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TransRockies Classic rides again for 2019

Big mountain cross country stage racing returns after five year hiatus

TransRockies Classic
TransRockies Classic
Image: TransRockies Race Series

After five years off the race calendar, TransRockies Race Series announced the return of the TransRockies Classic mountain bike stage race for 2019.

Riders have one year to find a partner and prepare for the challenging seven day route in the Rocky Mountains. The race departs from Panorama Mountain Resort to finish in Fernie, B.C., making two crossings of the continental divide along the way. Only one hundred and fifty teams of two will be allowed into the race, which combines challenging terrain with remote locations in the high mountains.

TransRockies Classic
Image: TransRockies Race Series

One of North America’s original multi-day epic mountain bike stage races, the first TransRockies Challenge rolled out of Fernie, B.C. in 2002. Just 100 racers headed out through the wilderness toward Canmore, Alta. in that inaugural edition.

Over the following 10 years the route evolved, added new locations and shifted directions. Always consistent was the quest for the coveted belt buckle awarded to all finishers that made it through the full seven day experience.

The final edition of TransRockies Challenge first run was held in 2013. Mical Dyck was the top Woman ahead of Jean Ann Berkenpas and Petra Tlamkova, while Oliver Zurbruegg edged out Canadian endurance specialist Cory Wallace to win the Men’s race, with Calle Friberg in third.

TransRockies
Team of two racing the original TransRockies Challenge. Image: TransRockies Race Series

In 2014 TransRockies Race Series relaunched the event as Singletrack 6. With the new name came a new format, focused on showcasing Western Canada’s diverse networks of singletrack mountain biking trails. The event has run annually from 2014-2018, moving around to different locations ranging from West Brag Creek, Alta to various B.C. locations from Revelstoke to down to Fernie. Starting in 2019, TransRockies Classic and Singletrack 6 will operate on alternating years

More route details will be revealed in November 2018, with final routes published closer to the race date in May, 2019. The planned route for the return of the TransRockies challenge is:

Stage 1 – Panorama Mountain Resort to Invermere, BC
Stage 2 – Invermere to Nipika Mountain Resort
Stage 3 – Nipika to Nipika
Stage 4 – Nipika to Whiteswan Lake
Stage 5 – Whiteswan Lake to Elkford, BC
Stage 6 – Elkford to Crowsnest Pass, AB
Stage 7 – Crowsnest Pass to Fernie, BC

Registration for the 2019 TransRockies Classic is now open.