The Kris Yip Memorial Fondo: A day to remember the national team rider

On June 24, cyclists will ride to remember the late Kris Yip in a memorial fondo. The Prince George Cycling Club is organizing the 70 km ride to remember the national team rider in his beloved sport.

Yip, who died at the age of 47 from a heart-related issue at his Prince George residence, had been bicycle racing since he was a teen. He was junior criterium champion in 1993 and represented Canada as a member of the senior national team as well as competing in the UCI Cycling Esport Championship in 2022, achieving an impressive 11th place overall.

Race organizer Ron Gallo told the Prince George Citizen the significance of hosting an event that celebrates Kris Yip’s legacy, given his deep roots in Prince George.

Valued member of Prince George cycling community

Kris was born and raised in Prince George and found a bike at a young age and ended up going to elite status, and this simply wouldn’t have been possible if there wasn’t some cycling events in Prince George when he was at a young and impressionable age,” Gallo said. “Being able to offer something with the hopes of being able to find the next Kris Yip, this is huge opportunity to make sure the legacy continues where it started.”

Watch the beautiful tribute during a Zwift race to the late Kris Yip

Yip’s sister, Kimberly Brochu, echoed the importance of the event, celebrating her brother’s life.

The creation of Kris’s Memorial Fondo speaks to the incredible impact he has made on the local cycling community. It means so much to me that the Prince George Cycling Club is honouring my brother with an event that is open to any and all abilities as he was always so supportive of others. Personally, this is still all surreal and I struggle daily but, I am extremely proud of Kris for the person he was and the legacy he has left behind. Kris was a rare gem in his field as he had no ego because it was truly about the ride for him.

“Our family had been part of the PGCC since 1990 and this is where Kris found his tribe. With the club, he was able to train and race locally to prepare for national and international stages. The support and guidance he received from the club helped shape him into the elite athlete he became and he represented Prince George and the PGCC with pride,” Brochu said.”I would love to see Kris’s legacy inspire others through this event, especially youngsters, to try cycling. Kris made an often-intimidating sport an inclusive one through sportsmanship, camaraderie and a genuine love of the ride.”

A kind and gentle mentor

Kris was a natural mentor, guiding others in his gentle, kind and encouraging manner, always with his infectious smile, Brochu continues. “I know this brought him great joy as he spoke mainly of their accomplishments rather than his own,” Yip’s sister continues. “One of my favourite memories is accompanying Kris on University Way for hill repeats. In the time it took me to reach the top he had completed several repeats, every one with a smile. As he’d ride up behind me, he’d tell me how “awesome” I was doing and then grab my saddle and give me a little push before conquering that crazy hill again. Although I’m not as passionate about cycling as Kris, I got on the bike just so I could spend more time with him. And I know he had that effect on others, too.”

Nancy Hichok, Yip’s mother, says the event is something she hope can continue every year so future generations learn about her son.

“I always knew he was very special in so many ways… and it’s apparent that the cycling community in PG and around the nation knew also. I rode with Kris every season, very proud to be alongside of him or trying so hard to hang on to his wheel! Every ride he is still with me and this event especially I know he’ll be along my side,” Hichok said. “Thank you PGCC for honouring Kris.. I am honoured to be called mom!”

Neil Hodgson said that Kris will never be forgotten “Kris was just such a great guy to be around and ride with, always game for a ride, always so polite and calm,” he said. “So humble about his achievements, maybe to a fault!”

A passion for cycling

Matt Brown said that Yip was such an easy welcoming person. “Quick to befriend and so encouraging. His passion resonated throughout the community and his cycling friends. He would always encourage you to participate,” Brown said. “No matter your fitness level at the time. With a ‘come on, it will be fun.’”

The fondo’s importance is a good example of Yip’s legacy, Matt Thomson said. “A dedicated fondo is a way to allow not just racers to ride in memory and celebration of Kris, it opens up the ride to anyone that can ride a bike. Kris made a huge impression on a good many people within and outside of the cycling community,” he added. “His celebration of life, held during near blizzard conditions, was a standing room affair filled with tears and beautiful memories.”

Nikki Kassel explained that Yip was a guiding force in Prince George’s (and the northern half of the province) cycling community. “He was always present, always kind, always dominant. His absence in our cycling world here in northern BC is enormous,” she said.

“Kris was the epitome of what a great cyclist should be,” Nathan Blok concluded. “Kris was the epitome of what a great cyclist should be. With so many great accomplishments, and yet, you would never know it… he was egoless”

His son, Kieran, loves to see the beautiful words from Yips friends. “Well my heart feels very full and happy seeing that the community keeps his name and memory alive by doing wonderful things like that,” he said.

To learn more about the Fondo, you can visit the Facebook post about the ride.