There will be a new corporate sponsor when the second annual Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo takes place Sept. 7 this year with as many as 500 enthusiastic cyclists expected for the family-orientated event.

Taylor and Adams Chartered Professional Accountants, a fixture in the city since 1996, will be the title corporate sponsor for the event, which attracted riders from as far away as Ottawa last September when the corporate sponsor was Western Financial Place.

Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club member Glenn Dobie, one of the key organizers of the event last year, says Western financial Place did a great job on the Fondo last year and he expects the same success will be repeated with Taylor Adams.

“Western Financial decided to scale back this year, but will still be involved as a business sponsor, and with that in mind, we were very fortunate to speak with Trent Taylor and Mike Adams and they decided to jump aboard and we’re glad to have them.”

Taylor, a partner at the firm, says the Gran Fondo was just the kind of sponsorship his firm was looking for. “Mike, myself and our staff are thrilled to be a part of supporting this premier cycling event in the Kootenay Rockies. We really like the fact that the Gran Fondo promotes health and fitness while also being of benefit for the entire community. It is a great opportunity for us to give back to the community that supports us.”

Last year’s inaugural run of the Gran Fondo exceeded expectations, attracting 271 participants from the Kootenays as well as other parts of B.C., Alberta and Washington State. The event raised some $25,500 with donations going to the North Star Rails to Trails Society and the club’s “Paint the Train,” project.

If this year’s goal of attracting 500 cyclists is attained, the club could raise as much as $40,000.  “We’re cautiously optimistic that we can draw five hundred based on the feedback we’ve been getting and by widening our marketing plan, says Dobie.”

Registrations for the event are already coming in and once again the bulk of the money raised will go to finish painting the vintage CPR train parked alongside Van Horne Street near the Railway Museum and for another donation to the North Star Rails to Trails Society for maintenance and upgrading of the popular bike route between Cranbrook and Kimberley.

As well as having a new corporate sponsor, this year’s Gran Fondo has made some route changes that will see cyclists using the North Star Trail route again as well as cycling through the Kimberley Platzl for the first time. The Fondo routes will also be lengthened slightly to 57 km (Piccolo), 102 km (Medio) and 152 km (Gran).

Dobie says the event is for everyone and is a ride; not a race. “The Piccolo is a perfect opportunity for recreational cyclists to experience the grandeur of the Fondo.”

Last year’s Gran Fondo featured prizes, musical entertainment and a big supper at the St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino where the three Fondo routes terminate. Organizers are planning a similar format this year with more announcements to come later, says Dobie.

On-line registration is already open with forms at: www.krgf.ca . Early bird Registration ends Monday, June 30 at 11:59 p.m and Final Registration takes place Sunday, August 31 11:59 p.m.

Dobie advises early registration for the Fondo given its great success last year. “That’s why we’re capping it at five hundred. With all the energy and enthusiasm of the riders and the volunteers we just want to ensure everyone has a quality experience.”

Above photo: file image from Janice Sommerfeld/Snapd

Submitted by the Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club

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