Fernie Cyclists enjoy the Gravel Royale
August 29, 2024
The Fernie Enduro route has been confirmed. The event will be staged in Cedar Valley from the Island Lake Lodge parking lot. The three descents will include Verboten, Slunt/Brokenbak and Project 9 for a total of 21.3 kms of riding and 1,194 meters of climbing and descending.
The event will be a pure enduro with descent times only, this is not a cross country race however our timers will be prepared for fast riders. Timing cut off times will be announced at registration and will accommodate slower riders. Heading to town for lunch will not be an option. Aid stations will be open throughout the day.
Descent 1: Verboten
From the Island Lake Lodge parking lot follow Cedar Valley Road and access Gorby Trail by the Lizard Creek Bridge. Climb Gorby and turn right on Red Tree Road and follow to Verboten. Timed top to bottom. Climb time 30 to 60 min.
Descent 2: Slunt/Brokenback
From Verboten return to Cedar Valley Road via Gorby. Climb Stove to Mushroom to Lactic to the Stupid Traverse. Timing begins at the top of Slunt to Brokenback and ends at Motorhead road. Climb time 45 to 90 min.
Descent 3: Project 9
Follow Cedar Valley Road to Lazy Lizard to Project 9 jeep road. Timing starts at the Project 9 downhill and ends at the powerline. Climb time 40 to 80 min.
Total expected time: 3 to 6 hours
Registration will be open at the Park Place Lodge on Friday August 22nd from 5pm until 8pm. All event details including maps will be available.
Late Package pickup
Those already registered can pick up their race kits at the race start between 8am and 830am. Bring a $5 bill for your day insurance if you don’t have a Cycling BC or ACA race card.
The Enduro starts at 9am on August 23rd from the Island Lake Lodge parking lot, check in is mandatory. Parking is available.
The banquet/awards is being held at the Fernie Golf and Country Club Restaurant at 6pm.
Here is the route, email fts@fernie.com for the gpx files.
Click here for detailed Stava information.
Categories / Awards:
Under 19 Men
Under 19 Women
Open Men
Open Women
40+ Men
40+ Women
There will be prizes for the top 3 in each category along with spot prizes from some of Fernie’s biggest supporters.
Pricing?
Price: $135 (Online registration closes Aug 20, registration available at Park Place Lodge)
Fernie Mountain Bike Club and Fernie Flyers Cycling members receive a 20% discount, email fts@fernie.com for the discount code.
What is included in my entry fee?
• One day of riding in beautiful Fernie
• One Fernie Enduro freeride jersey
• 2 fully stocked checkpoints
• Electronic timing and manual back up
• First aid on site
• Awards BBQ and prizing
* Beverages from Fernie Brewing Co.
Online Registration:
Please click here for online registration.
With preparations for the 2nd annual Fernie Enduro underway we’ll be selecting and fine tuning the planned descents in the coming days.
Roots Hyper Extension on Castle Mountain is riding very well and will be technical and long. The 3.0 kilometer and 400 meter descent will be timed from the toip to the absolute bottom and have no uphills.
Slunt to Brokenback Ridge, Mount Fernie’s highest trail, is also riding very well and is will be included in this years event. The 3.3 kilometer and 500 meter descent will be a definite favourite and perhaps the Queen descent. There are a couple of sections that will require a few of pedal strokes otherwise it is technical and flowy with an abundance of Mitchy berms.
http://www.strava.com/activities/163102329
Later today I will be riding Big Money with Martin Vale to make a final assessment on the 3rd descent. There are plans for a rebuild of Big Money by Fernie’s Backcountry Experts however work has not begun, so most likely we will be selecting another trail for the final descent. Fortunately we have several epic options to replace Big Money including Project 9, Red Sonya, Verboten, Deer Trail, Hedonism, and others. What is your suggestion?
Registration is open, step up to Fernie’s epic descents and ride the Fernie Enduro.
The Intense Fernie 3 would like to extend a huge thank you to all the participants, sponsors and volunteers that made the event possible and a success. Over 300 participants braved the spring weather and rode their best in and around Fernie. Our sponsors were a collection of the best that engaged the event and made it spectacular. And the volunteers were there every day with a commitment that was admirable.
A special thanks to our title sponsor, iconic American mountain bike brand Intense Cycles USA (through their Canadian distributor, Outdoor Gear Canada), for their generous support. Intense Cycles USA demoed a fleet of bikes, provided excellent prizing and donated a Tracer 275 bike frame that was raffled off to a lucky winner by the Fernie Mountain Bike Club. Andrew Robinson from Calgary took home the prize and was ecstatic he had won – “This gives me a good excuse to come back and ride in Fernie! I really enjoyed the race, had a great time.”
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
Extended gratitude to: Montane Fernie – building local trails and community, and Smith Sport Optics – continuing to set the standard for high performance optics. These sponsors contributed significantly to the success of the event.
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
TinHorn Creek Winery, Fernie Brewing Company and Camelbak are to thank for their contributions to prizing for the fastest racers. The top three participants in each category took home a Camelbak each, a bottle of fine TinHorn Creek Merlot or Pinot Grigio, and a six-pack of FBC’s popular Project 9 Pils. The top two contestants each took home a pair of Smith Optics Overdrive or V2 sunglasses.
Teck Coal Ltd supported the U16 and U13 XC race, the first in Fernie, and it was an epic success. All the participants went home wearing a Fernie 3 jersey and a new Camelbak.
Straight Line Bicycle, the Fernie Chamber, the Fernie Fire Hall and the Fernie Heritage Library were key to The Kids Bike Rally; a massive success which had 150 participants. The young cyclists were supplied with Teck packs that included a t-shirt, bike safety guide and light-up spoke decals.
Hammer Nutrition fueled riders throughout the weekend with its diverse line of products. Everything from Heed sports drink, energy bars, gel packets to recoverite were provided to keep energy high and assist participants to perform their best.
Thanks to sponsors The Fernie Hotel, The Bridge Bistro, Extra Foods, The Free Press, and the Fernie Heritage Library for their roles in the event.
Much appreciation to the lodging companies that ensured all riders had a comfortable stay and experienced true Fernie Hospitality. Included were Park Place Lodge, the Griz Inn, Stanford Inn & Resorts, Red Tree Lodge and Fernie Central Reservations.
Partnerships with the City of Fernie, Tourism Fernie, Fernie Alpine Resort, Fernie Trails Alliance and Island Lake Lodge were greatly appreciated and ensured the events success.
Planning is already underway for next year, feel welcome to contact the organizers if you would like to participate. fts@fernie.com
Raven Eye Photography took rider pictures on all stages and to view them click here. Enter your plate number to locate photos directly.
Also there is a gallery of “unknown racer” photos where the plate number was not visible, to search the unknown gallery click here.
See you next year!
We look forward too your participation in the Intense Fernie 3, the ultimate all-mountain singletrack classic, this June 28 to 30th.
This overview is designed to answer most of your questions and ensure a smooth transition to the starting line. Please contact the organizers with any additional requests. We look forward to your having a great experience.
Organization
The organization team is all local and you will recognize some faces from past events including; Dan Savage, Scott Gilmet, Martin Vale, Pat Gilmar, Claude Perreault, Martin Spencer to name a few. The team is a not-for-profit society with revenue going to the Fernie Trails Alliance to maintain and build trails. Our crew of volunteers are from FTA members including the Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club, Fernie Mountain Bike Club and Fernie Flyers Cycling.
Route
The course route selection has been slow due to the above average snowpack however we have the course we desired and with no extreme rain should have ready to go on race day. Our mandate was to make the most enjoyable stages ever and with Martin Vale and Jesse Mong helping design the course, and Pat Gilmar flagging—you will enjoy exceptional flow and intuitiveness. These routes continue to be worked on and improved and will be slightly modified from these files on race day.
GPX files are available on request.
Kids’ XC U16 and U13 Routes
The kids’ XC race routes are age appropriate as defined by the Fernie Flyers spring training program. Parents and adult racers will be riding on the course with the kids to ensure they stay on-course. A Camelbak Aid station will keep them nourished.
The U13 route is final: Fernie 3, U13 – Strava Profile
The final U16 route is complete, see it here: Final Fernie 3, U16 – Strava Profile
Download the route descriptions here:
Aid Stations
The Camelbak aid stations are being fueled by Hammer Nutrition and Extra Foods. The aid stations will be located at the start/finish and at the half way point of each stage.
Lodging
We have a very supportive sponsor accommodations who are helping make the event happen and are offering you special pricing, they are listed here.
Registration
Registration is at the Park Place Lodge (PPL) on Highway #3. Registrations opens Friday June 27th from 3PM until 9PM. We will also open Saturday from 7AM until 8AM at PPL. There will be no morning registration at the start line. U16 and U13 registration is also at the PPL and from 1PM to 2PM at the race start. the Kids’ Bike Rally U9 registration is open every day at Straightline Bikes. A detailed event schedule can be downloaded here: Fernie 3 schedule
Insurance
The Intense Fernie 3 is sanctioned by Cycling BC. (First time Cycling BC members/license holders receive a 50% discount) Fernie Flyers members can race with a general CBC membership, other Canadian participants require citizen race cards and non-Canadian residents require a UCI license. Non-member day insurance is being offered at registration.
The Fernie Hotel Stage 1 & 2 Start and Finish
A beer and food gardens will be available both days starting at noon and on Saturday two acoustic bands are playing beginning at 6PM. Intense Cycles will have a fleet of demo bikes for your use.
Fernie Alpine Resort Stage 3 Start and Finish
FAR is a 10 minute ride from the downtown and is a nice warm up. Kelsey’s patio and restaurant will be open.
Kids’ Events
We are covering Kids’ with a U16 and U13 XC race on Saturday at 3PM. Expect a modest age appropriate course starting at the Fernie Hotel, circling Ridgemont and returning to the Finish—register here.
On Sunday the 8th Annual Kid’s Bike Rally is a free and educational event for 3 to 9 years olds in the Downtown. Register at Straightline Bikes or download the form here.
Final Banquet
The final banquet will be at Corner Pocket in the Griz Inn at Fernie Alpine Resort. The food will be good and prizes will cover everyone. Tickets are available for family members, ask at registration.
Roll & Sole Trails Festival
The Fernie Trails Alliance is organizing this fun event on the weekend and it is everything but serious. Expect group rides, hikes, crazy competitions and more in the downtown adjacent to the Fernie 3.
Fernie Canda Day
Fernie knows how to celebrate Canada Day! Enjoy the small town charm and fun for the whole family at the High School fields beginning at noon and ending with amazing fireworks. It’s worth staying another day!
The Intense Fernie 3 is pleased to announce 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.
When the 150plus riders line up in front of the Fernie Hotel to begin their three day mountain bike stage race they will be celebrating the best of Fernie.
This years stage routes have been meticulously fretted upon by local racers and chosen to be the best ever. Fun, flow, passing, socializing and endless single-track have been the driving ideology. The crew will be a enthusiastic group of Fernie mountain bike riders giving their time to raise monies for trails. And the brand is all Fernie and to celebrate we have created the ultimate race jersey in association with a local artist, Morgan Dunnet.
Morgan’s rendering of Fernie’s historic downtown with the Lizard Range in the background jersey has been transformed into the Fernie 3 race jersey. The orange of the historic brick balances with the Fernie 3 brand colour to create a stunning and contemporary piece of memorabilia.
Morgan Dunnet was born and raised in Fernie, B.C. Growing up in a small town did not provide much excitement but it forced him to find creative means of enjoyment. He became an avid drawer in his pre-teens and at 14 picked up his first paintbrush. Through high school Dunnet was self-taught and after graduation moved to Toronto and studied the foundations of art at Sheridan College. From Toronto he moved to Vancouver and entered Capilano College’s IDEA programme. “There are few things in life as challenging and rewarding as painting. The fact that it never gets easier has a remarkable appeal to me”.
Prints and originals of Morgan Dunnet’s art are available at Clawhammer Press in downtown Fernie.
Registration is open for the Fernie 3 for another two weeks and we could still use a volunteer or two. For more information email fts@fernie.com