GranFondo bike race draws thousands
CBC News
Posted: Sep 9, 2012 11:48 AM PT
Last Updated: Sep 11, 2012 12:54 PM PT
About 6,000 cyclists rode 122 kilometres from downtown Vancouver to Whistler on Saturday for the third annual GranFondo.
Cyclist Barney Herring says the race, which winds from downtown Vancouver over the Lions Gate Bridge and onto the Sea to Sky Highway, is the most scenic in North America.
"[It's] great because the roads are closed and we get to ride in a different way, no traffic," he said. "[It's] probably my favourite even though it's not biggest or hardest one."
Just over 20 per cent of the participants are from outside B.C.
Lindsay Carswell with GranFondo says the race has brought more than $20 million in tourism revenue into the province over its three-year history.
"There are some at the front of the pack who are here to race but for the most part it's just like a marathon and people are here for personal best or to race against friends."
Marvin Guzman of Vancouver had the fastest time at just over three hours and 24 minutes. The average time is about five hours.
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