The 15th RBC GranFondo Whistler promises to be a big one.
Sept. 7 is the marquee day, with over 5000 riders expected to make their way up the Sea to Sky Highway across the 55-kilometre, 122-kilometre and 152-kilometre distance categories. The GranFondo will be something of a festival this time around, with a Vancouver shakeout ride on Sept. 5 and a VeloSpoke Bike Expo the day after. Then on Sept. 8, social events are planned at the Audain Art Museum and Scandinave Spa to help wrap things up.
Women are also being empowered to take part like never before. GranFondo Whistler recently launched Project 30by30: an initiative that aims to see 30 per cent of registrants be female by 2030 while supporting increased ladies' participation and longevity in cycling as a whole.
"The goal is to get curious, tell stories, empower and aid with a platform for women doing incredible things for the community, foster increased representation and grow gender equity," said event organizer Oli Cartmell.
When asked which aspect of last year's GranFondo he looks to build upon, Cartmell responded with: "The participant experience. Our aim was to overdeliver on an amazing time on everything, from the big things to the smallest details. While it was of course gratifying to see a 97 per cent approval rate in our post-event survey, the real success of 2023 was countless people talking about their experience on forums, social media and word of mouth in general.
"People come to expect high standards from the RBC GranFondo Whistler and rightfully so, which makes receiving praise from both the local community and destination travellers alike even more meaningful. We're known for throwing parties, and anyone who was at the 10-year celebration in 2019 will attest to how these milestones aim to take that up a notch even further."
Gearing up
In 2024, the YWCA Gear Up program is GranFondo Whistler's charity of choice.
According to program manager Gray Myrfield, Gear Up is a free 13-week curriculum that equips youth with skills, certification and employer connections in the trades. Participants experience seminars on topics like resume building, job hunting, employee rights, first aid, WHIMIS, financial literacy and conflict resolution.
More focused workshops such as bicycle sales and customer service, shop ticketing, cycling safety are also held alongside more than 40 hours of hands-on bike repair training and practice.
Over 100 people have graduated from Gear Up in the last three years, many of whom have been directed toward job placements in Greater Vancouver bicycle shops like Mobi, Bike Doctor, Cycle City, R.A.D. Cycles, Our Community Bikes and Bike Kitchen.
"Working in the bicycle industry is a great start for someone interested in trying out the trades," elaborated Myrfield. "It’s a career path that values experience and rewards continued curiosity and growth. However, the Gear Up program focuses on a problem-solving methodology to diagnose issues and solve them. This methodology is valuable in any career path."
Added Cartmell: "Partnering with the YWCA Gear Up program is a no-brainer. Gear Up aims to provide youth from ages 15 to 30 with the skills and experience to become a certified bike mechanic. Aligned with the goals of Project 30by30, YWCA Gear Up also helps to promote gender equity in cycling by providing greater access to bike services and training."
In the past, Olympians like bobsled pilot Chris Spring and snowboarder Darren Gardner have tried their hand at the GranFondo Whistler. Cartmell believes, however, that every registrant is notable in his or her own right.
"Each one has hopes and dreams, will have sacrificed and worked tremendously hard just to get to the startline; and each motivated by their own unique passions and reasons," said Cartmell. "It can be easy to get caught up in the scale of large events, but the truth is every athlete who rides the RBC GranFondo Whistler is an incredible person with a story worth listening to.
"It's one of my favourite things about the GranFondo: getting to spend time meeting the riders and fans and being able to celebrate their accomplishments together."
Visit rbcgranfondo.com/whistler for more updates and details about the race, including traffic advisories pertinent to Sea to Sky residents.
