Fifth Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo cancelled due to fire risk

500 participants had signed up for the sold out event which has been postponed until next year

The fifth Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo, scheduled for September 9, will be postponed until next year due to the extreme fire hazard in the region.

Glenn Dobie, chairperson of the Rotary Gran Fondo Committee said “But we believe it’s the right decision,” Dobie said, explaining that the decision to postpone has been at the forefront of the executive committee’s minds for the past seven to ten days due to the escalating issue of the region’s forest fires, and was officially decided Monday night.

“As each day grew closer we became more convinced that the only right decision to make was to put cyclists’ health and safety as our number one priority,” he said. “And based on that thought process we moved forward postponement to 2018.”

This would have been the fifth year of the event and sold with 500 registered riders and an extensive waiting list.

The event allows participants to take part in a world class Gran Fondo (an Italian term loosely which loosely translates to “Big Ride”) organized by Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club, . The event showcases the natural beauty surrounding Cranbrook and Kimberley, while also supporting local businesses.

Dobie stated that they are all really proud of the work that’s been done over the past five years of the event and they are tremendously appreciative to their many supporters, including their title sponsor Taylor Adams, who Dobie said has been “spectacular.”

Despite this incredibly disappointing turn of events Dobie is maintaining a positive and open-minded perspective on the situation.

“Things happen,” he said. “But first and foremost our thoughts are more about those people who are evacuated and the forest fires threatening people’s homes; that is far more significant than what we’re dealing with. So our thoughts are with them and we’ll carry on.”

Registration fees will automatically defer to next year’s Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo, scheduled for September 8, 2017, those who would like a full refund can contact info@krgf.ca before Saturday, September 30.

Fifth Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo cancelled due to fire risk