Fernie Cyclists enjoy the Gravel Royale
August 29, 2024
The first ever Fernie Lucky 7’s proved to be both fun and lucky for everyone! The event was inclusive and had participants ranging in age from 2 to 70! And all participants got to roll the dice for a Lucky 7 to take home great prizing from Gearhub Sports. For the event organizers, their luck was having a fabulous sunny day with absolutely no injuries.
The Fernie Lucky 7’s is a cross-country relay and solo mountain bike event that caters to riders of all abilities looking for a fun experience. Competitive endurance and XC racers were challenged in the 7-hour solo and team category events. Families, youth and company teams loved the two and three person team options and easy course. The Ridgemont and Montane route was 7km for the U15’s and 13.5km for the solo and team participants. Many participants commented on how fun the course was.
A few participants logged as many as eight laps with a team effort, and solo men and women rode for a maximum of seven laps. See the results here. Seven was the lucky number!
On the lighter side, the Kids’ Bike Rally started at Gearhub Sports and took a bike decorating, face painting, dice rolling and watermelon route to the Lucky 7’s event station!
The volunteer efforts of local organizations was outstanding: the Fernie Mountain Bike Club kept the trails safe, the Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club marked the trails, and the Fernie Nordic Society managed the timing. The 11th annual U9 Kids’ Bike Rally was managed by the Mountainside Church Youth Group. Proceeds from the event go to these organizations for their generous support.
Many thanks to our sponsors for making this event happen, they include: GearHub Sports, The City of Fernie, Rocky Mountain Bicycles, Ryders Eyewear, Honey Stinger, Fernie Alpine Resort, Fernie Brewing Company, Tinhorn Creek Winery, The Bridge Bistro, Montane Fernie, Park Place Lodge, and Happy Cow.
An finally a thank you to the participants. You had faith in the Fernie TransRockies Society delivering a good performance and we thank you for your great performance. Your riding was excellent however your well mannered behaviour with other riders on-course, both participants and public, and not a single piece of garbage left on-course is exemplary. Thank you!
As always, a picture speaks a 100 words, here are our images from the event:
The Fernie Lucky 7’s are Ready-Set-Go for Saturday, June 24th!
The routes are finalized and all the support teams are in place. The Fernie Mountain Bike club is managing the marshaling, The Fernie Nordic Society is managing the timing, The Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club is marking the course, and Mountainside Church is managing the Kids’ Bike Rally.
Gearhub Sports is the main sponsor and will be at the event with great prizes, rider mechanical support, Sam will be playing music, Jenny is racing solo, and Flippin Crepes will be serving food and Fernie Beer all day. Gearhub will also be operating the Crap’s table! Every rider will get to roll the dice for each lap completed to win great prizing!
The Fernie Aquatic Center is Fernie’s best bike event venue with great connection to the trails and the adjacent bike park. We are pleased to announce that the Aquatic Centre washrooms will be open for racers.
For event details, participants can download the Event Program here: Lucky 7’s 2017 Event Program
Registration remains open until Friday, June 23rd. Fernie Mountain Bike Club members get a 15% discount with the discount code “FMBC”. Register here today!
Kids’ Bike Rally (U9 to U3)
The Fernie Kids’ Bike Rally is returning for its 11th year! When 150 riders roll up to the start line for the inaugural Fernie Lucky 7’s, kids’ aged 3 to 9 will be preparing for a free and fun bike rally.
This mini-rally has been a great success for the past decade and will add to the festivities surrounding the Lucky 7’s. The bike rally is free and is limited to the first 100 kids to register. Registration is at Gearhub Sports.
Start times are between at 11am and 12:30 at Gearhub Sports. The rally route takes about one hour and kids must be accompanied by a parent.
Gearhub Sports start the kids off on their big adventure spruced up with Fernie Lucky 7’s plates and an event map. Next stop is at Fernie Aquatic Centre where the kids’ will decorate their bikes. Then off to the splash park where Balloon Tom will be blowing his craft. From there the Fernie Lucky 7’s will hydrate and feed the kids for the last leg to the Gearhub tent to roll the Lucky 7’s dice for a prize.
See the details and register your kids’ here.
The Fernie Kids’ Bike Rally is returning for its 11th year! When 150 riders roll up to the start line for the inaugural Fernie Lucky 7’s, kids’ aged 3 to 9 will be preparing for a free and fun bike rally.
This mini-rally has been a great success for the past decade and will add to the festivities surrounding the Lucky 7’s. The bike rally is free and is limited to the first 100 kids to register. Registration is at Gearhub Sports and entry forms can downloaded here: Kids_RAlly_Reg_Form
Start times are between at 11am and 12:30 at Gearhub Sports. The rally route takes about one hour and kids must be accompanied by a parent.
Gearhub Sports start the kids off on their big adventure spruced up with Fernie Lucky 7’s plates and an event map. Next stop is at Fernie Aquatic Centre where the kids’ will decorate their bikes. Then off to the splash park where Balloon Tom will be blowing his craft. From there the Fernie Lucky 7’s will hydrate and feed the kids for the last leg to the Gearhub tent to roll the Lucky 7’s dice for a prize.
About Fernie Lucky 7’s
The Fernie Lucky 7’s is a cross-country mountain bike event that caters to riders of all abilities looking for a fun experience. Competitive endurance and XC racers will be challenged in the 7-hour solo and team relay category events. Families, youth and company teams will love the two and three person team options and easy course. Read more here.
Jikke Gyorki, a Fernie career mother of two, talks about her participation in the Fernie Lucky 7’s.
What category are you riding in the Fernie Lucky 7’s and why?
I’m riding in the Women’s 40+ Solo category because I like the challenge and to be able to do it on my own terms. To me it’s a big goal to achieve by myself.
How old are your kids’ and are they riding?
We have two boys aged 7 & 4. Both boys have been riding since before they were two. We are fortunate to live in a place that is a true mountain bike destination.
What is your experience with mountain bike racing?
My first race was the bike segment of Tears & Gears Duathlon in Fernie in September 2015. I decided to start racing casually to give me the push I needed to get on my bike more regularly and get fit. A friend of mine did the running segment. Doing your first race as a relay team is great because you then have ‘team’ support and excitement.
When you’re a career family with little kids life is busy so making a commitment to a race is a great motivator. My first race was awesome. Though you are nervous to start, once you get going a new mental mindset comes on that pushes you to do your best. It’s a bit of an adrenaline rush. I finished and was happy with my result, and it felt great. All the event organizers and race support that is set up really makes it fun and supportive all around.
After my first race it was the end of the season so I planned for 2016. I looked for other races that were nearby and within my means and entered Round The Mountain in Kimberley in June. This was another super fun yet challenging race that I then got hooked to try more. In September 2016 I did Tears & Gears again, then 2 weeks later did Six in the Stix in Cranbrook. The Cranbrook race was a different format with a shorter route and the objective of riding it as many times as you could within a 6 hour period. Given the route didn’t include any big ascents or descents I wanted to try it. I didn’t know what to expect. Would I get through only 2 laps and be too tired to continue? The great thing about any race event is that the people around you are super supportive and that alone is a great motivator. In the end I managed to do 5 laps!
Fernie’s Lucky 7’s race will be my 5th race.
What do you like about the Fernie Lucky 7’s format?
Having experienced a similar format with Six in the Stix race in Cranbrook last September I found I enjoyed the challenge of a longer race that’s on a course with no major technical ascents or descents. It really tests your endurance while not requiring more than a full day commitment, such as multi-day races. If you want to do it as a relay team to try it out or have fun in a team format you can choice that option or do it solo and see how many laps you can do. You can always cut it short or try to do another lap. The other thing I like about this longer duration format is the laps aren’t too long (10-15km) so you can determine when you’re done versus being stuck out on a long course km’s from the finish line.
How much are you training?
I’m happy if I can get a ride in 3 times a week, even if just for 45 minutes. My time is extremely limited and we don’t have family around to take care of the kids to get out for a ride easily, and babysitters can be hard to access. I never have a goal of winning the race since I don’t have that level of time to train, but being in a race gets me out riding, which in turn gets me fairly fit and makes me happy.
Is your family supportive of your mountain bike racing and how?
Yes they are. My husband is also a rider and having supported me the last 2 years he’s now starting to race too! Having your family at a race cheering you on and being at the finish is a great feeling. For longer endurance races you definitely need a support person to help you each lap with fueling up, giving you encouragement and pushing you to continue. My kids enjoy the environment as well and if there are kids fun races or activities that can make it more fun for all of us.
Will any other family member be racing in the Fernie Lucky 7’s or other bike events?
No, I’ll need my husband to be my support person and babysitter during this race. Not sure yet about the kids events yet. My husband will be racing the next day at Kimberley’s Round the Mountain then we are travelling in August to Kaslo’s IDidARide race. Currently my husband is racing in this event unless we can find a babysitter to come with us to help with the kids then I can race too!
What is your advice to other moms who are considering mountain bike racing?
Just try it. Take your time. Have fun. No one is judging you, everyone is supportive, especially parents that are racing. You’ll be amazed at what you can do in a race environment with the added push and motivation. Then being in an environment where there is so much support if anything happens such as a flat, crash or anything. I luckily haven’t had any of those yet!
What is your favourite mountain bike trail in Fernie?
My favorite riding area is Ridgemont. My favorite trail/route would probably be Sidewinder – Eco-terrorist/Boardwalks – Deadfall – Oh Deer
What is your favourite family activity in Fernie?
Hiking, biking and camping
Fernie bike events are about to experience a huge boost of fun this June 24th when the the Fernie Lucky 7’s rolls out of the Aquatic Centre!
The Fernie Lucky 7’s is a cross-country mountain bike event that caters to riders of all abilities looking for a fun experience. Competitive endurance and XC racers will be challenged in the 7-hour solo and team category events. Families, youth and company teams will love the two and three person team options and easy course.
Everybody can be a winner in the Fernie Lucky 7’s at the Craps Table! Trail craps, our version of table craps, will be played at the finish. With each lap completed riders get to roll the dice with the high point rollers taking home prizes. We’ll also have great prizes for the fastest riders in all categories.
Fernie Lucky 7’s course:
The Fernie Lucky 7’s course will feature moderate climbs with lots of passing options and fun rolling downhill’s. The selected course is a 13.5 km loop with only 384 meters of vertical climbing.
Adult Course
START – Fernie Aquatic Centre to Coal Heritage Trail to Cemetery Bypass
Kiddy Up, Queen V, Upper Eco Terrorist (Boardwalks)
Deadfall to R-Trail to Kids Stuff to Erics Trail (Great Downhill)
Up Ridgemont Road to Vortex (Fun Downhill) to Elk Valley Trail
Ruby’s Trail to Up Rooted (Fun Downhill) to Montane Trail
Coal Heritage Trail to Aquatic Centre – FINISH
U15 Course
START – Fernie Aquatic Centre to Coal Heritage Trail to Cemetery Bypass
Kiddy Up, Queen V, Upper Eco Terrorist (Boardwalks)
Kids Stuff to Erics Trail (Great Downhill)
Up Ridgemont Road to Vortex (Fun Downhill)
Coal Heritage Trail to Aquatic Centre – FINISH
Professional timing, great prizing, first aid, food stations, trail support, bike support and a well thought-out course will be provided.
The Fernie Lucky 7’s categories are designed to be inclusive. The U15 and U9 events will be great fun for kids’ and the family and corporate categories open new opportunities for great experiences.
Categories include:
One lap: U15 Girls & Boys
Kids’ Lucky 7 Rally: U9 Girls & Boys FREE
Men’s Solo, Open, 40+, 50+
Women’s Solo, Open, 40+
Teams of 2: Men’s Open, Mens 40+, Women’s, Mixed & Family
Teams of 3: Men’s Open, Women’s, Mixed, Family & Corporate
Fernie is famous for its hospitality and the Fernie Lucky 7’s will be taking that to a new level! Food vendors, Beverage Gardens and entertainment will fill the day.
Registration is open and entries are limited. Rally your friends, family and workmates to register, Everybody can be a winner at the Fernie Lucky 7’s!
The Fernie Lucky 7’s is organized by the Fernie TransRockies Society, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting mountain biking and raising money for trails.
The Fernie TransRockies Society is pleased to present a new mountain bike event for 2017– the Fernie Lucky 7’s (7 hours – 7 categories – 7 winners) to be held on Saturday June 24th.
The Fernie Lucky 7’s is a cross-country mountain bike event that caters to those looking for a fun experience. Competitive endurance and XC racers will be challenged in the 7-hour solo and team category events. Families, youth and company teams will love the team options and easy course.
The Fernie Lucky 7’s replaces the Fernie 3 for 2017. The Fernie 3 was a three-day XC endurance stage race that raised money for trails and charity, and supported youth cycling. In 2016 $10,000 was raised and in the past 3 years $27,000 was raised overall.
The Fernie TransRockies Society will be managing the Fernie Lucky 7’s and once again will be fundraising for local trail organizations and not-for-profits and focusing on engaging youth and community cycling. With over 15 years of event experience you can expect a well-organized event. Professional timing, great prizing, first aid, food stations, trail support, bike support and a well thought-out course are the standard. The Fernie TransRockies Society was formed in 2002 as a not-for-profit with the objective of growing destination and community biking.
Fernie Lucky 7’s details:
The Fernie Lucky 7’s course will feature moderate climbs with lots of passing options and fun rolling downhill’s. The selected course is a 15 km loop with only 350 meters of vertical climbing. Course details will be released prior to the event.
Lucky winners will be selected from the Lucky 7 Craps table. All participants will have a chance to roll the dice for the winning Lucky 7’s. The top finishers from the categories will also be recognized.
The Fernie Luck 7’s categories are designed to be inclusive. The U15 and U9 events will continue and the family and corporate categories open new opportunities for great experiences.
Categories include:
Men’s Solo, Open, 40+, 50+
Women’s Solo, Open, 40+
Teams of 2: Men’s Open, Mens 40+, Women’s, Mixed & Family
Teams of 3: Men’s Open, Women’s, Mixed, Family & Corporate
One lap: U15 Girls & Boys
Kids’ Lucky 7 Rally: U9 Girls & Boys FREE
Fernie is famous for its hospitality and the Fernie Lucky 7’s will be taking that to a new level! Food vendors, Beverage Gardens and entertainment will fill the day.
Registration opens November 1st and entries are limited. Rally your friends, family and workmates to register early for early-bird pricing. Everybody will be a winner at the Fernie Lucky 7’s!