Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo

The 2024 Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo is back this September! The picturesque ride starts and finishes at the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino, where there’s plenty of space for riders to park in the freshly harvested fields next to the festival tent. In the early dawn light, water bottles are topped up, race numbers are secured to the bikes and hundreds of pairs of padded bike shorts are put on before heading to the festival tent for the continental breakfast. With bellies full of carbs and protein, the riders head for the start line in front of the old brick missionary-turned hotel.

Like many Gran Fondo events, the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo offers three distances.

The Gran Fondo is 152 km using the paved North Star Rails to Trails path to quickly arrive in Kimberley B.C. where the first fueling station is located in the Platzl. While the cheers of spectators echo through town, the riders pedal north along the Kimberley Highway, rolling through farmland and forest until it reaches Highway 95 where excellent views of the Kooteney River are on the right. Cranbrook may be a short distance away, but this is where the big guns take a hard left and ride the peaceful Wardner Fort Steele Road for an extra 50 km before returning to Highway 95 for a few more steep climbs including the King and Queen of the Mountain competition before descending into the valley and onto Mission Road to St. Eugene.

The Medio Fondo is 102 km, also utilizing the same route as the Gran. North Star Rails to Trails > Kimberley B.C. > Kimberley Highway > Highway 95
Tremendous views accompany riders throughout the journey. The Medio follows the same route as the Gran but skips the Wardner Fort Steele out-and-back.

The delightful Piccolo Fondo is 58 km using the North Star Rails to Trails to reach the Platzl and return the same way. Riders using E-bikes and families are all invited to participate. Every route is surrounded by spectacular scenery using roads with wide shoulders and a minimal amount of traffic.

What Every Rider Receives

• A heck of a lot of fun
• Ride the most scenic roads in the Kootenays
• Continental Breakfast - who doesn't like breakfast?
• A fully supported and traffic-controlled ride
• A Dri-fit T-shirt or rider hat
• Mobile Mechanical support throughout the duration of the ride. We’ll get you back to the finish line safe and sound
• 5 Nutritional Aid and Medical stations along the route. Friendly roving medics are there to assist should the need arise
• Secure bike parking during pre & post-event celebrations
• Complementary baggage check
• Bike wash after the ride
• Post ride meal - more food and time to socialize
• Final results posted by category

Event Proceeds

The Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo, presented by Selkirk Signs is organized by the Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club. Our purpose is to serve as an opportunity for cyclists to participate in a world class Fondo, bring tourists to our region, and raise funds for local charitable endeavors.

Fondo Funds at Work

• North Star Rails To Trails (R2T) Society
• Kimberley Volunteer Ski Patrol
• Speed Watch and Kimberley Rotary Club
• Cranbrook Noon Hour Rotary Club
• Mark Creek Lion Club
• WASA Lions Club
• Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club (Event Organizer) 

Parking and Directions

PARKING
There will be parking at three locations at the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino. Parking attendants will direct you once you arrive at the event.

DIRECTIONS
The St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino is located in the East Kootenay region of southeast British Columbia. It’s only five minutes from the Canadian Rockies International Airport (Cranbrook), ten minutes north of the City ofCranbrook and just 20 minutes south of Kimberley. Cranbrook, the regional centre for the Kootenay’s, is only 60 kilometres (40 miles) from the USA/Canada border, and approximately 120 kilometres from the Alberta border. Cranbrook is approximately 181 kilometres from Kalispell, MT and approximately 240 kilometres from Spokane, WA.