See what happened at RBC GranFondo Whistler 2018
Helicopters, champagne sprays, a rock concert, and a battle to the finish, the best in North America puts on another glorious spectacle!
Photo credit: Tammy Brimner
Wow, what a weekend it was at RBC GranFondo Whistler 2018. Every year they promise a grand show and every year they live up to that promise. Scroll down to see the highlights of event weekend:
Post ride party
Photo credit: Tammy Brimner
Delicious finish line food
The food was so good that we are still thinking about it. Hungry riders received a pulled pork sandwich with a potato salad and there was a scrumptious falafel pita for the vegetarians. The food was provided by Whistler Cooks who source all of their ingredients locally. All riders also received a hard earned Red Truck Beer.
Champagne sprays
Photo credit: Tammy Brimner
The awards at RBC GranFondo Whistler 2018 were a spectacle to watch with litres of champagne sprayed on stage by the top three men and women of the GranFondo category as well as the winners of the St. Regis Cup in each category.
The top three of each category within the St. Regis Cup also received:
1st place = $2500 gift certificate to Gotham Steakhouse
2nd place = $1500 gift certificate to Hy’s Steakhouse
3rd place = $500 gift certificate to Red Truck Brewery
Rock concert dance party
Photo credit: Tammy Brimner
Once the awards finished the party really kicked off with Nearly Neil and the Solitary Band performing live at Celebration Plaza. Sweet Caroline and other famous Neil Diamond songs were performed. The crowd of thousands sang along and danced to the old school tunes all while celebrating the end to a very glorious day.
Cowbell-deafening finish line cheers
The famous finish line down Blackcomb Way in Whistler was filled with thousands of fans lined up along the sidelines cheering on the riders with cowbells and screams. Cowbells were handed out for free to fans which made for a great atmosphere. The fastest riders came across the line at just over 3 hours and it was a tight battle to the finish.
Photo credit: Tammy Brimner
Helicopters
Photo credit: Tammy Brimner
The sound of a helicopter flying above riders as they rode up the Sea-to-Sky highway was not for the filming of another Hollywood movie, it was the making of the biggest RBC GranFondo Whistler event video yet. The Helijet helicopter followed thousands of riders all the way to Whistler taking in sweeping views of Howe Sound, the Coast Mountains.
A lucky few riders also got to take the Helijet helicopter back to Vancouver on Saturday after the event. There were 10 spots sold for this once in a lifetime experience.
Keep your eyes peeled for the 2018 RBC GranFondo Whistler event video!
Epic challenges & new routes
There were the traditional challenges such as the Gran Fondo route in which riders start at Vancouver’s luscious Stanley Park and ride north over the iconic Lions Gate Bridge before heading up the scenic Sea-to-Sky highway in a dedicated lane to Whistler.
There was the popular Forte route where riders also leave Stanley Park but add an extra 876m challenge by riding up Cypress Mountain to the start of the Cypress ski area before heading up to Whistler for ultimate rock star status.
St. Regis Cup presented by Robert J Macdonald
Photo credit: Tammy Brimner
New this year was the high caliber team event which featured qualified teams battling for glory along the Sea-to-Sky highway on the Gran Fondo course. It was a tight race to the finish with Wow Ride Cycling claiming the women’s team title and Pender Racing claiming both the men’s and mixed team titles.
Medio 55km Whistler
Photo credit: Jen Letham
This year was an exciting one for the Medio 55km as it was the first time in RBC GranFondo Whistler history that the route started and finished in Whistler. The new route led riders southbound on the Sea-to-Sky highway and up the scenic Callaghan Valley for a rest stop at the Whistler Olympic Park before heading back to Whistler for one grand finish with the rest of the Gran Fondo riders.
The new route turned out to be the perfect challenge for families to ride together as well as a great first distance for new riders to complete. It also gave riders the convenience of staying the whole weekend in the world renowned resort town of Whistler compared to previous years in which the Medio started in Squamish.
Register now for the 10th year anniversary
If you missed out on RBC GranFondo Whistler this year, you will definitely want to be a part of it in 2019 for the 10th year anniversary!
Not only will there be special 10th year anniversary celebrations but RBC GranFondo Whistler 2019 is also an official qualifier event for the 2020 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. The top 25% of each 5 year age category in 2019 will qualify for the 2020 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships which are held by none other than RBC GranFondo Whistler.
Big things are happening and trust me you want to be a part of it!
