Heads up: Traffic delays due to GrandFondo race

[squamish climber]

The GrandFondo Whistler bike race takes place Saturday Sept 10/11. There are going to be delays on the Sea to Sky Highway.

About 7,000 riders are expected. Basically it looks like bike racers will have at least two lanes as they ride north, starting at 7am and until 11am. That means cars will be sharing the southbound lanes. There will be alternating traffic for cars where only two lanes exist, such as the section between Porteau Cove and Furry Creek, and through Britannia Beach. Also access to Shannon Falls will be limited from 8:30 to 11:30 am

Squamish Traffic Impact:
• Stawamus Chief Provincial Park accesses open
on event day, visitors should plan ahead and
Expect Long Delays between 8:30am and
11:30am. Traffic Control Personnel will assist
with turning movements across the northbound shoulder lane as gaps in cyclists permit.
• Brennan Park is accessible on event day by taking the Centennial Way exit off of Highway 99
northbound. Loggers Lane is open to general
traffic southbound all day.

[Anders Ourom]

The Vancouver - Whistler cycle races of the early to mid 1970s use to create monumental fusterclucks on the highway. The road was then much narrower and windier, especially the Alice Lake - Garibaldi Lake turnoff section. 100 to 200 mostly serious riders, even though they started quite early, created quite a clog, and so eventually the race was discontinued.

It was and is a good training ride, though. One popular route is to ride Vancouver - Squamish - Vancouver, then at the end up ride up to Cypress Bowl, and down, then over and up to the Mt. Seymour road, and down. The sting in the tail being not only two big hills at the end, but to not use your brakes on either descent. Cypress isn't too bad, but Seymour is rather exciting.

The Squamish - Pemberton - Squamish ride is also a good one.