Fernie Cyclists enjoy the Gravel Royale
August 29, 2024
The Fernie 3 ended with another great stage route starting and finishing at Fernie Alpine Resort’s Griz Inn. The riders climbed to the top of the Elk Chair and descended Mr Berms and Honey Bee. They then descended Verboten, Project 9 and Happy Gilmar before returning for a deck party and banquet at the Rusty Edge.
Carter Nieuwesteeg stole the show in Stage 3 with a 9:35.5 minute lead over second place finisher Kevin Calhoun. Kevin Calhoun took first place overall and Carter’s two stage victories placed him in second place overall, am amazing feat given his 18 minute deficit following a wheel failure in Stage 1.
Jean Ann Berkenpas from Valemount continued to dominate in the women’s open category. Nicole Knauf of Fernie placed another strong finish and sits in 5th place overll. For overll stage result details click here.
With timed descents Jean Ann Berkenpas posted the fastest women’s time and John Burton was the fastest male. Fernie riders seeded the podium with Carter Nieuwesteeg and JF Deslauriers placing second and third in men’s and Nicole Knauf and Jennifer Mchugh placing second and third in women’s. For timed descent result details click here.
The athletes make this event a success, thank you for participating. Riders participated from all the surrounding Western Provinces and States, and as far away as Australia. The youngest rider in men’s open was 15 year old Talon Vale from Fernie who came 11th overall. Congratulations to all of you who participated!
Without local organizations this event would not have happened. A big thank you to the Fernie Nordic Society, Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club and Fernie Mountain Bike Club for their many volunteer hours. These organizations will receive funding from the organizing group, the Fernie Transrockies Society, who has donated over $20,000 in the past two years.
A big thanks to our sponsor who help make this event happen, including: Gearhub Sports, Fernie Real Estate, Rocky Mountain, Ryders Eyewear, Hammer Nutrition, Jakroo Canada, Fernie Brewing Company, Tinhorn Creek Winery, The Cedars, Teck, The Bridge Bistro, Montane Fernie, Park Place Lodge, The Griz Inn, Fernie Central Reservations, Fernie Alpine Resort, and Island Lake Lodge.
Day 2 of the Fernie 3 started and finished at the Fernie Aquatic Centre with cooler temperatures and near perfect riding conditions. Hyper-extension, Fernie’s signature big-mountain climb, was almost enjoyable.
The big result of the day was Carter Nieuwesteeg’s come-back from a collapsed wheel in the opening minutes of Day 1 and a 25-minute deficit to win by 6:57.8 minutes. Kevin Calhoun remains in first place overall and Fernie local Martin Vale sits three minutes behind in second place. Carted moved up to 10th place, 18 minutes behind Calhoun.
Jean Ann Berkenpas from Valemount won her second stage to remain in the lead in the women’s open category. Nicole Knauf of Fernie placed another strong finish and sits in 5th place overll. For more stage 2 result details click here.
With timed descents Martin Vale posted the fastest men’s time and Jean Ann Berkenpas in women’s. Fernie rider Nicole Knauf finished 3rd in women’s, 12 seconds behind Berkenpas. For timed descent result details click here.
The 10 Annual Kid’s Bike Rally saw 150 participants; this event continues to bring smiles to kid’s faces. Free bike parts from Gearhub, bike decorations, Happy Cow ice cream and balloon Tom created a magical experience!
Perhaps the stiffest competition of the day was the U13 race! 28 racers ripped up the Montane trail with several tight sprints to the finish line. For U13 & 16 result details click here.
Stage 3 begins tomorrow at 9am at the Griz Inn. Riders will be testing Fernie Alpine Resort trails before heading to Verboten, Project 9, Happy Gilmar and returning to finish at the Griz Inn. The event concludes with a deck party at the Rusty Edge, the public is welcome to join in the festivities and support the riders.
The event is organized by the Fernie Transrockies Society and raises monies for local trail associations and clubs.
A big thanks to our sponsor who help make this event happen, including: Gearhub Sports, Fernie Real Estate, Rocky Mountain, Ryders Eyewear, Hammer Nutrition, Jakroo Canada, Fernie Brewing Company, Tinhorn Creek Winery, The Cedars, Teck, The Bridge Bistro, Montane Fernie, Park Place Lodge, The Griz Inn, Fernie Central Reservations, Happy Cow, Rusty Edge, Fernie Alpine Resort, and Island Lake Lodge.
The 3rd annual Fernie 3 started today at beautiful Island Lake Lodge with excellent riding conditions and a great kick off to Canada Day! Descending the Lazy Lizard trail from Island Lake started the day followed by three other epic single track descents in the Fernie Mountain Park area. Riders were competing in the one day race and day one of the three day stage race.
The top male finisher was Kevin Calhoun of North Vancouver riding for Rocky Mountain with a time of 2:19:10.9 and the top woman was Jean Ann Berkenpas of Valemount riding for Team Giant Vancouver with a time of 2:41:50.0.
Fernie riders did well with Martin Vale finishing second and Talon Vale, his 15-year-old son, finished tenth in the men’s open.
Fernie women, Nicole Knauf and Ashley Taylor, finished sixth and ninth in the women’s open category. For XC result details click here.
New this year, the Fernie 3 offers timed descents on the days longest downhill. Fernie riders did well with JF Deslauriers finished second in men’s and Nicole Knauf finished 3rd in women’s categories. For timed descent results click here.
The racers finished at The Cedars and awards were presented by Mark Hall of Gearhub Sports.
Stage 2 begins tomorrow at 9am at the Fernie Aquatic Centre. Riders will be enjoying Montane, Castle Mountain and Ridgemont single-track.
Tomorrow is a day for youth to be involved and ride their bikes! The 10 Annual Kids’ Bike Rally for 3 to 9 year olds starts at Gearhub Sports tomorrow between 10am and noon. Entry is free at Gearhub, sign up now. At 2pm the U13 and U16 year olds race the kid friendly Montane Trail.
The Avalanche City Roller girls will be hosting a beverage gardens from 11am to 4pm. So drop by the Aquatic Centre tomorrow and support the riders and rollers!
The event is organized by the Fernie Transrockies Society and raises monies for local trail associations and clubs.
A big thanks to our sponsor who help make this event happen, including: Gearhub Sports, Fernie Real Estate, Rocky Mountain, Ryders Eyewear, Hammer Nutrition, Jakroo Canada, Fernie Brewing Company, Tinhorn Creek Winery, The Cedars, Teck, The Bridge Bistro, Montane Fernie, Park Place Lodge, The Griz Inn, Fernie Central Reservations, Happy Cow, Fernie Alpine Resort, and Island Lake Lodge.
Please see the 2016 Fernie 3 Event Map, Stage Descriptions and Stage Maps in this post. All of this information will be available in a printed Event Guide at registration, however we’re certain you’re anxious to see what we have planned for you!
We always make a huge effort to create unique stage routes and have trails and routes that have previously not been raced. Hosting two stages in the Park area allows us to race Island Lake Lodges popular Lazy Lizard and P9, and Fernie Alpine Resorts Mr Berms and Duff Dynasty. With only one race day in the Montane/Castle/Ridgemont area, we get to select the best trails. And once again, this years race was designed by local racers for you to enjoy!
The Event Schedule has been posted on the Schedule page for viewing and downloading. Please note the change in Stage 1 & 3 Start and Finish locations. This accommodate our new awards and party venue, the Rusty Edge. The banquet will be an afternoon deck party with food and beverages, followed by the awards. This new schedule will allow travelers to attend the awards and be home at a decent time.
This years U13 and U16 routes will be on the Montane Trails as detailed here:
The 10th Annual Kids’Bike Rally is returning for 3 to 9 year olds, and is free and fun, read more here!.
Download Stage Descriptions here: Fernie 3 2016 Stage Descriptions
The organizers are very happy to be working with Jakroo Canada, their quality and attention to detail is unsurpassed and design makes us look good. Thank you Ron and John!
Everyone participating in the Fernie 3 one day and three day categories will receive a jeresy, retail value of $120.
The U13 and U16 race categories will be receiving a freeride jersey from Giv’er Shirtworks, Fernie’s screen printing and embroidery specialists. Thanks you Erin and Kieran!
Registration is open, do it now!
This coming summer mountain bike races abound in Fernie. The Fernie 3 mountain bike race is being held on July 1st to 3rd and the Singletrack 6 (ST6) will be hosting two stages on July 23 to 24th.
The Fernie 3 is an all-mountain three-day classic mountain bike stage race. This year’s Fernie 3 is being held on the Canada Day weekend, July 1 to 3rd. The Fernie 3 organizers work to offer events for all riders including a one-day option, U16 and the Kids’ Bike Rally for U9. In 2015 the Fernie 3 raised $8000 for trails and generated over $200,000 in economic benefit for the community.
The ST6 is the recreation and rebranding of the TransRockies Challenge, an event that Fernie hosted for 12 consecutive years and some people credit for placing Fernie on the world mountain bike stage. The ST6 is a 6 day adventure showcasing the best riding in a variety of mountain bike communities. The 1st ST6 toured the Northern Rockies with stages in Canmore, Invermere, Golden and Revelstoke. This past summer the ST6 visited Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton. The 2016 ST6 will leave Fernie and continue on in the Kootenays with stages in Cranbrook, Kimberley and finish in Golden.
The Fernie TransRockies Society (FTS) organizes the Fernie 3 and will also be helping organize the Fernie’s involvement in the ST6. The FTA was formed in 2002 to support Fernie’s involvement with the TransRockies Challenge and worked on all of the events. The FTS is a group of local riders whose goal is to help develop Fernie’s destination mountain biking. They achieve this by hosting events that raise monies to support trial maintenance and development, develop local racers and inspire youth, and promote Fernie as mountain biking destination. “It’s great to have two great events in Fernie, the ST6 brings international riders and a high caliber of racing and the Fernie 3 has something for everyone” stated Dan Savage, FTS Director.
The FTS looks forward to working with the events supporters and community stakeholders in coming months to help make these events a success for everyone.