Inaugural Road Cycling Event a Success
By Rossland Telegraph
Seventeen riders took part in the inaugural Rossland Century road cycling event on Saturday, July 15, organized by Steve Langley. It was a trial run, and Langley was surprised that so many riders turned out for it. He says he wanted it to be “a very special challenge that would attract riders from outside the area, who want to test themselves against the long, grinding climbs that few areas in North America can offer.” The ride packed 3500 meters of climbing into 170 kilometres, with only four climbs.
The fastest rider was Dallas Cain, who finished the long route in 5 hours and 20 minutes.
There was also a 90-kilometre route with only 1500 meters of climbing, for riders who wanted a less challenging event. The oldest participant was John Lake at 72, who chose this option.
Langley says he intends to hold the event annually, and thinks it will grow into “one of the premier road cycling events in the Northwest.” For next year, he promises that he’ll try to arrange for one or more coffee shops to be open in time for riders to caffeinate before their ride, and for the Rossland Beer Company to be open for relaxation and recuperation when they return.
For those interested in the routes for the two versions of the event, here they are:
The Full Century: 170 kilometres, 3500 meter elevation gain
Start at Prestige Hotel 6:00 a.m.
· Down highway 22 to Paterson border post
· Back up to Rossland, past Prestige (start/finish point) ― Climb1
· Down the hill from Rossland to Trail,
· Avoid the highway through Trail and Fruitvale by taking Columbia Gardens Road to Highway 3B and up to Champion Lakes Provincial Park ― Climb 2
· Down from Champion Lakes and then left on 3B to Highway 3.
· Up Highway 3 and over the Bombi Summit ― Climb 3
· Down to Castlegar, then up Highway 3 to Nancy Green Provincial Park and on up to Strawberry Pass ― Climb 4
· Down to Rossland and finish at the Prestige. (Castlegar to Strawberry pass = 36 km)
The Half Century: 90 kilometres, 1600 meter elevation gain
Start at Prestige Hotel 6:00 a.m.
· Down the hill from Rossland to Warfield
· Turn left onto Eton to Warfield Hill, down to Highway 22
· Turn left on Highway 22 to Castlegar
· Turn left in Castlegar onto Highway 3 and up to Nancy Green Provincial Park
· Up Highway 3-B to Strawberry Pass and down to Rossland, finish at the Prestige
Next summer’s event may bring riders from afar as well as our region’s roadies.
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