By Scott Roblin

Cyclists battle wind and heat to finish 2018 Gran Fondo

Jun 11, 2018 | 12:24 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Wind and heat were the enemies for cyclists on Saturday taking part in the annual Medicine Hat Gran Fondo event south of the city.

Hitting the highway at 8:00 on Saturday morning, around 110 racers were tested with a strong headwind over the first half of the race.

Trent Allard has competed in the Gran Fondo each of the last five years and said his speed drastically improved once he turned his bike around.

“You really didn’t get a lot of speed, but you had to manage your fluid intake, your food,” said Allard. “But once you got out there at the 50 [kilometre] turn around, coming back was very fast. I topped 58 or 62 [kilometres per hour] consistently.”

Racers had the option of competing in 60, 100, and 146 kilometre races that wound down Eagle Butte Road reaching close to Cypress Hills Provincial Park.

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

However, some of the riders chose to shorten up their distances on Saturday due to the gusting wind and scorching temperatures reaching well over 30 degrees.

Allard said riders were sore and tired after completing the course, but added most cyclists love to push through the pain.

“I think it’s a personal choice to put yourself through this every year, it’s what cyclists do,” he said. “There’s a lot of pain involved and all cyclists ride with pain, it’s part of life.”

Wilma Van Niekerk was one of the organizers for this year’s event and said the Gran Fondo allows riders to challenge themselves and test their endurance.

“On a good Saturday for a club ride we get a dozen people out,” said Van Niekerk. “Here you have a few aid stations and some food, and suddenly you have 110 people out. So, it’s nice to be able to offer people the opportunity to ride the longest distance they’ve ever ridden, because of the support that’s available.”

According to Van Niekerk and the organizing committee, this was the most successful year in terms of ridership for the Gran Fondo when it comes to long-distance riders.