Parks Canada has given conditional approval for a Gran Fondo bike race to be held in Jasper this June.
Trevor Soll of Multisports Canada has been working to organize the event since last year, and was recently given the go-ahead by Parks to begin organizing the event for the June 13–14 weekend.
Soll said that there are only a few minor details to work out—mostly related to wildlife safety—before the event is 100 per cent official, but said he is thrilled to be bringing the race to Jasper.
A Gran Fondo is a long-distance road cycling event in which a large number of cyclists are individually timed as they race a marked route.
Fondos have gained popularity in North America over the last five years, and Soll has wanted to hold an event like this in Jasper since that rise began.
“[Jasper] is the perfect venue for it—the roads are great and it’s one of those untapped markets: Jasper has nothing like a Gran Fondo right now,” he said.
“This cycling event will bring attention to the incredible and extensive cycling offer in Jasper, and provide an opportunity to showcase the park’s scenic beauty, protected wildlife and diverse visitor opportunities,” Parks’ Public Relations and Communications Officer Kavitha Palanisamy wrote in an email.
But it’s not just a road bike race that Soll hopes to bring to Jasper in June. Along with the Gran Fondo June 13, he also hopes to pull off a triathlon the following day.
He is offering a wide variety of distances and opportunities for participants of all skill levels to join, and said that he wants the weekend to appeal to everyone from hardcore athletes to families.
Soll isn’t looking for any money to help run the event, but said he hopes the municipality and Parks can assist with road closures and the use of venues like the Jasper Aquatic Centre.
He also said that he has partnered with the Jasper Community Team, which will provide volunteers. In exchange, Soll will donate part of the proceeds raised from the event to the organization.
Soll said he believes the Gran Fondo can act as a precursor to the Tour of Alberta—which will come through Jasper in early September—giving athletes a chance to ride very similar routes, and spectators a taste of what a long distance bike race will look like in the park.
Anyone looking for more information, or to sign up for the event, can check out www.granfondo-jasper.ca for more details.
Trevor Nichols
[email protected]
