About 1,500 riders took part in the sixth annual Sunday morning at the Fort 91原创 Historical Site.
That鈥檚 about as big as the annual ride needs to get, event director Marc Campbell said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e right around where we typically are,鈥� Campbell told The Times shortly after the last rider departed.
鈥淚 think we鈥檙e ahead of last year by probably 50 or 60 people, so we鈥檙e around that 1,500 mark.鈥�
Because Fort 91原创 is a small community and the parking is limited, that is the maximum number of participants, Campbell said.
鈥淲e want to keep it intimate,鈥� Campbell said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not looking to to grow too big. If we can pay our bills and donate to our charities, then we鈥檙e all good.鈥�
The event has raised about $25,000 every year for charity, but this year could be above average thanks to London Drugs Ride for Hope which raises funds for Canuck Place Children鈥檚 Hospice.
Campbell said there is a lot of support for Canuck Place, which provides care for newborns, children and teens living with life-threatening illness and their families.
鈥淚 think we might go over (the $25,000 average), Campbell said.
鈥淚 heard two guys alone raised $6,000. And we also got a donation for that (Canuck Place) for $5,000 or $6,000. Plus there鈥檚 a team of people that are out there raising (funds).
The prospera Valley GranFondo started in 2012, created by Canadian Velo Event Management Society, a not-for-profit incorporated society develops and manages cycling events by partnering with community organizations and businesses.
The GranFondo, which has three routes for riders ranging from seasoned cyclists to novices: the 50-km PrestoFondo, the 88-km MedioFondo and the 160-km GranFondo.Each ride begins and ends in Fort 91原创 and takes riders through the scenic Fraser Valley. To All Proceeds from the event go to youth cycling programs in BC including Cycling BC鈥檚 iRide School Program, DEVO, Global Relay Bridge the GAP, and the London Drugs Ride for Hope.
The day before the GranFondo, kid鈥檚 events were held at the 91原创 Events Centre, for young racers with categories that included 鈥淭wo Wheelers 6 and under鈥� and 鈥淭wo Wheelers 7-9.鈥�
