Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL:
What do I get with my entry?
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an incredible Gran Fondo experience with a classic bike event format
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catered lunch upon crossing the finish line *Vegan and Gluten Free options available
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great swag
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well stocked and supportive aid stations
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roaming mechanical and paramedical support
What are the distances?
35km and 70km
Please note: all riding distances are approximate. We have done our best to ensure that each distance is accurate but based on the routes chosen, for the 50km and 75 km, it is sometimes difficult to be exact. Rest assured if you are riding the full distance you will ride a full 100 miles/162 km (based on our GPS) or even a bit more. We know how you hate to be short-changed!
I want to enter but do not have a road bike. Can I still participate?
Absolutely! Road bikes and triathlon (TT bikes or bikes with aerobars) are the most common bikes out there but a pathway bike, mountain bike or an ebike are all more than welcome (*ebikes are not eligible for KOM or QOM awards). We also welcome tandom bikes with permission from the race director.
What if I want to change the distance I registered for?
No problem at all! When you come to package pick up we will be asking if you intend to ride the same distance you registered for. If you wish to change to another distance we will do it for you there on the spot!
I cannot race or have decided to not race, can I get a refund?
There will be no refunds. You can roll your entry to 2024 for an additional $60 up until June 1st, 2023. Please email triitrichelle@gmail.com if you need to do this.
I cannot race or have decided to not race, can I transfer my entry?
You may transfer your entry to another person up until June 1st, 2023. However, they will pay the CURRENT rate of the entry. (ie. if you paid $100 for our entry on December 15th, but are transferring your entry on May 28th, the person buying your entry will pay $125). You can do this by logging into your Active.com account that you created at registration and manage your registration.
If you have any questions regarding you Active.com account or have trouble logging in, please contact customer support at 1-877-228-4881.
Do you support a charity?
Having raised over $17,000 for the Boys & Girls Club over the first 4 years of holding fondos GFB, we are happy to now support various youth clubs of Drumheller. We are big supporters of any organization that encourages youth to pursue the outdoors, and anything we can do to promote cycling makes our new chosen charities a good fit for our event.
PRE-RACE:
When is package pick up?
Wednesday, July 5th: 4pm - 8pm - TCR Sport Lab (1817A 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB)
Thursday, July 6th: 10am - 6pm - TCR Sport Lab (1817A 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB),
Friday, July 7th: 4pm – 8:30pm - Badlands Community Centre in Drumheller (start/finish line)
Saturday, July 8th: 6:30am - 7:30am - Badlands Community Facility (80 Veterans Way, Drumheller, AB)
*you (or a friend) must pick up your package at one of these times. You cannot race without picking up your package.
Can a friend pick up my event package?
Yes, they can! Please ensure the friend who is picking up your package has been authorized by you via a text message/email they can show to us at the time of pick up. We only ask this as we have had well-meaning friends pick up race packages in the past but do not clarify with their friend that they have picked up the race package.
What is the exact location of the event?
The start (and finish) of the event is at the Badlands Community Facility (80 Veterans Way, Drumheller, AB)- which is about 300m east of the world’s largest dinosaur.
Where can I park my car?
The Badlands Community Facility (80 Veterans Way) has limited parking. Neighbouring residential streets have ample parking. Please do not park in No Parking designated areas – we take no responsibility for parking tickets!
*we ask if you are riding your bike to the start, you please wear a helmet.
What if my bike isn’t working event morning?
We will have on-site bike support provided by TCR Sport Lab and The Loose Hub on event day to help with any bike repair emergencies. We ask you carry at least 1 spare tube for your bike.
What time is breakfast?
Breakfast is available from 6:30am - 8am. We will be serving a breakfast burritos you can grab and GO!
*Vegan and Gluten Free options available
How do I put on my bike tag/stickers?
COURSE:
Schedule - JULY 8th, 2023
6:00am - Drumheller Community Facility Opens
6:30am - 7:30am - TCR Sport Lab and The Loose Hub on-site for any emergency bike repairs
6:30am - 7:30am - package pick up
6:30am - 8:30am - Breakfast (PARTICIPANTS ONLY)
(upstairs of the Badlands Community Facility)
7:30am - 160km and 140km event riders start
8:00am - 100km riders start
8:30am - 75km and 50km riders start
Course closes for all at 4:00pm
*160km and 140km event riders have 8.5 hours to complete their distance
*100km event riders have 8 hours to complete their distance
*75km and 50km event riders have 7.5 hours to complete their distance
11:00am - 4:00pm - Lunch
(outside of the Badlands Community Facility)
*FRIENDS AND FAMILY TICKETS $25 during registration process, or $30 CASH at package pick up
11:00am - 5:00pm - Beer Gardens
5:00pm - clean up
How long do I have to complete the course?
The course closes for EVERYONE at 4:00 p.m.
*160km and 140km event riders have 8.5 hours to complete their distance
*100km event riders have 8 hours to complete their distance
*75km and 50km event riders have 7.5 hours to complete their distance
If you have not finished by that time please be prepared to ride in the sag wagon.
How does the ferry work?
When you get to the ferry, fully expect that there will be a line up to get on the ferry…..but rest assured that the friendly ferry operator will do everything he can to get as many people over in as short a time as possible. It is a 10 minute round trip, so just relax and enjoy the scenery. There is a short steep grade immediately after disembarking so make sure you are in your easiest gear before you get to the other side. This is also where the first KOM/QOM starts – be prepared!
How many lanes of road will be open to cyclists for each event?
There are no designated lanes to cyclist as the roads are open to traffic at all times. All cyclists will ride to the far right hand on the road - on the shoulder - alongside traffic.
What are the road surfaces like?
The road surface is pavement.
What if I am not feeling up to the distance I registered while out there?
No trouble, simply come to the timing tent after you cross the finish line and give your name and they can make the change for you so you are in the correct results.
Where are the aid stations located and what will be at them?
50km course = 24.5km, 44.7km
75km course = 24.5km, 44.7km, 61.1km
100km course = 24.5km, 44.7km, 61.1km, 88.6km
140km course = 24.5km, 44.7km, 61.1km, 94.1km, 105.7km, 128.6km
162km course = 24.5km, 44.7km, 61.1km, 94.1km, 127.7km, 150.5km
*Washrooms/Porta Potties will be available at ALL aid stations.
Each aid station will have:
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Bagels, cookies, bananas, Stinger Waffles, and Stinger Gels
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Water, Skratch Energy Drink and Coca-Cola
Aid Station 1 (24.5km) - located approximately 23km from the start prior to crossing the Red Deer river at the Bleriot Ferry.
Aid Station 2 (44.7km) - located at the Passion Plan turn. (just after re-entering the town of Drumheller).
Aid Station 3 (61.1km) - located at the back of Last Chance Saloon in Wayne
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“BACONSAURUS STATION” - Bacon sandwiches are available at this aid station
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(GF also available – please just ask the chef)
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THIS STATION ALSO OFFERS A PLACE TO RELAX! Please walk 100m to the back of the building (or ask a volunteer or staff to direct you) and enjoy sitting at a picnic table while enjoying some beautiful scenery
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Aid Station 4 & 5 - located at the Dorothy Community Centre (Highway 10 east). The long course participants utilize this station 2 times.
Aid Station 6 - located approximately 9 km before the finish.
Race Support
The awesome Cory Fagan and other TCR SportLab mechanics, along with The Loose Hub, will be the roving bike support vehicles. They are equipped with tools, tubes, tires, bike pumps and other items to assist cyclists with minor repairs which may be required while on the course. Please note that if there are any major repairs necessary to a bike, the mechanics may not have the required tools or parts to assist you, but they will do their best to get you to the finish line. Any repairs required to your bike other than a spare tube will be charged back to you. However, we encourage everyone to carry a spare tube and tools with them.
We are excited to have The Loose Hub supporting us this year, offering free basic adjustments at the start of the event and helping to keep riders going while on course. The Loose Hub is a mobile bike shop that comes right to your home or office to service your bike. Book your appointment online, they show up when it’s convenient for you, and you’re back out riding the same day.
PLEASE NOTE: We are happy to provide spare tubes and other minor repairs during the course of your ride, however if you have any other mechanical issues we would ask you to be prepared to cover the cost of these items. Please make arrangements with the mechanics (either TCR SportLab or The Loose Hub) to pay for them when you arrive at the finish line. Thank you for your cooperation.
In the event your bike cannot be repaired on course, we have sag wagons available to transport you and your bike back to the finish line.
The Badlands Search and Rescue team will also be on the course should medical assistance be required. As well, there will be limited first aid supplies at each aid station. If additional medical assistance is required, participants should notify a volunteer at the closest aid station and they will telephone for further help. However, all participants should be carrying their own cell phone in case of emergency and should dial 9-1-1 if immediate assistance is required.
SPECTATORS:
Can my friends, family or coach come out on the course to cheer me on, support or pace me?
No, anyone riding on the course must be a registered participant.
Can my friends and family have lunch with me?
Yes, but you must pre-purchase your extra lunch tickets during registration ($25) or at package pick up for a cost of $30 (CASH ONLY at package pick up)
POST RACE:
When are the beer gardens open?
The beer gardens will open after noon – please bring cash. Valley Brewing will be selling their craft cans (473ml) for $7. You can also purchase wine for $7 a glass.
What time is lunch?
Lunch is available from 11 - 4pm. We will be serving a hearty, delicious lunch to fill each rider up! Additional lunch tickets can be purchased during registration ($25) or at package pick up ($30 CASH ONLY).
*Vegan and Gluten Free options available
How can I get cleaned up?
Showers are available at the community centre, the cost is included in your entry fee. Bring a towel!
Massage
Massage therapists from National Spine Institute will again be giving massages at the finish line for a cost of $1/minute. Please bring cash.
Where will official results be posted?
Official results will be posted at Startline Timing (startlinetiming.com) by the end of the day.
Are there awards?
While there are no awards for the distances, we will have overall KOM and QOM awards for those who ride both of he KOM/QOM hills on the 140km and 160km distances. These segments will be clearly marked.
Will you be subtracting my ferry wait time and time from the results?
We don't subtract the ferry time so it is included in your total ride time. You can monitor your ferry time and deduct it from the overall race results for your own knowledge and data keeping.
Where is the lost and found?
The lost and found will be located at the finish line. After event day contact tritstaff@gmail.com for lost and found. All unclaimed lost items will be donated after 30 days.
