Ten-month-old Samuel Montenegro had the best seat in the house for the Applewood Valley GranFondo.

He was a passenger as his parents, Monica Clavijo and Carlos Montenegro, took part in the family fondo portion of the long distance bike race through scenic rural 91原创 on Sunday, June 11.

The family from Colombia in South America is visiting Canada for two months, staying with relatives in Surrey, and since mom and dad are both athletic, lucked out when they found out about the GranFondo on social media.

鈥淚 brought my bike,鈥� explained Carlos. 鈥淚 ride three or four times a week.鈥�

Clavijo is more of a runner but they rounded up the necessary equipment. The family was enjoying their first time in British Columbia.

鈥淚t鈥檚 similar to Columbia鈥� the weather, the people,鈥� Clavijo explained.

They weren鈥檛 the only international entrants. In addition to people from around the Lower Mainland, the event drew people from Alberta, Manitoba, Devon in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Utah, Washington State, and Berlin, said Susie Ernsting, one of the organizers.

Stacy Tseng brought her family to 91原创. The Burnaby mom was taking part in the family fondo with daughters, Molly Chen, 11, and nine-year-old Miya Chen while their dad was in the medio fondo 85-kilometre event. The family chose the picturesque competition to stay active.

鈥淲e want to keep them exercising,鈥� she said of her kids who also do skating.

It paid off 鈥� Molly won first place of the 94 entrants in the presto fondo (50-kilometre).

Entry numbers maxed out for this year鈥檚 GranFondo at more than 1,400 people.

鈥淲e sold out for the first time ever this year just over 1,400 riders have joined us across four different distances. So we have a 20 kilometre family fondo and then a 50-, 85-, and 120-kilometre rides.

Riders are timed as they left the startline, rode through the Fort 91原创 area and returned over the finish line. Results were posted online at the granfondo website and at . The first rider, from Port Alberni, finished the longest distance in under two hours, 1:46:07.

After the rides, entrants and the public were invited to enjoy the post-ride festival with games, food, entertainment, information booths, and a chance to check out the farm where it was staged.

The event was held last year but with COVID restrictions and fewer riders able to take part. This year ended up being perfect weather for riding.

鈥淭he weather held up which was fantastic,鈥� said Ernsting. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not too hot, not too cool. And we鈥檝e got our record amount of riders here today.鈥�

The 2023 ride was based at Eagle Acres Dairy in North 91原创 again this year.

鈥淓verybody loves coming to Fort 91原创,鈥� Ernsting said. 鈥淲e love our host here at Eagle Acres. Lots of fun. We鈥檝e got sheep in the back. We鈥檝e got cows. We鈥檝e got goats and chickens. So it鈥檚 just a really welcoming place for families and community.鈥�

.

鈥� READ MORE: Cycling a life-changer for GranFondo rider

鈥� READ MORE: 1,000 riders take part in 2022 event

.