Backers of an international cycling race that rolls through Squamish are working with stakeholders to ensure race-day traffic is smooth running.
Three months away from the third annual event that takes place on Saturday, September 7, GranFondo officials are busy ironing out and improving on last year's race, race representative Liz Urbach told the District of Squamish's council on Tuesday (June 4). Organizers anticipate between 5,000 and 6,000 participants to ride up the Sea to Sky Highway.
Garibaldi Estates will be the centre of the action in Squamish, she said, with organizers setting up the Garibaldi Market at the Garibaldi Village Mall. The station was set up for the first time at the 2012 race, with the B.C. Lions Society flipping pancakes in a fundraising breakfast.
During this year's event, which happens on Sept. 7, a time gate will placed at the market. A Race to Squamish award will be handed out at the end of the day to the first cyclist through that gate, Urbach said, noting the winner's packet includes prizes from local shops.
Eighty Squamish residents have signed up to volunteer at the GranFondo. So far, approximately 150 locals are taking part in the race. That equals approximately one in 74 Squamish residents having a direct connection with the event, Urbach said.
It is a big part of the community and we're happy to have such participation, she said, noting Squamish also serves as a training destination.
Organizers are looking to continue to grow the race, while mitigating traffic issues it creates on the day of the race. Some Squamish-area residents have complained about traffic restrictions and congestion during the three previous races. Cyclists whiz through Squamish along Highway 99 around 8 a.m. At that time, some streets that cross the race course are closed, opening up to intermittent traffic as cyclists thin out.
The race runs the same day as the Brackendale Fall Fair. GranFondo officials are working with fair organizers to ensure traffic interruptions don't impede that event, Urbach said.
We continue to do outreach to all of the stakeholders in the community, she said.
Check out last year's race -
