November 17/11 8:27 am - Mission Classic Gran Fondo

Posted by Editoress on 11/17/11
 

The Mission Classic Gran Fondo brings cycling to the Fraser Valley’s north side. The inaugural Mission Classic Gran Fondo is set to take place on May 27, 2012. The 120Km and 70Km professionally managed courses will start and finish in Mission and feature beautiful scenery, timed climbs, well paved roads, supported aid stations, professional on-course support and the camaraderie of group cycling.

The Gran Fondo derived its origin in Italy and is commonly translated "Big Ride". In Europe these are mass start rides and attract up to 10,000 riders of all types. Gran Fondos are for every type of rider, casual and more experienced, and are offered in different distances.
The Mission Classic is looking to attract 1,500 cyclists to the area with the Gran Fondo course going from Mission west towards Maple Ridge, climbing up to Dewdney Trunk Road, then east across the Stave Lake Dam and back towards Mission. Riders then do a challenging loop through the rural area of Silverdale and then up and over to the rural roads of the Miracle Valley/McConnell Creek area before returning to Mission. The 70Km course is an abbreviated version of the Gran Fondo course with cyclists riding the same route out of Mission then turning back towards Mission with the loop section through Silverdale and the then towards Miracle Valley which is the second half of the Gran Fondo course.

Along the way, cyclists will be supported throughout the ride by well-stocked aid stations, and roving medical and mechanical support for anyone in need of assistance.

The undulating terrain of the course will challenge participants’ strength and stamina. The event is a great opportunity for competitive as well as recreational cyclists, with each participant choosing their own speed at which to complete the event. The feature hill climb will be the 1.75Km section on Tyler Avenue that will be timed and closed to traffic with overall course results available to riders after the event.

After the ride, prizes will be awarded across age groups and team categories. The ride will be finished off with a post-ride meal and a free community concert slated to take place in Fraser River Heritage Park. Throughout the awards ceremony, draw prizes will be distributed. Also included in the entry fee will be an event garment and various gifts from the sponsors of the event.

Mission (pop. 35,262) lies just 70km/44mi east of Vancouver, an hour drive via the Lougheed Highway (Highway 7). Situated on a hillside above the Fraser River, the area is known for its fishing, Mission Raceway Park and the annual Mission Folk Music Festival.


“We are very pleased that Outback Events has chosen Mission to host the Mission Classic Gran Fondo event in 2012. Mission offers a challenging road race environment with a very attractive backdrop that we know will draw the cycling community year after year. As a community partner, we are very pleased to be working with such a reputable event coordinator and we welcome the hundreds of racers and spectators to the community.”  Stacey Crawford – Economic Development Officer, District of Mission

“Our goal is to bring a first rate cycling event to an area that is known for great riding and has a long history of great local club support and events to area. The combination of a scenic, rural course located just 70Km from Vancouver will make the Mission Classic Gran Fondo an event not to be missed," says Joe Dixon, the event’s organizer.

Mark your calendars, registration opened on November 15, 2011.

For more information please email joe@outbackevents.ca or call (250) 863-3208 or check www.missionclassic.ca.


Press release