The Fernie Gravel Grind is a weekend long gravel cycling experience located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, home to some of the best gravel riding in Canada. Over the course of the weekend, riders will experience the rich history of Fernie, a genuine mountain town known for its iconic mountain biking, epic vistas, and welcoming hospitality.
The Fernie Gravel Grind is an event for anyone and everyone, as it offers a Friday industry night, multi-distance races on Saturday, and group rides on Sunday, all of which will be closely following Covid guidelines from provincial health authorities.
The Fernie Gravel Grind extends a warm welcome as we invite you to take part in the weekend long gravel festivities rescheduled to September 17th-19th., 2021 – The spirit of gravel is that anything goes.
Founded in 2019 by Carter Nieuwesteeg, professional cyclist born and raised in Fernie who’s passion lies not just in racing but also in giving back to the community, and co-organizer Nakoda Mason, another deeply rooted Fernie-ite who’s event organizing experience runs deep as previous director of Wam Bam Dirt Jump Jam. Together the two have joined forces with Chris Hatton, past event manager of the Canadian National Enduro Series (CNES), President of the Queens Cycling Team, and severe speed and adventure junky.
Our philosophy is that we’re doing this for riders, as riders. By having numerous years of experience in the bike industry, attending races, and pursuing our passion for riding, our organization knows what people want in an event, and what gets them excited to ride.
Their mission is:
– To Inspire everyone on two wheels through inclusivity and community.
– To bring excitement to gravel biking through inclusive events and organizing information to all cyclists.
– To inspire healthier, more inclusive communities by connecting people through two
What inclusivity means:
– Equality between male and female participants.
– Any sort of background (and gear) is welcome.
– New and old/experienced and inexperienced riders are welcome.
The Fernie Gravel Grind is a judgement free, positive, and fun environment for all.
Living in Fernie has many advantages and having world class cycling events finish in town has become the norm. On August 26th, 2021, the Transrockies newest event, the Gravel Royale, will roll into Fernie following a journey deep into the Canadian Rockies on some of the world’s most scenic and remote gravel roads!
The Transrockies is not new to Fernie, their events have been mainstay here since 2002 when the inaugural TransRockies Classic started on 2nd Avenue. The Transrockies first-ever gravel race features a route spread out over 4 stages, 375km and climbs a total of 7000m. The event takes place on ancestral lands of the Ktunaxa First Nation, whose people have occupied the lands surrounding the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers for more than 10,000 years.
Along the way, racers will be welcomed by four beautiful and unique Rocky Mountain communities: Panorama Mountain Resort, Nipika Mountain Resort, Canal Flats and Fernie. After a long day in the saddle, they’re the perfect places to relax, tell stories, talk strategy and forge lasting friendships.
In case racing all 4 stages isn’t for you, they’re offering a 2-day Ante Up Experience, a 3-day E-Bike Poker Ride and the Fair Deal Family Mountain Bike Challenge on Stage 2, at Nipika Mountain Resort.
Registration opens Monday, September 21, 2020 and is capped at 300 racers. Early-bird discounts are available for the first 50 racers to register and half of all early bird spots are reserved for women!
TransRockies Gravel Royale
Registration Opens: Monday, September 21, 2020 – 9 AM MDT
Event Dates: August 23-26, 2021
• 4-day camping based stage race from Panorama to Fernie, BC
• Other stage host locations: Nipika Mountain Resort, Canal Flats
• 375km over 4 days with 7,000m of climbing
• Fully supported camps – shower trucks, catered meals, tent and luggage transport, daily awards etc.
• Gravel bike specific route with 84% gravel roads
• 2-day option, and 3-day e-bike poker ride
• World famous TransRockies organization, logistics and support
• 300 spots available
The Fernie Enduro QOM and KOM were crowned yesterday at Gearhub Sports following a summer of racing. The winners celebrated Gearhubs 10th Anniversary with a $300 shopping spree during their highly discounted storewide sale.
Joy Attalla and Strahan Loken earned the crowns in the womens and mens open categories following four races in the Virtual Stava timed event. It began early July on Castle Mountain with Race 1 on Hyper Extension to Roots and then moved to the Cedar Valley side for Race 2 on Project 9 and Race 3 on Red Sonya. With virtual events plans can change and with Fernie Alpine resort opening their bike park to uphill climbing we celebrated by added Race 4 on Lower TNT to Rumplestumpskin. The new FAR Enduro/E-bike friendly pass was a nice option for the final Showdown.
All participants had to be Fernie Mountain Bike Club members and otherwise there were no entry fees, just Strava. To keep the motivation rolling Gearhub Sports provide amazing prizes for all races, random participants and outstanding performances. Notable performances include 16 year old Jacob Baggott’s slew of 3rd place and 2nd place finish. Local speedster Carter Nieuwesteeg won the Project 9 race and kept the pressure on Loken with 2nd place finishes. In the women’s category 15 year old Attalla won all four races and was followed closely by Charlize Street and Jenn Sliva. I think we’ll be seeing a lot more fast times from this young lady!
Attalla’s mother described the summer of racing; “So proud of you Joy- she won all 4 stages! It made her summer! What a lot of fun was had with friends on strava and this towns biking community, amazing local sponsors @gearhubsports for the race & donations and @straightlinebicycles for her bike and keeping it in tip top shape and @DanSavage for organizing and all of the amazing friends and mentors to chase @alexpaul70 crew @carternieuwesteeg @minigoat411 @charlizestreet @jennifermchugh44 @jennslowpez”
Loken, Fernie’s fasted man, also posted; “Yeah “it’s just Strava” but as a 41 y/o Dad with a desk job, I’m grateful to take top spot in the Fernie Virtual Enduro. I pushed hard and new KOMs went down on each and every stage in full blown summer conditions. Only one devastating crash haha👌There’s always more to learn on bikes, and learn about yourself, and for me it comes out when I try my personal best.
.
Hyperextension 1st;
Project 2nd;
Red Sonya 1st;
TNT/Rumple 1st;
.
Thanks GearHub Sports for the stoke, Dan Savage for event masterminding, Carter Nieuwesteeg for setting incredible times that forced me out of my comfort zone to compete, and Fernie Mountain Bike Club for the best trail network anywhere. Thanks for being friends @gearhubsports , @rockymountainbicycles , @raceface , @oneupcomponents , @weareonecomposites and making the best stuff out there. Finally love to my family Lynn Loken, Nolan, and Kieva; you mean everything to me.”
A big thanks to Mark Hall from Gearhub Sports for his generous prizing, Troy Nixon from the Fernie Mountain Bike Club for his endless support, the Fernie Trails Alliance for trail approvals, and all of the racers who gave their best!
As the Fernie Enduro competition heat mirrors the weather the Race 3 results for Red Sonya are final! The QOM and KOM for Red Sonya are Joy Attalla and Shrahan Loken, congratulations on your impressive results!
Here are Red Sonya’s results:
With the overall results being so close and the fun factor being so high, we’ve added a fourth race to keep everyone racing!
Currently we have an overall lead by one second in the men’s category and women’s is also tight! The FAR Showdown will define the Fernie Enduro 2020 winners–it starts Aug 21st and ends Sunday, August 30th for 10 more days of riding fast.
Fernie Enduro FAR Showdown
The big surprise is that the FMBC participants summer of racing is not ending today! FAR has invited all participants to give their best in a final Showdown on an amazing race course! To help make this happen they have offered participants 50% off off the NEW FAR Enduro Pass!
The FAR Enduro pass includes access to the uphill route, 3 chairlift laps and costs $39.95 for adults and $29.95 for 13 to 17 yr olds. Go to Guest Services and ask for the Fernie Enduro FAR Showdown event pass.
The Showdown is on Lower TNT and Rumplestumpskin and they are loamy and and racing extremely well. Get up there and log your race, the Strava Segment is live here
How to qualify for Prizes and the FAR Showdown KOM / QOM:
Take a screenshot of your race results along with a pre or post shred selfie. Tag Fernie Bike Events @ferniebikeevents Add a couple of hashtags (#gearhubsports and #fernieenduro) and then you are good to go! The more you post the greater your chances of winning great prizes.
This will enter you to win great prizes from Gearhub Sports including quality stuff from RaceFace, OneUp, Evoc, Sram and Abus!
For the FAR Showdown bonus race, participants need to complete within their operational hours – 10:30 am – 4:30 pm weekdays (9:30 am on Saturday and Sunday).
Registration is Now Open for the TransRockies Singletrack 6 2021 – September 7-12, 2021- 100 Spots Available. Fernie is once again hosting registration and the first two stages of this amazing event.
We’re excited to start the countdown for next year’s racing. Even though we’re still over a year out from the next TransRockies Singletrack 6 – it still feel like progress to reopen registration and make plans to get together and race again next summer! If you were already signed up for the 2020 event – our sincere thanks to you for waiting patiently for the time when we can safely offer the event once again. We’ve shifted the plans forward to next year in the same great host communities that we originally planned – and you’ve got another whole year to train!
For those considering joining us for 2021, we’ve got an incredible 6 stages lined up for you. Fernie, Kimberley and Rossland have been among our highest rated stage host communities in the past, and we’ve got some great new stages to improve on previous years. Early bird spots are already gone, but we’ve got a special gift for the first 30 new registrations for 2021 – your choice of a Singletrack 6 Toque (beanie), Stainless Steel Mug, or Trucker Hat. Once you register we’ll be in touch to get your selection and send them out right away, so you have a little inspiration to keep you training over the winter.
We’ve got three great registration options to choose from:
6 Day Singletrack 6: September 7-12 Fernie to Rossland – $1,699
3 Day ST3 – September 7-9 Fernie to Kimberley – $879
ST3 FlexPass – Any 3 Days September 7-12 – $879
Choose our packaged accommodation plan, book your own hotels, or plan your own camping for a custom race week experience to suit your preferences. REGISTER HERE.
