by admin | Aug 6, 2009 | Fernie TransRockies
On Sunday August 9, 450 riders from 22 countries will roll up to the start line in Panorama Mountain Resort high in the mountains of British Columbia for the 8th edition of the TransRockies, North America’s original epic mountain bike stage race. The seven stages of racing that await them include six massive point-to-point rides along the spine of the Rockies and a technical day 3 time-trial loop. When they roll across the finish line in Fernie the following Saturday, they will have earned their finishers’ medals with 532km of riding and over 14,000 metres of climbing on the wildest ride in mountain biking. The 2009 edition of the TransRockies follows a route similar to last year with a number of modifications made to further improve the riding and to keep the route fresh for repeat competitors. As it does every year, the TransRockies will challenge and thrill with long stages, unpredictable mountain weather, deep rivers to be forded and majestic mountain vistas to be enjoyed—if the riders can find the extra energy to look up while they’re suffering through an average of over 2000 metres of climbing per day. Riders will cross the Continental Divide twice as they work their way through massive river valleys, along the edge of canyons and over remote passes.
After adding the time trial stage in 2008, the TransRockies team is again keeping things fresh in 2009 with the addition of a brand-new event to the schedule. The three-day solo TR3 race was added in response to popular demand from riders who have been asking for a solo category for years. It takes place simultaneously with the first three days of the TransRockies and is intended to be both a stepping stone for riders building toward the full 7-day race and as an epic alternative for TR vets and elite riders. By maintaining the integrity of the team format for the 7-day race, the TransRockies stays true to the original vision of a race which combines immense challenge with an added level of co-operation and camaraderie.
Despite the world economy and the difficulties which have caused the cancellation or modification of many events, the TransRockies is moving forward strongly with 450 riders from over 20 countries scheduled to participate. They’ll spend each night in a travelling village of tents and RVs set up by the organizers, where they are fed and supported by dozens of staff and volunteers who do everything from cooking, to setting up tents, to fixing bikes.
Most of the riders who roll up to the start line of the TransRockies have the simple goals of completing the event and enjoying their epic ride through the Rockies. Every year, though, there’s a group of elite athletes who arrive at the TransRockies with clear competitive goals and a desire to go for a share of the $20,000 final prize purse, daily medals and leaders’ jerseys.
In the Open Men’s Category, Stefan Widmer and Marty Lazarsky of the Rocky Mountain Bicycles Factory Team are back and looking to step a little further up the podium after a 3rd Place Overall finish last year. Marty is a past champion from 2005 and is hungry for another win at the TransRockies.
In the Open Mixed Category, Mical Dyck and her partner Jeff Nielson are looking for redemption after illness cut their 2008 TransRockies short. Since then, they have gone on to win the Mixed Category at the BC Bike Race and Mical finished on the podium at the Canadian National MTB Championships, so they’re set for a good ride in 2009.
The inaugural TR3 is set for some strong competition as past TR Champion and National Team rider Rodi Lega has come out of retirement to take on the TR3. He’ll be challenged by Colin Kerr, solo champion at the BC Bike Race and Cal Zaryski who is a medalist at the Xterra World Championships.
At a very young age, Ryan Correy has already established a track record of amazing success and accomplishments in endurance cycling as the youngest-ever Canadian finisher at the RAAM
(Race Across America) and as the World record holder for riding from Alaska to Argentina. After these rides, the TR might seem like a quick warm-up but the Rockies have a way of those who don’t respect the challenge. One amazing athlete who is coming to take on the TR for the first time is “The Ultramarathonman” Dean Karnazes, who is adding a bike epic to the incredible list of running marathons and ultras in which he has excelled.
by admin | Aug 6, 2009 | Fernie TransRockies
Each year kicks off with an annual pre-party. This is the opportunity to introduce the Fernie participants, changes to the local events and to thank the sponsors. The sponsors offer event stability as it has been the same group for eight years.
This year has exceptional participation from a host of local riders.
Read more at: https://fernie.com/blog/2009/07/28/fernie-transrockies-kicks-off/
by admin | Aug 6, 2009 | Fernie TransRockies
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.
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.
by admin | Jul 28, 2009 | Fernie TransRockies
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.
by admin | Jul 16, 2009 | Fernie 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.
by admin | Jun 24, 2009 | Fernie TransRockies
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.
For more information, contact:
Dan Savage, Event Director
250 423 4727
dan@fernie.com
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