Mix the challenges of cyclocross racing with the long distances associated with the Gran Fondo, and you get the Tripleshot CrossFondo.
The second annual race, and VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 only mass participation off-road cycling event, begins at the Vancouver Island Technology Park (4464 Markham St.) this weekend.
Cyclists loop through the Highlands, Hartland Mountain Bike Park, Camosun College, Francis King and Thetis Lake regional parks and through a number of private properties that landowners have opened up for the day, before finishing at the tech park with festivities and a medal ceremony.
B次元官网网址淭he large loop is the attraction for the event,B次元官网网址� said Lister Farrar, a youth coach with the Tripleshot cycling club that is organizing the race. B次元官网网址淭here are places you have to get off your bike and push or carry it. The feature for us is going for a nice long ride in places you canB次元官网网址檛 normally go the rest of the year.B次元官网网址�
The event is a fundraiser for the clubB次元官网网址檚 youth racing team to support the development of year-round training for riders between the ages of 11 and 22, as well as the South Vancouver Island Nature Trail Society to support its mission of connecting trail systems in the region. Last yearB次元官网网址檚 inaugural event saw 120 riders who helped raise $5,000 to support the youth team and $1,650 for the trail society. This year Farrar hopes to match or exceed that amount.
SaanichB次元官网网址檚 Andy Pitre heard about the race by word of mouth last year and decided to give it a try. While he admits it was challenging at times, the cyclocross rider said it introduced him to a new world of cycling.
B次元官网网址淭he nature of the course took you through all sorts of little off-road sections, which was really fun and challenging,B次元官网网址� Pitre said. B次元官网网址淚t was so neat to link together so many sections of trails that you had no idea linked up and played so well together.B次元官网网址�
The Tripleshot CrossFondo, which includes 20 and 40 kilometre options and takes where from two to five hours to complete, takes place Sunday, Oct. 15 beginning at 9 a.m. Registration is open at 8 a.m. and is $79 for the short course and $99 for the long course. Kids under the age of 16 are $45 for both the short or long course.
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