The Sea to Sky\u2019s gravel road cycling competition, first launched in the Squamish Valley in 2022<\/a>, is currently open for registration, inviting cyclists of all abilities to participate.<\/p>\n Starting in Brennan Park\u2019s gravel field (39555 Loggers Ln.) on Sept. 27, novice cyclists to championship competitors will have the option of three routes:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Full Fondo has a lot of climbing, so it\u2019s not as easy as the distance would make it seem,\u201d the Fondo\u2019s website states.<\/p>\n Event director and founder Dean Stanton said this year\u2019s routes will go up Valleycliffe and the Mamquam Valley; the beginners will finish at Ring Creek Road, then come down via Garibaldi Park Road, whilst the \u201cmedios\u201d will continue up Mamquam Forest Service Road for nine miles, and the full fondo will continue to the end.<\/p>\n Stanton, who has been gravel cycling since 2014, said he started the Fondo in Squamish to \u201cshowcase the amazing scenery.\u201d<\/p>\n He described gravel bikes as \u201cold mountain bikes (with) road bike bars on them, and fat dirt tires,\u201d or if a mountain bike and road bike had a baby.<\/p>\n \u201cI would say (the Fondo) is a modern version of Test of Metal (a 67 km cross-country biking competition discontinued in 2016<\/a>) \u2026 Pre-pandemic, gravel bikes were just being made.\u201d<\/p>\n Stanton confirmed that this year\u2019s competitors will receive warm food, and two sets of prizes will be up for grabs, honouring both competitions.<\/p>\n He recalled that some of those registered so far are coming from California, Montana, and Washington (U.S.), as well as Vancouver Island, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and the Yukon.<\/p>\n \u201cThere’s a few people who are pretty elite, but the vast majority of people are just out to have a fun day, and just get started in Squamish,\u201d Stanton said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe demographic is almost 30 per cent female. We’re always trying to get that as high as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Those competing in the Cycling BC Gravel Championships must be valid Cycling BC members on the date of the event, the website notes.<\/p>\n
\n\tPiccolo \/ Beginner Fondo (approx. 30 kms)
\n\tMedio\/ Intermediate Fondo (approx. 55 kms)
\n\tFull Fondo\/ Expert (approx. 85+ kms)
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