It is all about the expansive and dramatic terrain for cyclists.

香蕉视频直播淚 like the course. I like that you香蕉视频直播檙e really going to an awesome tour of the area,香蕉视频直播� said Kelly Servinski of Squamish, who crossed the finish line to complete the 160-kilometre Granfondo distance with Axel Merckx. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e not professional riders. It香蕉视频直播檚 a lot of fun, it香蕉视频直播檚 hard. The scenery is beautiful.香蕉视频直播�

Servinski, among 2,500 riders in last Sunday香蕉视频直播檚 event, said the people cheering on the riders from the sidelines provides a great atmosphere, as does the camaraderie with the other cyclists.

香蕉视频直播淧enticton is a beautiful place to come,香蕉视频直播� he said.

Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 Peter Watson completed the 92-km Mediofondo distance and rode the course as a guide. He was asked by organizers to assist riders. Carrying extra equipment with him, Watson changed three tires and helped a couple of riders with dropped chains.

香蕉视频直播淚t was really fun to see a different aspect of the race,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭ypically I香蕉视频直播檓 more towards the front row and fast. Today was all about cruising along; chatted with people. It was really cool to see. Everyone was smiling.香蕉视频直播�

Penticton residents Sunette and Perold Louw finished the 55-km Cortofondo together.

香蕉视频直播淚 think the drafting is a lot of fun. Just the spirit of the fondo and everybody is welcome,香蕉视频直播� said Sunette, of what she likes most about Granfondo which was her third time participating. 香蕉视频直播淚t is always quite a high just to be part of the event. I think if you feel strong, you can ride hard. If you feel like you are not strong, you can ride slow and still have a good time. It香蕉视频直播檚 a very dynamic atmosphere.香蕉视频直播�

Her husband added its nice to ride in the crowd, but he also enjoys the drafting aspect and 香蕉视频直播渇lying down the highway.香蕉视频直播� He said the event creates a nice atmosphere.

Trevor Linden, president of hockey operations for the Vancouver Canucks, who completed the 160-km Granfondo distance, has participated every year.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 always a great day here in Penticton,香蕉视频直播� said Linden. 香蕉视频直播淚t was hot, but it was nice. I like to work hard and then eat hamburgers after.香蕉视频直播�

Merckx said it was another great year for the event as he received a lot of positive feedback from participants, the City of Penticton, sponsors and volunteers. The most important thing to Merckx is that everybody had a great time.

香蕉视频直播淭here is a lot of enthusiasm behind the event,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淲e are really proud of what we have done over the last seven years. We couldn香蕉视频直播檛 have done it without the support of the city. That is important to us. The feeling that I have is that it is actually becoming the city香蕉视频直播檚 event. This is their event. It香蕉视频直播檚 really cool to see people rally behind that.香蕉视频直播�

The event concluded Monday with a volunteer appreciation night.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a huge part, an important part of our event,香蕉视频直播� said Merckx. 香蕉视频直播淲e want to be thankful to all the volunteers.香蕉视频直播�

Piccolofondo a hit with families

The Piccolofondo on Saturday attracted 300 kids.

香蕉视频直播淚t is a huge part of our weekend,香蕉视频直播� said Merckx, whose wife, Jodi, is behind organizing that event. 香蕉视频直播淚t brings a lot of enthusiasm, not only to the participants, but I think to the local community also. A lot of local families sign up their kids. It is a cool event to be part of.香蕉视频直播�

William Lemieux, nine, experienced glory on the hot day, winning his race.

香蕉视频直播淭he race was hard. It was just quite easy to win,香蕉视频直播� said William, part of a riding group in Calgary.

The Piccolofondo is free for kids 12 and under as they participate in a race as small as 400 metres up to five km in a loop past Okanagan Lake and around Gyro Park.

Apex Mountain Hill Climb

Between 40 and 50 cyclists rode the Passo Apex Hill Climb Race last Saturday, which is 12 km featuring an elevation of 861 m with an average gradient of 7.9 per cent. said it is worthy of the Tour de France. Merckx agreed it was a difficult climb.

香蕉视频直播淚 took my time. It was a nice ride up there. It香蕉视频直播檚 kind of a nice warm up for the fondo,香蕉视频直播� said Merckx. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 just looking to have a good time with some friends.香蕉视频直播�

Merckx, who competed in the Tour de France, said the climb reminded him of the famous L香蕉视频直播橝lpe d香蕉视频直播橦uez climb in France. Merckx said Apex Mountain road is pretty steep in the beginning, hard in the start, and it gets better towards the end.

香蕉视频直播淚t gets less steep towards the end of the climb,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 wider and less switchbacks. On the grade side, it really reminds me of that climb.香蕉视频直播�

sports@pentictonwesternnews.com
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