March 9/12 16:03 pm - GranFondo Announced for Banff National Park

Posted by Editoress on 03/9/12
 

GranFondo Canada, producers of epic participation cycling events, has announced the introduction of RBC GranFondo Banff, which will take place on Saturday, August 25th. Starting and finishing in the beautiful mountain town of Banff, the 142 kilometre route will take cyclists into the heart of the Rockies to experience the awe-inspiring nature of Banff National Park and discover its tradition of mountain adventure.

This gran fondo event is very unique, in that it is taking place in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Organizers will be placing special emphasis on this unique experience by creating learning opportunities for participants and their families to enjoy during their visit. As a true destination event in one of Canada's most cherished locations, cyclists will come to connect intimately with the park.

"We are extremely excited to introduce the gran fondo to Banff National Park," said Kevin Thomson, co-founder of GranFondo Canada. "It's something we've been working on for a long time and we look forward to an incredibly successful event. We are also very proud to announce that the Royal Bank of Canada is extending its sponsorship of the GranFondo Canada event series to now include the RBC GranFondo Banff. RBC has been a very strong partner over the past three years with all of GranFondo Canada's events, and is committed to delivering a memorable experience for our riders in Banff."

Many participants will come from Alberta, but most are expected to come from across Canada and around the world.

"The RBC GranFondo Banff event is a terrific fit for the Town of Banff," said Mayor Karen Sorensen. "It promotes a healthy and earth friendly activity and is a wonderful way to enjoy the splendour of the Canadian Rockies. We will be pleased to welcome all the participants and their families to Banff."

It is expected that participants will travel with their families and extend their stay beyond the single-day event to take in local attractions and activities.

"The RBC GranFondo Banff provides an excellent and low-impact opportunity for Banff National Park to showcase its world-class and beautifully scenic road-cycling routes," said Stu Back of Banff Lake Louise Tourism. "This event provides an ideal way for cyclists of all abilities to participate in one of our destination's most beloved and popular activities."

Capacity for the inaugural RBC GranFondo Banff has been limited to 1,500 participants and demand for the event is expected to be very high. For those interested in participating, registration will begin at 9:00 am on March 15th. For more information, visit www.rbcgranfondobanff.com .