The fifth annual Gibsons Grind Gran Fondo hit maximum capacity with 250 riders on June 25.
The Grind started in Langdale on Saturday morning. Riders worked their way from the overflow parking lot of the ferry terminal through one of three different distance courses – 50 km, 70 km or 110 km – eventually arriving at Persephone Brewing Co. for beers and barbecue in the afternoon.
The event was organized by the Sunshine Coast Cycling Club (SCC) along with the Gibsons Grind Planning Committee. SCC president Glenn Hafey was delighted with the responses from riders in the Gran Fondo.
“We heard nothing but positive reviews about how beautiful the Sunshine Coast is and how friendly everyone was – even the traffic was really accommodating,” Hafey said. “Everything was fantastic. The morning was a little bit cooler, but as the day went on it got warmer and sunnier, and by the time everyone hit the Persephone wrap-up barbecue it was baking hot. You couldn’t get better weather.”
The Gran Fondo is a non-competitive event aimed at showcasing the Sunshine Coast to residents and visitors alike. Any funds generated through the prize auction or donations go towards putting the event on in following years, although Hafey said they ran into some unexpected expenses this year.
“We’re hoping that we’re going to break even, but we’re not really raising funds for it,” Hafey said. “It’s just a matter of getting people out on their bikes and having a fun event and introducing people to the Sunshine Coast more.”
