by admin2 | Jun 30, 2014 | Fernie TransRockies
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
The final leg of the Intense Fernie 3 wrapped up with the warmest day yet. Racers took their post once again for the 9am start, this time in the plaza of Fernie Alpine Resort. Being the opening weekend of the resort, the location brought in a large quantity of people to enjoy a variety of biking activities. Participants proved their commitment to the race, giving it their all in the last segment of the long weekend.
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
Unfortunately due to marking confusion, riders were led astray and the standings were thus discarded in the final counts. Ultimately, the day turned into a bonus ride per-say, still a great ride with ultimate sunny weather. To view the results for stage 3 vists Stage 3 Results. The Kelsey’s patio provided sunny post-ride refreshments, allowing riders and their families to take in the on-going excitement of the day.
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
The weekend concluded with a delicious banquet and an awards ceremony at Corner Pocket. Here, particpants were able to relax and recount highlights of the weekend. Prizes were awarded to the race’s top participants in each category. Colin Kerr had the top overall time of the weekend while Shane Keyser came first in Men’s 30-39, Doug Krumpelman in 40-49 and Tim Brezsnyak in 50+. Sandra Walter was the fastest female participant and Kate Aardal was first in the women’s 40+ category. Fernie local success story, 17 year old Carter Niewesteeg, placed second in the 16-29 category and an astounding 20th overall. For a complete list of the standings click Fernie 3 Overall Standings or Fernie 3 Overall Category Results
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
The Intense Fernie 3 would like to thank 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.
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
To the outstanding medical team, all the amazing volunteers and of course, all the racers, thank you for contributing to a great weekend, hope to see you all next year for the two day event!
by admin2 | Jun 29, 2014 | Fernie TransRockies
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
Blue skies and sunshine welcomed racers to the Stage 2 race this morning. With ideal riding weather, spirits seemed rejuvenated and the energy was high leaving the start line. The race began with a slow, controlled start behind the old Fernie fire truck then proceeded with a climb up Roots and Hyperventilation.
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
Jack Viney provides a recap of the ride:
“The beginning climb would be the last of the drier riding for the day as racers picked lines through the tricky steeps back down the other side. The wet weather riders stood out from the pack, putting time on others who we more cautious or bruised from a fall on stage one.
Although muddy, the first decent was still fast and fun, with plenty of sections to open up and really dig into the decent. An open road climb followed and the front pack settled into a fast rhythm which carried them to the top of another technical decent and through to the Ridgemont singletrack.
Another long climb faced the racers, however, this one allowed for some time to spin the legs with multiple switchbacks. Great trail design meant elevation was gained more easily than first climb. As the front end of the group pushed further away from the main field, racers enjoyed more of Ridgemont’s finest. Wet and rooted in sections meant everyone had to be on their game.
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
To close out the middle section of Stage Two, riders were tasked with the rolling and tight trail called Kush, one of many local’s favorites. Once out of the forest and onto some more open double track it was time to spin the legs out and hammer down to the start of Coal Discovery Trail. The trail head was the spin around point, flowy and fast at first, then more technical and wooded. Some riders used this long last section of the stage to gain time on rivals or at least blew up trying!”
Standings remained relatively consistent from the first day with Colin Kerr of Bowen Island once again taking the lead at 2:10:23 and Sandra Walter finishing first in the women’s category again at 2:20:56. Doug Krumpelman from Hayden, ID (4th yesterday) came in second overall at 2:12:27 while Shane Keyser from Calgary (2nd yesterday) came third at 2:12:47. Fernie local Carter Niewesteeg came second in his category at 2:25:26. Times took a wider spread today with a more challenging track, wrapping up around 2:30pm. For a complete list of standings, click Stage Two Results
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
The 8th Annual Kids Bike Rally, a town favourite, also commenced this morning shortly after the Stage 2 race. The sport’s littlest riders could be seen pedalling their hearts out downtown, in tow with fluorescent swag back packs and balloons attached to their bikes. Each participant received a race plate and report card to get stamped at several checkpoints. This year reached an incredible turn-out rate of over 100 kids. Bouncy castles and a clown were also present to cater to kid’s entertainment.
Riders will be resting up for tomorrow’s race at the ski hill which is said to be the “gnarly-ist” yet most thrilling ride of the set. Stage 3 commences at 9am from the plaza at Fernie Alpine Resort.
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
Stay tuned tomorrow for further recap and more pictures of Day 3.
The Intense Fernie 3 would like to thank 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.
by admin2 | Jun 28, 2014 | Fernie TransRockies
Photo credit: Raven Eye Photography
Stage 1 of the Fernie Intense 3 kicked off the summer bike season this morning. Starting downtown at 9am, participants set off for the morning through Ridgemont, beginning with a single track technical climb. Despite the impending rain, the weather amounted to a pleasantly cool morning with some relatively tough conditions. The muddy track proved tricky for the course, however, the hardy riders all pushed through with smiles on their faces at the result.
Photo Credit: Tourism Fernie
Jack Viney provides a recap of the ride:
“A slippery and challenging Ridgemont loop was followed by the long classic grind that is Hyperventilation / South Castle to Southern Comfort. With great drainage and quality local trail building the second half of stage 1 rode well and allowed for the climbers to peg back a few minutes on others who got caught out with heavy legs due to the tough elevation gain.
Reaching the top of Southern Comfort brought a sense of relief to riders as a long and fast singletrack decent awaited however many let their guard down and came unstuck on the slippery off camber bridges in the top section, resulting in some grazed legs and bruised egos.
The epic decent was a highlight of the stage, finishing it off with a spin back to town to help flush the legs for day two.”
Photo credit: Raven Eye Photography
Colin Kerr from Bowen Island achieved the fastest time of the day at an astounding 1:38:07, followed closely by Shane Keyser from Calgary at 1:39:28 and Ben Parsons at 1:40:05. Sandra Walter was the fastest female competitor at 1:46:09 followed closely by Mical Dyck from Victoria and Kate Aardal from Calgary, both at 1:48:02. Local Fernie competitor Jack Viney came 2nd in his category at 1:47:49. For a list of results by category click Stage One Results.
Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography
The first U16/U13 race proceeded the race featuring young up-and-coming bike enthusiasts age 8 – 15. It seemed the only people more excited than the riders were the spectators in an event that extended the biking spirit to the younger generation. Marshals guided both divisions through a challenging Ridgemont course, which was followed by a rewarding BBQ and prizes for all contestants. For results click Kids Race Results
Photo Credit: Tourism Fernie
Beer gardens and live acoustic music including the amazing local talent of the Hark Raving Sirens and Michelle Powers provided a pleasant wind down for racers before gearing up for Stage Two tomorrow.
Stay tuned tomorrow for further recap and more pictures of Day 2.
The Intense Fernie 3 is pleased to thank our sponsors for making this event possible, 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.
