The Fernie Lucky 7’s were a success despite the weather. The forecast looked grim all week and Saturday morning the skies opened just as the U15 girls and boys were about to start at 9am. Despite the rain, and weather cancellations, all events were held with no injuries or trail damage.
The Fernie Lucky 7’s, organized by the Fernie Transrockies Society (FTS), earned a round of applause from the participants. The riders were mostly from Alberta and the Elk Valley and the event is a cross-country solo and relay event that caters to all abilities looking for a fun experience. Competitive endurance and XC racers were challenged in the 7-hour solo and team category events. Families, youth and company teams loved the team participation and fun course.
The participants ranged from two to 70 in age! Solo riders pedaled up to 95kms, and a mix of teams and solo riders earned seven laps in the seven-hour event. The Kids’ Bike Rally enjoyed its 12th year and a one lap U15 girls and boys race was hotly contested.
The applause was based on the fun that was packed into the day. Sam Moffat kept the crowd moving with his music and the food and beverage was excellent. Volunteers from the Fernie Mountain Bike Club, the Fernie Nordic Society and the Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club ensured a swift execution and organized event. Everyone had a fun experience and most left with amazing prizes from Gearhub Sports.
Lucky 7 prize winners included top finishers in all categories and lucky winners from Gearhub’s Lucky 7’s Craps table. All participants rolled the fuzzy dice for each lap completed and the top rolls were winners. Everyone was a winner in the Fernie Lucky 7’s!
We have these great sponsors to thank for the events success: GearHub Sports, Rocky Mountain, The City of Fernie, Teck, Fernie Brewing Company, The Bridge Bistro, Montane Fernie, Park Place Lodge, Fernie Alpine Resort, Honey Stinger, and Fernie Alpine Resort.
The FTS is a not-for-profit society with 15 years of history organizing mountain bike events in Fernie. It began with the TransRockies Challenge in 2002 and moved on to Canada Cup Mountain biking, the Fernie Enduro, the Fernie 3 and now the Fernie Lucky 7’s. The FTS’s mandate has been to promote biking with all age groups, raise monies for trails, and increase destination bike visitors. In their 16 years of managing Fernie bike events they have generated over $50,000 in funding for trails and recreational organizations.
Here is a visual recap of the event:
