by admin | Aug 23, 2021 | Fernie TransRockies
TransRockies Inc. just announced that the 2021 Singletrack 6 is also being cancelled following the inaugural Gravel Royale being cancelled on the weekend. The British Columbia Government issued a new COVID-19 health mandate that states: “outdoor organized events will be limited to 100 people,” in the Interior Health Region going into effect today. Due to this development they have made the difficult decision to cancel both events.
The Singletrack 6 was scheduled to be in Fernie from September 6 to 8th for registration and two race stages before moving on to Kimberley and Rossland. The event would have filled Fernie’s hotels, shops and restaurants for three plus days.
Aaron McConnell, Transrockies President, commented, “On behalf of the entire TransRockies organization, please know that we did everything we could to try to make this event happen and we assure you that the best decision was made around this sudden change. The Public Health orders won’t allow events, small communities are once again being impacted by Covid, and we want to protect the safety of our staff and volunteers.”
2016 ST6
Fernie has been hosting TransRockies bike events since 2002 and the event has been credited in helping Fernie become a bike destination. The funds raised for trails also helped fund the creation of the Fernie Trails Alliance. Dan Savage, Fernie events manager, commented, “It’s extremely disappointing to cancel the events so close to the start date. The amount of planning and commitment by both riders and supporters has become another casualty of the pandemic. We look forward to the events returning in 2022”
The Singletrack 6 Fernie stage sponsor was Gearhub Sports and the accommodation sponsors include; Park Place Lodge, Red Tree Lodge, Fernie Reservations, The Raging Elk Adventure Lodge, Snow Valley Accommodations, Fernie Lodging Company, Fernie Alpine Resort and the Fernie RV Resort. The City of Fernie, Fernie Trails Alliance, Coal Creek Heritage Society and Fernie Alpine Resort contributed to the local planning and permits. All of these organizations and members generous support helped bring the event to Fernie.
We look forward to the events happening next year and thank all the athletes and supporters for their understanding!
by admin | Aug 21, 2021 | Fernie TransRockies
It is with mixed emotions and a very heavy heart that TransRockies is canceling the inaugural TransRockies Gravel Royale. The decision came following BC Health’s new COVID-19 restrictions announced on Friday that limits the size of ‘outdoor gatherings’ to 100 people maximum.
Over 200 people were slated to start the Gravel Royale this Monday at Panorama and pedal into Fernie on Thursday. Aaron McConnell, TransRockies President, commented, “With the number of variables occurring at such high cadence, we cannot in good faith deliver the experience we’re committed to offering our athletes.” The event included three wilderness tent camps that wouldn’t comply with the new health restrictions.
McConnell apologized for any stress this changed mandate has caused the participants and supporters. Even without the challenges of today’s pandemic-related announcement, producing a four-day gravel stage race for 200+ people is complex. Fernie was this years finish community, the participants were to ride into town by Hartley Pass and finish at Annex Park.
Local organizer Dan Savage commented,”Bike tourism has become an economic driver for Fernie and the TransRockies has been instrumental in developing this market. Gravel events have become very popular and the industry roads surrounding Fernie offer excellent riding. The TransRockies plan to build this event to over 1,000 riders and it’s disappointing to cancel the event at this stage of planning.”
The Gravel Royale Fernie stage sponsor was Gearhub Sports and the accommodation sponsors include; Park Place Lodge, Red Tree Lodge, Fernie Reservations, The Raging Elk Adventure Lodge, Snow Valley Accommodations, Fernie Lodging Company, Fernie alpine Resort and the Fernie RV Resort. Their generous support helped bring the event to Fernie and we look forward to future events.
At this time the Singletrack 6 has not been cancelled and is being considered to proceed with full compliance with the new health order. A final decision will be made this coming week. Stay tuned.
by admin | Aug 15, 2021 | Fernie TransRockies
We’re pleased to announce the 2021 Fernie Enduro QOM and KOM following two months of racing! Joy Attalla and Derek Bird earned their 2021 Fernie Enduro crowns in the womens and mens categories following three races in the virtual Stava timed event.
This years theme was “Ride Fast…Win Prizes” and the riders bettered course records and Gearhub Sports provide amazing prizing.
Mark Hall, Gearhub Manager, commented, “We’re very proud and happy to support our bike racing community and these athletes continue to impress, congratulations!”
The race began early June with Race 1 on Castle Mountains “Hyper Extension to Roots”. Race 2 moved to “Today’s Special” and Race 3 moved to Cedar Valley and was held on “Project 9”. With virtual events plans can change and with Island Lake closing Project 9 due to an aggressive bear, the event was delayed for two weeks. Post the closure the racers had another week however with less than ideal super dry conditions the outcome didn’t change.
Joy Attalla commanded the race from start to finish and won two races. Jena Greaser posted some great times and finished a solid second.
Derek Bird consistently posted great times in all the races and took the KOW without 2nd and 3rd place finishes. Todd Patterson also posted great times to take second overall!
Notable performances included Jacob Baggott breaking six minutes on Hyper with a time of 5:57 followed by Straghn Loken crushing it with a time of 5:41. Dylan Bailey set a new KOM on “Todays Special” with a time of 5:24 and then took himself out of the competition with a crash. In the women’s category 16 year old Joy Attalla set a QOM for Project 9 with a time of 6:30. And Jena Greaser raced all three courses in one day and posted competitive times.
A big thank you to Gearhub Sports for the race stoke, Mark Hall once again was very generous with prizing. We also than Canwel and Island Lake for permission to race on their land. And a special big thank you to the racers who raced fast!
Photos: Facebook
by admin | Jul 26, 2021 | Fernie TransRockies
The Fernie Enduro virtual event stopped abruptly due to a angry grizzly on Project 9 – never mess with a feeding bear! Island Lake’s grizzly closure ended today, Monday July 26th, and we’re good to resume racing!
To reignite the “Ride Fast…Win Prizes” spirit were reopening the Enduro for a final week of racing.
Island Lake Lodge requests that all trail users be sure to:
– Use EXTREME caution
– Make lots of noise
– Leave dogs at home for the time being
From July 26th to August 1st the QOM and KOM for Project 9 is up for grabs, and the overall Fernie Enduro QOM and KOM. You can race Project 9 and better your times on Hyper Extension and Today’s Special for the overall, or haven’t raced – enter the race today and ride all three.
Race 3 starts June 29 on Project 9!
The signs are posted and the course is the same as last years. Race from the top to the road and be aware of riders on Lazy Lizard.
Race Dates / Course
Race 1: Hyper Extension DH / June 1 to June 14 /
Race 2: Today’s Special / June 15 to June 28 /
Race 3: Project 9 / June 29 to July 12 /
How to participate:
1. Get your FTA 2021 Fernie Trails Pass, it’s mandatory
2. Sign up for Strava, if you haven’t already
3. Turn on Strava, hit record and ride the course.
How to qualify for great Prizes and the KOM / QOM:
Share your race result along with a pre or post race selfie to @FernieBikeEvents and tag #GearhubSports and #FernieEnduro. The more you post the greater your chances of winning bonus prizes.
The prizes and QOM and KOM recognition will be awarded at Gearhub Sports, the generous prizes are from RaceFace, Evoc, Michelin and others!
If you missed a race or think you can post a faster time…no worries? You can participate in all 3 races and better your time until July 12th and qualify for the final KOM or QOM. Race all three courses in one day! This race is about doing your best and having fun!
Any finisher disputes will be settled by the administrators.
All racers are to respect other trail users (these are multi-use public trails) please yield or stop if necessary. With a virtual event you can ride it again!
The 2021 Fernie Enduro virtual event aims to support Fernie’s trails and make a difference with local businesses. Please respect BC Public Health policies and shop local!
by admin | Jul 23, 2021 | Fernie TransRockies
After a one year break the TransRockies Race Series is returning to Fernie this summer with two events!
The first event will be the TransRockies brand new premiere gravel bike race – the TransRockies Gravel Royale, which will take place from August 23 to 26. Traversing from Panorama Mountain Resort, to Nipika Mountain Resort, to Canal Flats and ending in Fernie, the four-day gravel stage race will cover 375 km (233 miles) and around 7,000 m (23,000 ft) of climbing.
The gravel riders will roll into Fernie on Hartley Lake Road and finish at Annex Park on Thursday, August 26th.
Gravel riding along the Bull River heading to Fernie
Fernie will also be the race start for the TransRockies flagship 6-day mountain bike race the Singletrack 6 (ST6) happening from September 7th to 12th.
Riders will have the opportunity to test themselves on brand new routes in the host communities of Fernie, Kimberley and Rossland—also known as Singletrack 6’s “South Kootenay” route.
“We couldn’t ask for a more fitting host community to be returning to after this break,” says Aaron McConnell, TransRockies President, “Fernie is home to spectacular riding and has been a staple of our mountain biking events since our first TransRockies Challenge in 2002. Dan Savage has been organizing our Fernie bike events for 20 years and we appreciate his and Fernie’s ongoing support.”
The ST6 riders will overnight in local accommodations and the routes are composed, almost completely, of singletrack. Most riders will arrive days before the event to begin to prepare for the race.
2016 ST6 Fernie Start
The Fernie ST6 schedule:
Registration: Park Place Lodge, Monday, September 6
ST6 Stage 1: Fernie Aquatic Centre, Tuesday, September 7
ST6 Stage 2: Fernie Alpine Resort, Wednesday September 8
Gearhub Sports is the local stage sponsor for both events. Mark Hall, Gearhub owner and manager, commented, “There are so many epic mountain bike trails in Fernie and the TransRockies has such a history of riding these trails, it’s great to have them return. Gravel is something new, something fresh, and is growing in popularity. We’re excited at Gearhub to be part of the TransRockies events!”
The TransRockies is also being supported by a number of Fernie accommodators including: Park Place Lodge, Lizard Creek Lodge, Fernie Lodging Company, Fernie Central Accommodations, Red Tree Lodge, Snow Valley Accommodations, the Raging Elk Adventure Lodge and the Fernie RV Resort.
Fernie trail use is sanctioned by the Fernie Trails Alliance, Fernie Alpine Resort, and the Coal Creek Heritage Society. The City of Fernie accommodates the use of the Fernie Aquatic Centre and Annex Park and Fernie Alpine Resort is the host of the ST6 Stage 2.
Volunteers and local management is coordinated by the Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club.
The community works together to make these great events happen, thank you to all the partners and community for being such awesome hosts!
