Fernie Cyclists enjoy the Gravel Royale
August 29, 2024
Fernie will once again be host to one of Canada’s top enduro events on August 23rd, 2014. It will be a pure enduro with timed descents only on three long downhills totaling over 6000 ft of vertical.
The 2014 Fernie Enduro will take enduro racing to the next level with superior timing, enduro results only, and epic downhills. Last years event saw many Fernie riders in top spots, with the top local result being Lucie Richer placing the fasted women’s time overall. Other local results included Luke Nelson placing 5th in mens’ open and Marty Kafke was 3rd in mens’ 40+.
In an enduro you ride with your friends to the timed downhill sections and bomb the descent as fast your skill allows, regroup and continue to the next descent. A coffee and snack in-between the descents is a reality.
You’ll need riding skills and fitness for this event; the timed sections are long technical downhills, and the climbs are demanding. The climbs and descents are true Fernie style—long and steep!
Fernie’s enduro will feature descents on three of Fernie’s best downhills. The tentative downhills are Roots Hyper-extension, Big Money and Slunt. With an unprecedented amount of descending, including challenging and technical sections, this course will rank among enduro’s top events.
Riders who are looking for a lighter day will have the choice of riding only two descents, Roots Hyper-extension and Slunt, and omit Big Money. Big Money is the steepest climb and descent, and is a three to four hour loop. Riders will be asked to specify their intended route at registration.
The event is locally organized by seasoned veterans with proceeds supporting local trail initiatives by the Fernie Trails Alliance.
Early bird pricing ends May 31st, register now for Fernie’s enduro!
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!
Mountain Bike stage race continues in Fernie with the Intense Fernie 3 scheduled for June 28, 29 and 30th.
This year’s event will cater to new and old riders, and gnarled veterans alike, with focus on the best singletrack stages ever, followed by classic Fernie hospitality! The categories will feature the traditional three day stage race however will also include a three person team relay, a one day solo and a kids race for U12, U14 and U16 year olds. Dan Savage, Event Director commented, “We want to offer a fun and challenging race with something for everyone who mountain bikes. The kids’ race will be a highlight and the one day and relay categories open the event for all riders to enjoy”.
This years stage courses have not been finalized however you can expect shorter singletrack only stages. Stage 1 and 2 will be starting and finishing in the downtown, and Stage 3 starting and finishing at Fernie Alpine Resort. The solo and kids’ race will be held on June 28th with Stage 1. More details will be released closer to the event.
The popular Kids’ Bike Rally will continue for its eight year on Sunday, June 29th. Free for kids’ aged three to nine, the event is a fun and educational rally in the downtown and includes stages at Straightline Bikes, the Fernie Heritage Library, the Fernie Fire station and Freshies. Fernie’s Chamber of Commerce helps manage the vent and integrates the event with the fun Downtown Summer Socials.
The Fernie TransRockies Society is pleased to announce our sponsors including Intense Cycles USA who has signed on to be 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 Hammer Nutrition, Camelbak, Fernie Brewing Company, Parastone, The Bridge Bistro, Fernie Getaways, Fernie Central Reservations, The Cedars, Stanford Inn, The Raging Elk, Red Tree Lodge, The Free Press and Fernie.com. Our event partners include the Fernie Trails Alliance, Fernie Alpine Resort, Island Lake Lodge and the City of Fernie.
Early Bird pricing is available until March 30th. Register now and save!
Volunteers are always required and can expect benefits and lots of fun. Contact us at transrockies@fernie.com
The Fernie TransRockies Society is very pleased to announce that Intense Cycles USA (through their Canadian distributor, Outdoor Gear Canada) has signed on to be the title sponsor of the Fernie 3, the ultimate all-mountain three day classic mountain bike race. The Intense Fernie 3 is being held on spectacular Fernie singletrack trails on the Canada Day holiday weekend of June 28th to 30th and offer something for everyone.
The Intense Fernie 3 will cater to all riders of all ages, both new and old, and gnarled veterans alike, with focus on fun and the best singletrack stages ever, followed by classic Fernie hospitality. The categories will feature the traditional three day stage race however will also include a three person team relay, a one day solo, and a kids race for U12, U14 and U16 year olds. The popular Kids’ Bike Rally will continue for its eight year on Sunday, June 29th. Free for kids’ aged three to nine, the event is a fun and educational rally in Fernie’s Historical Downtown.
Fernie has become a mountain bike event destination because of having the best singletrack trails anywhere and great hospitality that is so traditionally Fernie. A celebration of magnitude will surround the event ranging from guided rides to outdoor festivities. The Fernie Trails Alliance has become the steward of this epic trail network and the Intense Fernie 3 will contribute by providing funding. The City of Fernie, Island Lake Lodge and Fernie Alpine Resort will also be partnered in the event.
Intense is an iconic American mountain bike brand from founder/designer/president, Jeff Steber. From the original mountain bike frame made on his kitchen table in Lake Elsinore, CA to those being produced today, Intense Cycles has taken this artform seriously. It is Steber’s personal mission to design and refine each model to achieve the highest possible level of performance and craftsmanship. Steber has spent over 20 years developing this art. He works closely with industry leaders and professional racers to utilize the latest technology in order to produce a product unmatched by any competitor.
Both Fernie and Intense are legendary mountain brands with deep roots in pedal powered mountain endurance sports. “There could be no better brand to be associated with Fernie than Intense,” said Dan Savage, Event Director. “We’re immensely pleased that they have brought their energy and experience to our event and we’re confident that they’ll help us offer our participants and even better experience this June.”
Intense Cycles USA will be the exclusive mountain bike supplier for the event and will be generously supplying prizes. “We’re very happy to be partnering Intense with such a great event,” said Sylvain Bosse, Marketing Director of Outdoor Gear Canada, Intence Cycle’s Canadian distributor. “Intense Cycles USA offers premium mountain bikes that are a perfect fit for the quality of Fernie’s trails as well as the excellent work being done by the Intense Fernie 3 organisers.” OGC will also have a fleet of demo mountain bikes on hand for test riding.
Registration now for the Intense Fernie 3. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this amazing event!
Sponsors include Parastone Developments, Hammer Nutrition, Camelbak, Fernie Brewing Company, Tinhorn Creek Winery, The Cedars, Teck, The Bridge Bistro, Fernie Getaways, Fernie Central Reservations, Stanford Inn, Red Tree Lodge, The Free Press, Savage Marketing and Fernie.com.
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.