Rocky Mountain Bikes Brings Big Boost to Fernie’s Gearhub Sports
May 9, 2025
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.
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
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.
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.
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
Hello Fernie!
Sherpa Shayne here in the Crow’s Nest Pass, having successfully completed the ride from Elkford. It was long, hot, dirty, and I think that Pat Gilmar has a price on his head for designing the course. Both Pepper and I are hanging in there with bandages and butt cream. The bikes have been running fabulous (thanks Straightline et al), and we are looking forward to coming home.
Support for Asthma Canada continues to come in from our fellow riders, they are impressed to see us out there. Despite this, my moustache continues to grow along with the ratty goatee. All donations would be greatly appreciated, especially by Mary-Jane. We look forward to seeing you all very soon. Home has never looked sooooooooo good.
The ‘rock garden’ of Day 5 has absolutely no flowers… in fact it doesn’t have anything to do with a ‘garden’ but is more accurately described as a graveyard of head-sized boulders strewn from one end of the path to the other. The fact that some people ride it amazes me; the ‘rock garden’ was a walking zone… or rather a stumbling zone after 75 k of up and down and 6k of debris fields to ride and push through. I found it a much harder day than yesterday!
At this time I’d like to thank the Support Team of Will Matthews and Krista Adams who provide the transportation of our travelling home and most importantly… great food and soul nourishment. They are the background strength behind the goal of getting Shayne and I to the end of this race to support the Asthma Society of Canada. Both Blackstone teams finished healthy and can be supported at www.asthma.ca.
By the way, Michele DID ride the ‘rock garden’.
Pepper
Oh what fun! …109 kms of single-track, double-track and flying gravel road. There were hazards galore with cross ditches and seven stream crossings, one which was threatening to sweep me down river. As I stood crotch-deep in the middle, Shayne thankfully came out to take my bike before I pitched in for a glacial swim. In fact, Shayne has proved himself to be a wonderful Sherpa on several occasions… not to mention reminding me constantly to stay at 80%, drink and stand up to save my butt. Surprisingly I’m listening. The most important goal of the Transrockies is to finish healthy and raise money and awareness for asthma nationally. And since there are 27 countries represented at this year’s race, maybe internationally.
-Pepper (Blackstone Fernie – Breathe Easy 1)
Hello Fernie! Day 4 out here in Whiteswan, with the longest day of riding done. Everyone is healthy, and we are managing to have a good time when not riding. We have met folks from South Africa, the UK, Belgium, and the island of Jersey (look it up), all here to ride and have fun. The rides are going really well, Pepper gives me too much credit – I’ve seen her shoulder her bike and carry it up an avalanche slope the length of 2 football fields. And she was only a little breathless. I still have the moustache, and I am also now sporting a cheesy goatee until we hit $20,000 on the asthma.ca website. Please donate so my wife will let me in when I get home – she may not recognize me. Thanks for all the good luck wishes, see you all soon.
Shayne (Blackstone Fernie- Breath Easy 1)