The third annual Gran Fondo Badlands event is gearing up to host over 800 cyclists in the valley.
This year’s Gran Fondo Badlands is set to take off on Saturday, June 25.
This event has gained popularity since its first run two years ago. There has been a burst of bikers making the trip to ride in the beautiful landscape of the valley.
“We have a fellow coming down from Italy. A lot of people travel down from Ontario and British Columbia, as well,” says organizer of the event, Rick Skeith.
The event kicks off at 8:00 am after a breakfast at the Badlands Community Facility. From there, bikers will proceed on a route that winds in and out of the valley.
There will be tents set up to serve refreshments for the bikers along the route. The event is also looking into having a massage therapist on hand to massage the biker’s sore, well used, muscles.
This Gran Fondo race is designed for the average bicycle enthusiast with turn around points at 50km, 75km, 100km, and 140km.
“It does not matter when you decide to turn around. You can turn around when your legs finally overpower your brain and you know you can’t do it anymore,” says Skeith.
The organizers stress that this event is not a race and is open to anyone looking to take a bike ride through the valley.
