Blackstone TransRockies Kids Bike Rally

The world-renown TransRockies Challenge mountain bike race will visit Fernie this August 15th for the eighth consecutive year, this being the third year staging the Official Finish and the Kids’ Bike Rally.

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When 240 riders from over 20 countries roll up to the start line in Blairmore, AB for the final race stage, they will be facing their seventh tough day of mountain biking which includes more single-track, more vertical and more distance than before.  At the same time in Fernie 100 kids’ aged 4 – 8 will be facing a fun and educational bike rally around Fernie’s downtown.

This mini-rally was a great success last year and will again add to the festivities surrounding the TransRockies Epic Finish.  The event is free and is limited to the first 100 kids to register.  Registration is at The Guides Hut however registration forms can emailed by contacting transrockies@fernie.com.

Start times are every half hour beginning at 10am and ending at 11:30am.  The rally route take about one hour and kids must be accompanied by a parent.

Event Overview:

Date:  Saturday August 15, 2008

Time:  10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Location:  Victoria Avenue & Station Square

Participants:  Children ages 4-8 & their parents

Registration:  The Guides Hut

Rally Route:

Start #1– Guides Hut – equipment check and fun accessories

Checkpoint #2 – Carosella plaza – Bike decoration

Checkpoint #3 – Fire Station – Bike safety information

Checkpoint #4 – Overwaitea –Nutrition and hydration information

Finish #5 – Arts Station – Crafts, face painting, and photos.

 

Email transrockies@fernie.com for a registration form.

Less than Two Weeks to Go!

With the days counting down to the start of the 2009 TransRockies and TR3, the excitement and anticipation is building among riders, staff and volunteers.

Those whose training programs have been going to schedule are starting to think about  the last couple of weeks of rest and taper, while those who haven’t hit their goals are furiously cramming some last hard miles in the summer sunshine hoping that it will be enough when the starter’s pistol is fired in Panorama on August 9th.

The final course details are just being put into place with some tweaks and improvements being made to last year’s course in response to rider feedback and to keep things fresh. The final routing will include 540km of epic Rocky Mountain riding with nearly 15,000 metres of climbing. For riders taking on the challenge of the new 3-day solo TR3 event, the route will include over 160km of riding and 6200 metres of climbing. Just about every stage has been tweaked this year to make sure that TransRockies continues to offer the most epic mountain bike experience in North America.

Take on the TR3 in 2009 to Prepare for the 2010 TransRockies

In 2009, TransRockies has created TR3, the ultimate prep course for riders who’ve been dreaming of riding the most raw, remote and challenging stage race in Mountain Biking. For many riders finding a partner and committing to a full week of riding away from home and work, are difficult barriers to overcome, so TR3 offers a complete TransRockies multi-day epic experience but in a more logistically manageable 3-day solo version.

By riding TR3, novice multi-day riders get a solid meal of multiday epic riding that creates a base of physical and mental understanding that will help them maximise their preparation for the full epic ride. For experienced racers the TR3 is a cost-effective way to get out into the backcountry in years when a full week is not part of the plan. In the short time since registration opened, we’ve had over 100 racers sign up for TR3, so we expect to have some great competition in all the race categories.

As an extra incentive in this inaugural year for the TR3, we’re offering a deal which makes the it a financial stepping stone to the full week-long epic as well as a physical one. By signing up for both the 2009 TR3 and the 2010 TransRockies you’ll receive a 50 per cent discount off your TR3 entry fee—that means three great days of epic riding for just $299 (CDN).

There’s still weeks until the start of the 2009 TR3/TransRockies and if you’ve been riding a decent amount already this year, that’s more than enough time to get yourself ready for three big days of biking in the Kootenay Rockies. You can still add some epic content to your summer!

We’ll be closing registration for the TR3 on July 24th so that we have time to prepare for the 450 riders who’ll be arriving in Panorama for the start of the TransRockies and the TR3 on August 9th, so make the decision and come spend three epic days in the Rockies this year in preparation for a full week next year.

Nothing this good comes without a little fine print like deposits and cancellation rules but that stuff is all pretty simple and explained on our website, so what are you waiting for? Visit www.transrockies.com   today for details and registration.

Eight time TransRockies Host Community

Fernie has participated as an official stage host of the TransRockies every year since the events inception in 2002. Following five consecutive years of being the Official Start community Fernie transformed in 2007 to become the Official Finish. No other community has staged the event more than four years, or been a Start or Finish for more than three years.

Event Director, Dan Savage, says, “With some of the best singletrack mountain biking in the Canadian Rockies and all the amenities of a ski town, combined with an extremely supportive business community, Fernie has emerged as the cornerstone community of the TransRockies.”

Local riders have been building an extensive network of singletrack trails for over 20 years. More than 60 trails line the valley and ridges overlooking the 100-year-old mining town. A huge variety of trail options offer everything from a formidable riding challenge to a pleasurable scenic cruise. As an international powder skiing destination, local accommodation and dining amenities are in abundance, catering to all budgets and tastes. Combining modern sport and recreation tourism with Fernie’s historic roots as a mining town has created a unique destination where relaxed locals greet visitors with a smile.

The community of Fernie invites all mountain bikers to visit and ride our famous TransRockies trails. You can also participate in the Epic Finish on August 15th in the heart of the Historic downtown and enjoy a public Champagne Tent and Beer Garden at the finish line. If you’re traveling with children aged three to eight, plan to participate in the bike rally starting at 10 a.m. on the 15th of August. The event is fun, educational and free to all–contact the Fernie organizers to register.

We look forward to seeing you at the Blackstone Fernie TransRockies Epic Finish!

Blackstone is an environmentally sensitive master plan mountain community that is currently under construction. It will feature an 18-hole championship golf course designed by David McLay Kidd. Other official sponsors of the Blackstone Fernie TransRockies include Tinhorn Creek Winery, Fernie Real Estate, Fernie Brewing Co., 901 Fernie, The Guides Hut, Overwaitea, The Free Press, Fernie Fix, Fernie Getaways, Lizard Creek Lodge, Stanford Hotels & Resorts, Best Western Fernie Mountain Lodge, Pinnacle Ridge Resort and Red Tree Lodge.

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For more information, contact:
Dan Savage, Event Director
250 423 4727
dan@fernie.com

Blackstone Fernie Breathe Easy Day 7

We did it…both Breathe Easy Teams completed the TransRockies in Support of Asthma Canada!!

It is SO great to be back in Fernie! What a great experience. Many
lessons learned. Hydration is important to stay on top of your asthma,
so is dust avoidance (a major trigger) and pacing yourself for the long
haul. Thanks again to my partner for the constant 80% effort reminders,
hydration example and Sherpa power. Other teams mentioned that we were
a great constant by which to gauge their pace. Steady on. Although we
were not racing, it was great to see our progress in a field of
originally 9 teams and we went from 7th place, to 4th place in the final with only 6
teams left; a race of attrition. It reminds me of how to live daily
with asthma. Check your peak flows, avoid triggers, take your
medications, drink and eat well and listen to your body.

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The other Blackstone Fernie team of Michele and Sebastian did very
well. It was great to see them at the finish line. Thank-you to
everyone who made this possible. Our total donations are over $10,000
and climbing. The donation site is still open at www.asthma.ca. Shayne
has shaved his moustache in good faith and we will continue to work on
our educational seminars in the schools this fall. The Society of
Asthma Canada uses all donations to further education and research for
asthma nationally.

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Thanks again for your thoughts, a cold beer and hugs
and cheers at the finish line. Happy Birthday Shayne. Finishing the TransRockies was a
great way to celebrate it.

Pepper

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