After a long winter and temperamental spring the sunny skies and mild winds were very welcomed for the third annual Kootenay Kids Fondo held on Sunday, May 28 at the beautiful St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino.
Sixty-five young riders from ages six to 13 joined in the cycling event sponsored by East Kootenay Community Credit Union and organized by the Sunrise Rotary Club of Cranbrook. All riders completed their eight km, 16.6 km or 20.4 km challenge.
The young cyclists also had the opportunity to have some fun on the iRide Cycling skills course before and after their ride. Joining in the day’s activities, including riding the iRide skills course, was local cycling hero and World and Paralympic Champion Tristen Chernove. Tristen, the honorary race starter, outfitted in his Team Canada jersey, inspired the children and their parents with his medals and stories of world class cycling.
The Kootenay Kids Fondo was developed by volunteers from the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo who wanted to give younger children the opportunity to ride in a similar bike event. By hosting the event in the spring the KRGF and iRide teams hope to help motivate children to ride their bikes all summer long.
Event organizers wish to thank local sponsors/supporters for helping make the Kootenay Kids Fondo a success including East Kootenay Community Credit Union, Gerick Sports, FUNHOGZ, Kootenay Mountain Works, Ciao Tours, Columbia Basin Trust, Culligan Cranbrook, Global Strategic Management, Savage Management, Western Financial Ltd., R & J Murdoch Dairy Distributing Ltd and CLIF Bar.
Photos by John Mandryk
Originally published on e-know.ca, East Kootenay’s online weekly news.
