Friday, Aug. 6 will see as many as 200 cyclists taking to Squamish streets during Corsa Cycles’ PreFondo ride, a preview of the RBC GranFondo Whistler.
“We're really excited to be hosting this event,” said Corsa Cycle owner Dave Heisler. “It's a great way for Squamish to showcase itself again to cycling community in the Lower Mainland.”
The ride will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. at Squamish Station Mall and will run along Loggers Lane to Government Road and then head to the end of Paradise Valley.
The return trip will have the group following Squamish Valley Road to the Highway, then down Depot Road and along Ross Road.
At Government Road, the group will split and the more ambitious riders will take another trip out to the end of Paradise Valley before returning to Corsa Cycles at around 7:30 p.m.
Although rules of the road apply, Heisler warns there may be some disruption to traffic as the ride takes place.
“There's nothing more frustrating than not knowing what's happening,” Heisler said, “so we just want to give the community a bit of heads up so that they can plan around the event, or better yet, they can join us.”
Participants in the PreFondo will return to Corsa Cycles at Squamish Station Mall for a barbecue social where they can purchase raffle tickets for an entry into the GranFondo as well as other great prizing, with all proceeds to purchase Share the Road signs for Squamish.
The event is a preview of the RBC GranFondo Whistler, a 4,000-rider, mass-start road ride from downtown Vancouver to Whistler happening Saturday, Sept. 11.
GranFondo rides attract large numbers of cyclists of all skill levels – from amateurs looking for a challenge to competitive riders seeking a real contest – all pushing themselves on routes more than 100 kilometres long and rife with climbing.
In the Sea to Sky edition, the GranFondo route stretches from sea level in Vancouver, with riders starting out at 7 a.m. on Sept. 11 by heading over the Lions Gate Bridge, and ending in Whistler Village at its elevation of around 675 metres.
“We have been astounded by the enthusiasm for this ride,” organizers state on their website.
To register for the PreFondo, go to www.cyclecomponentnetwork.com/event/show/926 or drop by Corsa Cyles.
Participants in the PreFondo do not need to be registered in the RBC GranFondo Whistler.
