by admin | Mar 4, 2010 | Fernie TransRockies
The TransRockies Start is returning to Fernie, following three years of hosting the Finish! Fernie originally hosted the Start for five consecutive years. In addition Stage 1 will be a time-trial on local trails where the riders will start and finish in Downtown Fernie. Then the following morning, Stage 2 will start in downtown Fernie and head North to Elkford.
It all will begin on August 7 when hundreds of mountain bikers from around the World will show up to register for the ninth annual TransRockies Challenge. Over the next seven days, they will travel 400 km with nearly 12,000 metres of climbing though the Canadian Rocky Mountains by the time they finish in downtown Canmore, Alberta on August 14.
“We are thrilled that the TransRockies Start is returning to Fernie,” said Dan Savage, TransRockies Society. “They get to ride the best bike trails in Canada, for two stages. Having hundreds of riders in town for multiple days will be a great vibe and boost local businesses.”
Riders are expected to arrive in Fernie days before registration to prepare for the event. During the lead up and on the weekend–retail shops, accommodations, and restaurants will be busy.
On August 8 the Stage 1 time trial will take riders to the top of Castle Mountain and on a number of technical single track trails in Ridgemont. “This TransRockies will offer the best single track riding ever”, said BC Route Director Pat Gilmar. For Stage 2 the riders will be heading north and east to Elkford.
Stage 3 takes riders across the Alberta border and over the Continental Divide to finish at the Etherington Creek Wilderness Campground in Kananaskis Country. The next day, August 11, Stage 4 will continue through Kananaskis Country, to an authentic western ranch located on the edge of the Sheep River Wildlife Reserve, 45 minutes south of Calgary.
On Stage 5 and 6, riders will head high into K-Country again for two days of single and double track ridgeline riding on the spine of the Rockies. On the last night of the TransRockies, riders will be treated to more western hospitality at historic Rafter Six Ranch. On the final stage, August 14, riders will follow the TransCanada Trail to the Canmore Nordic Centre, site of the 1988 Olympic winter Games and several World Cup mountain bike races, before descending to the finish line on Main Street in Canmore.
Fernie is the only community to host all nine TransRockies events. The first five starts was followed by three finishes. This year the event will feature two starts and one finish. Without question this will be the largest bike festival ever to roll through Fernie’s Downtown.
For more information email: transrockies@fernie.com.
by admin | Aug 16, 2008 | Fernie TransRockies
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.
by admin | Aug 14, 2008 | Fernie TransRockies
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)
by admin | Aug 13, 2008 | Fernie TransRockies
It was a relief to get onto some flowy single-track and there was lots of it! The time trial format was really cool and it let all the teams have some space to prove their handling skills.
Michele- I finally solved some of my nutrition bugaboos and found my legs for the first time this race. We raged on the single-track and schooled a few of the men’s teams about the right way to ride a log & steep downhills. We found our team rhythm and felt we put in a good time on the course, passing a few of our competitors and making up some time on others. There were definitely a few technically challenging spots and some amazing scenery. There was one portion of the course which ran above the Kootenay River about 200 meters atop of a cliff wall which were absolutely no slip zones!
Seb- The course was absolutely amazing, some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve seen and some of the best single-track I’ve ridden. I’d definitely like to come back and ride here just for fun. There was about 60% single-track, 30% quad track and only about 10% gravel road, but just enough hike-a-bike to qualify it as a TransRockies day! I feel we made some time on our competitors and should move up a couple of places in the standings and I’m quite happy about that.
It was a good day to be representing Blackstone Fernie and raising awareness of Asthma Canada. W
by admin | Aug 12, 2008 | Fernie TransRockies
I sit under the awning of the RV, the rain coming down again, waiting for Pepper, Shayne, Michelle and Sebastian, the riders of the “Breath Easy Teams” in support of Asthma Canada.
Pepper is my partner and I love her very much….but right now the word is RESPECT…respect for her dedication to Asthma awareness, respect for her tenacity and courage and respect for her commitment to take care of herself and be an example for other Asthma suffers.
Today, the race is more than 70 KM and over two mountains with 3800 meters of climbing but that does not explain the challenge. There are grades that would challenge a mountain goat and swift rivers to cross. There are swamps and bogs and rain and snow. The descents are full of roots and rocks and mud and many times bordering deep canyons.
I sit and wait…it could be a 10 hour day today and then 5 more days to go after that…my heart goes out to Pepper and all the Breathe Easy Team and wish them a safe journey.
Please help them to reach their goal by donating to Asthma Canada .
Will Matthews
Breathe Easy Support Team
