RBC GranFondo Whistler returns for another year of triumphs (and traffic delays)
Thousands of cyclists depart Stanley Park in Vancouver at 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, and head to Whistler, B.C.
For around 4,000 cyclists, Saturday's Vancouver-to-Whistler GranFondo will be the event of the year.
Waves of riders left from Stanley Park's Brockton Point,just after 6:00 a.m. PT to pedal either the 122-kilometre classic route up the Sea-to-Sky Highway, or a 152-kilometre "forte" route that includes a short early detour and climb up to Cypress Provincial Park in West Vancouver.
Another group of riders left Squamish at 9 a.m. for a shorter 55 km "medio" fondo.
With the average age of participants at 45, the event appears to marks a growing movement to stay in shape through the years.
You just have to push the envelope a bit and get out there and do it.- Kathie Leitch, 79-year-old GranFondo Whistler rider
In 1955, Kathie Leitch became the first person on record to swim across Lake Winnipeg, but she says she lapsed in her athletic exploits when she began to raise a family.
It wasn't until she was in her 50s that she decided to start pushing her physical limits again and now, at 79, she's joining friends on the long road to Whistler.
"A year ago two friends, Heather Duncan and Jeannie Fletcher, said they'd like to do the fondo with me because of my 80th birthday," she told CBC News.
"They'd never done anything like this before, they trained like mad, not even 'specially liking it, and so I couldn't wimp out!"
Neil McKinnon, president of GranFondo Canada, said the physics of the sport really allow older people like Leitch to take on the challenge.
"Cycling is a lot easier on your body," he said. "You get the opportunity to recover on the downhill, it's not as strenuous on your knees and you can recover quickly."
He said cyclists in the GranFondo can also choose how hard they want to compete, and whether or not they want to treat it like a race.
He also said more than 40 per cent of the people taking part this year are from outside the Lower Mainland, and many of those riders appear to be making the cycling event a key part of their trip to B.C.
It used to be that just going somewhere was enough. Now you want to go somewhere and do something, and something that can be really spectacular includes things like a Gran Fondo.- Former Olympic skier Steve Podborski
Former Olympic skier Steve Podborski says that's just part of the growing trend he's seen, where older people who want to travel want to do more than join sight-seeing tours.
"It used to be that just going somewhere was enough. Now you want to go somewhere and do something, and something that can be really spectacular includes things like a Gran Fondo," he said.
Event organizers say they are prepared for any health concerns that may arise, with more than a dozen ambulances standing by and paramedics on motorcycles spaced out along the route.
But Leitch says people should stop thinking of older people as weak or sickly.
"I think we so underuse our facilities, both mentally and physically, and we can do so much more than we think we can," she said. "You just have to push the envelope a bit and get out there and do it."
2014 GranFondo Whistler traffic delays
With more than 4,000 cyclists ride from either Vancouver or Squamish to Whistler on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, event organizers say motorists can expect delays of up to three hours between West Vancouver and Whistler between 6:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m:
Motorists are advised to obey all traffic control personnel and be prepared to stop during this large-scale cycling event.
During the event, speed limits will be reduced to 60 km/h on sections of Highway 99 between Horseshoe Bay and Whistler. Motorists are also advised to plan their travel well in advance, drive with caution and follow signs.
For the safety of everyone — there will be some traffic pattern changes throughout the day. Thank you for your cooperation and for supporting all of the volunteers, spectators, and the athletes who have trained so hard for this day. Together we can create a successful day for all.
The following traffic changes and detours will be in effect:
Stanley Park Causeway and Lions Gate Bridge – The causeway and Lions Gate Bridge will be closed to northbound traffic, from 6:00 am to 8:00 am Motorists are advised to use the Ironworker’s Memorial Second Narrows Bridge. One southbound lane will remain open on the Lions Gate Bridge and causeway.
Stanley Park Drive, Vancouver - Access to Stanley Park Drive, from Georgia Street, closed from 6:00 am to 8:00 am.
North Vancouver/Marine Drive – Westbound Marine Drive will be closed between Capilano Road and Taylor Way. Traffic will be rerouted to Lower Capilano Road, Welch Street, Wardance Street and Taylor Way, from 6:00 am to 8:30 am. Southbound access to the Lions Gate Bridge will remain open via Marine Drive eastbound from the West Vancouver side.
West Vancouver – Marine Drive and Taylor Way intersection – Access to Taylor Way will be restricted for intermittent periods, from 6:00 am to 10:00 am.
Highway 1 – Both eastbound lanes on Highway 1 will be closed between Taylor Way and Horseshoe Bay, from 6:00 am to 10:00 am. Motorists are advised to use Marine Drive eastbound.
Cypress Bowl Road, West Vancouver - 500 cyclists will travel along Cypress Bowl Road with police escorts up and down the hill. Cypress Bowl Road closed to Highway #1 traffic from 6:00 am to 8:30 am. Local traffic only from 6:00 am to 8:30 am. Cypress Bowl Road closed to southbound traffic from 7:15 am to 8:15 am. Expect delays in this area.
Highway 1 westbound at Exit 2 (at Horseshoe Bay) – Westbound Highway 1 traffic and northbound Highway 99 traffic will be re-routed via Exit 2 to Old Highway 99 (Horseshoe Bay Drive). Traffic will enter Highway 99 northbound at the Pasco Road Highway 99 access. Detour will be in effect from 6:00 am to 11:00 am.
Ferry traffic and Local Horseshoe Bay traffic – Horseshoe Bay traffic will be re-routed to Marine Drive through West Vancouver, from 6:00 am to 10:30 am.
Horseshoe Bay at Highway 99 Junction/Heavy Truck Restrictions – Eastbound heavy truck traffic travelling between Horseshoe Bay and Taylor Way and Highway 99 southbound will be re-directed to a temporary storage location at Horseshoe Bay, from 6:00 am to 9:00 am. Heavy truck traffic will be restricted from the Marine Drive, through West Vancouver, during this period and can re-enter Highway 1, when the eastbound highway lanes are re-opened.
Highway 99 southbound/Pasco Road/West Vancouver – Southbound Highway 99 traffic will be re-routed at the Pasco Road exit, via the Old Highway 99 route (Horseshoe Bay Drive), to Marine Drive in West Vancouver, from 6:00 am to 11:00 am.
Highway 99 – Horseshoe Bay to Tunnel Point – Counterflow traffic adjacent to cyclists will be in effect at Tunnel Point, with one lane northbound and one lane southbound available for motorists, leading to single-lane alternating traffic for 2.6 km, from 6:30 am to 11:00 am.
Highway 99 at Porteau Cove Provincial Park – Counterflow traffic adjacent to cyclists in effect, with one lane northbound and one lane southbound available for motorists, leading to single-lane alternating traffic for 1.3 km, from 7:15 am to 11:00 am.
Highway 99 at Furry Creek – Local Furry Creek traffic will be re-routed via internal roads to access Highway 99 northbound and southbound, from 7:15 am until 11:30 am.
Highway 99 at Britannia Beach – Single-lane alternating traffic will be in effect for 1 km, with no northbound right turn permitted at Main Street (Copper Drive), from 7:30 am to 12:00pm.
Highway 99 – Murrin Lake Park to Squamish – Traffic signals along this section will be flashing, with traffic control persons on site.
Highway 99 at Cleveland Avenue and Loggers Lane – Traffic signals will be flashing. No traffic access to Loggers Lane from Highway 99 at Cleveland Avenue or Industrial Way. Motorists are advised to use Centennial Way underpass to Loggers Lane, from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm.
Highway 99 – Valley Drive to Depot Road/Squamish – Traffic signals will be flashing and traffic movements, both to and from the east side of Highway 99, will be restricted and or closed between 8:00 am and 11:00 am. No right turns northbound from the highway permitted, and no left turns southbound from the highway, between 8:00 am and 11:00 am. Affected Highway 99 intersections for closures and restrictions are:
- Valley Drive, Scott Crescent, Mamquam Road, Garibaldi Way, Depot Road and Alice Lake; ALL CLOSED between 8:00 am and 11:00 am.
Highway 99 – Alice Lake Road to Function Junction (6 km south of Whistler) – Motorists should expect counterflow traffic adjacent to cyclists, through this area. Cyclists will occupy the northbound slow lane. One lane northbound and one lane southbound available for motorists. Counterflow is in effect from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Highway 99 – Function Junction to Village Gate Boulevard, Whistler – Signals will be flashing and traffic will be stopped intermittently at the entrances and exits to key Whistler destinations. Expect major delays entering and exiting the east side of Highway 99 in Whistler.
Alta Lake Road – Alternate Route to Highway 99, Whistler – Alta Lake road will be available as an alternate traffic route from Highway 99, in Whistler.
Whistler – Various Cross Street Intersections with Highway 99:
- Blackcomb Way West – Closed in both directions.
- Village Gate Boulevard – Closed to northbound and southbound traffic from Highway 99.
- Lorimer Road and Whistler Way – Both roads are open as alternate routes to Village Gate.
- Whistler Northlands Boulevard at Village Gate – Traffic signal will be flashing. Traffic Control persons will be on site, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Some trucks prohibited:
On September 6th, 2014, only commercial vehicles under 40,000 kg GVW and 20 meters in length will be allowed to pass through the GranFondo Whistler route.
TransLink bus routes affected
TransLink says buses on routes 019, 239, 240, 242, 246, 250 and 257 will be affected by the GranFondo event:
Effective Saturday September 6, 2014 from 6am to 9am:
Due to the RBC GranFondo race on Stanley Park Causeway & Lion’s Gate Bridge the following detours will apply
019 Stanley Park Regular route Denman & Georgia then via Denman, Robson to a temporary terminus on Robson at Bidwell.
019 Stanley Park Grand Fondo
019 Metrotown From temporary terminus on Robson at Bidwell via Robson, Cardero, Georgia then regular route.
019 Metrotown RBC Grand Fondo
239 Park Royal Regular route to Marine & Capilano then via Lower Capilano, Welch, Bridge Road,Taylor Way, Marine then regular route.
239 Park Royal GranFondo
240 Vancouver Regular route to Marine & Garden then via Garden, 16th, McGuire, Marine then to Not In Service Lonsdale Quay (omit Vancouver).
242 Vancouver Regular route to Marine & Garden then via Garden, 16th, McGuire, Marine then to Not In Service to Lonsdale Quay (omit Vancouver).
240 242 Vancouver RBC GranFondo
240 15th Street Coaches will run Not In Service from Lonsdale Quay via Esplanade, Forbes, 3rd, Garden, Welch, Capilano, Marine then via regular route (omitting from Vancouver).
242 Upper Lonsdale Coaches will run Not In Service from Lonsdale Quay via Esplanade, Forbes, 3rd, Garden, Welch, Capilano, Marine then via regular route (omit Vancouver portion).
240 15 Street Grand Fondo
246 Vancouver Regular route to Marine and Garden then will route Not In Service to Lonsdale Quay via Capilano, Welch, Garden, 3rd, Forbes, Esplanade (omit Vancouver).
246 Vancouver Grand Fondo
246 Highland/Lonsdale Quay From temporary terminus at Capilano and Curling via regular route (omit Vancouver portion).
257 Horseshoe Bay/250 Horshoebay/Dundarave detour first bus till 9am: regular route to Georgia and Seymour then via Seymour, Hastings, Renfrew, 2nd Narrows Bridge, low road to Marine Dr, to Park Royal then regular route.
250/257 Vancouver detour first bus till 9am, regular route to Georgia, and Thurlow, via Thurlow, Nelson, Seymour to terminus.
257 Express will travel via Marine Drive instead of Hwy #1
With files from the CBC's Tim Weekes