for the Fernie 3 CLICK HERE.
by admin | Aug 4, 2013 | Fernie TransRockies
The final day of the 2013 TransRockies Challenge opened under cloudy skies after a heavy rain overnight.Stage 7, the 84th overall in the history of the TransRockies Challenge, began in Deadman’s Flats in a time trial format. The route would lead the riders 37km to the finish on Main Street in Canmore. Using the average finishing time for stages 4 and 5 to seed the athletes, the staggered start sent riders off at 20 second intervals with TR7 Men’s Open rider, Calle Friberg, starting things off.
TR7 Solo Recap:
Good luck in the early stages of the TransRockies Challenge enabled Oliver Zurbruegg to build a Men’s Open lead that held to the end. Zurbruegg would win the overall classification in 14:40:48 despite being out-rode by Cory Wallace and Calle Friberg. Friberg capped off his week with a fourth stage win in 1:38:39 and was the top rider by far however unfortunately took a wrong turn on stage 3 that took his lead and converted it to a 17 minute deficit. Despite winning the next 4 stages he was unable to regain the lost time. The improper course marking could have been protested however he chose not to. Wallace suffered from several mechanical issues.
Women’s Open leader Mical Dyck came back from a second place Stage Six placing for the Stage Seven win in 2:05:13. Her overall time of 17:22:20 would best second and third place finishers Jean Ann Berkenpas and Petra Tlamkova.
Leighton Poidevin continued his winning ways in the 40+ Men’s division going a perfect seven for seven and capturing the overall title in 16:11:23 followed by Pat Doyle and Craig Bartlett. Men’s 50+ leader, Beat Zumstein, finished off his TR7 with a fourth stage win and the overall title in a total time of 18:01:01. Pedro Vieira would finish a mere 3 minutes and 38 seconds behind with Grant Miller rounding out the top three. Fernie riders, Jesse Moog and Don Arsenault came 6th and 10th.
Jesse with family following Fernie 3rd place finish
TR7 Team Recap:
Team Louis Garneau – Quebec riders Sebestien Cadieux Duval and Marc-Andre Daigle came back from a rough Stage Six to notch their sixth stage win and secure the overall Men’s Open title in front of second place team, Riding 29, composed of Martin Moeberg Hansen and Morten Abel Jensen. Women’s Open leaders Jodie Willet and Cathryn Zeglinski, of team Northlands, won their seventh consecutive stage, and the overall, ahead of Nicola Mann and Val Thomson of Trailhead Racing.
The domination continued throughout the team competition. Open Mixed duo Daniella Storch and Lutz Baumgaertel, of team Scott – Generation, Men’s 100+ duo Mike Kloser and Michael Tobin of team Sram XX1 and 80+ Men’s team Geoff Clark and Juancito Garcia Casatti , of team JCTr, all swept the table taking seven wins in seven stages.
The last twelve years have been an amazing ride. The team at TransRockies Events is proud to have had the opportunity to bring mountain bike stage racing to North America and share the trails of Western Canada with riders from all over the world. A sincere ‘thank you’ to the thousands who have joined us and we look forward to seeing many old, and new, faces at the Fernie TR3 in 2014.
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