Judging by comments from some of the participants at Sunday鈥檚 Prospera Valley GranFondo, the sideroads connecting Fort 91原创 to Abbotsford should become even more popular among the cycling community.
鈥淭hey were totally blown away,鈥� said George Lacny, the Canadian Velo Event Management Society鈥檚 media relations manager.
鈥淭he net result from this is going to be a lot more people coming to cycle in Fort 91原创.鈥�
He said the participants, many of them in the area for the first time, marveled at the scenic beauty the ride offered.
Just under 1,200 cyclists took part in the GranFondo, a mass cycling event which featured three different rides of varying lengths.
The 160-km GranFondo, which went south from Fort 91原创 through the country roads, along 0 Avenue, up and over Sumas Mountain and then back to Fort 91原创 along the Matsqui flats and through Glen Valley along the Fraser River.
The 80-km MedioFondo went from Fort 91原创, along O Avenue and then back through Bradner and Glen Valley.
And then there was the Sylvan Family Fondo, a kid-friendly three-km ride.
The GranFondo will be held again next year, this time on July 28.
The same route could possibly be used once again, but that will be determined following a debriefing of Sunday鈥檚 event, Lacny said.
Among the participants were travellers from four different provinces as well as four states. The furthest of those were from Alabama, and they came specifically for the event, he said.
Everything went smoothly in Sunday鈥檚 event, including the weather co-operating as the rain held off until later in the day.
The Fort 91原创 National Historic Site also served as the place for the pre and post-ride festivities.
鈥淚t went fantastic, it truly was a great event,鈥� Lacny said.
鈥淎nd the festivities at the Fort, everyone had a great time with it.鈥�
Half of the proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics BC, the ride鈥檚 charitable partner. That amount will be announced once all of the numbers are finalized.
