RBC GranFondo Whistler

Name: RBC GranFondo Whistler
Start: 2023-09-09
End: 2023-09-09
Location: Whistler, BC

September 9, 2023

The RBC GranFondo Whistler is a stunning point-to-point cycling journey along the famous Sea to Sky Corridor between Vancouver and Whistler. There are distance options from 55 km to 152 km and all offer beautiful landscapes and a clear, traffic-free passage along the Sea to Sky Highway. The event is family friendly and open to all abilities.

2023 GranFondo Events & Schedule

The largest Gran Fondo in North America, RBC GranFondo Whistler is inclusive, open to everyone, and now offers the classic 122 km Gran Fondo, 152 km Forte and 55 km Medio categories. Choose your distance and register at rbcgranfondo.com.

2023 Race Schedule

Monday, September 4

Time	Event	Location
9 AM - 2 PM	PRIMAFONDO PARTY	Red Truck Brewery, Vancouver

Thursday, September 7

Time	Event	Location
6 - 8 PM	VIP cocktail reception (by invite only)	Vancouver

Friday, September 8

Time	Event	Location
11 AM - 8 PM	Package Pickup at VeloSpoke Bike Expo	Vancouver Convention Centre East

Saturday, September 9

Time	Event	Location
5:30 AM	Start Corrals Open	Stanley Park, Vancouver
TBD	Medio 55km Package Pick-Up Open at Solutions Tent	Day Lot 4, Whistler
6 AM	Forte 152km Start	Stanley Park, Vancouver
6:40 AM	St. Regis Cup Start	Stanley Park, Vancouver
6:50 AM	Alta Classe Start	Stanley Park, Vancouver
7 AM	Gran Fondo 122km Start	Stanley Park, Vancouver
8:45 AM - 12 PM	HopOn Kid’s Ride & Bike Skills (ages 9 - 16)	Lost Lake, Whistler
9 - 10 AM	lululemon Stretch Class in Celebration Plaza	Whistler
9:15 AM	Medio 55km Start	Day Lot 4, Whistler
9:45 AM	First Riders Expected	Day Lot 4, Whistler
9 AM - 5 PM	Celebration Plaza Open	Whistler Olympic Plaza
1 PM	Awards Ceremony at Celebration Plaza	Whistler
1 PM	Truck departs for Saturday Bike return (pre-booking required)	Day Lot 4, Whistler
4 PM	Bike Check Closes (all bikes to be picked up by 4:30 PM)	Day Lot 4, Whistler
4 PM	Return Passenger Transportation to Vancouver	Day Lot 4, Whistler
4 PM	Finish Line Closes	Whistler
5 PM	Celebration Plaza Closes	Whistler
9 PM - 2 AM	RBC GranFondo Whistler After-Party	Après Après, Whistler
6 - 9 PM	Saturday Bike Pick-Up at lululemon Headquarters	1818 Cornwall St., Vancouver

Sunday, September 10

Time	Event	Location
9:50 AM - 2:25 PM	Return passenger transportation to Vancouver (pre-booking required)	Day Lot 4, Whistler
12 - 4 PM	Family Studio Sunday at the Museum	Audain Art Museum
10 AM - 5 PM	Sunday Bike Pick-Up at lululemon Headquarters	1818 Cornwall St., Vancouver

*Schedule subject to change. Events may require registration.

2023 Post-Race Celebrations

Time: 9 AM – 5 PM
Location: Whistler Olympic Plaza
Description: Celebrate the ride with friends and family in the Plaza. Featuring meals, refreshments, kids playground, live entertainment and a beer garden.

Free HopOn Kids Ride and Bike Skills

Time: Ride starts 8:45 AM. Bike Skills from 10 AM – 12 PM
Location: Lost Lake
Ages: 9 – 16
Description: HopOn will be bringing family fun with a dedicated kids ride on Saturday morning. Free and open to kids 9 - 16, come and do a lap of the special Lost Lake kids course, as well as learn skills from dedicated CyclingBC coaches. Bikes not provided - must bring a helmet!

Awards Ceremony

Time: 1 PM
Location: Whistler Olympic Plaza
Description: Watch top riders receive their medals and prize money onstage.

Training

The only way to train for the RBC GranFondo is to pedal, pedal, pedal. A pre-ride is a great way to become familiar with the course, know the challenges and plan pacing for yourself on the day (and stop for pictures along the way). Why not plan a pre-ride and meet the family in Whistler for a night or two in the mountains, or stay and tackle some of the other road rides in the area to enhance your mountain legs?

Transportation

Bike and passenger transport is available for your return trip to Vancouver on Saturday and Sunday so you can relax and enjoy some well-deserved recovery time in Whistler

Please see the RBC GranFondo website to see and book options.

Recovery

No need to rush off after the ride – there are plenty of places to stay and enjoy a relaxing recovery in Whistler.

Find the perfect accommodation for a deep sleep after the event
Soak your muscles in your own hot tub or book a post-race massage at one of Whistler's spas
Join up with other participants in one of Whistler's bars, pubs or restaurants to raise a glass in victory
Turn it into an outdoor adventure weekend. Try bungee jumping, mountain biking or another summer activity
If you prefer to rest after the race, ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, take a gentle hike or chill out by one of Whistler’s five beautiful lakes

Traffic Impacts

On Saturday, September 9, 2023, more than 5,000 cyclists are expected to ride from Vancouver to Whistler in the RBC GranFondo Whistler.

Participants in the RBC GranFondo and Forte categories will start at Vancouver’s Stanley Park, head up along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway and end at Whistler Olympic Plaza. Riders in the Medio category will start in Whistler, head south down the highway, take a scenic detour up to the Callaghan Valley and loop back to cross the same finish line as everyone else.

As a result, on event day between 5:30 AM and 4:30 PM there will be traffic impacts along the Sea to Sky Highway and in Whistler, including road closures and areas of reduced speed. It is advised that motorists plan travel well in advance, drive with caution, follow signs and expect delays. Motorists travelling the Sea to Sky highway should plan for delays of up to three hours, obey all traffic control personnel and be prepared to stop during this large-scale cycling event.

View 2023 Traffic Impact information from RBC GranFondo.

Stay Longer and Receive a Free Dining Voucher

Extend your weekend in Whistler for the RBC GranFondo and take advantage of a free Dining Voucher, valid for use at a wide range of Whistler's restaurants, pubs and bars.

Stay 2+ nights and receive a $50 Dining Voucher
Stay 3+ nights and receive a $100 Dining Voucher