Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, RBC GranFondo Whistler is now also an official UCI GranFondo World Series event. Welcoming amateur and competitive participants alike, the ride from Vancouver to Whistler offers beautiful landscapes and a clear, traffic-free passage along the Sea to Sky Highway. There are three distance options including 55 km, 122 km and 152 km. Stay in Whistler for fun at the finish line with celebrations and family events, plus great deals on accommodation and return passenger and bike transportation to Vancouver.
Events & Schedule
New for 2019: RBC GranFondo Whistler is now an official UCI GranFondo World Series event. Riders can endeavour to be in the top 20 per cent of their age group to qualify for the amateur-only, UCI GranFondo World Championships event to follow in 2020. RBC GranFondo Whistler still offers the usual three distance options, 55 km, 122 km and 152 km, for those not interested in the race series.
2019 Race Schedule
Friday, September 6, 2019
|
| 11 AM – 8 PM |
Package Pickup at the VeloSpoke Bike Expo (free and open to the public with over 50 vendors) |
Saturday, September 7, 2019
|
| 5:30 AM |
Start Corrals Open |
| 6:05 AM |
Forte 152km Start |
| 6:40 AM |
St Regis Cup Start (3 min delay between categories) |
6:50 AM |
Alta Classe Start |
| 7 AM |
GranFondo 122km Start - Stanley Park |
| 9:15 AM |
Medio Start - Whistler |
| 10 AM |
First Riders Expected |
| 10 AM - 5 PM |
Celebration Plaza Open |
| 10 AM - 12 PM |
iRIDE Jam - Kid’s ride (ages 6+) |
| 1 PM |
Awards |
| 1:45 PM |
Free Outdoor Concert at Whistler Olympic Plaza: Famous Players Band |
| 2 PM |
Truck departs for Saturday Bike return (pre-booking required) |
| 4 PM |
Bike Check Closes (all bikes to be picked up by 4:30 PM) |
| 4 PM |
Return Passenger Transportation to Vancouver (pre-booking required) |
| 4 PM |
Finish Line Closes |
| 5 PM |
Celebration Plaza Closes |
| 5 – 9 PM |
SIDECUT Modern Steak + Bar’s Summer BeerBQ at Fours Seasons Resort Whistler |
| 6:30 – 8:30 PM |
Saturday Bike pick-up in Vancouver (pre-booking required) |
| 8 PM – 2 AM |
RBC GranFondo Whistler After-Party at Buffalo Bills |
Sunday, September 8, 2019
|
| 10 AM – 2:30 PM |
Return passenger transportation to Vancouver (pre-booking required) |
| 12 – 4 PM |
Family Studio Sunday at Audain Art Museum |
| 10 AM - 5 PM |
Sunday Bike pick-up in Vancouver |
|
|
*Schedule subject to change. Events may require registration.
Post-Race Celebrations
Time: 10 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.
Outdoor Concert
Time: 1:45 PM
Location: Whistler Olympic Plaza
Artists: Famous Players Band
Free iRide Expo for Kids
Time: Registration opens 10 AM. Ride from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Day Lot 4 (beside the finish line on Blackcomb Way)
Ages: 6 and above
Ability: Kids who can ride a two-wheel bike with pedals (no striders/kick bikes please)
Registration: There is on-site registration available on a first-come/first-serve basis. Please be aware that parents need to remain with their kids.
Description: The iRide Expo offers group activities for kids led by qualified coaches and is aimed at building skills for a lifelong enjoyment of cycling. Kids will be split into various groups based on age and skill level. Each group will work with an iRide coach to develop skills and abilities.
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 back to Vancouver on both Saturday and Sunday so you can relax and enjoy your well-deserved recovery time in Whistler.
Transportation is also available to get you to Whistler from Vancouver on Friday night.
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 7, more than 4,500 cyclists will be participating in 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, there will be traffic impacts including rolling road closures and areas of reduced speed along the route. It is advised that motorists plan travel well in advance, drive with caution, follow signs and expect delays.
View 2019 Traffic Impact information from the RBC GranFondo.
RBC Granfondo Special Offers
Completing an epic ride like the RBC GranFondo takes months of hard work – so why rush back to the real world after it’s over? Take advantage of these special offers that let you stay a little longer to recover in Whistler.
Stay 3+ Nights, Receive $100 off Accommodation
Book a 3-night stay before July 31, 2019 and receive $100 off your GranFondo accommodation*. To redeem this offer, or for further information, please call 1.800.944.7853 to speak with one of our Whistler based Travel Consultants.
Ride, Stay, Recover Package – Free Scandinave Spa Access with 2+ Nights' Accommodation
Whistler.com will cover your recovery with this exclusive Stay and Recover offer. Book two or more nights of accommodation in Whistler and we’ll give you bath access for two to the Scandinave Spa for free**. Don’t delay, this offer is limited to the first 50 new reservations. Book your stay online, enter the promo code RELAX2019 at checkout and your voucher will be added to your cart. Alternatively, call 1.855.966.8999 and mention the promo code RELAX2019 when booking.
*Maximum of one $100 credit can be redeemed per booking. Offer is only available for the first 50 bookings. This offer is available for 3 night stays or more with an arrival date between September 3 – September 10, 2019. Guests must book and use their accommodation credit before July 31, 2019. **Minimum two nights stay with an arrival date between September 3 – 10, 2019. This offer is valid for new bookings only. Maximum of 2 passes per new booking received, passes cannot be redeemed as cash or transferred for any other activity. This offer is only available while quantities last. Accommodation must be booked by July 31, 2019. These offers may not be combined and are only available with new accommodation bookings made online or through the Whistler.com call centre at 1.800.944.7853.
GranFondo Accommodation Partners
Click on any logo above to check availability at our partner hotels.