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The TransRockies Race Series returns to the Kootenays and will be in Fernie next week with its flagship mountain bike stage race, the TransRockies Singletrack 6. The transRockies first arrived in Fernie in 2002 and has been frequenting our wonderful town ever since.
With the first 2 stages of the 6 stage race taking place in Fernie, the Singletrack 6 participants will get a taste of everything our beautiful trail network has to offer. With registration happening Monday at the Park Place Lodge you’ll see lots of riders in town early.
Local Fernie riders competing this year include; Dylan Bailey, Matthew Goulden, Gena Greaser, Jikke Gyorki, Gary Joynes Carter Nieuwesteeg, and Mac Potter! Be sure to come and cheer our riders on and participate in the fun!
Monday, September 5 – Stage 0 Fernie
2-5 PM – Sign-On in Fernie, Park Place Lodge
6 PM – Opening Ceremonies and Course Briefing, Fernie Aquatic Centre
Tuesday, September 6 – Stage 1 Fernie
6:45-7:15 AM – Last Minute Package Pickup, Fernie Aquatic Centre
8 AM – Stage 1 Start, Fernie Aquatic Centre
10 AM – Pro riders finish
12 PM – Flippin’ Crepes Food Truck and Beer Garden Open
4 PM – Awards Ceremony and Course Briefing, Fernie Aquatic Centre
Wednesday, September 7 – Stage 2 Fernie Alpine Resort
8 AM – Stage 2 Start, Fernie Alpine Resort
10 AM – Pro riders finish
12 PM – Beer Garden, BBQ in FAR Village
4 PM – Awards Ceremony and Course Briefing, FAR Village
Thursday, September 8 – Stage 3 Kimberley
7 AM – Riders leave Fernie for
Stage 1 (36.1km with 1150 m of elevation gain) will roll out from the Fernie Aquatic Centre and head east up Coal Creek Road for the first couple of kilometers. The first climb of the day on Ridgemont Road will allow the pack to spread out with a climb of 250 vertical meters. From there the singletrack fun starts. The route continues a fast-rolling descent on the Coal Discovery back to town. Then it’s time for major climb number two, another 200m of vertical – on singletrack this time. More fun singletrack descending will take you back down to Coal Creek Road and checkpoint 1. Then it’s onto the biggest climb of the day. Settle in for 6 km and 500m of climbing including the infamous Hyper Ventilation climb. Fasten your seatbelt for the timed descent – Today’s Special drops 325 m in 2km and will challenge you descending skills and strain your smiling muscles! You’ve got another 8 km of fun singletrack ahead of you with another net 200m of descending back to the finish line at the Fernie Aquatic Centre! After the first 3km roll out on road, this stage is nearly all singletrack – lovingly maintained by the Fernie Trails Alliance and the Coal Creek Heritage Society!
Stage 2 (25.2km with 1200m of elevation gain) will showcase Fernie Alpine Resort with 3 major climbs and descents within the resort and the neighboring Mount Fernie Provincial Park. Starting from the base area, the route will initially climb up the ski area access road to the day’s high point at 1,370m. Then you’re headed back down almost all the way to the base of the mountain on the TNT downhill trail. Next up, you’re climbing again, but this time you’re headed to the other side of the mountain and the trails that drop down to Lizard Creek. The next descent is probably the toughest technical test of the day – Verbotten is an old school Singletrack that is infested with roots and drops which become trickier with wet conditions. Things gradually ease off as you reach the bottom and start a rolling climb through the woods via Sherwoody, Happy Gilmar, Black Forest and Old Goat. Gorby Road wraps up the climbing as you head back onto the main part of the ski area for the timed descent on “Top Gun”. This blue bike park trail will leave everyone smiling with high-speed berms and rollers brining the riders back to the finish line for the day.
TransRockies appreciates and gives thanks for the ongoing support from Gearhub Sports, the City of Fernie, Fernie Alpine Resort, Park Place Lodge, Raging Elk Adventure Lodge, Red Tree Lodge, Fernie Lodging Company, Fernie RV Resort, Coal Creek Heritage Society, Fernie Trails Alliance, Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club, volunteers and organizers. Without this support the event would not be in Fernie.
Following the two Fernie stages the race will move onto Kimberley and Rossland for two stages in each community. The event offers 6-day and 3-day options for riders.
About TransRockies Race Series: TransRockies started in 2002 with the TransRockies Challenge stage race. In 2014 the format was changed to the Singletrack 6, focusing on the best mountain biking trails around authentic BC mountain communities. With a field limit of 300 riders, Singletrack 6 attracts riders from over 15 countries every year. The focus of the event is marathon cross country loops on the best local trail networks. Riders have the opportunity to experience the host communities as well as the local environment.
TransRockies Race Series operates ten events over 35 days annually in Western Canada and the United States. Specializing in multi-day and endurance cycling and running events, TransRockies serves over 2,500 participants annually. The organization has operated over 250 days of stage racing since it was founded in 2002.
