RBC GranFondo returns, ‘ready to overcompensate’ for last year’s mistakes: Organizers

The RBC GranFondo Whistler is kicking into high gear this weekend, as around 5,000 cyclists prepare to descend upon the Sea to Sky highway this weekend.

Neil McKinnon, self-proclaimed chief enthusiast and founder of the race, says the planning for this year’s race focused largely on conceiving an excellent athlete experience after last year’s race suffered from food and water supply issues.

“It’s a herculean effort to get to Whistler and our goal this year was to make sure that everybody was as prepared as possible,” he said.

Starting in Stanley Park, the cyclists will cross the Lions Gate Bridge and continue along the Sea to Sky highway towards Whistler, where they will finish the 122 kilometre ride with 2,300 metres of elevation.

Last year, the race was held for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore, welcomed an inflated number of participants. However, it also saw a number of participants taking to social media to express frustration over the lack of nourishment at the four aid stations, causing some of them to drop out early.

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McKinnon says last year was a disappointing experience for all and he acknowledges the race organizers let some people down. To prevent this from happening again, he says the race has returned with a new mantra this year.

“Our mantra is ‘From sea to sky,’ and really what that is, is creating and tightening all of our operations to ensure everything is available for the fastest to the slowest riders,” he said.

He adds there’s been a focus on aid station and proper food preparation this year to prevent a repeat of the mistakes made last year.

“I’m a thousand per cent confident that we’ve done what we can to make things as suitable for our riders to get there safely and with all the proper fluids and nutrition that’s required,” he said

Due to the race kicking off Saturday morning, the Lions Gate Bridge will be closed northbound from 5:30 to 8:30 a.m. and the speed limit on the Sea-to-Sky Highway will be capped at 60 kilometers an hour, with single-lane alternating traffic along some stretches.

McKinnon says he advises drivers who need to get to Squamish or Whistler tomorrow to go early, and give themselves lots of time.

For now, McKinnon says weather risks such as rain, wind and smoke seem to be in favour of excellent race conditions this year.

“We acknowledge last year’s mistakes and we’re ready to overcompensate for that,” he said.

The race starts at 7 a.m. tomorrow.

-With files from John Ackermann