BC Race Review recently had the opportunity to chat with Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson about the inaugural Prospera Valley GranFondo.  Hansen-Carlson is the event director and also the President of the Canadian Velo Events Society.  This non-profit organization is hoping to bring high profile cycling events to British Columbia for years to come.  The Prospera Valley GranFondo is looking to build on the recent explosion of mass cycling events taking place within our province.  Organizers have paid particular attention to creating a true family oriented affair.  Distances are being offered for the experienced, aspiring, and rookie riders.  Furthermore, family introductory events and classes will be made available to all participants.  The ride course design was a collaborative effort and received key input from their own homegrown international professional Christian Meier.  We asked Jeffrey to provide us with a profile of the course so that we could create some exposure for this highly anticipated event. 

GranFondo (A mass-start at 7AM sharp!)
This 160km (100miles) route takes cyclists from Fort Langley south through Langley’s country roads, along Zero Avenue, through the community of Arnold, along the Sumas Prairie, up and over Sumas Mountain in Abbotsford and back to Fort Langley along the Matsqui flats and through Glen Valley along the Fraser River. Participants will climb and descend; they will open up the throttle along the flats (where they may battle some wind), and they will take it easy on occasion to marvel at the beauty of the route. The GranFondo is for cyclists 19 years of age or older.

MedioFondo
A mass-start at 7AM sharp! This 80km (50miles) route may be half the size of its big brother, but it is just as good!  Cyclists depart Fort Langley and head south along Langley’s country roads, along Zero Avenue and begin their journey back to Fort Langley through the community of Bradner and along the mighty Fraser River and through Glen Valley. The MedioFondo is designed to inspire and challenge novice cyclists 16 years of age or older.

FamilyFondo (A kid-friendly mass-start at 8:30AM sharp!)
The little folks (with their parents or guardians at their side) are going to get the full experience. This 3km ride within Fort Langley begins in a mass start format. The FamilyFondo is staffed with many volunteers both on and off the bike to ensure all of our new cyclists are safe, supported, and having fun! The route is flat and offers absolutely no interaction with traffic. At the 1.5km point there will be an aid station set up so all the little athletes can refuel for their journey to the finish line. The FamilyFondo will show participants between the age of 6 and 12 that cycling is an exciting sport!

Following the FamilyFondo the kids will take part in a fun, family orientated two-hour lesson offered by the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition that will give them the skills necessary to safely ride their bikes.  With instructors leading drills and giving tips to our young cyclists they will navigate stations designed to demonstrate all of their new knowledge.  Kids will learn about the basics of safe road riding, improve their bike handling skills, and learn the importance of respecting the rules of the road all on a closed course right beside the event finish line!